Cable Asylum: REVIEW: Foundation Research LC1 and LC2 Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by davehg

Model:	LC1 and LC2
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$695/$895
Description:	Integrated powercord line conditioner
Manufacturer URL:	Foundation Research
Manufacturer URL:	Foundation Research

Review by davehg ( A ) on May 29, 2005 at 17:48:32
IP Address: 24.16.145.156

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for the LC1 and LC2

My local dealer recommended these as an alternative to an AC line conditioner. I had never heard of the, and I already had the Cardas Golden Reference power cables, which were a large improvement (see my review). I thought I might benefit from using an AC conditioner, and I had plans to try the PS Audio, the Shunyata, and the Equi-Tech (or even score a used BPT).
My dealer was insistent that I try these first. So I used the LC2 and and LC1 and also brought home an Equi-Tech 2Q balanced power conditioner as an alternative, just to hear what it could do.
First, I replaced the 2 Cardas Golden Reference cords with the LC2 and LC1. I used the LC2 on the VAC, and the LC1 on the Tri-Visa DAC in place of the Cardas. I also compared using just the LC2, and then just the LC1. Finally, I compared using only the Cardas cables into the Equi-Tech.
Versus Cardas Cables
The LC2 was the champ here. It exceeded the strengths of the Cardas (great bass control, good dynamics) by adding an additional layer of silence, and by allowing the VAC to increase its already musical performance. When I switched back to the Cardas, the sound was flatter and less involving. Adding back the LC2 set my toe a-tapping. Voices were more full, bass was more defined and articulate, instruments were just more real.
The LC1 was less impressive, possibly because the power supply of the Tri-Vista is already heavily regulated and may not benefit as much as DAC's with lesser supplies. Still, while the LC1 was just the slightest bit superior, and when coupled with the LC2, the entire system was leaps and bounds better than without.
Versus the Equi-Tech
I really expected the 2Q to stomp the LC2 and LC2. After all, it is a 90lb behemoth that isolates the power and removes noise. It sure removed noise better than the LC1 and LC2, and certainly improved upon using the Cardas cables alone. However, it had nowhere near the dynamics and musicality of the LC cables. For $2700 retail, the Equi-Tech was disappointing.
Conclusion
I continue to be mystified at how power cables could possibly have so much impact on the musicality of my system. I really didn't want to like the Foundation Research products as much as I did, mostly because they were expensive for what I perceived them to be (glorified power cables). But the proof was in the listening: after an entire weekend of swapping the already expensive Cardas cables for the LC1 and LC2, there was no denying how much better the Foundation Research products were. I had no idea that the VAC was capable of sounding so pure, so musical, and so revealing.
(Sigh!) Looks like I'll be coughing up the dough for these Foundation Research products. I am keeping the Cardas, though, they really make the REL sound tighter and more solid.

Product Weakness: Expensive; you need one LC for EACH component
Product Strengths: Extremely musical, improves on already good components

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	VAC Avatar SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	None
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer Elite PDS-95/Tri-Vista DAC
Speakers:	Merlin TSM-MX/REL Strata III
Cables/Interconnects:	Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun/Silver Reference
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Vocal
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Cardas Golden Reference
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Expensive; you need one LC for EACH component
Product Strengths:	Extremely musical, improves on already good components