Power conditioners/regenerators advice

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by elmoe, May 25, 2019.

  1. saint.panda

    saint.panda Friend

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    Office environment with lots of computers and devices around. I honestly can't tell the difference between a Furman AC210 that I've had for a while and a PS audio P3 power plant I bought used recently. Maybe there is one and I just haven't heard it yet.
     
  2. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    That's really unfortunate. I've had mine for...7 years(?)...no issues to speak of and routinely will click away adjusting line voltage as needed :)
     
  3. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    I saw those, but I need more than just 2 outlets. 5+ would be ideal.
     
  4. capetownwatches

    capetownwatches New

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    I use two of these to safely power two headphone amps and two DACs.

    So long as the combined current draw doesn't exceed 10A (which it would not even if I was using all 4 gears simultaneously) you're golden.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. G0rt!

    G0rt! New

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    I daisy chain a pair of SS6B from an AC-215A. Supports a bunch of low-power gear, 12 outlets in all, and the SS6B could be used independently, if needed, without the elaborate goodness of the AC-215A.

    If you didn't need quite that much, Amazon has a selection of dual liberators, like the heavy duty 15A Uninex.
     
  6. elmoe

    elmoe Friend

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    Thanks I never even thought of going that route.
     
  7. capetownwatches

    capetownwatches New

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    From the Furman warranty:

    "All Furman Surge Protectors must be plugged directly into a properly wired AC power line with a protective ground and must not be “daisy-chained” together in serial fashion with other power strips, UPS’s, other surge protectors, three-to-two-prong adapters, or extension cords. Any such installation voids this warranty."

    I was wondering how safe it is to connect a power strip to one outlet of the AC-210AE?
    I suppose if the combined draw does not exceed 10A it should be fine, but it seems as if Furman warns against it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2019
  8. G0rt!

    G0rt! New

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    I don't disagree with their warnings or recommendations.

    I also take responsibility for the things I do, and have been in and around the industry long enough to know that warranties are legal instruments made by and for legal functionaries.

    In my personal use case, the power needs of all my gear is a small fraction of the rated maximums of any Furman component I use. IOW, purposely overengineered for my requirements, at extra cost.
     
  9. capetownwatches

    capetownwatches New

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    Thanks for your cogent reply - in my case too, the AC-210 is well capable of handling anything my home rig can demand of it, and has been doing so unfailingly since I got it. Would not be without it.
     
  10. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Emotiva had said it's ok to daisy chain their DC offset strip to their 6-plug strip. Everyone must be different or more sensitive.
     
  11. bilboda

    bilboda Florida boomer

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    When purchasing from Zero Surge, I spoke to a rep who stated the cheaper one I had in mind could not be used as an endpoint. It was not rated as such.
    I ended up purchasing the slightly more expensive model 002-00703 2R15W, as it specifically met the standard for use as an endpoint/daisy chaining.

    A housemate, of course, strings 3 of the drugstore variety together with no issues, pc's lamps and laptops.

    In recent months my voltage would sag and increase wildly. My UPS would not kick in at the 135 volts I was experiencing and not until 85 volts on the low end. I ended up purchasing several voltage regulators from Newegg on sale that kick in at 114 volts and 126 volts. I hear their clicking when activated often enough to convince me they are needed.
    My router no longer resets, So no issues working from home .
    Audio devices handled the swings but now they don't have to deal with the larger ones.

    OPTI-UPS SS1200 Voltage Regulator
     
  12. netforce

    netforce MOT: Headphones.com

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    I have some EMI issues at home and had for years. Would get picked up by some USB dacs so I got a few USB purifiers like the Jitterbug to help out with my headphone system.

    Got a Vidar few months back and using speakers the EMI is much more apparent.

    Was looking at some power conditioners and snagged an Isotek Polaris from work and it helped a little but would still hear some EMI after a few hours. Got a few options from few companies we work with so might try something else. But also want to rewire some stuff at home to move the modem, router, and desktop away from electronics.
     
  13. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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    Can you tell the difference between either power conditioner in the chain and without?
     
  14. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    While I don't think my home suffers from any EMI issues or power issues, some semi-recent lightning storms in my area have made me rethink my protection for my gear. I figured a power conditioner is a cheaper investment than replacing all my gear in the event of a power surge. Call it paranoia, but I'd rather be safe than sorry later (at least, that's how I justified buying this from @bixby).

    After plugging in all my audio gear into the power conditioner + my PC + my monitor, I've noticed that the background seems a touch blacker and the music as a whole seems cleaner and "righter." No, I haven't done any direct comparisons since with the way the room is arranged, it's a pain in the ass for me to unplug power cords and rewire stuff (Lord have mercy on that rat's nest of cables behind my desk).

    Now, the "differences" could just be placebo (and currently, I believe that it's just placebo), but especially after conferring with a friend, I'm of the opinion that spending a little bit on positive placebo + some peace of mind is necessarily a bad thing. The last point hits home for me, especially since at the very least I haven't experienced any negative effects by installing the power conditioner.

    Goes without saying, but YMMV.
     
  15. capetownwatches

    capetownwatches New

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    I see you are running a Liquid Platinum, which uses an external PSU. Do you have this PSU plugged into the conditioner as well? I would think this would make no appreciable difference. Which conditioner do you use btw?
     
  16. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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    1. Yes, I'm using a Liquid Platinum, and the external PSU is plugged into the power conditioner. As you stated, this probably doesn't make an appreciable difference in sound quality, but as I stated before, the power conditioner was mainly bought to prevent stuff from going BOOM in the event of some electrical disaster that isn't caused by my lack of brain activity. It's entirely possible that the improvements I'm hearing are just due to the DAC being plugged in the power conditioner, or it's just placebo. Really think that the latter is the real thing here; can't stress that enough.
    2. I'm using a Furman Elite 15i, bought used from the classifieds on this forum.
     
  17. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    The problem is that most high end surge protectors don't include surge protection, and for a good reason. My recommendation is to install a whole home surge protection device in your main panel and you can purchase a power conditioner separately for your audio equipment. Personally I felt Chris Hoff of BPT made the best but Jim Weil and Rick Schultz also have some excellent power conditioning products.
     
  18. zonto

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    Many people rent, which would make a whole home solution impractical or impossible.

    I also don’t think that’s the case re: in-unit surge protection. High end conditioners from Furman, Panamax, Shunyata and Audioquest have all offered surge protection. Mostly nonsacrificial from what I’ve seen too. My Shunyata uses a Carling breaker for instance.

    Moreover, I would never buy anything that Rick Schultz has been involved with. See the EVS website and this thread: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...e-guy-who-modded-the-yggdrasil-necessary.683/. Think he’s tweaked so much he tweaked his own brain. EDIT: Was thinking of a different Ric Schultz. See @iDesign's post below.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2019
  19. bilboda

    bilboda Florida boomer

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    Can't recommend Zero Surge enough. I have a 2 plug 15w model that serves as an endpoint. Simply plug everything into the Zero Surge and plug that into the wall. This is a lifetime product like the Saladmaster skillets. You let go of it when you die and then somebody else gets it and does the same.
     
  20. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    Whole home surge protection devices are inexpensive and can easily be installed into a sub-panel in a multi-dwelling unit by a renter. Also the “Ric Schultz” you referenced is an entirely different person who lives in Soquel, California. To be clear,“Rick Schultz” of McKinney, Texas is not the same person.
     

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