Puritan Audio Laboratories PSM136, PSM156, PSM1512 Power Conditioners

[mattiastomas]

Hi all,

I have been reading up a lot on the Puritan PSM156 and everyone's input on this thread. Am new to power conditioners and am considering trying one out to see.

Looking through classifieds I'm seeing that some are listed as PSM156 and PSM156+. Is there a plus version? Looking through Puritan's website I don't see any mention of a plus version. Which version should I be looking to get?

Is everyone still happy with their PSM156? So far the only negative things I've read are that the plug socket are a bit loose and the IEC is poor quality. Is either of those 2 a dealbreaker? If I do get it I intend to get a vertical stand plate for it to save space, and this would also help the loose plug sockets issue.

 

[plumpudding2]

Hi all,

I have been reading up a lot on the Puritan PSM156 and everyone's input on this thread. Am new to power conditioners and am considering trying one out to see.

Looking through classifieds I'm seeing that some are listed as PSM156 and PSM156+. Is there a plus version? Looking through Puritan's website I don't see any mention of a plus version. Which version should I be looking to get?

Is everyone still happy with their PSM156? So far the only negative things I've read are that the plug socket are a bit loose and the IEC is poor quality. Is either of those 2 a dealbreaker? If I do get it I intend to get a vertical stand plate for it to save space, and this would also help the loose plug sockets issue.

I have mine vertically (Those Pangea cables are ridiculously stiff and unwieldy) without the stand, works completely fine in my opinion.

Only gripe i have with the PSM156 is it absolutely requires a grounded socket which old houses in my country often don't have. But I do understand why they made that choice in the design.

 

[mattiastomas]

I have mine vertically (Those Pangea cables are ridiculously stiff and unwieldy) without the stand, works completely fine in my opinion.

Only gripe i have with the PSM156 is it absolutely requires a grounded socket which old houses in my country often don't have. But I do understand why they made that choice in the design.

Thanks for the info. The main reason that I am thinking of vertical is to save space. I can sit it vertically behind my audio rack. That way it won't take up space in the rack.
I suppose I should check if my sockets are grounded. What work around did you need for your ungrounded socket?

 

[plumpudding2]

Thanks for the info. The main reason that I am thinking of vertical is to save space. I can sit it vertically behind my audio rack. That way it won't take up space in the rack.
I suppose I should check if my sockets are grounded. What work around did you need for your ungrounded socket?

I'm running an ordinary extension chord to my bathroom, about 8 meters, which has grounded sockets. Probably not the best SQ wise but it's better than taking out the PSM156.

Grounding the sockets near my listening station would be better and much safer but the landlord disagreed with how necessary it was.

Grounded sockets are easy to differentiate because they have 3 wires: hot, neutral and ground.

 

[nickv]

I don't think I've seen reference to a PSM156+. Puritan do offer their Classic Plus cable so perhaps it's referring to a bundle with that power lead.

And Audio Consultants in the UK offer a special edition (SE) with upgraded plug outlets and inlets.

 

[Frankie D]

Hi all,

I have been reading up a lot on the Puritan PSM156 and everyone's input on this thread. Am new to power conditioners and am considering trying one out to see.

Looking through classifieds I'm seeing that some are listed as PSM156 and PSM156+. Is there a plus version? Looking through Puritan's website I don't see any mention of a plus version. Which version should I be looking to get?

Is everyone still happy with their PSM156? So far the only negative things I've read are that the plug socket are a bit loose and the IEC is poor quality. Is either of those 2 a dealbreaker? If I do get it I intend to get a vertical stand plate for it to save space, and this would also help the loose plug sockets issue.

I use the 1512 which is the 12 outlet version.
I find it to be an excellent conditioner with no harm to my amplifiers. In fact, their noise floor is lowered. I recommend the Ultimate cables for their flexibility and protection. As you mentioned, I do wish they fit a bit tighter into my equipment, but they have not come out on their own either, so no real issue.

I saw grounding being mentioned. The outlets are all 3 prong ( as they should be ). It is typically recommended that an ultimate cable be used from the conditioner to the 3 prong wall outlet. I have not tested using a different cord here. I have tested the Ultimate cable vs Audioquest and preferred the Ultimate, but I am also positive I could not pass a blind A-B test. But I prefer the flexibility and build of the Ultimate cable.

Is it the best? Who knows. Designers of equipment I speak with do praise it as one that actually works. I find it excellent. If I could afford the top Audience conditioner ( I do have one for my 2-channel ) I would probably recommend that over it ( might be up to 5X the price though). But at the same time, I use conditioners mainly for protection and to make sure my system is not being hindered by power.

I also still recommend home runs back to your circuit panel where possible for the outlets used in your audio system.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. Tks.

 

[mattiastomas]

I use the 1512 which is the 12 outlet version.
I find it to be an excellent conditioner with no harm to my amplifiers. In fact, their noise floor is lowered. I recommend the Ultimate cables for their flexibility and protection. As you mentioned, I do wish they fit a bit tighter into my equipment, but they have not come out in their own either, so no real issue.

I saw grounding being mentioned. The outlets are all 3 prong ( as they should be ). It is typically recommended that an ultimate cable be used from the conditioner to the 3 prong wall outlet. I have not tested using a different cord here. I have tested the Ultimate cable vs Audioquest and preferred the Ultimate, but I am also positive I could not pass a blind A-B test. But I prefer the flexibility and build of the Ultimate cable.

Is it the best? Who knows. Designers of equipment I speak with do praise it as one that actually works. I find it excellent. If I could afford the top Audience conditioner ( I do have one for my 2-channel ) I would probably recommend that over it. But at the same time, I use conditioners mainly for protection and to make sure my system is not being hindered by power.

I also still recommend home runs back to your circuit panel where possible for the outlets used in your audio system.

Feel free to PM me with any questions. Tks.

Thanks for the helpful info! It does seem likely that I'd be picking up at PSM156 with an ultimate cable sometime in the near future.