Alan Maher's Power Enhancer

Phil · « **Reply #421 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 06:17 pm »

Alan,

RE Circuit Panel filtering: How about using one Shakti stone (the large one) in place of the smaller ones? Is the best placement on the panel door over the dedicated breakers or incoming wiring? Can ERS be used with Shakti?

Thanks.

BTW, I'm trying a new setup with excellent results thus far (very natural, dynamic, deep bass, live sound):

#1 dedicated outlet: Equi=tech is powered by this outlet. lower outlet - 193M + PE.
Equi=tech outlet: digital source is powered by equitech. lower outlet - 193L + PE.
#2 dedicated outlet: powers amp. lower outlet - 193M + PE

zmanbands · « **Reply #422 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 07:01 pm »

What size is the quantum physics large disruptor? My subpanel plate [general electric] is 32"X15". There is a door in it that opens to the circuit breakers that is 20"X8". The breakers themselves occupy a space inside the door of 6"X5". How many disruptors do I need and where to place them? Would they go on the outside of the closed panel "DOOR"? Is audio majic the only place to get them @ $225?

alanmaher · « **Reply #423 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 08:18 pm »

Phil

I thought the Stone only came in one size??? Anyhow, multiple Shakti Stones are required because they must completely cover all the circuit breakers including the main breaker, the size of your panel will determine the quantity required.

Steve

The large Disrupters ( 6.5"W x 5.25"D x 1.5"H)

One large Disrupter centered over the breakers is perfect. I would install the unit on the outside of the panel door. The Cable Company sells them: http://www.thecableco.com/emailnewsletter10407.php

Phil · « **Reply #424 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 08:48 pm »

Thanks, Alan.

So can the Shakti option be used with ERS? You mentioned not to use it with the disrupters....

alanmaher · « **Reply #425 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 08:51 pm »

It could but I wouldn't.

alanmaher · « **Reply #426 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 09:20 pm »

Paul

Our new Reference One filter might just be the meat you are looking for to develop the midrange frequencies. The filter is very powerful and only 1 to 3 are recommended for the entire electrical phase. I prefer to install the filter on non-audio circuits and choke circuits. I like to install the choke at one end of the circuit and the Reference One at the other end. You will experience two different tonal differences changes pending choke vs. non-a/v circuit. I currently don't have any in stock, but I expect the case to arrive in the next couple of weeks. The Reference does wonderful things to lower noise and enhance midrange definition. The Ref One should not be compared with the PE series or PE IV, it is a different type of design and it works VERY well in choke environments, especially with the 193M...the two items have beautiful synergy.

michaelv · « **Reply #427 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 09:32 pm »

Quote from: alanmaher on 30 Mar 2008, 02:56 pm

Mike...I hate to ask a dumb question, but why are you running 220v in the US? It should either be 240v balanced, 120v unbalanced, or 60v/60v using a split phase transformer installed in a subpanel off the main.

sorry, i wrote in a hurry. it's 120v . I feel like i answer dumbly

alanmaher · « **Reply #428 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 09:39 pm »

Mike don't sweat the small stuff....

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #429 on:** 30 Mar 2008, 11:46 pm »

Alan,

Several HBL5262's/HBL8200's and a Large Quantum Disrupter have been ordered. Please let me know when Ref One filter is available.

Thanks.

alanmaher · « **Reply #430 on:** 1 Apr 2008, 12:13 pm »

Circuit tuning using the PE series:

As you have come to learn, the PE design offers infinite circuit calibrations to match any system component, manufacture, or musical preference. The PE can be systematically installed throughout the home on every circuit and offer a range of tuning possibilities for the circuit, circuit panel, system, and individual component.

Let’s start by tuning non-audio/video circuits. Tuning non-audio/video circuits help develop soundstage size and tonal colors.

I would like for everyone to look at the list of breakers again for this exercise. Go back to the first non-audio breaker on your list. It would be best if you knew which duplex outlet was first and last on the circuit. Once you have the circuit mapped lets start tuning by using one of my favorite combinations:

PE II > PE > PE IV / PE III / PE V Standard > PE > PE II

In this design you can either use a single PE III, IV, or V in the center location, do not use all 3. This design will range from lower midrange warmth to dynamic to hyper detail pending the center filter model added to the combination.

Circuit tuning is similar to power cord tuning. A good quality cord, or in this case circuit panel by the time we are finished, should not add coloration to mask over other problems located within the system. Colorations at the system are nothing but poor interaction choices and easily fixed when you have the right tools. In my opinion a good quality cord should reproduce exactly what is provided by the recording, it should not add or take away from the performance. A good quality and implemented filter system should remove any coloration, noise, crosstalk, etc that may be travelling throughout the home and prevent it from entering the system component, but it should do it in a way that doesn’t negatively effect the original signal.

Allow your first tuned circuit to stabilize over the next 4 to 5 days and see what it sounds like on the audio circuit. I don’t advise using the same filter combination for circuit 2, 3, 4, etc, because other parameters play a role in the tuning process. Example: Circuit breaker quality, number of breakers, length of in-wall wiring, number of duplex outlets, quality of duplex outlets effect circuit ringing, all play a role in the final outcome, the filter is only as good as it’s connecting counterpart. Not every circuit has to have 4, 5, and 6 PE models installed, most circuits do fine with 1 to 4 filters installed.

