Is anybody using Powervar or Oneac power conditioners?

warnerwh · « **on:** 2 Nov 2003, 07:18 am »

Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are on these. I know there's the conditioners aimed at audiophiles but can't imagine why these commercial conditioners couldn't do the job at least as well. Also wondering if anybody has tried using a truly heavy duty power conditioner with a power amp. Say 15 amps output from a conditioner for an amp that only draws a max of 900 watts.

doug s. · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 04:07 pm »

i have separate isolation transformers for my cdp, dac, & outboard electronic x-over. i also have my vans evers unlimiter plugged in to one, which has all my front-end electronics plugged in to it. highly recommended. but, the powervars being adwertized for ~$225 on a-gon can be found on ebay for <$100...

re: high power units for amps, i'd recommend someting like the xendak (sp?) units found on ebay, for reasonable prices. these things are monsters, weighing up to 100 lbs, or more, 20a and up. anywhere from $50-$300, depending on yust how big, & on the vaguaries of ebay...

personally, i am happy w/using a vans evers unlimiter on my amps, as i have relatively clean power - my house has its own x-former, as i 'm in a relatively rural area. but, future plans include a separate elec'l panel for my audio rig, w/separate lines & mondo isolation transformers for amps, front end, & digital. transformers from ebay, of course!

doug s.

byteme · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 04:16 pm »

I think these are the best value in audio today as far as bang for the buck goes. My review is here - http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=4012 - and as you can see, with a little tweaking and some cleaning these things transformed my audio system more than any prior power tweak has, bar none.

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 06:01 pm »

Thanks for the thread. I just bought a 7 amp Powervar and was very pleased. It cost me 45 dollars shipped. The sound at 2pm is better than sound in the middle of the night. Didn't realize I had so much grunge. The reason I didn't say anything earlier is I thought being as they aren't designed for audiofools and thought I'd get more ridicule than I felt like dealing with. The high dollar conditioners I'm sure at this point are a waste of money. For the small investment they have a large return. The main reason I wanted one was because of the power surges we've been getting. Anybody who is thinking they're not interested because it doesn't say PS Audio or Richard Gray and costs hundreds of dollars is making an error in judgement.

vpolineni · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 06:28 pm »

I completely agree with warnerwh. I bought a 12 amp powervar conditioner for 65 bucks including shipping off of ebay a couple of months ago for the same reasons he did. Well, my system sounds much better now with a quieter background and definetly in the afternoons. Money well spent, to say the least.

cjr888 · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Nov 2003, 08:26 pm »

I have done the same with a relatively cheap OneAC that I used for digital stuff. Best of the best? Nope, but you can't beat the price to get a very noticable improvement.

Carlman · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 12:04 am »

I've got the same 2 units as Byteme. I think it was his review that inspired me. In any case, they look old, they buzz, but, they do lower the noise a little. I haven't upgraded the outlet or done any other work but, I'm not happy about the constant buzz from the transformers. So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. Can the transformers be replaced with a toroidal?

Also, I initially thought they were removing some FM radio that's been coming through my system. Unfortunately, I still get 'Foxy 107' at times.. which I can hear in my listening position, regardless of volume position.

The OneAC's do some good but, they don't do miracles.

sjd · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 01:39 am »

I have both Powervar, and a OneAC unit. They are lower amp (I think 3 plus, and 7). SO I only use them for digital. I do believe the OneAC is slightly better than the powervar, but I haven't really AB-ed (I just plug it in and go). I needed another conditioner for my work headphone system, so in went the OneAC.

I also have two units for analog. One is the Risch kit from DIYCable, the other is a DIY best compared to Boldercables 2 bybee powerbar. When I first replaced the Risch with the Bybee'd supply, it was thinner and veiled. But this is not too surprising, I had hope, and yes they burned in and ended up significantly smoother and with quieter noise floor. Wow! No, haven't tried it on my digital equipment... For some reason, I have this need for "purer" signal paths feeding my tubes. Don't ask me why, because I have no rationale. I ought to open the OneAC and look at dropping a couple bybees into it. Best of both worlds? Overkill?

cametz · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 04:45 pm »

Here is a summary of my noise problem. Using two CineNova 3 ch amps, the Kenwood VR-6070, Denon DVD-2900, Cable Box I have loud buzz or hiss or hum on my VMPS RM2. and center.
I have tried many remedies and none have worked. Like dedicated line, Rat Shack filters, unplugging everything.

I disconnected the RCA cables from the amp,(no other component connected, dvd, cable box all diconnected) and with the amps on and speaker wire connected between amps and speaker there is a very, very slight, what I would call hiss.

Then I reconnected the RCA to the amp and the Kenwood (Kenwood not powered up and unplugged) and the hiss became a louder buzz, (Probably because it was louder my classification went from a hiss to buzz).
I then powered up the Kenwood; no change Same buzz same loudness. Then I turned up the volume and as the volume increases the buzz gets louder.

Thought I would try something else. I disconnected the speaker wires and installed other wires I had, to the speakers then to the receiver. The CineNovsa were out of the picture. No change noise still there.

I reconnected everything and turn everything on. That is when the noise is very low with the volume turned all the way up on the receiver. I start a cd, stop the cd and the noise is loud again with the volume turned up. I then turn off the Denon DVD player and no change in the volume of noise, still loud. I turn the DVD player back on the noise again drops back to minimal. It's only when I push the play button that the noise gets louder.

So I tried the OneAc... no change. I tried a pair of silver Plated 20 amp Cryogenic treated AC outlet... no change. I am waiting on a pair of C7 power cords from b-p-t . If that doesn't work maybe a BP2.5 might be in the picture.

