Puritan Audio Laboratories PSM136, PSM156, PSM1512 Power Conditioners

[Tubewin]

So theres no restrictions in dynamics that you have noticed with Psm 156?
But i guess that was never alphas problem.

Midrange sharpness and smaller soundstage. Was there problem.

From Alpha Audio review
"Match?
In our system, the match with the Puritan PSM 156 is not ideal if we are honest. The midrange is a bit harsh and sharp. Also, we still hear some unrest when we switch the Sonnet Pasithea from the IKEA distribution block (connected directly to the wall socket) to the Puritan PSM 156.

Of course there are things that improve. There is certainly a bit more calmness, but the stereo image also gets a bit smaller ánd an some harshness remains audible. This is clearly audible with A Perfect Circle where sometimes the ‘S’-sounds come in hard. That normally does not happen in our system.

If we then go to the – much more expensive! – YETI Reference 1000, we hear that everything clicks together again. The calmness is back, the stereo image grows and the midbass is also back where it belongs. In short: the balance is simply better. Then again: it should be, of course.

Now we have previously tested the Puritan PSM 156. And namely in Yung’s “retro-system” in the Nieuwplaatz studio. There the Puritan certainly did not score badly, but it is fair to say that the Isotek Aquarius V5 (2500 Euro) scored better and also the Isotek Syncro with Gemini (Around 1000 Euro) was a bit more musical.

However, the effect in the retro-system was quite different from the Alpha Audio reference system. In the retro-setup the Puritan smeared a bit more. In the reference setup, on the contrary, it becomes a bit glassy and restless. So you see. It is ver
y difficult to predict the interaction."

My own words and thoughts again.
I dont know why this has become so popular. Im guessing because some youtube review? Still could be a hype train. Its not impossible theres others performing better around same price range or if you pay a bit more( maybe you will get what you pay for). Only those who have compared will truly know.

@Tubewin they seem to have used better than stock
From Alpha Audio.
"Ultimate Power Cord
We also got an Ultimate Power Cord with the Puritan. This one costs 744 Euros for 2 meters. We don’t know very much about the power cord except what we can read in this PDF from Puritan. In summary: 12AWG copper conductors, silecon insulation. Each bundle is treated so there is minimal interference."

There is no harshness with a "normal" ultimate cable paired with the psm156. In their video, they said it was really warm or noticeably so, and I get it, but that's with the stock cable.

I asked Alpha audio directly if they used the ultimate cable in their review.

Their response was:
"I think people forget there are 1001 variables. And honestly: the type of power cord is not really on the list when we set things up. We just use the cord that's in the box, because that's what people get. Also: if we use a certain power cord, we will get comments on that too... you get the point now."

So....no.... they did not use the ultimate cable in their review. Nor have they given us an update with the ultimate power cord with the psm156.

In my opinion, the stock cable really hurts the performance of the psm156. They should really just sell them together instead of it being a optional upgrade.

 

[BShaw]

There is no harshness with a "normal" ultimate cable paired with the psm156. In their video, they said it was really warm or noticeably so, and I get it, but that's with the stock cable.

I asked Alpha audio directly if they used the ultimate cable in their review.

Their response was:
"I think people forget there are 1001 variables. And honestly: the type of power cord is not really on the list when we set things up. We just use the cord that's in the box, because that's what people get. Also: if we use a certain power cord, we will get comments on that too... you get the point now."

So....no.... they did not use the ultimate cable in their review. Nor have they given us an update with the ultimate power cord with the psm156.

In my opinion, the stock cable really hurts the performance of the psm156. They should really just sell them together instead of it being a optional upgrade.

Yeah the stock cable is a silly thing. I reterminated mine and was pretty shocked at what it was actually made of. How the hell can you expect a 16ga cheap cable with garbage connectors to do anything well? There are plenty of excellent cables out there, I respect that people like the Ultimate, but at far less than $800 I have some very nice options. I love my 156, but some of the parts in his products are laughable. Just take a Groundmaster apart and you'll see - the binding posts are cheap steel, I don't know if I've seen anything cheaper ever. And the receptacles in the Puritans are also pure crap. I know manufacturers are working to a price point and need to make a living, but some of this is a bit insulting.

