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The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators

68.40.133.215
Posted on July 31, 2020 at 07:43:27
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Friends, I have been out of the power conditioner / AC regenerator game for a while since the PS Audio PS300 days. I am experiencing a renewed interest in 2-channel audio and looking for an off-the-shelf, ready to plug and play solution primarily for source and pre-amp components (I plug my amps directly to the wall). Your insight on the following would be much appreciated:

1. What is the latest thinking on power conditioner / AC regenerator technology? Is it still a thing?
2. Which brand and model would you recommend?
3. Is it possible to get an effective solution for under $1K, new or used?

My system:
Amps - Odyssey Stratos Mono Extreme
Pre-amp - Emotiva XDA
CD Player - Sony DVP-NS999ES
Speakers - Magnepan 3.6

Cheers!

Peter

 

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As you know, I'm sure,, posted on July 31, 2020 at 08:03:30
Mike K
Audiophile

Posts: 13975
Location: 97701
Joined: September 23, 1999
 you can pay some really stupid money for pc/acr equipment. If you've
got the bound-tos to do this, at least buy something you can return
if you don't like it.

Lack of skill dictates economy of style. - Joey Ramone

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on July 31, 2020 at 09:13:10
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 Right at the top of your budget, but the AQ Niagara 1200 is certainly worth a shot. And I'm sure as Mike K suggests, you can certainly find dealers who offer an audition period with a return option. FWIW, I kept mine :)

 

the only one I know , posted on July 31, 2020 at 09:23:12
Story
Audiophile

Posts: 10457
Location: NJ
Joined: December 11, 2000
 ....in that price range new is the Best Buy Panamax sold in their Magnolia section. Regulation of the incoming AC is OK, but not held to a rock steady 120. You have to pay big for that.

It's within + - 6 volts this summer in my air conditioned neighborhood. We have PSE&G which is lousy with power. As low as 109 this summer out of the wall.



 

RE: the only one I know , posted on July 31, 2020 at 11:54:19
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17305
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 "Bass is the place..the rest is filigree and lace" Doug Sax

where did you get that quote?

Thanks.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

an old TAS issue vol.10 issue 40, posted on July 31, 2020 at 12:01:53
Story
Audiophile

Posts: 10457
Location: NJ
Joined: December 11, 2000
 I think that's the one anyway



 

RE: As you know, I'm sure,, posted on July 31, 2020 at 14:40:13
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 "If you've got the bound-tos to do this, at least buy something you can return if you don't like it."

Very wise advice.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on July 31, 2020 at 14:41:27
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into it.

 

RE: the only one I know , posted on July 31, 2020 at 14:42:40
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Thanks.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on July 31, 2020 at 15:53:07
Mick Wolfe
Audiophile

Posts: 3365
Location: AZ
Joined: October 10, 1999
Contributor
  Since: September 4, 2000
 You bet. You're welcome.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on July 31, 2020 at 15:53:22
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 Be careful of choosing over-ambitious designs that seem to pay more attention to measurable noise reduction methods than the actual impact on the sound. Sometimes mild filtering is all that's required, depending on whether or not a listening room, the neighborhood, or the local power provider are noise prone. Keep in mind a filter can negatively affect the results while doing what it's supposed to do so well.

I found myself pulling all the power cords for my primary audio components out of the most assertive power line conditioner, and into a power line distributor with only mild filtering. The assertive power line conditioner was then used only for secondary audio components, and for noise prone video components, which kept the power cleaner for the primary audio components.

Also, some power line conditioner designers pay little attention to the quality of the AC outlets. Some products are designed in such a way that an end user is actually unable to upgrade the AC outlets. A 78 cent snap-in receptacle is not my idea of audiophile-quality AC delivery. Only paying attention to one side of a coin is not a good return on investment.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on July 31, 2020 at 18:04:38
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Hi Duster, thanks for your insight. Regarding the "power line distributor with only mild filtering", please let me know which one you're using.

 

AC Regenerators whole Different Beast, posted on July 31, 2020 at 18:49:40
Jon L
Audiophile

Posts: 6065
Joined: April 6, 2000
 I've tried many AC conditioners, filters, isol transformers, and to be honest, if I were to spend the money, I would go with AC regenerators.

