How to fight dirty power - I need your help

Q: "What is the best way to solve the problem?"

A: No such answer, except for having your own generator...

It takes several tools and approaches to tackle noise.

I would buy a used little ONEAC isolation transformer (2 amp) from eBay and plug your CDP to it. Then I'd plug the transformer to the Monster. I would get a Highwire Wirewrap and attach it to the power cord of your Monster. I learned this from Bluenose, who also has a Monster 2000. The Wirewrap will smoothen and ease the musical presentation by removing HF grunge. You can also get a second Wirewrap for your power amp.

Isolation transformers are cheap in eBay. You can get a large one (at least 4 times your power amp's RMS) to plug the amp to. Take this from someone who uses SIX transformers in his audio/2 channel HT plus a Tice A/V Solo. The biggest one is 3,000 W (220V in / 110 V out).

Another route is to buy a De Zorel line filter (www.dezorel.com). They are not power constricted unlike conventional designs and run for about $349 (entry level)to about $1200.

I went the other route. I generate my own power. I use battery power supply whenever possible. My turntable and power amp are supplied by battery. I am working on converting my preamp to battery power supply. My MC step-up is a passive transformer and doesn't require power. If you want clean power, this is the cleanest of clean. Sonics are greatly improved with battery power. I use my solar power generation to keep the batteries charged between use. For the remaining AC powered items(CD player and TV), I use a Studer Perfect Sine Wave power inverter. No noise. Oh, and by the way, I spent no more than many people who have shelled out big bucks for fancy power conditioners and high end power cables. I also like the added benefit of not having a power bill to pay every month. And I never have a power failure or a lightning strike come in through the power lines. Not bad. I like it.

A Blue Circle BC86 Noise Hound Parallel filter for $100 does a great job of cleaning the power going into your system. Two BC86 are even better and what I recommend if you can swing the $200. Being a parallel filter, it does not get in the way of the power flow.

Is your meter reading true or avg (peak or rms) voltage. If you are reading peak, it will seem high. If you feel that your readings are correct, call your utility. 126V to 130V is rather high. They may be able to make a "tap" adjustment on the transformer. As for power conditioning, I swear buy "balanced power". Any conditioner that outputs 60V + 60V rather than 120V + N. It will drop your noise floor dramatically. I use a Cinepro20 (same as Furman) for my amps and a PS PP300 for the front end. Good luck, Bob D

Thank you all for your help.

Sugarbrie – Is the Blue Circle BC86 similar to AudioPrism QuietLine? I have four QuietLine plugged into my audio/video circuit. They seem help lower the noise floor.

Psychicanimal, To get start, I’ll get a small variable isolation transformer to connect my CDP and pre/switch box. This will help me to identify the main source of the problem also. Does the Wirewrap make a noticeable difference? Do you have their website.

Bob- I’m very interested in the balanced power you are talking about. However, I’m afraid I know little about it. Could you introduce some web sites carrying or discussing the products?