 

[TheR0v3r]

So managed to get a proper listen to the Oyaide Vondita Power Cable, for point of reference, one end had a Viborg Copper Gold 13amp plug, the other a C19 Viborg Copper Gold ,using HB labs Gold terminal connectors.
The Vondita cable was pitched against my Furutech DPS 4.1 cable, and was tested running my Puritan PSM 156 unit.
Finding out information about the Vondita a bit of a hard task, however from what views l found online, they where mostly positive.
l'll cut to the chase, this is an awesome cable, it matches the Furutech DSP 4.1 on most levels, with the Furutech handling stereo little left to right stereo effect slightly better,they just seem more pronounced, other than that, l was really trying to hard to detect a difference.
So the idea was to run the Oyaide Vondita on my other Puritan PSM 156, this then replaced the Puritan Classic Plus cable. Straight from the first second, there was a noticeable improvement, a calmness, and natural feeling that well sounds like musicians playing, it's hard to express using Hifi Cliques..but this clearly to my ears brings things to another level using both Furutech DPS 4.1 and Oyaide Vondita cables, considering its price the Vondita is something of a bargain.

Thanks for sharing these insights.

I’ve been looking at the Furutech DPS-4.1 and Oyaide Vondita as possible upgrades to power my headphone amp but there are very few comparisons. Much appreciated.

 

[Atriya]

Has anyone noticed a very soft hum from their PSM156, especially when certain components are connected to it?

I'm getting a soft hum when my tube amp is connected, but otherwise not.

 

[BShaw]

Has anyone noticed a very soft hum from their PSM156, especially when certain components are connected to it?

I'm getting a soft hum when my tube amp is connected, but otherwise not.

I don't plug my tube amps into the 156, for me it wasn't the Puritan that hummed, but it increased the hum of the amps coming through the speakers. I just decided it didn't like tube amps and bought a modest toroidal balanced transformer for the amps, which is ironically plugged into the 156!

 

[Frankie D]

Has anyone noticed a very soft hum from their PSM156, especially when certain components are connected to it?

I'm getting a soft hum when my tube amp is connected, but otherwise not.

I have both SS and tube amps connected to the 1512 ( same conditioner, just more sockets ). My tube amp makes no more noise than when it is not connected. I would say quieter connected. I would have to put my ear right next to the amp to hear it at all.

 

[Atriya]

I have both SS and tube amps connected to the 1512 ( same conditioner, just more sockets ). My tube amp makes no more noise than when it is not connected. I would say quieter connected. I would have to put my ear right next to the amp to hear it at all.

My hum is from the PSM156 itself, not from the tube amp.

 

[Frankie D]

My hum is from the PSM156 itself, not from the tube amp.

I have never heard any noise from my 1512. If you hear noise from the 156, I suspect something is wrong. I would contact Puritan.

 

[anyoldears]

So I wonder how Oyaide Vondita compares to the Ultimate cable?

OK, so I went and did the experiment myself. Short answer: The Vondita is obviously superior. Like 2 seconds listening. I have Furutech NCF rhodium plugs on both ends (but I had the same on the Puritan Ultimate, so like for like comparison).

Music "pops" out of the speakers now with amazing dynamics and energy. Incredible stuff! Bass is more energetic. Highly recommended over the puritan ultimate and I really liked that cable!

 

[Stellabagpuss]

Excellent.. l've been running Vondita on my 156 for a few months,its a superb cable, the bass isn't as Deep as Furutech DPS, but it's not far off, and certainly cheaper to purchase.

 

[b4dm00n37]

OK, so I went and did the experiment myself. Short answer: The Vondita is obviously superior. Like 2 seconds listening. I have Furutech NCF rhodium plugs on both ends (but I had the same on the Puritan Ultimate, so like for like comparison).

Music "pops" out of the speakers now with amazing dynamics and energy. Incredible stuff! Bass is more energetic. Highly recommended over the puritan ultimate and I really liked that cable!

I would like to do the same modification. What to I need to do for best modification ?

