TubeDriver wrote:
I have tried using the Corcom type filters in the past but I did not like the effect on the sound. Cleaner perhaps but also less perceived dynamics and just plain sucked the life out of music. Virtually every passive AC conditioner (probably heard a couple dozen different manufacturers units over the years) has done this. Sort of like placing a couple ferrites on your line level interconnects, makes things sound boring. The big (15A or 20A) balanced power conditioners are least objectionable IMHO. I admittedly don't have a lot of experience with the regenerator types such as the ones from PS Audio, and seeing how the new 15A-20A ones cost $8k to $10k, I probably will not get the chance. Maybe I just like noise?
If you want to try the equivalent of the PS Audio conditioner, I have a Crown Studio Reference that in bridged mode can swing over 200 volts RMS. In the past when I needed a very clean AC line I used it being driven from a low distortion signal generator and used the output level control of the generator to get whatever voltage I needed. That way you can test the performance of the equipment under conditions of low, normal, and high AC input voltages. Obviously you have to use caution when straying from nominal voltage, especially on the high side.
The output of the amp is impervious to any changes in the input line as everything is rectified to DC and then regenerated by the amp. It is the cleanest power I have ever seen. As far as output capabilities I have run my large shop vacuum off of it with no sag at all in the output. For tests of equipment power supplies I also created a noise generator that I can put in series with the signal generator to give a known and repeatable noise level on the AC power. I can then determine which power supply is better at rejecting the noise. If you would like to try that please let me know.