power condtioner

"It's like looking for a needle in a haystack but if you can find one that is worth owning, they generally offer tremendous sonic gains in a number of areas."

The Synergistic Research Powercell 10SE is such a product. Totally transformed my system. Not the first high dollar power conditioner I have had, but will definitely be the last. My SR dealer also sells Nordost and Shunyata and he says that they are not even close.

The Powercell uses only an electromagnetic cell outside the signal path, so no reliability issues like the multitudes that use MOVs, transformers, chokes/caps, resistors, etc. and no worries about current limiting either. I run my entire two-channel audio system and five-channel HT rig through it, including my Krell FPB-600C amp, and dynamics are better than ever.

Good luck.

Agree that power conditioners can lower noise floor and give you balcker backgrounds, enhancing resolution and take away a layer of grunge, but as mentioned they can also contribute to reduced dynamics, robbing the music of it's energy. You will find your Shunyata, Synergistic Research, PS Audio etc...supporters all over Agon. Offerings from these companies have been highly reviewed. Only way to find out how a specific power conditioner is going to work in your specific system is to try. Hopefully you have a local dealer(s) who carry competing offerings and you can compare.

Dlcockrum What other power conditioners did you try before deciding on the SR?

I think it's really dependant on your power situation and how stable it is. I have some buddies in newer housing developements, or areas that have had huge power system upgrades in their area, and they have very little need for anything much above some filtration, and even that is really just a precaution.

If you have a fluctuating voltage, and surges or spikes, that adds quite a bit of variablity to your power output, and power conditioning can help quite a bit.

I have tried Monster, Panamax, RGPC, Shunyunta, PS Audio and APC. I loved the PS Audio, and I think the new Power Plant Premier is absolutely fantastic.

I currently use an APC S15 for all of my gear with the exception of the front mono amps, which just pull too much power for the APC to keep up. The amps run through a PS Audio Duet.

If you have any power irregularities I believe the conditioning helps quite a bit. If you are lucky enough to have a good power situation, I believe that the guys above are correct in that if you don't need conditioning and add it, you will get the signature of the conditioner effecting the sound.

Without previous exp in any area or one like this, it's the same old thing... You're going to have to try some for yourself to really know... if you want to find the truth of things. otherwise, it's all bias and conjecture.

Power conditioners which DO NOT regulate the power or regenerate it, won't aid you with fluctuating incoming power levels. In that case you would look for a voltage regulator... and not merely a power line conditioner or filtering unit.

Some PLCs do both and some only attempt to remove artifacts from the line without providing any stabilization of voltage.

I'm certain this topic will be heavily laden in the archives... but then you won't really know looking therre for the answer.... will you?

On a budget? Look for a Running springs Haley... or some other RSA unit. I found no apparent bandwidth limitations, nor any overt current limitations using mine.

Enjoy!