Example:

Circuit 1: PE II > PE > PE IV > PE > PE II.
Circuit 2: PE > PE> PE. Maybe a 193M installed.
Circuit 3: PE V Standard
Circuit 4: PE > PE > PE. Maybe a 193M installed.
Circuit 5 (Audio Circuit): PE V Surge Interrupter > PE V Pro Custom > Reference Power Strip.

NOTE: Since the Surge, Pro, and Ref share the same receptacle, you might also consider optional tuning/filters for other outlets on the same circuit. It’s only optional because I personally don’t find it necessary, I would prefer instead to use the new Studio Reference v2 cabling with the built in PE V Pro Custom filtering or the new PE V IEC filter to provide component isolation and power factor correction. The Pro Custom combination does a great job of blocking incoming noise and the Studio Reference v2 and PE V IEC filters offer the same level of isolation filtering at the component power inlet to prevent system crosstalk from interacting and entering the component.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #431 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 01:56 am »

- With only 193M's chokes on brighter, non-audio circuits: the system gained subtle warmth, not bad.

- After adding 193L's into less bright circuits: brighter overall, soundstage (depth and width) increased, sounded somewhat unforgiving, more like a solid state system. Not for long term listening.

- while the large disrupter has not arrived, I applied PE tuning per Alan's instructions.
PE II (outlet) and 193L (sprinlker outlet) in circuit #1 (garage).
PE II (fridge), PE (outlet), 193M (outlet), PE (outlet) in circuit #2 (kitchen).
PE (outlet), 193M (outlet) in circuit #3 (family).
PE II (outlet) , PE (outlet), and 193L (outlet) in circuit #4 (living).
PE (outlet), PE III (HD & router & DSL modem outlet), 193L (computer outlet), PE IV, PE, PE in circuit #5 (den, bedroom & bath).

- remaining 2 PE's and 193Ms: one PE plus a 193M share duplex with PSA Power Plant Premium. One 193M at the PPP's IEC. One PE plugged into the house alarm system duplex.

Quick results: Brightness is gone, everything deeper w/o being mushy, much more listenable. Will be monitoring for the next 5-7 days.

alanmaher · « **Reply #432 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 06:20 am »

Paul

"Brightness is gone, everything deeper w/o being mushy, much more listenable. Will be monitoring for the next 5-7 days."

This is the first problem, don't use the PE to correct, only to enhance what you are already enjoying when tuning non-a/v circuits. Remove the 193L chokes and PE's. The 193L took a wrong turn. Only set up circuit 1 with the PE for today, too many circuits at one time do more harm than good, if something is out of whack after day 4 you will never know which circuit is tuned wrong. Can you set the PE up as listed in the example for circuit 1? Install all five filters on the same circuit. My vote would be for the hyper detail circuit because the 193M already is offering enhanced warmth according to your comments.

Circuit 1: PE II > PE > PE IV > PE > PE II (Hyper Detail Circuit)
Circuit 1: PE II > PE > PE III > PE > PE II (Warm Circuit)
Circuit 1: PE II > PE > PE V > PE > PE II (Dynamic Circuit)

Try the circuit 1 example on your first circuit that can support five PE's installed and report results.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #433 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 12:02 pm »

Thanks Alan. All 193L's and PE's removed, only a 193M stayed on fridge, maybe another one in computer room. Then I identified the circuit with 8 available outlets; turned out the family and living rooms are on the same circuit, only 3 outlets centering the TV are on a separate circuit. Here's how I installed PE's in the above 8-outlet circuit:

PE II > PE > PE > PE IV > PE > PE > PE > PE II.

Will report results in a few hours.

alanmaher · « **Reply #434 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 12:32 pm »

Odd mix....try this, remove the IV and install all PE's in between the pair of II's, that should give you 6 PE's in between the pair of PE II's...that will work nice. The circuit in it's current configuration is not balanced. The new set up should provide good dynamics with a warmer overall balance without loosing top end extension.

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #435 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 05:48 pm »

Done!

Now it's nicely warm with decent (but not "Wow!") extensions, adequate dynamics. I will let them gel further.

There're 3 PE's, 1 PE II, 1 PE III, and 1 PE IV left over. What should I do next with them?

The Disrupter will arrive next week.

Thanks Alan.

P.S. This is embarrassing. I found one more outlet hidden a couch in the above circuit and thought, "Wow, now I can try a PE IV in between". A minute later I found another outlet behind the piano, covered by some acoustic panel. I am now back to a non-audio circuit with even number of outlets (10), so there will be 2 PE II's at the beginning and end, and 8 PE's in between.

alanmaher · « **Reply #436 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 09:19 pm »

8 PE's on the same circuit would be too much. Let the other design gel.

PE II > PE > Open Duplex > PE > PE > PE > PE > Open Duplex > PE > PE II

We can deal with the remaining filters later in the week.

jmichael · « **Reply #437 on:** 2 Apr 2008, 11:25 pm »

It's interesting to see where this Thread has gone.....for people with too much time on their hands.

alanmaher · « **Reply #438 on:** 3 Apr 2008, 10:23 pm »

Does anyone have anything to add about your tuning experience?

Jeff
Gotta play to get it right....

zmanbands · « **Reply #439 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 04:56 am »

I can't undertake the start at square one approach now. But for my latest tuning, I did hardwire my PLC in my dedicated circuit and line the inside of the box with the grounded copper clad as suggested. Did the pro gold /silver paste cleanup on wires. [[My PLC has a non detachable power cord so It's a power strip liberator that got hardwired and the PLC is plugged into it.]] Without the jargon, after 25 days of settling it sounds great!!!