Opinions on Power Regenerators and Tube Amps

Interesting system. I'd agree with Aball, except the kind of buzz he's talking about usually remains pretty much constant regardless of volume setting -- especially since you have a ss preamp. (A nice combo with the Mesa BTW) So you may have some very low level tube buzz, but there may be more coming frome something else. I'd need to know more about how your system is hooked up. (It's unlikely, but maybe the exploded crossover networks dribbling across your floor are picking up some RFI, ha, ha!)

1.) You shouldn't need a regenerator if you have ded. circuits AND your utility company supplies reasonably uniform power, both cycle and voltage. Uniform voltage is especially important for tube amps, unless they have auto-biasing.

2.) Always UNPLUG the system when thunderstorms approach. Just tripping the breakers doesn't always work, and NO regenerator or (ugh!) conditioner, can protect you.

3.) Since you are running digital gear, it could be putting digital "hash" back into the power line and into your preamp -- even when it's turned 'off') Try unplugging the 850 and see if it helps. And in any case, make sure you are uning a quality PC with a floating shield on your 850, AND

3a.) You might want to consider a balanced power unit like the ExactPower SP-15A or one of the BPT units for your front end stuff (and they have digitally filtered outlets built-in for the 850) That would be the finishing touch IMO -- but I don't really think you need a regenerator when you already have ded. circuits.
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I use regenerated power on my sources for two reasons. 1- its too expensive too regenerate for my big amps. Also regenerators have limiters to protect them. So if your regenerator is rated at X then make sure your amp will never use more than 60-70% of X. I use a P-300 on my sources and could never do without it. If the power goes off and it resets its output to 60 HZ I can hear it right away. My setup loves the 120HZ setting. BUT don't buy a regenerator to try and solve your noise issue, buy one to make your system sound better. Tube amps will make a little noise audible from close to the speaker. Not audible while listening to music or in the listening position. My last point is that if you do regenerate it is better to start with the sources anyway and do the power amp last.

ET

I had a buzz in my Barons which didn't entirely go away when I used the Barons ground lifters (BTW - if you haven't already done so, try lifting only one ground, alternating channel to channel, that might help). Mine went dead quiet when I plugged them into a seperate dedicated line and an old power filter made by Power Wedge especially for amps but I never did get rid of a buzz when the amp was in pure pentode mode - should have sent the thing back to Mesa.

Art, You've got to get out more. At least on my 91db speakers I have 2 tube ams which don't buzz at all - ear next to the tweeter. I've got 2 tube and one SS that do, not counting the MB which I no longer use. :-)

Nsgarch.....those items on the floor are mouse traps. Actually there are less of them now than there was when I took those pictures :) Currently, my amp and cd player (with VH Audio Oyiade shielded cable) are in the 20A circuit. VPI, phono stage, and active Synergistic speaker cables and interconnects, are plugged into an Isobar which is plugged into the 15A circuit. I think my power is pretty good.....my house is served by it's own transformer since I'm off the road a bit. My main thing was whether or not the Mesa would benefit from any conditioning or regeneration......or if it is actually detrimental with a tube amp. So, Electroid, you can feed 115V and 120Hz to a cd player and it likes it?

So I'll bet the mice are laughing at you too!

If you MUST use a regenerator, get an ExactPower. They don't work the way the (lowish output) P-300 and others do (which is to throw away the whole AC signal and re-build it). Consequently, the ExactPower can offer 1650 watts from 120V wall current, more than enough to power your entire system. But I still don't think you need one.

Conditioners (any kind/brand) are old technology and bad for sonics. STAY AWAY!

After looking at your system again, I would recommend you plug the amp directly into the the 20A circuit all by itself, and get a used ExactPower SP-15A balanced power unit (plugged into the 15A circuit) for everything else.
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