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I have a Power Plant Premier on order to use with my headphone rig - Mac Mini dedicated music server, Apogee Duet firewire DAC and Woo Audio WA2 headphone amp. I got to wondering whether I would be better off powering the computer from the PPP and replying on the bank filtering to keep SMPS noise out of the analog (WA2) or to plug the computer into the wall before the PPP. The question is whether the bigger problem is pollution of the analog power or power line crap rolling through the computer and getting into the analog end via either the digital signal or the power in the Firewire cable to the Duet?
Curious what computer front-end users are doing as I wait for the PPP to arrive (caved on the current $1500 prices from AA and MD).
Keith
Follow Ups:
If it were me, I'd plug the computer into the wall, everything else into the PPP.
Yeah, that was my first inclination. There seems to be some debate about whether the primary concern is the SMPS in the computer polluting the mains or the mains noise getting into the analog part of the system through the computer. It is arriving tomorrow so I'll give it a try both ways.
Paul,
Got the PPP and have a couple questions
1) My output THD meter reads about .6-.7 and the inspection sheet that came with the unit also has 0.6 as the reading that was checked off. I keep seeing references to .3 and the manual talks about a factor of 10 improvement. I have abour 3.5% input and an indicated .6 output - is there something defective with this unit?
2) I read in the manual that using other conditioners ahead of the PP might negatively impact the sound. As I live in FL and lightning is huge problem, I have Brickwall series-mode surge arrestors on everything (and they have proven their worth a couple times). Unfortunately when I run the PPP from one of those as opposed to directly from the wall, the sound does take a hit (closed in sounding - less open). CUrious as to what is going on here and if replacing the line cord on the input side of the Brickwall would help or if there is some interaction in the PPP with the reactive load of the Brickwall?
BTW, I think I like the sound better with the Mac Mini powered from the PPP rather than the wall.
A lot depends on load and other conditions as to the amount of THD reduction you get. From what you've written I would think the unit is performing perfectly.
The Brick Wall device is a huge inductor in series with the line and you will probably never get that device to sound good - even in front of the PPP. I would avoid it. The PPP will do just as good a job with near miss lightning strikes as the BW - neither will help with a direct hit.
Thanks, Paul. I don't have much of a load on the PP since all I have is Mac Mini and Woo Audio tube headphone amp. I notice the THD doesn't change one bit whether the load is applied or not.
I am assuming the surge protection in the PPP is via MOV's? My concern is their longevity. The PP Duet/Quintet has a replaceable MOV, but it doesn't appear the PPP doesn't.
Since I have a double gang box at the outlet feeding my rig, should I just drop in a Soloist for some "belt and suspenders" assurance? Will it actually positively affect the sound quality?
Should help, yes. The MOV's are very sturdy devices and we've yet to have on fail in a Premier, ever. So I wouldn't sweat it.
OK - found both a couple reviews that claim audible improvement with a Soloist Premier in front of a PPP and a source for discounted Soloist Premiers, so one Soloist Premier incoming.
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