Forums - Power Recommendations

Ron

Seasoned Member

Posts: 229

Power Recommendations
01/06/13 at 23:13:10

So I have upgraded my receptacle to a hospital grade outlet.
From there I want to place some line conditioner of some sorts.

Should I get something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006HPHN/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_5?ie=UTF8&smid=A...

or like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AYDQB6/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=A...

This is the price that I want to start at, the PS Power Plant is too rich for my blood right now.

Thanks in advance!

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Palomino Seasoned Member Posts: 2474	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #1 - 01/08/13 at 17:59:38 I can't say what's better, but I believe that Steve uses the 1,000 watt version of #1 in his listening room. I just purchased the 250 watt version of #1 to try out. I'd also recommend a good power cord if you haven't got one yet.
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Ron Seasoned Member Posts: 229	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #2 - 01/08/13 at 18:48:37 The isolation transformer is recommended by Steve, I will start there. I see more benefit from the isolation transformer than a line conditioner if I understand both properly. Thanks for the input!
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Palomino

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2474

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #3 - 01/08/13 at 18:51:37

Here is an excerpt of Steve's response to me. I went with the lower wattage unit because of cost, Steve's comment about vibration and it also looked like 250 watts was more than enough to cover my equipment.

"The smaller models are desirable as they make less vibration. The numbers represent wattage. A small zen triode amplifier draws 80 watts from the outlet. Our larger Zen Torii draws 130 watts. The SE34 draws 90 watts."

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Ron Seasoned Member Posts: 229	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #4 - 01/08/13 at 18:59:03 Right on, thanks!
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Mark Seasoned Member Posts: 259	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #5 - 01/08/13 at 23:23:16 Here ya go: http://www.ebay.com/itm/321051641304?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m... http://www.avtoybox.com/is-250.html Best prices I could find on the 250 W models... (m.) Note: No affiliation
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Palomino Seasoned Member Posts: 2474	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #6 - 01/09/13 at 04:01:45 That is a good price. Better than I found when I bought.
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Palomino

Seasoned Member

Posts: 2474

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #7 - 01/16/13 at 14:27:53

I previously had built a separate power strip using good quality outlets, power cord and plugs and now I have all my components on the isolation transformer. This provided improvements in imaging and bass. Then just for fun I made a power cord using 10 AWG silver plated copper that my wife braided for me and some wattgate plugs I stole off another DIY power cord. Its still early, but the bass is definitely deeper and has a lot more slam.

I am a big believer in getting the power right. Keep in mind I am still running SS while I wait for my SE34, but I expect these gains to carry over to the tube amp.

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Mark Seasoned Member Posts: 259	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #8 - 01/17/13 at 01:30:19 Well, I also just purchased the #1 version from above... We'll have to see if it improves the sound... I'll report on this later... (m.) added: The 250 watt version
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stone_of_tone

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Listen Often/Listen
Deep

Posts: 3217

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #9 - 01/17/13 at 15:12:10

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=adcom+ac+enhancer+ace-515&qpvt=adcom+ac+enha...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adcom-ACE-515-AC-enhancer-/360342964517

http://www.users.interport.net/a/d/adcom/ace515.html

http://new.audiogon.com/listings/327322

If you can find one of these....they are a gem & 1/2. Switching turn on and can handle up to 750 watts. It's an Isolation Transformer with more features and power handling and they do turn up on Audiogon and the Bay in great shape. I've owned one brand new since the stone age...and of course, works like the day it was new. -Stone

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Lon

Seasoned Member

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23591

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #10 - 01/17/13 at 17:18:31

I didn't have very good luck with the Tripplite isolation transformers, introduced an "edge" to the sound. (Though it took me ages to really identify the edginess; actually Radcha noticing the same thing led me to isolate the sound). I went with PS Audio power products and have been very happy.

(Still no computer, using a friend's briefly, hope all are enjoying great sound!)

