APC S15 for $250 NEW until 5/17/11 (MSRP $1500)!!!

rpf · « **Reply #40 on:** 20 May 2011, 02:26 pm »

I bought one too, though I haven't received it yet. I'm skeptical about it's improving the sound without drawbacks on all components, given my experience with other power conditioners; although I'll try it with everything.

I bought it because I need a better quality surge protector and more outlets for my Mac Mini and external drives, and for the safety the battery backup provides to them.

Gopher · « **Reply #41 on:** 20 May 2011, 05:53 pm »

Quote from: Jon L on 20 May 2011, 04:43 am

Guys, you have a brand new audio component with a ton of capacitors, parts, wires, connectors that need to be broken in. Leave your non-tube components powered up 24/7 and maybe even a desk lamp or two for a couple of weeks and listen. THEN, take the APC out of your system and listen again

Point noted and completely overlooked. For some reason I was assuming burn in wouldn't be a factor for a conditioner, but I shouldn't speak too hastily. This thing is powering my TV and stuff as well, so it should burn in relatively quickly.

genjamon · « **Reply #42 on:** 20 May 2011, 05:58 pm »

Also, I believe different plugs are on different circuits to some degree. There MAY be burn-in needed on the different circuits? This really is a question of mine, not a statement.

jhm731 · « **Reply #43 on:** 20 May 2011, 10:28 pm »

APC S15 vs the field:

http://www.purepoweraps.com/comparison.htm

usp1 · « **Reply #44 on:** 20 May 2011, 10:44 pm »

Those purepower aps's are expensive!

Jon L · « **Reply #45 on:** 20 May 2011, 11:31 pm »

Quote from: jhm731 on 20 May 2011, 10:28 pm

APC S15 vs the field:

http://www.purepoweraps.com/comparison.htm

Would love to try Purepower PP2000, but at $3000, it's a much harder pill to swallow than the discounted APC. As far as the chart in that link by Purepower, even the few hudred dollar refurb Liebert "on-line" regenerator will go head-to-head with Purepower on that chart, which obviously does not tell you how the thing will actually sound.

At any rate, my APC S15 just arrived and it's even heavier than I remember

jhm731 · « **Reply #46 on:** 20 May 2011, 11:56 pm »

Quote from: Jon L on 20 May 2011, 11:31 pm

Would love to try Purepower PP2000, but at $3000, it's a much harder pill to swallow than the discounted APC. As far as the chart in that link by Purepower, even the few hudred dollar refurb Liebert "on-line" regenerator will go head-to-head with Purepower on that chart, which obviously does not tell you how the thing will actually sound.

At any rate, my APC S15 just arrived and it's even heavier than I remember

I'm not knocking the APC S15, If I could get one with free shipping I'd give it a try.

usp1 · « **Reply #47 on:** 21 May 2011, 12:34 am »

^^^^^

Vanns has free shipping if you are in the US.

jhm731 · « **Reply #48 on:** 21 May 2011, 01:01 am »

Quote from: usp1 on 21 May 2011, 12:34 am

^^^^^

Vanns has free shipping if you are in the US.

Not to HI.

usp1 · « **Reply #49 on:** 21 May 2011, 01:10 am »

Why don't I feel the least bit of sympathy ...

Jon L · « **Reply #50 on:** 23 May 2011, 06:44 pm »

Finally whipped up the courage to unwrap the S15, which is as large and heavy as a Bryston amp. These guys really know how to pack these things BTW

IMG_1220 by drjlo2, on Flickr

IMG_1218 by drjlo2, on Flickr

AVnerdguy · « **Reply #51 on:** 23 May 2011, 07:19 pm »

I still haven't recovered from dragging it into the house! Looks like a nice unit. I've used APC around the house for the small system upstairs and for the computers and they always worked great.

But not on the main system. I have a FSR SP-15 for that. It mainly protects the digital equipment - modems, DVR etc. Although, I don't have the amps plugged into that because the toroidal xfmr on the big Adcom rings when on a UPS. I try it with the APC and see if it works as this one is supposedly a pure sine wave and not a regenerated wave. Might make the difference.

Gopher · « **Reply #52 on:** 31 May 2011, 01:36 pm »

What are you guys thinking of this thing soundwise?

I'm not sure I like what its doing. It may need further burn in, but I'm not wild about it yet.

zybar · « **Reply #53 on:** 31 May 2011, 01:45 pm »

Quote from: Gopher on 31 May 2011, 01:36 pm

What are you guys thinking of this thing soundwise?

I'm not sure I like what its doing. It may need further burn in, but I'm not wild about it yet.

Can't really comment on the sound since I am using it in family room HT setup. Given its size, I didn't feel like lugging it around the house and trying it in the HT or 2 channel rig.

I will echo Jon L's comments and say that the build quality is excellent, as is packaging. Other vendors could definitely learn a thing or two from APC.

George

usp1 · « **Reply #54 on:** 31 May 2011, 02:20 pm »

So far so good here. As I mentioned earlier, using the s15 took out a faint hum. Other than that I dont hear any difference.

Gopher · « **Reply #55 on:** 31 May 2011, 02:43 pm »

So far both my integrated amp and dac sound better plugged directly into the wall (porter port). I'm going to throw another decent receptical on the outlet the conditioner is on and try a nicer PC between the wall and the conditioner to see if that helps.

rpf · « **Reply #56 on:** 31 May 2011, 02:56 pm »

I first hooked it up to my Mac Mini, external HDD, ART Legato and Havana DAC and didn't hear much, if any difference. Thought there might be a very slight loss of texture.

For the heck of it, connected my Rogue integrated and the sound went from that of a 55wpc amp to a 100 watter. Much more powerful and dynamic sounding with less congestion and hardness in the highs. Still seems to be a slight loss of texture and a bit of tightness but a major improvement overall and the APC is not broken in yet.

Swapped out the stock power cord for a Pangea AC9 (7 gauge) and the sense of power and bottom end weight increased to the point that the bass is a little overwhelming. Am going to order another Triode Wire Labs PC, in 8 gauge, that I think will be perfect.

usp1 · « **Reply #57 on:** 31 May 2011, 03:04 pm »

rpf - I have my rogue 88 power amp on it as well. I think plugging it into the s15 dropped the noise floor significantly leading to the improvement in sound.

rpf · « **Reply #58 on:** 31 May 2011, 04:07 pm »

Quote from: usp1 on 31 May 2011, 03:04 pm

rpf - I have my rogue 88 power amp on it as well. I think plugging it into the s15 dropped the noise floor significantly leading to the improvement in sound.

Oh yeah, a definite drop in the noise floor.

Rclark · « **Reply #59 on:** 31 May 2011, 04:20 pm »

Really upset I missed this.