Thoughts on UPC-200 ?

[MikeW]

The PS Audio Power Port is 49.95 at their website. Not much savings I know, but every penny counts! There's another one called "Porter Port" for 36$

 

[MikeW]

LOL couple days after this thread go's up everyone's selling their UPC's in FS/T, well I'd like to say Thanks for the Vote of Confidence, I feel great about my purchase now!

 

[philodox]

LOL, I wouldn't worry about it... some people change their gear every week.

 

[TheSloth]

Sorry Mike!

To be honest, I do think there was some specific issue in my set up, but I'm not the kind of guy who wants to sit there re-arranging the order in which his equipment is plugged in to get round a component that doesn't sound good. I like things as simpe as possible, and as such have removed all my power conditioning completely. The only kind of power conditioning that makes sense to me is AC regeneration, as in the higher end PS Audio stuff. I might give that a try at some point.

 

[Patrick82]

A PS Audio Power Port could make a bigger improvement than a UPC-200 with a bad port in the wall. Using Power Port + UPC-200 should give a noticeable improvement.
UPC-200 works best for big power amps + big speakers that require unrestricted power (1000+ watts) with low noise, but for headphone gear it may not show a difference.
A Power Plant has limited power output which isn't good for power amps, but it doesn't matter at all for headphones, that's why it's so good!

Using Power Port + UPC-200 + Power Plant is a great combination.

When I added an Ultimate Outlet between my wall and Power Plant I noticed a lower noise floor and it was less fatiguing to listen to. I could hear a longer decay and echo. But it was only subtle compared to the insane improvement of the Power Plant.

 

[DarkAngel]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth Sorry Mike! To be honest, I do think there was some specific issue in my set up, but I'm not the kind of guy who wants to sit there re-arranging the order in which his equipment is plugged in to get round a component that doesn't sound good. I like things as simpe as possible, and as such have removed all my power conditioning completely. The only kind of power conditioning that makes sense to me is AC regeneration, as in the higher end PS Audio stuff. I might give that a try at some point.

AC regenration unit has many disadvantages also:
- higher cost
-takes up much more room
-doubles power comsumption of audio system, higher electrical bills
-fans are noisy
-gives off heat
-much more complicated design
-restricts dynamics of large power amps

BTW I much prefer the passive PSA UPC200 to Ultimate Outlets

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel AC regenration unit has many disadvantages also: - higher cost

Start fasting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel -takes up much more room

For half a year I had my P300 Power Plant on top of my computer case without problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel -doubles power comsumption of audio system, higher electrical bills

Less food and more music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel -fans are noisy

I have a couple P300 stacked inside the closet with the door open 2-3 mm. They are running 24/7 and there is no problem with heat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel -gives off heat

My previous winter I didn't have a Power Plant and my body was cold all the time. But this winter I had no problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel -restricts dynamics of large power amps

My 250 watts per channel Krell power amp never goes above 170 watts when playing fast music with K1000, it always stays at a consistent level (150-170 watts). My amp is rated 1800 watts max and a 300 watt Power Plant is enough if using K1000 with it.
The amp gets even better when using MultiWaves with it, using MWave4 increases the resolution and TubeWave makes it sound like a tube amp but without the harmonic distortion, sibilance and rolled-off highs! In a good system the difference is night and day.

 

[TheSloth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkAngel AC regenration unit has many disadvantages also: - higher cost -takes up much more room -doubles power comsumption of audio system, higher electrical bills -fans are noisy -gives off heat -much more complicated design -restricts dynamics of large power amps BTW I much prefer the passive PSA UPC200 to Ultimate Outlets

Those may be disadvantages indeed, but none of them are sonic disadvantages. I don't have a large power amp - the maximum possible power draw of my two powered monitors together is 240 watts, though I doubt I would ever get them anywhere near that peak output. I estimate my balanced home chews through about 25 watts. So I need about 300W delivery to be on the safe side. A used P500 would be perfect for me. I'm really not interested in the logistics, simply the SQ. Are there any potential sonic disadvantage to AC regeneration, assuming it provides enough current?

 

[shplorgh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSloth Those may be disadvantages indeed, but none of them are sonic disadvantages. I don't have a large power amp - the maximum possible power draw of my two powered monitors together is 240 watts, though I doubt I would ever get them anywhere near that peak output. I estimate my balanced home chews through about 25 watts. So I need about 300W delivery to be on the safe side. A used P500 would be perfect for me. I'm really not interested in the logistics, simply the SQ. Are there any potential sonic disadvantage to AC regeneration, assuming it provides enough current?

I have heard some very mixed reports about them, from quality issues to lack of microdynamics. Do a search on audiogon or audioasylum to find some more experiences.

 

[PeeeMeS]

Hmm.. I need a power conditioner that can double as a battery backup so I can lug it around as a power source for my portable setup. Or a battery that can recharge and doubles as power conditioner.

Any suggestions?

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 A PS Audio Power Port could make a bigger improvement than a UPC-200 with a bad port in the wall.

I seriously doubt this is true... have you tested out your theory?

 

[Patrick82]

Quote:

Originally Posted by philodox I seriously doubt this is true... have you tested out your theory?

No, but I certainly would replace a 50+ year old AC receptable before getting a power conditioner or power cord. The founder of PS Audio says to get a solid foundation first, I agree.

Most people get the Power Port before other power conditioning gear because it gives the biggest improvement for the price. I have 8 of them.

 

[MikeW]

Ah it's all moot, I have a Power Port on the way as well heh

 

[ShaolinRasta]

Picked up one of the UPC-200's that recently appeared on the FS/FT board yesterday and spent an hour rewiring my system to incorporate it. Initial impressions are quite positive.

I've been having problems with treble breakup/static at higher volumes. Switching out speakers, components and cables didn't help at all. This issue is now completely resolved using the UPC-200. Bass is also a degree deeper and the soundstage is slightly wider. To my ears, the tone is slightly warmer. Whether this is a degree of coloration from the power unit or a more truly neutral sound finally coming through isn't something I can answer.

I connected the unit to the wall using a pretty thick PS Audio power cord, which I suspect is key to getting the most out of it. Volume output is increased with my preamp pot set to the same level, so I guess that means more juice is coming through. Overall, I'm really happy with it, both for the protection it offers and the sonic performance.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by akwok Power should be the last thing you do to your system. If you expect a difference, you'll hear a difference. I didn't, so I didn't hear a difference.

I beg to differ. Here is my power history:

-started with power bar
-removed power bar after reading comments mentioning how they limit current (seeing as I own a power amp), expected improvement, heard improvement

-moved on to a 1.5amp oneac unit, hoped for a difference vs. wall, heard no difference

-moved on to a 5amp oneac unit, expected a difference vs. wall, heard no difference

-moved on to a 12amp oneac unit, hoped for a difference vs. the wall, heard substantial improvements in blackness of background and bass impact

-upgraded the oneac's internal components while trying to eliminate the transformers buzz, expected less noiser transformer, noticed a lower noise floor and very little change to the transformers noise level

-moved to a house for school, simultaneously changing the transformer in my oneac to a balanced plitron transformer, expected sound to be at least as good, heard bloated bass, and black clean blackground (4 months of bloated bass uhh, at least the transformer is dead quiet)

-moved back to old house, not expecting system to sound any different, noticed much better bass and the bloat gone (how sweet it is)

Biggie.