Sorry for the slow response. Totally forgot to check this thread.

The only musical improvement from the EP that I can recall was the unlimiting of dynamics. It's been so long since things *weren't* plugged into it that I can't say for sure that it did anything else. I will say that, at least with top quality vinyl, backgrounds are wonderfully black and the system can reproduce musical information that is at or below the level of tape hiss.

dougdeacon April 30, 2004 01:27

Hmmm, well, I don't have any brownouts, but I do live in downtown DC. I've got 2 dedicated 20 amp outlets, and they really helped the dynamic quality of the music, things just seemed less hindered. Things are pretty quiet when I play, but I wonder what sort of hash I'm getting that is smeering the image, or how much blacker I could get the background.

Did you hear significant improvements in the music, or were the improvements more along the lines of safety, convenience (of having all your equipment plugged in, on, etc)?

dennis_the_menace April 13, 2004 02:53

DtM,

All our components are plugged into the EP as follows:

Analog outlets:
- preamp (tuner is plugged into preamp convenience outlet)
- power amp
- Teres motor (no battery option)
- VCR

Digital outlets
- CDP
- DVD player
- TV
- HDTV tuner

I think the advantages of the EP are three:

1. We have a lot of short (< 2 sec) brownouts in CT. With the EP those have no effect on anything. The TT maintains speed, the power amp never falters, the TV never flickers. This was not true before the EP.

2. The fairly hefty transformer in the EP provides a large reserve of immediately available current. When the power amp suddenly wants to dig deep the reserves are there. Great dynamics and a total lack of compression.

3. The digital/analog filters in the EP seem to work. When playing an LP I can't hear any differences between having the CDP powered up, in standby or completely unplugged.

dougdeacon April 12, 2004 15:42

hey Doug, which components do you have plugged into the Exactpower, and what kind of improvement did you hear? Also, do you have the battery for your Teres motor?

dennis_the_menace April 08, 2004 18:36

System edited: Just moved the system from "Ever Evolving" to "Done for now". That's how big a change the new analog rig has made. This was not just another upgrade. I've done six of those in the last year and they all helped, alot. But none of them satiated the desire for something even better, until now. Now all we want is a better record collection.

dougdeacon August 31, 2003 03:08

System edited: We just installed our new Teres + Origin Live + Shelter + BentAudio analog front end. If you've ever heard a high end analog setup, you know what sudden rhapsodies we're experiencing. I am still too stunned to find words to describe this musical revelation. If you have not heard a good analog system, you are cordially invited over for a musical evening. Just give a call and bring a bottle of wine. Something nice please, not from a box ;) Bring a driver too, someone who doesn't care about music. Why? Because any music-lover who hears what we're now hearing may be too staggered to drive safely, even if s/he doesn't touch the wine. We have found the real thing.

dougdeacon August 31, 2003 02:38

System edited: Brought the Shelter 901 to life. Wonderful performers and great workmanship by John Chapman. New TT and arm are on the way.

dougdeacon August 13, 2003 14:48

System edited: Analog front end taking a major leap forward. Woo-hoo!

dougdeacon August 04, 2003 12:54

System edited: New power amp, and a fine one it is!

dougdeacon June 05, 2003 20:44

System edited: Added Exact Power. Power amp probably our next upgrade.

dougdeacon May 09, 2003 21:41

When you go to audiopoints.com and speak to Robert you will be, truly, enlightened to the whole process of coupling, the benefits, and the deleterious effects resonances have on music. To couple or decouple(isolate)? That is the question. If you're going to couple you don't want to mix any absorbing materials into this equation. Call Robert. He has set me free. He can do it for you too. peace, warren

warrenh May 05, 2003 17:24

Warren,

Thanks for the ideas.

Many people have recommended Audiopoints/Sistrum. I will certainly try them out. Isolating the equipment rack from our lively wood floor made the most sense to me, and the sonic improvements are VERY apparent to both of us. OTOH, putting dampening devices in direct contact with components can be a very bad thing. (Especially beneath speakers, which are *supposed* to vibrate!)

Power conditioning is definitely in our future. I'm leaning toward Exact Power, but I'll certainly read up on your solutions before deciding. Thanks again!

dougdeacon May 05, 2003 14:11

I am not a decoupler (isolator) so I would consider products like those at Audiopoints.com, which work on the principle of coupling. They have oodles of information on their website. You can find, in the archives, plenty of stuff about their products, plus the decouplers and couplers raps. I also would consider some electrical conditioning. Electricity is very mystical and can benefit, greatly, from power conditioners/conditioning. I own the Audio Magic Matrix and Mini Digital Stealth. I love what they do for my system. You, certainly, don't have to go that way, but it is worth doing your homework about the different conditioners out there and, maybe, giving one a try. peace, warren

warrenh May 03, 2003 11:33