Audio Power Conditioners Pro Or Con?

October 5, 2019

#336

Gentle reader,

There are many audio (and video) component and cables manufacturers that make all kinds of claims about what audible (and visible) improvements their equipment will make for your sensory experiences. 

The majority are simply out to get your money. Some people swear by them, others can detect no difference at all.

Note: If you are new to Blogger.com, click on any picture and a second window opens over this one. Either use your left < and right > arrow keys, or click through them. I do not have or use "devices" so I am speaking for PC users.

Being retired and on a fixed budget, I am limited as to how much I can spend on unessential expenses. But, thanks to eBay, one can find all kinds of things for a small percentage of their original price. 

My first experience with a "power conditioner" was when I found a set of Adcom components: GFP-565 preamplifier, GFA-585 (250 WPC!) power amplifier and ACE-515 power conditioner, all for the unbelievable price of $149. This was back in the halcyon days when people were shedding stereo and video equipment for newer "better" versions. Sadly, at least in my experience, those days are long gone.

This photo is from 2009, when the system was still in the living room and I complied with "spouse approval", thus the speakers are too close together and not arranged for best sound. "Happy spouse, happy house" is a good mantra to follow.

These are photos of an Adcom ACE-515 power conditioner of which I have two in the listening room system.

You can see that they do not have a large number of outlets. The smaller power wire is the trigger switch. It is plugged into a switched outlet on your preamp. Thus, when you turn it on, the other outlets are energized after their respective timers countdown.

The non-grounded terminals are for source components.

My preamp plugs into the unswitched (black) outlet, the power amp into one of the white ones. EVERY thing plugged into benefits from the cleaning it is supposed to provide.

This is the Yamaha AX-500U integrated amp that I use in this room, it sits at the bottom of the stack of components inches from where I am sitting right now, typing on my PC.

I just realized that these are not my photos. I must have grabbed them from search results prior to my amp arriving.

As far as the stereo in here, I had everything plugged into the black Monster Cable Power Center above. 

Obviously, there is a world of difference between the plastic one and the massive all metal one below it.

Someone had posted a photo of their Monster Cable Power Center on one of the vintage audio Facebook groups I belonged to. Which is what made me realize, that this one is not the best I could have.

Since I put a nice FM antenna above the roof, I grounded it, but still wanted surge protection, so the cable passed through the terminals on the right side of the black one.

At first, I simply transferred all the plugs into the new-to-me Monster Cable PB 1100 POWERBAR as seen above. I reattached the black one to the Velcro for the picture. You can see the RG6 antenna cables screwed into the new unit at the antenna terminals.

But, when I looked at the manual, I realized that was not taking advantage of the audio-specific clean power circuitry the PB 1100 provides.

So, I flipped the black one over and reattached it to the Velcro, and plugged it's power cable into the MAIN AMP outlet on the PB 1100, above and below.

Then plugged the various components into their respective labeled outlets in the black one, above. 

Yes, I am well aware of the fact that plugging power strips into another  power  strip is not a  good  idea.  However, homes, at least our 32-year-old one, does not have enough outlets to meet the needs of all our electronics.

I have an even larger, all-metal power center, from another manufacturer which has all the home theater components plugged into it, including the TV antenna preamp/amp and cable from the antenna and to the TV routed through it.

Photo above is from 1985. My original Dynaco PAT-5 can be seen.

So, as to audible changes in the music? I don't know if I detect any. 

 

I learned that I do not have "golden ears" when after more than 30 years of listening to my 1970's Dynaco A25 speakers, (above) I detected a buzzing from one speaker. I'd bought them as floor models in 1976.

 

When I pried off the glued-on grilles, I found that someone at Dixie HiFi had removed the SEAS drivers and replaced them with other ones and then stuffed the cabinet with fiberglass! Just that one speaker. So, no golden ears award for me.

I listened to the same CD I was playing just prior to swapping the cables.

It may be wishful thinking, but it does seem to sound better, more detail in the sound and a greater sense of three dimensional soundstage.

The one conclusion I can draw is it is better to have my equipment plugged into the best protection (and hopefully cleanest) power sources that I can afford, than to not do so and possibly suffer the consequences.

Thank you SO much for taking the time to read my humble blog. Your kind words and comments here or via Facebook are what keep me writing.

Scott

October 5, 2019

#336