Power Conditioning

[jnwarner]

Now that I've had my C2 for several months, and appreciate it more and more, I've decided that it (and the rest of my system) probably needs some sort of spike protection/power conditioning.
I added up the wattage on all the components and it totals out at approximately 1300 watts.
I've been looking at some Belkin (pureAV) units that seem to be reasonably priced. Key word = reasonably priced.
Any decision steerage would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jim

[eraserhead]

belkin pureav pf60

it certainly isn't up to grey's power company standards - that's for darn sure

my suggestion is to your homework - that unit retails in the 700's... with some proper shopping (or an inside connection) you can easily find one for less than 300.

my understanding of the cost - ingram micro (one of the largest computer distros in the country) is selling to CDW in the 260 range.... *hint hint*

i feel very comfortable with what i paid for mine - but belkin's retail price is pure tom-foolery.

i can post some pictures of the internals if anyone cares.

Since this is a parasound forum - i will say that the silver matches very well with your halo gear (as does the blue backlit display).

[bhuskins]

Belkins PureAV equals pure cr*p as far as I'm concerned. I did not like the units I tried out. It's a PC product with an AV case. Same goes for APC's units. Stick with Panamax and Monster before going to the new guys on the block.

If you want top notch quality go with PS Audio, Richard Gray, Exact Power, Shunyata Research and there are a few more. Some offer very reasonable entry level items.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Adz]

Belkins PureAV equals pure cr*p as far as I'm concerned. I did not like the units I tried out. It's a PC product with an AV case. Same goes for APC's units. Stick with Panamax and Monster before going to the new guys on the block.

If you want top notch quality go with PS Audio, Richard Gray, Exact Power, Shunyata Research and there are a few more. Some offer very reasonable entry level items.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

What do you or anybody else think about Equitech power conditioners?

[tboooe]

This may be a dumb question, but how do I know if I need power conditioning? In other words, how do I know if I will benefit from it? Is there any test or any sign that I can look for that will show that I will benefit from it? Or do we assume that all power that comes from the wall outlet is lousy? My home was recently built (2002). Sorry if this is a lame question. I just want to make sure I will get an improvement before spending a couple thousand an a PS Audio P500. Does anyone know if I can demo gear from PS Audio?

[bhuskins]

What do you or anybody else think about Equitech power conditioners?

It's pretty good stuff too...Definitly on par with my list. Smaller company, but good quality. It really all depends on what specifically someone is looking to correct or improve. Each brand has their forte.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[jnwarner]

Well, I've done a little homework, and am looking at the Panamax MAX 5510 PRO. It's an AC Regenerator and lists for 1500.00. Found a deal on it on the internet at around 770. (The bizness is New York Wholesale Audio Video and I'll have to do some checking on them.)
Has anyone had any experience with this unit?
Also you can replace the black faceplate with a silver one, so it'll match the C2. (I can't believe that I am actually thinking of that, however. )

Thanks
Jim

[bhuskins]

I'd be leary of that cost...but it's a good piece...call Panamax and ask them if you buy it from N.Y.W.A.V. will they cover the $5 million connected equipment protection policy. That price is actually below cost and makes me wonder...

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[bhuskins]

They didn't show up on Panamax's website...

Here's a clip from their site:

"BEWARE OF UNAUTHORIZED DEALERS!!!

YOUR PANAMAX WARRANTY WILL NOT BE VALID IF YOU PURCHASE A PANAMAX AUDIO VIDEO PRODUCT FROM AN UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO VIDEO INTERNET DEALER, or if the original serial number has been removed, defaced or modified. Only authorized dealers have the training and expertise to assist you in selecting the correct model for your application. They also have the knowledge to correctly answer any questions regarding proper installation and ensure that your Audio Video system is fully protected.

Purchase your Panamax Audio Video product from one of our Authorized Audio Video Internet Dealers. All other Internet dealers are NOT authorized to sell Panamax Audio Video products. See our Unauthorized Dealer Page for more details."

[bhuskins]

Here's their list of Authorized Internet Dealers:

AD WIZARDS
CRUTCHFIELD
ABT ELECTRONICS
LOSS CONTROL SPECIALISTS, INC
SMARTHOME
POWER SYSTEMS
RADIO FENCE -Electronic Pet Fence Protection Only
ONE CALL

[nicholtl]

For $1500, a PS Audio P300 or P500 might be within grasp, right?

[bhuskins]

You can get a P500 for $1,350 and a P1000 for $2,150.

These guys are awesome. Peter needs 9 P1000's to go with his 9 JC1s!

That Panamax piece isn't too shabby though...

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[bhuskins]

PS Audio P1000





















Absolutely Stunning!

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[nicholtl]

P1000 for $2100?? When did THAT price come about?

[bhuskins]

$2,150 - HTGuide Special!!! It still retails for $3,500

I may talk to Doug on how I can let forum members know...without going overboard on the sales.

This is going to be a 1 time deal, but I'm buying several of them.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Kingdaddy]

I would like to have one my self, but I'm not sure if one will handle a C2, 2-A52's, a Projector a DVD Player and a Pro Amp (1400W).


If it can, I am very interested, that is if there is a money back guarantee, I have no room in my rack for pretty boxes that do nothing for the sound quality.

