Hey everyone,

I'm dealing with some power issues and I was hoping to get some advice. I've been mulling over getting a power conditioner--or an isolation transformer as Steve recommended in another forum conversation--but haven't pulled the trigger on one for a variety of reasons. Now I'm feeling a sense of urgency...

I live in an old building in Manhattan, and so the wiring is ancient and the power isn't great. But recently I've begun to suspect that I might also need a voltage regulator in addition to a power conditioner, because there have been some weird voltage drops lately. (In the form of lights flickering throughout the apartment--fortunately my amps were off.)

Does anyone have experience with this kind of thing? I've done a little research and the Torus TOT AVR got great reviews, but boy howdy is it expensive--I'd rather spend that kind of money on a new cartridge or a better preamp.

My system as it stands now is a VPI Classic Signature --> Decware ZP3 --> Audeze Deckard --> Decware Torii Jr. --> Devore Fidelity Super 8s.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

My humble opinion, buy the largest size PS Audio Power Plant that you can. They come up used some and, since PS Audio runs great "trade in" to upgrade programs, they will often have used ones for sale at very good prices. NO< I am NOT affiliated with PS Audio in any way other than as a long time satisfied user of their products.

In my setup, less about noise, the voltage was the bigger issue sound quality-wise. It varied as much as several volts at different times, but was almost always higher than 120 here. And relatively consistant wherever it happened to be for a period of hours, I heard it. With my Torii MKIV, once recognized, it is quite noticeable, a denser/thicker, darker sound when the voltage is higher, and leaner, more open/cleaner sound when it is lower. So, for fine tuning the system in any way, I had a moving baseline, usually between 121 and 124v.

For this reason, I changed from my PI Audio Uber conditioner to a demo PS Audio P5 regenerator, the regen doing it all.... protect, filter and stabilize voltage. I can't say I recommend it unequivocally, as for me, I had to do a fair bit of work to get it as transparent as I prefer, building a special, very quiet and transparent power cord for it the biggest improvement. Once there, I like it pretty well, and am very glad to have the voltage regulation.

Also, the many settings the P5 offers for tuning to tastes are really useful... voltage, phase, and mode (low distortion or high regulation) most important for my preferences.

And unlike me, many like the P5 out of the box, though many others upgraded to the P10 for better sound. Don't know about the P3 sound. I did not look into it because, if I recall correctly, it only filters the high current outlet without regeneration/voltage regulation there.

If you have a digital multimeter you can measure voltage at an audio outlet periodically to see, and if it moves around, see if voltage is a sound issue for you.

With my P5, I typically like it best set at 118v, giving big enough, but more open and natural sound for me.

My P5 typically says I am using only around 170 watts with my Torii, CSP3, and a few incidental small items. It is rated for up to 1000 watts continuous output. I filter my front end separately with a little more transparent setup.

Since I got the P5, on occasion I have noticed some talk about smaller, less costly regenerators that I suppose may be enough depending on the system. I can't recall the company, but may be worth a little research if interested.

And if voltage variation is not a sound issue, it would seem a nice conditioner with surge protection could be a good option. Many folks claim good conditioners sound better than a regenerator. But as said previously, a used regenerator could be a good and relatively reasonable solution to your funky building power. There is a nice comfort in knowing all bases are covered no matter where we move our systems.

Wow, that one sounds like a hell of a deal if it does what it says!

I'd love to put it up against my P10 and see what I see.

Also, at Axpona, I saw the new P12, P15, and P20 models. They looked nice, and BIG!

Of course, I didn't ask about price.  :P

Nice offers on known things Palomino.

And nice find Beowolf. I wonder how to find a track record...maybe built for servers? The guy selling it seems to have spent a lot of time in audio. On the blog part of the Essence site he talks about having been a proponent of PS Audio regenerators in the past. Does not appear to have adjustments, but great price if it sounds and works well, and with battery backup.

Actually when I read what you wrote about the PPP an alarm bell went off in my noggin as I did not think the PPP was a "balanced power" regenerator. Did some research and found this:

https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/audio-accessory/power-conditioner/ps-audio-p...
ower-plant-premier-power-regenerator/

Paul says that unlike the regenerators that preceded it the PPP does not produce balanced power.

It's interesting that of the PPP, P5 and P10 that I have had the PPP had the most prominent "signature" with its output power. I like that signature and I still have mine in use in my second system. But it is very noticeable, which I perceive as a thickening to the sound that some components thrive on.

Guys, I’ve never owned a power conditioner and appreciate all the great info and tips.  I went on the Essence website to look at what Beowulf talked about. Here is one that I can afford:

http://www.essenceelectrostatic.com/product/p80av-800-pure-sine-wave-line-intera...

Thoughts on this please.  Thanks, Geno