Unfortunately, good regenerators featuring audiophile brand names are super expensive. PS Audio top units are hitting $10,000 and PurePower units in $4-6000 range I believe (if they are still in business).

Fortunately for those with budgets, audiophile regenerators take their inspiration from computer/IT world, and great-sounding regenerators can be had for less, although still pretty expensive, for around $1000 range off the shelf. One just needs to change the stock fan for a "quiet fan," which will run you another $15-20. Just make sure the words "double-conversion" and "on-line" are in product description.

 

RE: AC Regenerators whole Different Beast, posted on July 31, 2020 at 19:25:57
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Thank you, Jon. A very interesting option that I've never thought of.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on August 1, 2020 at 00:22:37
Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002
 It's a DIY power line distributor featuring a thick-walled aluminum enclosure for rigidity and shielding purposes, with select Audio Grade AC outlets: Oyaide R1, Oyaide R0, Furutech GTX-D NCF(R), Oyaide SWO-XXX.

Internal wiring: VH Audio 12 AWG Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable, 10 AWG Mil-Spec SPC/PTFE Teflon ground wire. WIMA MP3-X2 noise suppression capacitors. IEC Inlet: Oyaide Inlet R.

A Vans Evers Reference Model 12 power line conditioner featuring a large-value Spearinol oil capacitor for power factor correction, and WIMA MP3-X2 noise suppression capacitors feeds the entire AC delivery system, except for a digital source component that's plugged directly into the wall, with two Auricap 0.47uf capacitors installed as the classic "Auricap Tweak" within the digital source component for mild RFI/digital noise filtering.

The emphasis of the AC delivery system is power factor correction, mild RFI filtering, and excellent sounding AC outlets.

 

RE: AC Regenerators whole Different Beast, posted on August 1, 2020 at 09:07:48
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 9632
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 One other thing to look for in product description is true sine wave inverter, or conversion.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on August 1, 2020 at 12:57:05
peter3
Audiophile

Posts: 96
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: March 22, 2018
 Thank you, Duster. As always, your passion and love for this hobby shine through your response and advice. Much appreciated. When time allows, like in my retirement sometimes down the road, I'll attempt to venture into the DIY land, LOL!

 

Thank you. nt, posted on August 1, 2020 at 16:25:24
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17305
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 .
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on August 28, 2020 at 12:46:30
GreatSound
 I use a Chang LightSpeed CLS 709 that uses:

4 filtered (core-L4 level 1) digital outlets
2 filtered (core-L4 level 2) analog power amp outlets
2 filtered (core-L4 level 3) analog outlets
560 joules/40,000 amperes surge capacity
2400 Watts/20 Amperes power/current capacity
Standard 6 foot 11 gauge low inductance power cord with hospital grade plug (optional detachable power cord)
Dual parallel fusing construction
All hospital grade outlets
Additional shunting mechanism for digital outlets
Advanced power factor correction mechanism

Works great on my main system and home theater.

Much better than a $3000 PurePower AC regenerator that I use to use.

About $1300 Made to order from Chang LightSpeed.

They are popular in Asia, but little known in USA.

 

RE: The Latest on Power Conditioners / AC Regenerators, posted on December 30, 2021 at 12:54:26
mbrierley
Audiophile

Posts: 80
Location: Wexford
Joined: December 30, 2021
 Folks. Sorry to bring up an old post, but wondering something about conditioners in general.

I have recently bought a power conditioner found at- https://www.atlhifi.com/shop/fully-assembled-devices/ac-mains-line-power-filter-lpf-4000/

to replace a DC Blocker from same company that I had hooked up to a Supra LoRad power block. The LoRad has 1 unfiltered socket and three mildly NIF filtered sockets which works really well. My amp goes to the unfiltered socket and CDP to the most filtered socket.

The new box employs a 1st stage EMI/EFI filter with a DC blocker circuit followed by 2x hi power unfiltered outlets and 2x secondary stage EMI/RFI filtered sockets.

In general, do solid state amplifiers perform with this level of filtering or do they lose out on dynamics? I am still burning it in, but initial thoughts are that the sound is a little clipped. I am thinking of removing the 1st stage EMI/RFI filter if burning in doesn't address the loss of body.

Interestingly, the IEC/plug I have used is rhodium/silver and when I used the same cable on amp only, it produced the same clipped effect.

 

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