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Power Conditioning Question Concerning Grounding

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Posted on September 11, 2009 at 15:37:21
O'Shag
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: So. California
Joined: August 30, 2004
This question is not about a PS Audio conditioner, but I felt that I would find the expertise to answer my question here.

The unit in question is a Cinepro Model 20. I live in an apartment, and had to install a twenty amp recepticle to accept the plug of the Cinepro, which has one plug blade turned to the side. When I had removed the old recepticle I found that there was no ground wire, even though all the recepticles in the apartment will accomodate the regular three prong plugs. I'm assuming that the ground is attached to the neutral wire from the circuit box, but will this in any way hamper the performance of the Cinepro given that the third round prong is supposed to be attached to ground?

Thanks for the help.

RE: Power Conditioning Question Concerning Grounding, posted on September 12, 2009 at 06:01:41
PaulMC
Manufacturer

Posts: 804
Joined: April 4, 2000
Contributor
  Since: July 1, 2000
 Yikes! Don't assume that because it is wrong and absolutely don't connect the neutral to the ground. While neutral is "the same" as ground because there's no voltage on it - it should never be used for ground. The neutral is the return current path of the juice. Ground is exactly that - something tied to a ground stake, water pipe (that eventually is in the ground) etc.
I would raise holy hell with your apartment people and get them to get an electrician in there that can run a proper ground.

They may tell you the building isn't setup for that - and that's OK as many older building never had grounded receptacles, but then they should have used two-prong outlets. In any case, either leave it alone or get someone professional to fix it, but do not tie the neutral to the ground.

RE: Power Conditioning Question Concerning Grounding, posted on September 13, 2009 at 12:27:07
O'Shag
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: So. California
Joined: August 30, 2004
Hi Paul,

Thanks much for your valuable advice. I'll do as you suggest, and ask the apartment people to intall a ground wire (maybe I can talk them into a 20 amp dedicated circuit :-) I'm very interested in the PS audio powerplant technology. In terms of sound quality, does Power Regeneration technology offer advantages over balanced conditioning? For my arrangement (apartment living for now) I believe that power conditioning is a must, and I can easily hear the difference that cleaning up noise brings. Although, to be honest, no power conditioning I've tried has been perfect. The Cinepro does some impotant things exceedingly well, but if I am to criticise anything, I perceive a slight lessening of dynamics (robs the music of a little energy in absolute terms) - where leading edge definition sometimes sounds just a wee bit muffled. Were it not to do so remarkably well in other respects, I wouldn't use it in the system as dynamics, leading edge definition and absolute clarity are really important to me. Thanks again for taking the time to respond - it really is very decent of you.

Cheers Mate

O'Shag

RE: Power Conditioning Question Concerning Grounding, posted on September 14, 2009 at 05:42:24
PaulMC
Manufacturer

Posts: 804
Joined: April 4, 2000
Contributor
  Since: July 1, 2000
 You are welcome. The Cinepro is a well made isolation transformer and as such will give you good results although you will suffer loss of dynamics and slam, plus a little increase in noise harmonics as you've noticed. The Power Plant is exactly the opposite - because it actually has lower output impedance than what comes out of the wall socket and stores energy available for slam and increased dynamics, you'll find that it is what you're looking for.

Have fun!

RE: Power Conditioning Question Concerning Grounding, posted on September 18, 2009 at 20:22:48
O'Shag
Audiophile

Posts: 155
Location: So. California
Joined: August 30, 2004
Thanks Paul,

I will consider the latest generation powerplant, and review the technical data on the PS Audio site.

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