I use a lower-end (but quite effective) Furman conditioner. It has definitely helped lower the noise floor in my system. I’d say it’s a 5-10 percent benefit AT MOST though. Definitely a late/stage investment in my view.
I've tried the Decware Zen line conditioner and the PS Audio PowerPlant. Do you suspect you have a lot of noise on your line? So far my experience has been that is the last thing I'd concern myself in the chain. I'm currently using the PowerPlant because the Zen didn't work with my HA-300mk II. The PowerPlant is a regenerator. The main advantage to me is that there is something between my expensive amps and a power surge. It is really hard to do A/B testing between the wall and the conditioners because you have to unplug and replug. I don't trust my memory enough to say for certain there is big enough difference. If you have noise on your line, which I do, the best thing to do is run a dedicated line from that outlet to the electric panel. This didn't fully solve my power/grounding issues though. I will say I have noticed discernible differences between power cables...unfortunately. I'm using some AudioQuest NRG-Z3 cables at the moment. I tested some "audiophile" ones off amazon but they mostly imparted a really hifi flavor I wasn't into. The AudioQuest ones had nice dynamic range and warmth. I know how dumb this sounds talking about cables. I really didn't want to believe in it. Maybe my mind is just weak.
Oh I'll add that a brand that gets a lot of love in my research is Puritan. I wanted to try that but sprung for the Decware one instead because I'm a fan of Decware. I still have both the PowerPlant and Decware here but I was going to send the Decware back in because my HA-300 just drew too much power for it. That amp is a bit of a power hungry beast. I need to test the Decware with the Aegis before I commit to sending it back perhaps.
Puritan PSM136/156 is my rec for power conditioners. Great company, with many great reviews.
+1 similar to above statements. I noticed a blacker background using a Niagara1200 vs wall outlet with boost to overall technicalities. But I live in an older building where the electricity is most definitely "dirty". I am interested in trying out the PSM Puritan 156 as I've heard good things about it compared to Niagara1200, but am also interested in a new TOTL DAC and expensive tubes
. Gotta compromise somewhere.
A different method to tackle a problem. I admittedly did not come up with this idea on my own, rather @zach915m was the one who suggested I look into this solution.
Does that not come when th it's own dangers being LiPo?A different method to tackle a problem. I admittedly did not come up with this idea on my own, rather @zach915m was the one who suggested I look into this solution.
A very long story short, I had my PSAudio Dectet looking like a Tesla coil, sparks shooting this way and that, which in turn melted my FTA Callisto USB cable, fried my Roon core and all other sorts of audiophile nightmare fuel.
Anyways, for the price of a decent power conditioner, I picked up a LIPO battery system. The one I got has four 20 amp AC sockets. I can run my entire setup for twenty hours before it needs a re-charge, which only takes about 90 minutes to go from 0-100%.
It is totally silent in operation and produces perfect sine waves. The SQ increase is quite noticeable, especially in clarity and staging. One never realizes how dirty the electricity coming from the wall is until you can a/b with a silent and clean solution.
For more info check out here
For the record, PSAudio didn't even bother to assist or inquire about damages. Final Touch Audio replaced my USB cable free of charge (highly recommended).
AFAIK it's advisable not to leave it charging unattended, which I do not. Other than that I just use common sense when using it and thus far, knock on wood, I haven't had any issues.
