The one passive one that I did try was probably the best sounding pc that I have tried but it didn't do much to clean up the worst of the AC noise (dimmer switch noise, for instance).

I suggest installing dedicated lines for your sound system. I have 3 dimmers and my system is dead quiet. It's an all tube system but I have 2 20amp dedicated lines.

knghifi February 24, 2015 16:14

Exlibris, Could you check with an electrician and ask if they could install a different type of dimmer? Maybe they know of some that will not create noise. Recording studios use dimmers so there must be type that would work for you. Regards Jet

jetrexpro February 23, 2015 22:44

Thanks for the information. The one passive one that I did try was probably the best sounding pc that I have tried but it didn't do much to clean up the worst of the AC noise (dimmer switch noise, for instance). Then again, the non-passive ones did nothing for this either.

exlibris February 23, 2015 18:21

I have now tried the Audience aR6-TS and the Bybee Stealth Power Purifier in my system. In both cases I much preferred my stereo plugged straight into the wall. At this point I’ve pretty much given up on audiophile power conditioning.

I was in similar boat so I demoed a passive Weizhi PRS-6 and never looked back. Now I have 2, one for mono amps and the other for rest of system.

I heard good things on HB Cable Design Power Distributors too.

http://www.avshowrooms.com/HB_Cable__Stage_III.html

knghifi February 20, 2015 19:48

By the way, the last audiophile conditioning system that I am set to try are a collection of pieces from Blue Circle:

PLC Thingee
PLC FX2 Thingee
PLC FX2 XOe Thingee
TPX 120
RPD-15

I'll mix and match and see if any combination works in my system.

exlibris February 20, 2015 16:55

Jetrexpro,
Thank you for the information.
This is the transformer that was suggested to me:

exlibris February 20, 2015 16:18

I installed a Cutler Hammer Isolation tranny from the dedicated line that is feeding my amp and it cleaned up the bit of 120hz hash that was just barely audible when I put my ear to the speaker. It a high quality industrial unit that is totally quiet and small.

jetrexpro February 20, 2015 00:19

I have now tried the Audience aR6-TS and the Bybee Stealth Power Purifier in my system. In both cases I much preferred my stereo plugged straight into the wall. At this point I’ve pretty much given up on audiophile power conditioning. I still don't like the idea of living with an industrial transformer in my apartment so I think I may just live with the fact that my AC can get bad at times and that I'm likely to get a buzzing noise through my speakers if my lights with dimmer switches are turned on.

exlibris February 19, 2015 19:43

I've put the idea of an industrial isolation transformer on hold for now in favour of finding a solution that is easier to implement. As such, I will be demoing some power conditioners in my system. These include: The Bybee Stealth; a number of products from Blue Circle; and a unit from Audience. If none of these work I will revisit the idea of the industrial transformer.

exlibris February 09, 2015 18:09

Arthursmuck,
I've owned a few amps but I'm certainly no expert on mainstream amps. I'll try and say something of value:
I fell in love with SET amps after using them, basically for a laugh, with some very inefficient MBL 101E speakers that I used to own. I was hooked by the realism of voices and the emotional impact of these amps (Mastersound 300B monoblocks). Since then I've heard Mastersound 845 amps and the Audio Note UK Jinro which uses 211s. Both of these left me cold emotionally. Some might say that they sound more 'realistic' compared to the 'romantic' Mastersound 300B or the little Audio Note UK Conqueror (which I also like) but I just think they sound more sterile.
Then along came the Thomas Mayer 45 amp. The warm romance of the typical 300B was gone but all the emotion was still there. There is a 'matter of fact' realism with this amp that never strays toward being sterile or analytical. Having said that, if you pop in some Sovtek 2A3s then it does get sterile and analytical. With 45s in this amp there is a lot of tonal shading and the amp offers so many important musical cues that you often think you know what a musician is feeling or intending.
Of less importance is the fact that this amp does very well across the frequency spectrum (assuming you have efficient speakers)

exlibris January 13, 2015 21:29

What a great system, congratulations! Can you share some detail about the sound characteristics of the Thomas Mayer amps? Are they similar to anything else more mainstream?

