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PS Audio Power Plants

My music on great days sounds three dimensional with  great sound stage depth, good solid bass , and no harshness on the high end.Those few days, I may listen for hours, However most days it sounds flat with no depth and I can't listen for more that 30 minutes or so. This is not a new thing. Its been happening through all different equipment and several houses for years
Has anyone had this experience and would a PS Audio Power Plant like the P10 or P20 help?
Thanks
keithjacksontucson
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
334 posts
 
There is only one right answer when it comes to power conditioners of any type-"they are all system-dependant". Everyone wants an easy answer and there is none. Welcome to audio. Matching components requires trial and error, finding the right loudspeaker requires trial and error, cable selection requires trial and error, and so it goes. Everyone's AC supply quality is unique, the extent of EMI/RFI is unique, the amount of back-wash noise into the AC is unique, and then all of this interacting with your particular components is unique to your system/situation. The fact that your system sounds different at different times of day is helpful but not reliable. It might be your grid or it might be you or it might be something in your house or it might be your neighbor turning on his Back to the Future Flux Capacitor (that last bit is a joke). But seriously, find a retailer who offers 14 day or better yet 30 day trials (I happen to like TheCableCo. no connection) and try a passive like an Audience or Isotek, an active like a PS Audio and a balanced isolation type such as Furman/Equi=tek/Equi=Core and find out for yourself. That is what I am doing. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

@hifiman5 Well, there’s another part to this story. I ordered the P5 a couple of months ago, directly from PS Audio. There was a delay of a few weeks before it was shipped. While I was waiting, I stumbled over the fact that the P10 and P5 were being discontinued, and replaced with new models that were supposedly much better and also a good deal more expensive. Also that current models couldn’t be upgraded. Further looking revealed that P5’s were unavailable (sold out/discontinued) just about everywhere, and that stores were selling their remaining P10’s at significantly reduced prices. I must have been one of the last people to whom PS A sold a P5 before they too ran out of units. Frankly, I was a bit miffed at paying full price. Unless the unit had done exactly what I wanted it to do*, it was going to go back. Otherwise, I would definitely have contacted them and got their take on the situation with the "whine".

* Explanation: my Rogue CMII integrated has some low-level hum *both* from the transformers and through the speakers. Together, the three sources can be heard from the listening chair when the music falls to silence. I’ve worked through a whole hassle of checking wiring, home remedies, disconnecting everything, various power conditioners, etc. etc., without any of them making a dent in the hum. Perhaps I’ll start a separate thread on it one day--too many things to list here. Level of hum is perhaps not enough to annoy many people, but it brings out my OCD.


P.S. For the record, units from Isotek, iFi, Audioquest, Furman, PS Audio, Blue Circle, Granite Audio, Audio by Van Alstine, Ebtech, have all passed through my listening room.  The people at FedEx are beginning to recognize me...

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
334 posts
 
Hmmm (pun), which Isotek did you try? I have no discernable transformer hum but I am nevertheless intrigued by the Isotek Syncro and have one coming in two days to go along with an Isotek Aquarius. I do have some very slight hum through my speakers, not enough to hear from my listening position. Having very sensitive loudspeakers never helps and I do believe that with sensitive speakers and tube gear, some low level hum is inevitable. I have DeVore 0/93's and an ARC Ref 150SE. The biggest change in hum level came with-of all things-a switch of equipment rack. I went from a cheap MDF shelf rack to a Symposium Osiris Ultimate which Peter of Symposium says features a Faraday Cage effect as well as vibration isolation. I shrugged off the Faraday Cage thing as so much typical audio hype, but it seems to be true. My amp is not on the main rack but in front of it, so I am left thinking that one or more of my other components on my audio rack were interfering with each other and causing the hum. They consist of my preamp, phono stage, and DAC. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
1,457 posts
 

Sigmas EVO3.

BTW, it's definitely, absolutely not either DC on the line or a ground loop.  I've also had every breaker in the house turned off save the one controlling the receptacle the CMII was plugged into.  Rogue asked about the sensitivity of my speakers (average: PMC twenty.24).  But the fact that the transformers also hum tells me it's not just a possible mismatch issue.

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
1,621 posts
 
Fsonicsmith we sell the Syncro and to say it is remarkable is an understatement.

It does a lot more than just block dc.

One of the best things you can do to elevate an entire system.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
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