Puritan 1512 Power Conditioner Update
I first began using a power conditioner when I heard what they can do for my 2-channel system and flat screen. There I use an Audience aR12 and it noticeably improved the bass and level of detail heard. On my flat screen the colors and overall picture improved. Slight, but immediately noticeable. As Audience’s prices have skyrocketed I decided to go with Puritan for my HP system.
Puritan 1512 Power Conditioner
Now that I have used my system with the Puritan 1512 Power Conditioner for over 300 hours I thought I would report on what I heard as promised. The 1512 is a 12 outlet power conditioner though I am only using 3 outlets at the moment. The below comparisons will all be on the Mass-Kobo 465.
320 Hours on the Puritan 1512 Power Conditioner.
Sound Impressions are from using the Susvara.
I used “First We Take Manhattan” by Jennifer Warnes (Famous Blue Raincoat Album) to begin as a test track.
-With the MK-465 plugged into the Puritan some background details at 2:00 into the track were maybe a touch clearer. Jennifer’s voice might have had a touch more quality to her voice.
- Unplugged from the Puritan and plugged into power strip everything was close. Clarity and bass weight all still present.
Repeating this test at 2:30 into the track the bass drive and the drums had a bit more impact. The detail of the bass player was also clearer. So here there was more of a difference between using the Puritan and not using the Puritan. I then switched songs.
At around 1:00 into “Bird On A Wire” (also from Jenifer Warnes Famous Blue Raincoat Album) the bass drum whacks had more power with the Puritan engaged, background details were easier to pick out, and Jennifer’s voice had a little more presence and warmth. It was sweeter sounding. I did this several times to be sure. I will also say I could go louder with the MK-465 plugged into the Puritan before I felt the sound too loud or harsh to me. I do not listen all that loud to start with (typically at a dB level in the 70’s and sometimes 60’s).
I then decided to do my own noise test using the Susvara, Empyrean and Traillii IEM to see if there were any differences with the Puritan 1512. I did this by plugging in the HP and then turning up the volume with no signal. Please realize that the points where noise was noticed are far beyond the useable volume with the HP or IEM.
Testing for noise with my Susvara:
Same results Both with and without the Puritan:
-Low Gain: Quiet
-Mid Gain: Quiet
-High Gain: Quiet
Empyrean:
Without The Puritan (Empy plugged into 6.5mm Output):
-Low Gain: Quiet
-Mid Gain: Very slight high-pitched tone only at max volume combined with a very faint sound of hum.
-High Gain: Extremely faint high-pitched tone and then hum before the 8th dot (this is one dot on the dial before ¾ volume).
With The Puritan (Empy plugged into 6.5mm Output):
-Low Gain: Quiet
-Mid Gain: Faint high-pitched tone only at Max Volume (lower in level than without the Puritan and No hum).
-High Gain: Extremely faint high-pitched tone and then hum at just before ¾ Volume.
The Puritan does seem to be able to make the MK-465 a quieter amplifier, though any noise heard is at an unusable volume level.
I then decided to test with my Traillii IEMs to see if the MK-465 was quieter with them. I tested both without the Puritan and plugged into a separate power strip. Just to make you all aware, in actual use you will never even get to ½ volume at the lowest gain setting, so absolutely no issue using the MK with IEMs. This is just a test to see if the Puritan Power Conditioner can help the amp be even quieter.
Without the Puritan and IEM plugged into balanced connector via 4.4mm to XLR adapter:
-Low Gain: Quiet. A very slight beginning of a high-pitched tone at max volume.
-Mid Gain: High Pitched Tone begins at just before ¾ Volume
-High Gain: Hash or static at any volume plus Hum at 5th dot on the control (one dot before ½ way.)
Plugged into the Puritan 1512 Power Conditioner:
-Low Gain: Quiet.
-Mid Gain: A high-pitched tone begins a little past ¾ Volume.
-High Gain: Hash or static at any volume plus a high-pitched tone beginning at the 5th dot on the volume control (one dot before ½ way). No Hum.
I will say the Traillii seems to sound better with the MK plugged into the 1512. At low gain it does show the background to be quieter. Jennifer’s voice had just a tad more warmth to it.
In summary the Puritan does make a small difference in the quality of sound from the MK-465. My DAC and Bliss amplifier are also plugged into it.
Is it worth the cost? Good question. For flat out sound quality, I will say no in my circumstance. Now your circumstance may differ if you have noisy power. However, my area does lose power from time to time, and I may also run-on generator. I therefore like having a little added protection.
