[jaxwired]

I have a panamax power conditioner.  I plug all of my system into it except my power amp.  I plug my power amp into the wall because I don't trust the conditioner not to restrict current to the amp.

My question is, what is Bryston's position on this? 

Someone on another forum posted this verbage from their amp's manufacturer:

"The amplifier is powered by a toroidal transformer which charges 120,000 uF capacitance. This unregulated supply feeds the output transistors only with a full power ripple of about .3 volt. The power draw of this system is constant regardless of the music playing through the amplifier. As such, it does not depend on a high quality AC outlet or special power cords, since the dynamic performance does not create a variation in AC line draw. If the AC line is running low, the output stage will bias to a higher current level by way of compensation."

Is this true for Bryston amps? All amps?  Is the current draw constant regardless of demands on teh amplifier by the music or volume?

[James Tanner]

Hi Jaxwired;
 
The information supplied by the amplifier manufacturer you quoted applies to a Class A amplifier, which draws a large amount of current at all times.  This type of amplifier dissipates more than its total power rating at all times. Thus, its power-supply sees a constant load.  This is a very power-intensive way to design an amplifier, though it can give very good results.  (Only Class AB amplifiers have better measured performance, along with much lower power dissipation).
 
Although the above linearizes the load on the power-supply, it does not remove the need for filtering out noise on the power-supply rails. Thus, this type of amp benefits from a good power-conditioner also.
 
Bryston amplifiers, and other Class AB amplifiers, will show a variable load to the power-supply.  Thus, the power-supply benefits from proper design to give it good load-regulation.  Part of that load-regulation is referred to the power delivered from the wall-plug, and will further benefit from a power-conditioner which linearizes the peak current drawn from the plug, as does the Torus line of conditioners.  The Torus line of power conditioners actually improves the peak current available from the wall by acting as a large energy-storage device.
 
I hope the above is helpful, but please let me know if you have any other questions.  Thanks for thinking of Bryston.
 
Sincerely,
Chris Russell
Bryston Ltd.

[racerxnet]

James,

What gives in regards to the need or use of power conditioners. On page 2 of my owners manual it states the need for a dedicated line for the 7BST and you do not need any power conditioner.

"The Torus line of power conditioners actually improves the peak current available from the wall by acting as a large energy-storage device."

So if there is only 100 volts coming from the wall on a high demand day from Com -Ed the torus can increase the output to the needed 120 volts and maintain that output with a sustained load? Seems Ohms law does not apply here for some reason.. Whats the response time to recharge the caps on the Torus, and if the amp exceeds limits of recharge, now what.. Sounds like you get something for nothing.

Courious MAK

[James Tanner]

James,

What gives in regards to the need or use of power conditioners. On page 2 of my owners manual it states the need for a dedicated line for the 7BST and you do not need any power conditioner.

"The Torus line of power conditioners actually improves the peak current available from the wall by acting as a large energy-storage device."

So if there is only 100 volts coming from the wall on a high demand day from Com -Ed the torus can increase the output to the needed 120 volts and maintain that output with a sustained load? Seems Ohms law does not apply here for some reason.. Whats the response time to recharge the caps on the Torus, and if the amp exceeds limits of recharge, now what.. Sounds like you get something for nothing.

Courious MAK

Hi MAK,

I will get Chris to respond to this.

james

[James Tanner]

James,

What gives in regards to the need or use of power conditioners. On page 2 of my owners manual it states the need for a dedicated line for the 7BST and you do not need any power conditioner.

"The Torus line of power conditioners actually improves the peak current available from the wall by acting as a large energy-storage device."

So if there is only 100 volts coming from the wall on a high demand day from Com -Ed the torus can increase the output to the needed 120 volts and maintain that output with a sustained load? Seems Ohms law does not apply here for some reason.. Whats the response time to recharge the caps on the Torus, and if the amp exceeds limits of recharge, now what.. Sounds like you get something for nothing.

Courious MAK

Hi James;
 
All Torus power conditioners act as short-term energy-storage devices.  The method of storing energy is the magnetic field of the toroidal transformer in the power conditioner.  In effect, this mechanism acts like an electronic 'flywheel' of sorts, preventing short-term surges of current from instantaneously dropping the Voltage supplied to the amplifier from the wall. Thus, surge current is supplied with less resrtriction than when powering an amplifier directly from the wall socket.
 
The standard RM-Series Torus products do not act as longer-term Voltage regulators. That is, they will not bring a 100-Volt power line back up to 120V.  However, Torus also makes he AVR Series of Voltage-regulating power conditioners for use in brownout-prone areas.  These do adjust the output Voltage to within 5 Volts of 120V whenever the power line goes under, (or over), the nominal specified Voltage.

I hope the above is helpful but please let me know if you have more questions.

Chris Russell