Help choosing Power Conditioner

I must have gotten my Powervar from the same guy as you Tvad. These things are the real deal and at 229 so much cheaper than other iso-transformers out there. I have no hum issues at all.
Mike

Tvad - Yes, I was referring to the transformer hum. The Powervar I used (ABC1200) had varying levels of hum by day, sometimes quiet in the morning and then noisy as heck at night. I tried some additional damping of the toroid, helped a little bit but not enough.

Agree with Snofun on the ethics issue,Bob

I got a 10 amp powervar used on ebay for under 50 bucks. Has minimal transformer hum, essentially inaudible at > 3 feet away. (Did NOT purchase from Tvad!). I assume it will protect the front end pieces if lightning strikes, and that was my main reason for buying. (Also, I was able to buy a kind of cool-looking gadget-like thing that was pretty heavy, which adds to any placebo effect....so yeah, I'm happy, I think).

OK, seriously--I was unable to hear any definite sonic difference in my system, but do have a vague sense that it is probably better than just a surge protector if there's a storm, etc. Hum is inaudible at listening distance (and my hearing has been relatively recently tested and is still quite good).

A neutral power conditioner shouldn't impart any sonic characteristic other than perhaps making the music seem a little "louder" due to a lowered noise floor. Other conditioners may soften the highs somewhat, or impart other sonic characteristics, but these cannot be considered neutral, and are chosen for the flavors they add to the sound.

I've read that a PS Audio Humbuster may eliminate the transformer hum from the Powervar if the hum is an issue.