[TheChairGuy]

Today marked probably the 6th time I've tried and failed with power conditioning (I'm thickheaded - so hopefully it's my last) 

I've got a Technics SL-1200 Mk. II with it's factory tonearm removed and an Origin Live Illustrious Mark III tonearm and my favored Grado Green/Shibata on it.  I also have a $50 stepped Isolation Transformer that folks rave about at AudioAsylum as a great aid for vinyl playback.

But, since I got that device a week ago I haven't enjoyed vinyl.

I put the IT the CDP with very good results....it was a lot more natural with it, deeper soundstage - better in the ways that matter to me.  In fact, it was the best DC playback I've had in my room here that I can remember 

So, I played the Technics tandem today w/o IT...man, that sound I love was back.  It sounds unrestrained, natural, cohesive and, as powerful/dynamic as vinyl is likely to get (let's face it, we can only do so much for it's 55-60 db dynamic range and grossly inferior stereo separation issues).  It was as good as I've heard in this room.

BrickWall, PS Audio PP300 Power Plant, BPT 2 Balanced Power Unit and probably a few others have been tried in my return to vinyl 3 years ago, and all have failed conclusively to provide overall benefit.  They all made my vinyl sound etched, unnatural.  They improved areas of it's performance, but without sounding natural - it's not worth it.

Has anybody else found this to be the case?

Hey, I'm not complaining...with a $50 device I improved my CD listening and plugged right into my $30 metal electrical strip, I've got the best analog I've heard in this room, as well.

John

[Carlman]

I'm doing some work for Equi=Tech and they sent me a couple of samples to hear... I don't have my sound room ready but on my other 2 systems I will say that the ET gear didn't have any limiting factors at all... All the energy of the systems comes through but with the benefits of cleaner power.  It's a nice improvement and protects all the gear.  It doesn't limit power to my 400wpc amp (McIntosh MC402) either.

I don't have a good room to compare yet so I can't tell how much change there really is.  But I can hear an improvement on in-wall speakers with a Pioneer receiver and on my temporary rig.

I know you've heard a lot of hype on this stuff.. and so have I... I have the RSA Haley which is pretty good for most things but it's not the same as the ET... They just sound different... Man, I never thought I'd say this stuff about power conditioners... ugh.  But it's what I've witnessed (unscientifically).

Once I get the sound room finished I'll compare everything I can get my hands on... I'll have a well-treated room and all the dedicated outlets you could wish for.  I'm very interested in the conditioner comparo, though.  I find it fascinating that something that 'shouldn't' make a difference really does.

Good luck,
Carl

[TheChairGuy]

Hiya' Carl 

Every conditioner I've ever tried had the same results.

It mostly improved CD playback when it was solely hooked up to it.....but failed at providing natural sound with either the pre-amp, amp(s) and turntable (my FM tuner is combo'ed in my current preamp and I didn't have a tuner for several years to note any difference).

I listen to vinyl because it's natural/live sounding/lifelike...tho on smaller scale than live due to it's lesser dynamics.  Every conditioner I've tried (except the PS Audio Harvestor and Enacom parallel line filters...which I'm not sure either of those do anything at all  ) has the same effect on vinyl playback.  Etched, unnatural, strained, etc.

On CD, it's a mixed bag.  But, mostly positive in several attributes.  But, CD is not lifelike/live sounding (that's whey they call the good ones 'analog-like'  ), but it improves depth, and in general makes it easier to listen to. It's dynamic, easier to use, remote, etc.....that's why I listen to it.

The BPT-2 Signature I had was great with CD...but I couldn't justify using it just for CD playback for $1500.00 or so I paid for it 

[bacobits1]

John,
What plain power strip are you using? I have been looking at the Wiremold manufactured and
recommended no frills "Naim power strip" from Allied Elec. $39 not the $59 jacked price of everyone else that is selling it. Is this a good 9 outlet strip ?
I have never heard a difference on my Basis Table compared to where I had it plugged in. I will have to try it. I have been using the 8 outlet "Audio approved" Brick Wall Line filter for quite some time now and never thought it restricted anything. Until just the last 3 days.
This is CD related though. About 6 weeks ago I put on a Signal Magic Power Digital Ref. It was horrible and needed lengthly break in. It was creating anxiety HA! I removed it and installed it on my sub for break-in. Things improved drastically after this, returning it to the CD player. This time I plugged it into the wall not the Brick Wall filter. It was really kick ass. Just for kicks I installed it back in the Brick, yup less kick ass. Damn!
System is extremely quiet with the Brick. So I'm wondering if any of the filtering, protection is worth it. I'm going to try a cheapy strip next although it has the protection and pilot light just to compare.

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit.
I don't know why I mess with this stuff in the first place. It always costs me $$.

Den

[TheChairGuy]

I use a 30 year old (metal) Radio Shack power strip....it has no surge or filtering, but does have a re-settable circuit breaker and on-off.  Probably not helping things, overall, but better than any filtering.

The Eichmann power strip is cheap at only $50...then you have varying prices on step-ups from there.  $39 for the Wiremold OEM version of Naim's power strip is cheaper still 

I've been looking at the BPT all-copper boxed power strip (for $169.00, but add-ons raise the price from there) or even Furutech's TP-60 6 outlet center which is supposed to use some gunk that absorbs EMI passively. 

Who bloody knows 

John

[lcrim]

I have my phonostage and KAB outboard powersupply plugged directly to the wall because they sit on or near a pass-through between the kitchen and dining room and around the corner from the main system.  I ran some 3 meter Volex pc's to these that eventually(Wiremold 9 outlet strip, Bolder Cables power filter) plugged into the Transcendant Sound Balanced Power Transformer.  I couldn't hear any difference, not better or worse.  The black cables on the floor looked like hell so I removed them.  Balanced Power does improve the HDTV, directv receiver, amp, DAC, preamp but not analog. 
In the bedroom, just about everything except the amp (Decware) goes into the non-switched, non-surge Wiremold that Den brought up and that system is dead quiet, go figure.
I am thinking seriously about changing preamps to one w/ less gain because right now I can only crank the volume a little past 12 oclock before it gets too stinking loud.

[BobM]

after a lot of experimentation I have the following components covered:

DAC - choked power conditioner
CD Transport - choked power conditioner
TT Motor controller - choked power conditioner
Amp - unchoked but capaciter filtered power conditioning
Preamp - direct to the wall (but it has built in capaciter filtering)
Phono stage - direct to the wall (but it has a built in choked power supply)

All of these plugged into a dedicated line to the box. In general I find power conditioning is better than not, but I prefer capacitor conditioning. I like choked supplies also, but don't use them where dynamics become choked out. That's my general guideline.

Enjoy,
Bob

[fsimms]

I have a Virtual Dynamics Power 3 power cord.  I put one on my Tact 2.2x preamp and my CD's sounded much better!  It also improve the vinyl a lot too.  I figured that if it worked for the CD's then maybe an extra cord would help my vinyl even more.  I bought and extra PC for my MiniMax Phonostage and can't believe how much better the Vinyl sounds!  The difference not subtle at all.  Old records sound as if they are the hottest new album out there and the singers sound like they are in the room with you.

The rest of my equipment is a McCormack 225 amp, a Nottinham Horizon with and AT OC9 cartridge, Salk HT1 speakers and a SVS 12+ sub.

Edit: I didn't mention the CD player as I am using the internal DAC of the preamp and coming it into it with optical cable.