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Lets Talk About Power Conditioning....There Seems To Be 4 Major Catagories to Conditioners

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I have been doinga bit of research on power conditioners, trying to determine which one I want to purchase for my system. Now there seems to be a few different ways to accomplish power line conditioning in one's system.
1. Isolation Transformers-units like Tice and API are prime examoples
2. Ferrite based- Welborne Labs and Chang both use ferrite
3. AC Regeneration- PS Audio's Model 300 and 600's for instance
4. Sturdy Spike protection & power cords- the Brickwall is the best known example.
All of these methods have their benefits and drawbacks. Isolation transformers limit current, and can reach saturation points, AC regeneration is expensive, and runs quite hot. The spike protection method offers no line conditioning, and their proponents believe we dont need it.
So the question is what are the benefits of each system. And what kind of system does it perform best in? What do you expect their sonic limitations to be? Which ones give you the best return for your investment? My current system consists of Sonic Frontiers sfcd-1 cd player,AES se 811 amps, Electronic Tonalities Foreplay pre amp(with lots of upgrades) EAR 834P phono stage, and Well Tempered turntable. Anyways I hope to make an informed decision on what will work well in context of my system. So if you dont mind weighing in with your opinion, I am sure alot of inmates will be interested in hearing what you have to say.
Regards
Mister Pig

Follow Ups:

Tice Powerblock IIIC DkB 03:43:30 02/13/01 (1)
One of the best kept secrets of the Power Conditioning world is the latest revision of the Tice Powerblock - the IIIC.
It is NOT like any previous Powerblock in the older series in that it does not use isolation transformers. Instead, it uses wide-band parallel filters.
As such, its effect is like a DISAPPEARING blanket of hash-extinguishing fabric being cast over the music. It kills all of the digital harshness, thinness and constriction, but leaves every smidgen of musical impact, dynamics and excitement fully intact! In contrast to the compressing effect of transformers, this fabulous and remarkable component actually makes the soundstage sound much more full and substantial at the same time!
It is costly, but the build quality is very very solid and meticulous.
I auditioned it next to a Power Plant 300 with Multiwave, and it sounded so much better. While attenuating grunge like the pp300, it revealed layers more detail than the PP300, and presents more dynamics than the pp300. I find that the pp300 sounds rather dead without multiwave, but multiwave SS1 seems to bring back a bit of the detail, edge and harshness that was present before the PP300 was installed.
It has a very different effect than the Hydra. Stardust tends to give you more detail and openness, but the Powerblock IIIc kills off more of the hash than the Hydra. If you don't already have stardust in the form of a King Cobra, the Hydra may be a good buy. But since I already have a King Cobra and Black Mamba, the Powerblock IIIc helped address problems not fixed by stardust.
Today's power purification market seems to be monopolised by PS Audio, but don't forget Tice's new technology which has greatly improved the Powerblock. If you have only heard the Powerblock IIIa or IIIb and felt it was not as good as the Power Plant, you have not heard what the IIIC is capable of!
- Leveling The Playing Field Ubiquitous Skittercat 15:19:00 02/13/01 (0)
  When you did the A/B between the Tice and the PP300, did you take the time to check the AC ground potential of the PP300. (Don't have to with the Tice, it's passive) I understand that when you pay good money for a conditioner like the 300, it should be perfectly operational right out of the box. But mine wasn't. It worked, but it could be easily made to work better. The ground potential on my 300 was lower with the AC reversed at the plug, and I had to flip the cord to make it sound the best.
  This one change may make you re-think the conclusion of your A/B test vs. the Tice. You are right in your description of the PP300 with the AC as aligned from the factory. Reversing it however, will make tremendous improvements in sound. It will no longer sound slow and heavy - it comes to life, or should I say that those componenets plugged into it come to life?
  Also, simply because the PP300 has a balanced output (both sides of the cord driven) doesn't mean that AC polarity isn't important for the components plugged into it. If your preamp runs a lower ground potential with the AC cord reversed, you must reverse it when it is plugged into the PP300 also. This isn't supposed to be the case, but A/B's have proven my assertion to be true.
  Careful AC alignment for all components is one of the most signifiant treaks one can do for a system - and it's free (pretty much). And the scientific types won't bad mouth you for doing it because the procedure is well documented and proveable.
  Ubiquitous Skittercat
Re: Lets Talk About Power Conditioning....There Seems To Be 4 Major Catagories to Conditioners bryan 22:18:56 02/12/01 (0)
Some reading for 'ya.
- David Magnans' Line Conditioner Thoughts
Re: Lets Talk About Power Conditioning....There Seems To Be 4 Major Catagories to Conditioners Sam Lord 22:10:09 02/12/01 (0)
The Shunyata Hydra doesn't fit any of those catagories precisely. I can't say what would work best, though. Regards, Sam
My Suggestion. Jim R 16:39:33 02/12/01 (2)
A good and cheap initial step is to build a Jon Risch line filter (with or without surge suppressor). It takes a quick order to Allied Electronics or Newark for the caps, inductors, etc. (about $50 total) followed by about 20 minutes of soldering (if you can build a Foreplay, you could do this with you eyes closed). This may be all the AC conditioning you need (and is probably better than many of the other products being sold). Not much to lose.
See the link below and also do a search on the Tweaks Asylum for many positive experiences and suggestions.
- http://members.nbci.com/Jon_Risch/surge.htm
- um......Jim JohnCe 20:36:51 02/12/01 (1)
  I am in the process of building several of these filters and from what I find , the inductors are not an off the shelf item. At least the 50 mH 15A inductors are not. The sources I have tried have minimum order lots or dollar amounts. The sources you list do not have the recommended inductors listed in their inventory, at least from a search of their web site. The inductors are obtainable but not on a onesy, twosy basis. If interested, I can provide some information as to sources. Regards, John
  - Re: um......Jim Jim R 22:12:14 02/12/01 (0)
    I used the 100uH inductors (Jon's recomended alternative) for the outlets to my CDP and I branched off before the inductors (per Jon's recomendation) for my amp outlet. I have no idea how much better the 50uH inductors would work and sound. I have dedicated AC outlets for my listening room and with this power filter, I am very pleased with the result. I have not compared this setup with some of the other high-buck alternatives though and I doubt I will anytime soon.

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