I recently purchased an Ecoflow Delta Three Max Portable Power Station for power outages and emergencies. About a week ago, I became curious how my system would sound if I powered my system from the power station. Since I have everything powered downstream from my SnubStation Zero, I simply unplugged the power from the wall and plugged in from the power station. I had no idea how it would sound but I wanted to find out. I listened for several days with a large variety of music. I’ve been trying since to conceptualize what I heard.  

The changes I hear seemed to be centered around density and greater detail, likely due to the elimination of power related noise. The one thing that was completely unexpected was the increase in the weight of the bass. I wasn’t even aware my amp could have such powerful bass. Detail, that was once masked or blurred by noise, is easily heard in a sound space with solid and harmonically rich voices and instruments. I can now hear/feel the full weight of an orchestra. The highs are sweet, extended and without any discernable edge. In my system, this greater density and detail results in a richer harmonic balance that can be quite subtle.

I took the next step and plugged the power station into the wall. I wanted to see if what I was hearing would still be evident with the power station plugged in, i.e. being able to have these changes without concern for draining the battery. It also passed that hearing test. At this point I was considering incorporating this power station into my system. However, the power station is big and weighs around 45 pounds. It would be awkward to incorporate.
I then decided to order a smaller version that would be more manageable, specifically the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max. It is smaller and only weighs 13 pounds. After I received it and charged the battery, I also listened to it with the power station unplugged and plugged into the wall. The sound remained consistent, plugged or unplugged in the wall.
The only potential drawback is the smaller unit has a fan that comes on often. I installed the power station in a cabinet with only the back open to the air. I cannot hear the fan in the cabinet.

I have incorporated this power station into my system.

On a side note, the power station app displays the amount of power used real time. Between my Holo Audio May and my SE84UFO amp, my power draw only required between 107 to 114 watts.

Hi guys,
MM, I followed your thread with interest. It actually got me to research those Ecolab generators. I have not pulled the trigger yet. Plan on using it for emergency power and maybe audio systems power. What unit did you get? Sorry if you already mentioned it in your thread.
ArtMan it seems you found out what an unwavering power source can do to bass reproduction. It seems Decware amps(maybe fleawatt SE tube amps in general) really shine with local on the spot power without long running wires. I attribute my cap banks do much of the same. Going to check out your units.
Thanks

Guys,

I’ve been following this, and MM’s threads about using a Battery power station, closely.

I have a couple questions:

1) Were y’all using a power conditioner before trying the power station?

2) I am using one of Decwares power conditioners. I don’t really feel a need to change anything, but if I wanted to try an EcoFlow, can I simply plug it directly into the wall and plug the Decware conditioner into it?

Edit: Also, what sources have y’all tried this with? Just curious if positive results might be achieved with both digital and analog sources?


Thanks, Geno

Geno,

I was using several of the Veri-Fi products as well as the Snubstation Zero prior to using the power plant. Upon my listening, they were still in the chain. Yesterday, I took out all of those except for the Snubstation. It sounded better, small but I can now hear even deeper into the detail. In this case, specifically very quiet passages of music. Usually when I say remove noise, I really mean detail that was blurred or sounding less real clear comparatively, rather than noise I could hear.

The Veri-Fi products from before were helpful with power from the wall but impart a relatively tiny amount of noise themselves, noticeable via the power station and only after removing them. This weekend I will test running it w/o the Snubstation in the chain.

FYI, if you are thinking about getting a power station, the smaller one I have in my system does have a fan that can be heard when running, not loud but it is there. However, when I put it into my cabinet, I cannot hear it at all. It would have been harder to want to use if it otherwise. But if in doubt, the larger Delta Max 3, if I ferry out the documentation correctly has a very quiet cooling system. I never heard any fan sound from it at all, even in a quiet room.  

I have heard both of mine unplugged or plugged into the wall, I cannot hear a difference between the two.  

Have you guys considered PS Audio's regenerators. I have a PS-12 and couldn't be happier.

I saw the Delta Max 3 is rated at 25db. Pretty damn quiet. Other ones between 30 and 40db.
It seems that Ecolab really did their research in providing clean sine wave AC and their units have a generous surge capacity. Also like the fact this seems to carry on all units from the EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max models on up.
Thinking of going with the river model just for an audio accessory and light duty in a power outage. I have plenty of passive heat and really don't load the fridge and freezer during warmer months.
Have a 100 foot 10 gauge 4 conductor SO cable and 6 circuit manual transfer switch left over from the motorhome. Had it set up to run the houe in case of an outage. Only used it for one hour in 22 years!

That's so interesting because what you hear removing the Snubstation Zero is about what I hear adding those that I have (and the two Line Noise Black Holes). I guess that would be the difference between battery power you are feeding and my directly from the wall to the Verafi components (and there are three SDFB after the two Snub Station Zeros, one to my DAC on the digital Zero branch and one to both the SEWE300B and the ZROCK3).

Anyway I'm not removing my Snub Station Zeros. I just plugged in the Dynagrid Jr. . . another sonic element to evaluate.