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From: miker@polari.UUCP (Mike Ranta)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Need power regulator recommendations
Message-ID: <13390@uwm.edu>
Date: 25 Jun 91 12:51:39 GMT
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Originator: tjk@csd4.csd.uwm.edu


In article <13357@uwm.edu> btr!cstokely@decwrl.dec.com writes:

>It's time for me to do something about the power to my audio system.

>What do you think of voltage regulators or something just short of a
>UPS for this system? Got any to recommend? rong

I do not recommend voltage regulators.  They operate by "stepping"
between multiple transformer taps as the input voltage and/or load
varies.  Each time the device steps to the next tap, there is a small
but abrupt jump up or down in the voltage.  These jumps alone are a
source of noise and sonic problems.  The popular Tripp-Lite units sold
for audio use operate exactly this way.  They also will probably degrade
the power output of your Bryston amps which require a great deal of
current--more perhaps than even the large Tripp-Lite unit can provide.

When you push your amp hard, the regulator is going to be actively
stepping between taps somewhat in step with the music to try and
respond to the rapidly changing load the amps are presenting.  This
has to be far worse than the minor variations that may be on your
power line.
 
The transformer(s) in your amps already provide isolation from the power
line.  The large filter capacitors go a long way toward removing noise,
minor variations, etc.  And in the case of Bryston amps, I believe the
gain stages are already electronically regulated.  To make a long story
short, I cannot believe an external regulator or other magic power
conditioner is going to help anything.
 
I do, however, highly suggest a good surge supressor.  The stand alone
variety for about $50 (versus the ones built into power strips) are the
way to go and many have lifetime warranties along with built in monitoring
circuits.  Some even warrant the equipment connected to them.  The good
ones will survive many "hits" from your local power company.  These devices
also remove some RFI from the line which can't hurt.

>Should I really just have an electrician come give me
>a grounded 3-prong separate circuit for audio?

If your outlet is really grounded through the center screw, you should be
ok.  Even without a ground, most audio systems are happy.  The ground is
important for the surge supressor to work correctly, however.

>When I power on the amps (1 at a time), there is a definate dimming of
>the lights, and some time the refrigerator even coughs. (love these old
>homes ;-)

The lights dimming when your large amps power up is normal.  They are
drawing hundreds of amps to charge the filter caps in less than a second.
Obviously, heavier wiring (and more direct runs to the power panel) help
this problem but are usually not practical.

>What is the reasonable solution to the power delivery? I'm sure I'll
>hear the difference in the speakers. What is the ultimate solution,
>assuming money were not much of an object? (short of my own substation,
>of course.)

I can suggest only that you use a good surge supressor, make sure the outlet
is grounded, and if you want to spend more money, put the audio system on
it's own 20 amp 12 gauge circuit.  Will you hear a difference?  Probably
not, but you can sleep better knowing the equipment is safer.  Will you
hear a difference with a regulator?  Yes, it will probably sound worse!
 
Finally, I'm sure some of you out there believe power regulation is a 
wonderful thing, and I'm just waiting for the flames.  This is only my
opinion represented above, but as a designer of power amplifiers and
a devout audiophile, I'm fairly comfortable with my comments.
 
miker@polari.uucp
>