I'm open for any reasons for the noise or remedies.

Clyde

MaxCast · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 05:15 pm »

Quote from: cametz

Here is a summary of my noise problem. Using two CineNova 3 ch amps, the Kenwood VR-6070, Denon DVD-2900, Cable Box I have loud buzz or hiss or hum on my VMPS RM2. and center.
I have tried many remedies and none have worked. Like dedicated line, Rat Shack filters, unplugging everything.

I disconnected the RCA cables from the amp,(no other component connected, dvd, cable box all diconnected) and with the amps on and speaker wire connected between amps and speaker there is a very, very slight, what I woul ...

Woowa there cowboy

Sounds like you have a grounding problems going on with the Kenwood. Do you have anyother preamp you can try in the system?

byteme · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 05:36 pm »

Quote from: Carlman

I've got the same 2 units as Byteme. I think it was his review that inspired me. In any case, they look old, they buzz, but, they do lower the noise a little. I haven't upgraded the outlet or done any other work but, I'm not happy about the constant buzz from the transformers. So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them. Can the transformers be replaced with a toroidal?

Also, I initially thought they were removing some FM radio that's been coming through my system. Unfortunately, I still get ' ...

Carlman, I've had trouble with one getting "buzzy" since my review. I've tried to replace it but the one I bought was not quieter, so the search continues. I've found that it pays to specify before purchase that you're using it for audio and the transformer needs to be totally silent. In my case even that didn't help. So, you do have to be careful, but for $30-50 it's still hard to go wrong. The two 1102's I have are still silent and working wonders just as indicated in my original review.

cametz · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 06:06 pm »

Hi MaxCast
No other pre amp at present but that would be an interesting experiment. On the other hand the noise is still there without the Kenwood and just the amps. Or without the amps and just the Kenwood.

Carlman · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 07:24 pm »

Quote from: byteme

Carlman, I've had trouble with one getting "buzzy" since my review. I've tried to replace it but the one I bought was not quieter, so the search continues. I've found that it pays to specify before purchase that you're using it for audio and the transformer needs to be totally silent. In my case even that didn't help. So, you do have to be careful, but for $30-50 it's still hard to go wrong. The two 1102's I have are still silent and working wonders just as indicated in my original review.

Sorry to hear about your buzz. It's annoying at times but, I really don't notice when I'm listening to music so, that's good. I just hear it all the time when I'm not listening to music. I'm really tired of hearing Foxy 107 in every speaker in my home as well. My PC speakers are now playing this station. I'm going crazy!

If I could just replace the transformers with quiet ones in the OneAC, I'd be happy. These things are so simple, it seems like I could just make one myself out of all new parts. However, I'm not an EE so, I don't know the design philosophy well enough to design my own. If I copied the OneAC completely but used new caps, resistors, toroid, good receptacles, etc... I bet it'd be as good or better and be silent for a really long time.

At this point, I'd just be happy to know if there's something that transformer is doing that another type wouldn't.

-C

MaxCast · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 08:42 pm »

Quote from: cametz

Hi MaxCast
No other pre amp at present but that would be an interesting experiment. On the other hand the noise is still there without the Kenwood and just the amps. Or without the amps and just the Kenwood.

I thought you heard a slight hiss with just the amps. I figured this was acceptable given the further noise that developed as you added components. Power conditioners may or maynot solve hiss and buzz. It seemed like an expensive way to find out.

I have had different hisses and buzzes as my system evolves. Right now I am auditioning IRD's preamp. I have a slight hiss at the speaker when it is off. When I turn on the preamp everything goes dead quiet. Then the music starts and it stays quiet.

I would seek another preamp to try before spending time & money on anything else.

cametz · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 09:50 pm »

When I turn on the preamp everything goes dead quiet. Then the music starts and it stays quiet.

That sounds good. You have me curious to see if a different preamp might work. I'll look around.

cametz · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 11:08 pm »

Keep Trying

Just received the C-7 Power Cord.....no change noise still there.

Gordy · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Nov 2003, 11:13 pm »

Carlman,
Have you tried dampening the trans and or casing? It helped mine when I coated the inside with 2 layers of alum. backed roof flashing repair tape. Also, I found that the el cheapo power switches were contributing to the noise too, tightly wrapping with the roof tape helped, but removing 'em all together will be the better way to go.

I see that Herbie's now has a high temp transformer damping gunk as well, haven't tried it yet though...

Gordy

kevb · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 03:11 am »

Cametz,

In your post you mention that you are hooked up to a cable box? Try disconnecting the cable and see if the noise goes away - sounds very much like you have a ground loop caused by the grounding of the cable box. That has happened to me before....if that is the source you will have to get one of these or similar....

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=MONMAGIC&product_name=M%2EA%2EG%2EI%2EC%2E%20Cable%20TV%20Isolator

Kevin

cametz · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 Nov 2003, 02:20 pm »

Yea, I think you right about the groung loop causing a major part of the problem because although the C-7 didn't help by themselves I put cheated plugs on them and reduced the noise a lot, not completly but a lot. Using the cheated plugs on the old cable did nothing.
I have disconected the cable box and the cable from the wall and no improvement.
Thanks for your suggistion. I will continue to work on it.

warnerwh · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 Nov 2003, 01:47 am »

Try removing one component at a time. Obviously when the one you remove makes the hum go away that's your culprit. I've had this problem twice. Once with a monster power conditioner and last time it was a Krell preamp. Make sure your connections are good at all of your RCA's. That's another good thing about isolation transformers in some power conditioners, they cut way down on the possibility of having a ground loop.