Regenerator, Balanced Power, or Power Cleaner?

Thank you for the response.

Balanced power and regenerators seem be preferred over conditioners. Of course, as I understand their function, the balanced power effectively shunts noise to the neutral conductor. I'm not sure about the regenerators. I believe they are basically dedicated oscillators at 60 hz. Perhaps that effectively filters any noise.

But of course, there are numerous threads about power conditioners, regenerators, etc degrading the sound quality.

Balanced Power: 3 votes
BPT balanced power

Regenerator: 2 volts
Purepower+ 1500 regenerator
PS Audio P300 (Regenerator and Balanced power)

Surger Protector: 1 vote
APC S10

Conditioner - 0 votes

I use an isolation transformer in series with a power power conditioner and power regenerator.

Continue to check outlet voltage at different times of the year to get a truer picture of voltage reliability since some changes may prove to be seasonal...if you typically have icy conditions where you live it may be the worst during the winter months.

If your voltage proves to be fairly regular, you're probably lucky. When considering voltage regulators, audio components are spec'd to operate within 5% of 120v. They all are equipped with (necessarily fixed) noise cancellation circuits in the power supply that deal with 60hz noise and all its multiples - 120, 240, 480, etc. But, the closer you get to the edge of that 5% window (and beyond), the more noise will slip past the cancellation circuits and affect the sound...that general malaise that tells you it's feeling kinda sick (and not in a good way). This is why people feel like regenerators reduce noise, they don't per se, but they can keep power supplies operating at or very close to spec. But...if it turns out you truly don't often have much of a voltage problem, then you could likely spend that money elsewhere...like balanced power, usually excellent for everything but your amps (unless you're talking about a Huge transformer). A good rule of thumb is that the capacity of the transformer needs to be at least about 40% over the value of all the power supplies that will be used with it. But, typically, they are a major step forward in sound quality. A First Watt shouldn't pose too big a problem.

07-13-14: Ivan_nosnibor
... the closer you get to the edge of that 5% window (and beyond), the more noise will slip past the cancellation circuits and affect the sound...that general malaise that tells you it's feeling kinda sick (and not in a good way). This is why people feel like regenerators reduce noise, they don't per se....

John ("Ivan"), and I say this with respect (given the many knowledgeable and helpful posts you've made in the past), none of this is true. Degradation in performance that may occur as a result of AC voltage that is too high or too low does not occur because "more noise slips past the cancellation circuits." It occurs mainly as a consequence of the voltage change itself. And regenerators certainly do dramatically reduce noise (and distortion as well) on the incoming AC, although of course not to an infinite degree.

As far as the OP's question is concerned, you've received several good comments but I'll particularly second the one by ZD. There are way too many variables and unknowns, involving the designs of the specific components in the system; the voltage, noise, and distortion characteristics of the incoming AC; and the designs of whatever power treatment candidates you may consider, for anyone to be able to predict what choice would perform best for you. Not to mention what choice would provide the best tradeoff between performance and price.

Regards,
-- Al

Ivan,
Good comments about balanced AC power. My BPT Signature plus 3.5 is rated at 20 amps and my entire system is plugged in. The sound is clearly improved compared to my 20 amp dedicated wall outlets. I've used 3 different power amplifiers(8 watt SET, 40 watt and 100 watt push pull tubes) all are better with balanced AC.
charles,