I have the "US" connector IEC C19 on my PSM-156.
____________________________

I found this, not cheap (https://oyaide.bg/shop/oyaide/shop/...the-premium-grade-ac-power-plug-iec-connector)

Vondita cable (https://oyaide.bg/shop/oyaide/shop/bulk-cables/oyaide-vondita-power-cable-triplex-per-meter/)

I want to replace also the NEMA Socket. Which one is the most suited for US plug. I've found the Viborg VM04R
(https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008555152931.html)

Does it have better option ?

And what deliver the best upgrade - Power Cable or Nema Socket replacement ?

Inlet replacement with furutech FI-33 (https://partsconnexion.com/furutech-fi-33-ncfr-hi-end-grade-ac-inlet/)

It will be also a good idea to treat all the conductor with Furutech Nano Liquid.

 

[rsbrsvp]

OK, so I went and did the experiment myself. Short answer: The Vondita is obviously superior. Like 2 seconds listening. I have Furutech NCF rhodium plugs on both ends (but I had the same on the Puritan Ultimate, so like for like comparison).

Music "pops" out of the speakers now with amazing dynamics and energy. Incredible stuff! Bass is more energetic. Highly recommended over the puritan ultimate and I really liked that cable!

9 cables in my system times around $500 per cable. Unless I found a buyer for my 9 puritan cables- I could not do this. Is the Vondita flexible like the Puratain or stiff? Stiff would be a problem for me. My system is in a cabinet and it is tight.

 

[BShaw]

I would like to do the same modification. What to I need to do for best modification ?

I have the "US" connector IEC C19 on my PSM-156.
____________________________

I found this, not cheap (https://oyaide.bg/shop/oyaide/shop/...the-premium-grade-ac-power-plug-iec-connector)

Vondita cable (https://oyaide.bg/shop/oyaide/shop/bulk-cables/oyaide-vondita-power-cable-triplex-per-meter/)

I want to replace also the NEMA Socket. Which one is the most suited for US plug. I've found the Viborg VM04R
(https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008555152931.html)

Does it have better option ?

And what deliver the best upgrade - Power Cable or Nema Socket replacement ?

Inlet replacement with furutech FI-33 (https://partsconnexion.com/furutech-fi-33-ncfr-hi-end-grade-ac-inlet/)

It will be also a good idea to treat all the conductor with Furutech Nano Liquid.

The Viborg VM04 was the only suitable replacement I could find when I swapped them out several months ago, and they’re a big step up from stock.
You don’t have to buy Oyaide’s flagship connectors unless you have plenty of cash to burn. Their armored series uses the same conductors and can be found much cheaper. If you want to spend even less for high quality, IeGo are excellent and there are others. I use IeGo internals in heavy brass/carbon fiber shells from Kamaudio (Vanguard), but the Oyaide armored series costs just a little more.
I don’t have Vondita but have a few Black Mambas and Tunami and they’re great cables. Again, there are options from China like Grey Knight Energy MK2, and others which cost much less but the Oyaide stuff is available on Ebay for very reasonable cost.
As for the “which is more important” question, it all is. The Furutech IECs are great but again, you can buy Viborg versions which are nearly as good if you’re looking to economize. One step at a time I guess…..

 

[b4dm00n37]

The Viborg VM04 was the only suitable replacement I could find when I swapped them out several months ago, and they’re a big step up from stock.
You don’t have to buy Oyaide’s flagship connectors unless you have plenty of cash to burn. Their armored series uses the same conductors and can be found much cheaper. If you want to spend even less for high quality, IeGo are excellent and there are others. I use IeGo internals in heavy brass/carbon fiber shells from Kamaudio (Vanguard), but the Oyaide armored series costs just a little more.
I don’t have Vondita but have a few Black Mambas and Tunami and they’re great cables. Again, there are options from China like Grey Knight Energy MK2, and others which cost much less but the Oyaide stuff is available on Ebay for very reasonable cost.
As for the “which is more important” question, it all is. The Furutech IECs are great but again, you can buy Viborg versions which are nearly as good if you’re looking to economize. One step at a time I guess…..

Can you give me link for what you suggest to me please ?

 

[BShaw]

Can you give me link for what you suggest to me please ?

I’m out on chores at the moment and will when I can but perhaps you could do some keyword searches in the meantime.