Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems PS Audio - Recommendations ?

Does anyone have any experience with PS Audio power products with Meridian equipment?
PowerPlants? Ultimate Outlet? Even power cables? How about a comparison to Monster Power power conditioners? Thanks in advance.
I'm using a 568 and a 596 with Bryston 9B.

I can't speak to the performance of the products; however, as good as they look on the website, I was not particularly impressed with the fit'n'finish of the either the Lab Cable or the Mini Lab Cable when I saw them at CEDIA. Also, I suspect the Bryston amp is going to require at least a Power Plant 600, and they don't come cheap. Finally, keep in mind that the Power Plants are big. Get the dimensions off the website and make sure one willl fit in your rack.

See this link for an earlier discussion:

http://www.softronix.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000124.html

[This message has been edited by Frank (edited 09-27-2001).]

if you're looking for an ac regenerator, you might also consider the Exact Power unit.

the PS stuff regenerates all the power apparently at an efficiency of about 50% (or worse). this means it'll suck 2W to generate 1W of power.

the EP stuff only regenerates the "top" of the power. it apparently takes 90V of the wall power and then regenerates the top 30V to get you back to 120V. it's way more efficient. the units are much cheaper too and fit in standard racks. each can handle about 2000W.

i don't believe monster sells an ac regenerator.

doody.

also, remember that this whole ac power thing is a very unscientific exercise. there's a school of people who'll tell you it makes ALL the difference in the world. there's a school of people who'll tell you it's bunk. the latter have a bit more science on their side, but the proof of course is in the hearing.

so test the stuff out with your own ears.

the detractors will argue (a) you only need this stuff if you have really crappy (inconsistent, etc.) power coming into your house and (b) the aural differences are because they generally starve your devices of power so they sound more "detailed" because they're "thinner" due to lack of power. i'm not saying they're right or wrong - just pointing out the arguments.

also remember that lightning protection is usually covered in your homeowners insurance policy. they do this for a reason: it's relatively rare.

good luck.

doody.

Actually you can measure the improvement with a PS Audio Power Plant.

www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_4/dvd-benchmark-meridian-800-dvd-player-10-2000.html

You will see an AP measurement with the 800 plugged into the wall and then plugged into the Power Plant.

I suspect the newer 800 will perform much better having gone to SMT, as the 596 looks a little better on the same test.

Chris Stepens, formely of UE, has made mention of power supply mods to the 800 series. He is a special guest over at the AVS forum this week. Some great stuff there.

Some DVD players have little effect while others have a huge improvement with the P300 as measured with an AP. The Panasonic RV 80 is like night and day. We will post the results of another 19 DVD players starting shortly, this will include the 596. We are just putting the finishing touches on our DVD-A article.

I like the exact power and the equi=tech products.

I tried similar test with an RGPC and I could not see, hear, or measure any difference with it. However, others have reported good results with it.

I do belief that power conditioners are of use in certain conditions. Measurements always show if improvements are made or not. Hearing the difference is another story. Just by knowing that there is a conditioner hooked up can make you think to hear a difference.

For me, only a double blind test can tell.