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Tice Power Block 3A. Thinking to add PS Power Plant 300.
Several companies are releasing new power-conditioner products these days, some with radically new technology. Are you using them?
Monster power HTS3500. Got it for $250 in Miami. The dealer gave me a 30-day triala smart move on his part. I guess he knew I would never be able to remove it from my system. How could anyone intentionally do something to make their system sound worse?
What I use isn't a power conditioner. It's the PS Audio Power Plant. This thing is to ordinary power conditioners not what a Ferrari is to Honda, but rather, what a Lear Jet is to an ox pulling a wagon. I've been an "audiophile" for going on 25 years, and I've bought something like 80 components in my life. This is the single best audio product I've ever bought. It's the only one I would never replace or do without in my system. It has a transformative effect on CD replay: I now only seldomly use my much-more-expensive vinyl setup. If it isn't clear yet, I absolutely love this thing. My Chang Lightspeed is now serving duty as a power strip for my computer!
I have a power conditioner made by Fadel Arts Products (FAP). I never would have believed that it was worth the money if my local dealer had not let me take it home and try it out. Once I tried it, the improvement in my system was so great that I could not give it back. I had to buy it immediately.
As I am from Australia, there are very few power conditioners available. I currently use a Panamax Protector, but am not happy with the effect it has on the sound. It has a noticeable effect on soundstaging and imaging. Every dealer I have spoken to except two say not to use surge protectors or power conditioners, as they greatly restrict current and have major effects on sound. One dealer even said that they have tested the $70,000 conditioners and protectors that hospitals use, and they still have a negative effect on the sound. I am currently getting two separate audio circuits set up at home, so I do not have to use any protectors/conditioners.
It will probably be the last piece of equipment I purchase. Right now I'm getting the rest of my system to the point where I'm happy. It cross my mind that I should have one but I'm now saving up for a VPI record cleaning machine. Having clean records seems more important.
I use a Unison MPS 1200. This is a 100% online 1200W sinewave UPS. That means it makes its output 120V AC from a DC supply derived from the AC line, or, if that fails, from the batteries. It neverin any formpasses the AC line voltage along to the stereo gear, and so I have 100% pure AC all the time going to my precious classic Marantz gear. It also never has to switch from one source to another; because it makes AC from DC, it doesn't switch from the AC line to internally generated AC when the power dies. The result is that absolutely no glitches of any kind make it to my gear. Ahhh. :-)