[nicholtl]

It handles my C2, A51, and A21 just fine, with 500 watts headroom to spare.

[Andy0217]

I too am interested in getting the P1000 for my HT.

However, being in Australia, two questions come to mind.

a) Can the P1000 take 240V 50HZ ? and
b) Can I order the P1000 with our native Australian outlet plugs?

Also, are there any members who have the P1000 running their system, and if so, just how much of an improvement has it made?

Thanks in Advance,
Andrew....

[nicholtl]

Obviously, a "massive" difference to one could also be interpreted as "slight" to another, as everything in audio is incredibly subjective. After all, by a certain price point in high-end audio, you start paying thousands upon thousands for only minute differences. And yet, that's the whole quest in this ridiculous hobby of ours, isn't it?

The P1000 made a significantly marked improvement on my system's audio. The video I did not notice much improvement, but that may be because I already have a plethora of conditioning/balancing/voltage stabilizing components helping it out already. But as for the audio, take all the buzz words in the audiophile kingdom, and they all ring true to one degree or another with the use of a P1000.

Also, don't let the 1000 watt rating fool you. Not only is it a conservative rating, but your equipment draws far less power than you might expect. You cannot simply add up all the RMS ratings together and figure that's the total draw of your system. That's now how it works.

[ThomasW]

Those not familar with regenerators should know that they produce quite a bit of HEAT (think space heater, when looking at the massive cooling fins... 8O ).

Other forms of power conditioning don't have this issue.

What do you or anybody else think about Equitech power conditioners?

Hi Adam ...:wink:

Since Martin Glasband of Equi=tech fundamentally invented the concept of 'balanced power' their transformers define state-of-the-art. My Equi=tech trannys (I have 3) are dead silent under load and have a soft start feature so they don't 'pop' breakers when powered up. Highly recommeded, considering the $400 "Q" transformer in a box special (pic in link above) contains the same 12" dia, 75lb tranny used in their $3000 units.

[Peter Nielsen]

Those not familar with regenerators should know that they produce quite a bit of HEAT (think space heater, when looking at the massive cooling fins... 8O ).

I agree! Getting three or more P1000s to power my nine JC-1s would instantly transform my home theatre to a SAUNA (well I'm almost there already with the nine JC-1s :B )

A couple of my JC-1s have a really loud mechanical transformer hum (so loud that it can be heard at the seating position, 12' away, some days). This is something I'd like to address, and it seems like a pair of PS-Audio UPC-200HB with a pair of Juice Bars might be the solution...

My personal preference would be to go with a pair of rack mounted Shunyata Hydra 6, however, I don't know if these would solve the transformer hum that PS-Audio is addressing directly in their humbuster products...

Does anyone here own a Shunyata? If so, please comment!

Peter

[ThomasW]

A couple of my JC-1s have a really loud mechanical transformer hum (so loud that it can be heard at the seating position,

I stole this from on of Jon's posts on the DIY forum

Mechanical hum from transformers can be due to several factors, but often a small (100-200mV) DC bias in the neutral to hot AC line is a contributing factor. Because of the low impedance of toroids (regarding DCR), and the smaller cores compared with EI transformers of the same power handling and regulation, they're more susceptible to "humming" from DC flux offset.

The other potential issue when stacking power amps with anything else electronic is stray magentic field; actually, it's the high harmonics which get coupled more easily, due to the short conduction time of rectifiers into caps in the power amps at the peak of the AC waveform. A reasonable setup would probably be puting the BPU (Balanced Power Unit) at the bottom, power amps next, and other gear above? especiall since the BPU won't be generating heat to rise into the other electronics.

This doesn't require megabuck devices to fix. The link below shows the proper circuit. It would be a good idea to use bigger caps though....

http://diyparadise.com/dablok.html

BTW, if people posted these non-product specific threads on one of the general forums they'd get better information/input. There's really nothing in this thread that's specific to a C2.

[bhuskins]

I've got a couple Hydras that I've been playing with...both the 6 & 8

[Savannah]

Can I plug a parasound 5250 amp into the panamax pro or should i plug the amp direct into the wall?

[Chris D]

Wow, Brent, that unit looks like it would look real nice near the Halo gear, too.

[Jon SS]

It handles my C2, A51, and A21 just fine, with 500 watts headroom to spare.

Can somebody explain how to calculate the power requirements. The C2 manual says it need 65W and the A51 says 3000w in 4 ohms (1500w in 8 ohms?), but this can't be right if you have 500w to spare?

I am trying to calculate the requirements for my system.

Thanks

[nicholtl]

The way I can tell is because the P1000 has a real-time power consumption readout on ther front LED display.

[bhuskins]

600 to 700 watts would be close to max for a C2 and A51 together.

I just tested it at close to 100 db.

Brent Huskins
Media Design Center
HTGuide Sponsor

[bhuskins]

Some of that will depend on the speaker's impedance though. 4 ohm speakers with low impedance will make the amp drive harder.

Brent Huskins
Media Design Center
HTGuide Sponsor

[Jon SS]

Thanks for the info. The P1000 looks amazing, my friend has one and he loves it but a bit out of my range right now. I think my next upgrade may have to be either a PS Audio Director or a Panamax M5500-EX.