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Mark Seasoned Member Posts: 259	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #11 - 01/18/13 at 17:46:04 Lon, at 85 bucks net [eBay], I'm going to give it a try... I don't think I need a larger one for my needs right now... If I hear that 'steely' sound of which you speak, I'll take it out straight away... (m.)
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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23591	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #12 - 01/18/13 at 18:02:09 Cool. Hope you never hear it.
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Mark

Seasoned Member

Posts: 259

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #13 - 01/20/13 at 01:27:15

Uncle Lon, I got the unit, and I seem to be hearing the same thing you did... I mean, straight away... I mean, it's a clear sound, and quiet... But it has a certain edginess/thinness to it...

I'm glad I didn't spend too much... I'm going to keep it on-line for awhile, just to make sure, but it seems as though you're right about this unit... Oh, the trials and tribulations of audio!... (m.)

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If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

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Palomino Seasoned Member Posts: 2474	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #14 - 01/23/13 at 19:14:29 Any more detail you can provide on this edginess? Is it the initial attack of the note ragged? I am not experiencing this to my ears. If anything the unit smoothed out the edges and improved the sound stage. Maybe I am not listening close enough or my system is not yet resolving enough.
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Mark

Seasoned Member

Posts: 259

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #15 - 01/23/13 at 19:31:07

Well, I would call it a kind of clinical sound vs. more warm... I'm still not 100% sure yet... It could be that it's just a more defined sound... But my ears tell me that there's something else going on...

Note: When I received the unit, the base was damaged... Tripp Lite is sending me a new unit... I'll say this much: The company stands behind their products...

I'll report more on this later after I hook up the new unit... It could be that the one I have here now has been damaged internally or something... Or perhaps it needs break-in time?... (m.)

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If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

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Ron Seasoned Member Posts: 229	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #16 - 01/23/13 at 19:31:56 Was yours the medical grade unit?
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Mark

Seasoned Member

Posts: 259

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #17 - 01/23/13 at 20:05:40

Hello, and no, it was the standard unit... I understand that there may be a different grounding scheme on the medical units... Looking inside the unit, all primary components and secondary components are grounded to the same chassis screw... I don't understand how this can be TRUE isolation, but it does conform to NEC [National Electrical Codes]...

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If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

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Ron Seasoned Member Posts: 229	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #18 - 01/23/13 at 20:06:35 It is not true isolation. It is a safety mechanism. You can remove that ground and you will have true isolation.
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Palomino Seasoned Member Posts: 2474	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #19 - 01/23/13 at 20:07:08 I have the same unit as Mark. Interesting but mine was banged up as well.
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Mark

Seasoned Member

Posts: 259

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #20 - 01/23/13 at 22:09:15

If the secondary side ground is removed, you will not have absolute chassis ground in case of a ground fault in your audio equipment, right?... I don't know if I would want to do that... But my guess is that it would improve the performance of the unit overall...

Need to look at any center tap arrangements that exist on the X-former... That may determine just what can be done with the grounding situation...

A schematic of the unit might help... Can someone find this?... I can't seem to find one... (m.)

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If a rabbit defined intelligence the way man does, then the most intelligent animal would be a rabbit, followed by the animal most willing to obey the commands of a rabbit. -Robert Brault, writer (b. 1938)

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Ron Seasoned Member Posts: 229	Re: Power Recommendations Reply #21 - 01/24/13 at 11:58:49 I found this which is quite interesting... http://www.surgex.com/residential.html#strips
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beowulf

Seasoned Member

Posts: 1447

Re: Power Recommendations
Reply #22 - 01/28/13 at 03:39:19

I'm not sure what your budget is, but the PS Audio (entry level) Dectet Power Center looks like a really good product for the price @ $495.

It has the Power Port duplexes and is a passive filtration device (after extenisve reading this seems the best way to go) and with surge suppression, etc. By no means cheap, but it's worth a look if within your budget.

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