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From: chowkwan%priam.usc.edu@usc.edu (Raymond Chowkwanyun)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Tice Power Conditioner
Message-ID: <10064@uwm.edu>
Date: 8 Mar 91 21:46:23 GMT
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Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu


This is in response to the person from England
who asked about mains conditioners.  (Translation:
mains = power line).  Sorry, forgot your name.

I've used a Tripplite 1800 to condition the line
to my CD player.  I had the Tripplite on 30 day trial 
so I think I was able to be objective (i.e. no feeling of
"I've bought the thing, I better like it").

The Tripplite has an LED display which indicates 
changes in the mains voltage.

First I used the CD player without the Tripplite
so the Tripplite acted only as an expensive
voltage meter.  When the voltage was down, 
the CD sounded thin (thinner than usual that is)
and hashy.  Plugging into the Tripplite provided
welcome relief.  On the other hand the Tripplite
did not degrade the sound when voltage was normal.

CD's are very sensitive to mains voltage.  I think
this is a worthwhile application for a conditioner
and doesn't have to be heinously expensive.  The
Tripplite was $300.  It had been modified for
the audio application.  (CD player was Sony C7ESD).

OK, appetite whetted, I graduated to the big leagues.
Dedicated Tice Power Block/Titan for each of my
VTL Ichibans.  

The Power Block is a line conditioner.  The Titan
plugs into the Power Block and stores energy.
(The Titan is actually just a huge transformer coil 
inside).  

With the Power Block/Titan the Ichibans offer 
much greater dynamic range.  The difference is
not subtle.  Without the Tice, the Ichibans
sound constricted.  There is a real bloom
to the sound when the Tice is plugged in.

I have one more Power Block/Titan pair with a
Micro Block plugged into it for my front end.
I tried hard to find a reason not to buy this
lot (again on 30 day trial).  But the Micro Block
adds body to the music.  Without it, 
the instruments sounded thinner and reedier.
At this point I was using Concord Jazz LP's
with Audioquest 7000/SME V/TNT turntable
and MFA Luminesence front end.  These LP's  are
very naturally recorded and have a lot of ambience
to them.  $10 eaches.  Yum.  

I couldn't tell you why all this stuff works. 
Maybe if you think of your electronics as a
very sophisticated power regulator.  Clean
power in, clean power out.  

I will say the Tice stuff is heinously expensive.
$2K for the Power Block/Titan.  There are other
tweaks you can do that cost less and will have
more improvement on your sound.  A record cleaning
machine would be top of my list.  (Torumat record
cleaning fluid contains no plasticizer leaching
alcohol).  I assume you have good wires.  Then
there are various mechanical isolation devices
to be investigated like the Brassfield plate, 
Goldmund Cones, Navcom silencers, Arcici Super Spikes.


-- ray