General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

---

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] Thread: [ Display  All  Email ] [ General Asylum ]

---

[ Alert Moderator ]

---

REVIEW: Core Power 1800 Power Conditioner/Surge Protector

Model:	1800
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$1999
Description:	Passive Power Conditioner
Manufacturer URL:	Core Power
Model Picture:	View

Review by HiOnFi on February 22, 2018 at 11:40:47 IP Address: 66.176.106.220

Add Your Review for the 1800

---

As an x retailer, I have had quite a few power conditioners in my systems. All were fed by a 20 amp dedicated line

My room is quite large (39 x 19) with vaulted ceiling, an open up/down stairway, tile floors and quite a bit of floor to ceiling windows, all of which combines to make midrange warmth hard to come by

System; Oppo 105 with ZeroZone LPM and OppoMod incoming ac wire upgrades, Parasound P5, 2 EP 100.2SE amps, Emerald Physics KC IIs , upgraded with WireWorld wiring and 2 SVS cylinder subwoofers, mostly WireWorld Electra 7 power cords. ICs were Clear Day XLRs with XHADOW connectors which worked fantastic when I had a tube front end, but sterile with all solid state. I replaced them with an absolute bargain SurfCables.com: 2 pair of silver over copper XLR ICs

First I replaced a PS Audio Premier Power Plant with the CorePower 300 just for my Oppo 105 and Parasound P5 preamp and PS Audio 20 amp Ultimate Outlet for the amps, subs plugged direct to wall. During this stage I replaced the Oppo incoming ac harness from OppoMod, which included IEC and pure silver wires to the OEM board, and ground. Later I replaced the OEM power board with one from ZeroZone, which has a huge toroid transformer

Then I added a CorePower 1200. After it was broken in, I plugged everything into it and moved the 300 to my TV system. Much better, but...

I suspected driving 4 amps plus the Oppo with beefy toroid linear power supply, and P5 was a bit too much for the 1200

So, I upgraded to the 1800, which is magical, BUT...

It's a blessing and a curse

It does such a phenomenal job cleaning up the AC that I began to notice one area that desperately needed attention; my pure silver interconnects

As mentioned, I replaced them with 2 pair of SurfCables silver over copper XLR ICs
After they, and the 1800 broke in (~ 100 hours), the combination added the much needed warmth and texture to the overall presentation, bettering even my all tube systems of yore

By some standards my system is well above average, and yet I doubt I could have spent this money upgrading any or all the components and gotten as much bang for my buck

So, on to the sound

First, all walls disappeared; soundstage depth and width are on another level. Ambient queues and reflections are evident as never before

Music that I love to hate WAS piano and large orchestra/choir, classical. Not any more

Where this taxed all previous PLCs (including the 1200 in my system) even the most intense and dynamic music sales along effortlessly. Distant instruments, backup singers, choirs... all hold their space and are readily differentiated

Last night I pulled out a couple oldies. First up, GRP Dave Grusin: The Gershwin Collection. I have never heard his (or any) piano sound so powerful and dynamic. I was playing it so loud that one of my EP 100.2SE amps cut out for a minute

This was followed up with a Sheffield Labs Erich Leinsdorf conducting the LA Philharmonic Orchestra Stravinsky Firebird and Debussy Afternoon of a Faun.

Played it again this morning

Wonderful

I highly recommend CorePower PLCs before upgrading components

---

Product Weakness:	Likely to make you reassess upstream components
Product Strengths:	Cleanest Window to power conditioning I have ever heard

---

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier:	2 Emerald Physics 100.2 SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Parasound P 5
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Oppo 105 with ZeroZone LPM mod
Speakers:	Emerald Physics KC IIs
Cables/Interconnects:	WireWorld Eclipse Series 7
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz and Classical
Room Size (LxWxH):	39 x 19 x 11
Room Comments/Treatments:	4 Argent RoomLenses
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Several Months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	20 amp dedicated line
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

---

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Schiit Audio

---

[ Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]

---

[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]

---