Again, fantastic system and room!

arthursmuck January 13, 2015 15:55

Exlibris,
Good for you. You seem to have a knack for finding alternative tweak combinations that do make a difference. Can't wait to hear about the results.

kennythekey January 12, 2015 02:00

Very interesting Exlibris and wonderful story about your gf's reaction! Sounds like a very effective tweak. Thanks so much!

malcolmmonfort January 10, 2015 03:41

The isolation transformer was just for my system rather than the whole condo.
In the end I changed my plan and ordered this 1.8kVA isolation transformer. It will go on the line just before my system rather than at the point where the AC enters my unit.
I'll post about its effectiveness.

exlibris January 09, 2015 16:31

Interesting. Will that handle your entire condo, or dedicated to your system's circuit(s)? If your Condo, there may be a concern that other "dirty" appliances that generate their own noise might have an impact. I'm not sure about this, but it popped into my head.

kennythekey January 08, 2015 23:22

I'm thinking of getting a 3kVA isolation transformer and dealing with the problem where the AC enters my condo unit.

exlibris January 07, 2015 19:04

Exlibris
Thank you for your clarity and honesty. My dealer has also recommended a humidifier. You're right, it's worth the gamble with the power cords. Not really a gamble for what they cost. I'm getting mono blocks, and initially have little extra for high end power cords.
I'm using a PS Audio Regenerator and it made a big difference. However, I'm now considering a Silver Circle Audio conditioner down the road.

kennythekey January 07, 2015 17:19

Kennythekey,
Thank you for the compliments.

I'll preface this by saying that I live in an apartment and I do have a problem with noise from other units/the grid coming into my system on the ground line. I'm researching solutions as we speak.

The Entreq boxes do not help with this problem but they do seem to solve grounding issues (issues I wasn't even aware of) within individual components. They bring a real sense or ease and naturalness to the presentation and make it so much more emotionally and sonically satisfying.

As for the power cords, they really do seem counter-intuitive. They should sound bad but I like them. For $10 they are worth the gamble. I used to have $1,500 cords and I like these much more. They simply sound "right." And, the expensive cords weren't any quieter nor did they help with the problems in my preface.

Its dry up here in the winter and I always run a humidifier. It may be my imagination but everything sounds better when the air is humidified. I read that it is easier for speakers to move 'wet' air as opposed to dry air and maybe that has something to do with it. It is also better for playing LPs. I'm not sure what effect the Entreq would have on dryness and static problems.

exlibris January 07, 2015 17:02

Malcolmmonfort,
I wasn't trying to correct any problems with the Stein Speaker Match Signature. These were simply lent to me by a friend to try out. They certainly added a palpable realism to my particular system. True story: when I first put them in my girlfriend started laughing and said she had to leave the room. I asked why and, still laughing, she said she was creeped out that there seemed to be real, life-sized people in the room singing to her.

exlibris January 07, 2015 16:53

A brilliantly planned and executed system. Simple and stunning. Well done.
I am having built a SET amp and realize the importance of low noise. I am intrigued by the Entreq boxes that you've added, but they were unknown to me until I read your posts. At the same time, you've gone with simple power cords and you're really liking the sound. Do you feel that the grounding boxes are eliminating noise, allowing you to use such cords? If so, that would be an eye opener for many of us? I live in Colorado, so dry, and was wondering if the boxes might also solve static problems?

kennythekey January 07, 2015 15:59

"Added: Stein Speaker Match Signature"

What problems did it solve or issues did it address?

malcolmmonfort January 06, 2015 21:05

System edited: Added: Stein Speaker Match Signature, and picked up a Nagaoka CL1000 rolling record cleaner which does a great job on LPs.

exlibris January 05, 2015 21:15

System edited: Replaced the picture of the Metrik Studio 'Redwall' with one that doesn't have my stereo components in front of it.

exlibris November 26, 2014 20:06

Daniel,
Yes, I live in downtown Toronto.
Thanks for the compliment, I will pass it along to the designer.

exlibris November 26, 2014 20:03

As for the super tweeters...
I much preferred the Audio Note AN-E loudspeakers on their own, without the super tweeters.

exlibris November 26, 2014 19:55