The kind of conditioner is very personal. I own several. Each has it drawbacks as well as it's benefits.
First: Ask yourself what do you want better. And what can you trade off.
Som folks can give up one area more than others. Then they say "This model is the best" When it really is only the best one for them. And for other people is it terrible for then and they think "How can they stand this junk?"
My personal desire is to have clarity. I want it more than anything else. So nearly any powerline conditioner can give me that. The downside is many conditioners take away the illusion of 'fullness' in the mid bass. The conditioners tighten up the bass and lower midrange, and make the lower frequencies seem 'thin'.
Thaough when i take off the conditioner, the bass then seems too loose, sloppy and wooly.
I suggest starting off small.. try one of the small devices, buy it used. Then try it on various parts of your system. See what happens. Then you will have some experience. and can make better decisions.
I started with just ferrous 'snaps' (claps in Brit speak) from Radio Shack/AudioQuest. Then a small Adcom AC315. Then a midsized Monster, Then moved that to video, and got a big Monster for the audio. Then i have a Furman REF 20i I found here for $1,400. And now I am getting (on it's way) a used PS Audio P600 to play with.
I am very happy with my path to better sound. Nothing makes it better than knowing for myself what does what. Instead of just asking and not knowing who is selling you stuff, and who is giving good advice.
So; if you want clarity and can live with a seeming (slightly) thinner midrange.bass then any big main company product will fit you. If you want only a little better everything, try some of the smaller/ but more expensive 'audiophile' brands that the crazies rave about. They do less, but are more benign too.
Remember the 'regenerators use TWICE the electricity, as they are basically 60hz amplifiers. They do not mention THAT in thier ads.
I like the big machines that weigh 80 or more pounds. They just seem to be doing what i like.
Also: Some conditioners change the incoming A/C from the standard 120V hot/0v neutral to 'technical power' which is 60V hot/60V neutral so both A/C wires carry 60V each. I prefer this type of power. There are basic toroid transformers that can do this with no other conditioning.
Then some folks swear by dedicated lines being all they needed.
So start with a small device, and experiment and you can find what you wnat out of conditioning. And at least one aftermarket powercord. The $99 Shunyata, or the Pangeas are a good inexpensive cord to use.
First: Ask yourself what do you want better. And what can you trade off.
Som folks can give up one area more than others. Then they say "This model is the best" When it really is only the best one for them. And for other people is it terrible for then and they think "How can they stand this junk?"
My personal desire is to have clarity. I want it more than anything else. So nearly any powerline conditioner can give me that. The downside is many conditioners take away the illusion of 'fullness' in the mid bass. The conditioners tighten up the bass and lower midrange, and make the lower frequencies seem 'thin'.
Thaough when i take off the conditioner, the bass then seems too loose, sloppy and wooly.
I suggest starting off small.. try one of the small devices, buy it used. Then try it on various parts of your system. See what happens. Then you will have some experience. and can make better decisions.
I started with just ferrous 'snaps' (claps in Brit speak) from Radio Shack/AudioQuest. Then a small Adcom AC315. Then a midsized Monster, Then moved that to video, and got a big Monster for the audio. Then i have a Furman REF 20i I found here for $1,400. And now I am getting (on it's way) a used PS Audio P600 to play with.
I am very happy with my path to better sound. Nothing makes it better than knowing for myself what does what. Instead of just asking and not knowing who is selling you stuff, and who is giving good advice.
So; if you want clarity and can live with a seeming (slightly) thinner midrange.bass then any big main company product will fit you. If you want only a little better everything, try some of the smaller/ but more expensive 'audiophile' brands that the crazies rave about. They do less, but are more benign too.
Remember the 'regenerators use TWICE the electricity, as they are basically 60hz amplifiers. They do not mention THAT in thier ads.
I like the big machines that weigh 80 or more pounds. They just seem to be doing what i like.
Also: Some conditioners change the incoming A/C from the standard 120V hot/0v neutral to 'technical power' which is 60V hot/60V neutral so both A/C wires carry 60V each. I prefer this type of power. There are basic toroid transformers that can do this with no other conditioning.
Then some folks swear by dedicated lines being all they needed.
So start with a small device, and experiment and you can find what you wnat out of conditioning. And at least one aftermarket powercord. The $99 Shunyata, or the Pangeas are a good inexpensive cord to use.