Power conditioner/protection question

Blindjim wrote:

"congrats!

(...) What it is placed upon does matter some as well. Check it out."

Blindjim,

Do you mean that the Duet requires a special stand/platform? Or some dedicated legs?

I just had an interesting experiment with the PS Audio Quintet. My gear is plugged into a Monster surge-protector, all it does in addition conditioning-wise is remove the RF noise. I unplugged everything from it and plugged it all into the PS Audio Quintet. I tried CD's first, and found that there was a slight improvement, bass was better in particular, and there was more clarity of articulation. However, when I tried LP's, the effect of the conditioner was extremely detrimental. It was as if the soul had been sucked right out of the music - the soundstage shrunk, dynamics were compressed, and instrumental timbres were flattened and much thinner. Also, even on recordings with fantastic soundstaging, just about all of the ambient noise of the original performance space completely disappeared.

I had previously read here and on that other forum that power conditioners have a much more beneficial effect on digital, and even more so for video than audio at that. I certainly found this to be true, as I said the effect on analog was very detrimental. I am still considering purchasing a Duet just to plug my new plasma TV into, along with the satellite HD box, my DVD player, and perhaps my CD player. I figure this way at least the digital will be separated from the analog. What do people think of that idea? One thing is certain - I will never consider using a power conditioner for analog again, I'll just stick with the Monster surge protector for that, as in my area we have alot of thunderstorms, so surge protection is a must, and does not have a detrimental effect on the system.

I think it's a YMMV thing. I tried plugging in both my tubed pre and SS amp straight into the wall (a PS Power Port outlet) and it sounded slightly less dynamic then plugging both units into the Quintet.

Here’s what I mean…

No, a rack isn’t really needed. The power filters I own, 2 Duets, 1 UPC 200, and 1 RSA haley, all respond to the surface material (s) placed under them… in other words, isolation and damping. I heard a difference in the sound from just laying them onto the carpeting, placing a piece of wood underneath them, using phone books, magazines, hardback books, ceramic tiles, hard surfaces in conjunction with various iso noes such as vibrapods, Bright Star nodes, differing wood footers, etc. Playing with these simple near free items mix, can make changes you may well wish introduced into your system…. It’s not only the cord which matters.

As I have a few different types of these gizmos, I use them differently as well. It allows me to provide greater separation of components and in conjunction with the aforementioned tweaks, and power cords, more fine tunning to the components that are attached to each filter. .

For ex. I use the Haley for the amps, two tubed, one SS, a DAC, and a DVD player. On the haley I have an Elrod Sig III pc. I use a Python VX on one Duet which feeds several rotating digital pieces. The UPC 200 takes care of the personal confuser gear… printer, desktops, cable modem, router, phone.. etc. in combination with a couple power strips of course. The last Duet feeds the Br system.

One Duet is on a component stand’s shelf, the BR is on the carpeting, atop a hard backed book. The haley sits on Brighht star large iso nodes which are on a piece of hard wood, the UPC is on some plywood resting right on top of the carpeting under my desk. I kick it about once a day at least. The UPC also serves as supply to my active SR ic’s and speaker wires.

Seperating components like this wasn’t the initial plan going in… it came about as the direct result of $$$ or lack there of, and my notion passive filtration would less affect the sound than would active conditioning. As it happens, I do enjoy the fact each unit is running off a dedicated ckt as well. Each has a pc more appropriate IMO to the need it serves too. So it’s a more custom tailored approach to suit specific needs on accidental intention..

Each of the filters has supplied at some point amps, preamps, front ends, etc. What is in place wherever now, is IMO the best place for it/them…. So far.

Next up for me in the power feed area is likely better outlets. Mine are simple hospital grade 20A.