Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Power Conditioning on DSP8000SEs

Does anyone know if the DSP8ks have any power conditioning built-in?

I've had the speakers for a number of years and been using the standard plugs that came with them, with a standard surge protected power block for the speaker that's far from the socket.

When I had the speakers upgraded to SE's it was recommended that some kind of power conditioning was used. All these were recommended: Audioquest NRG-4, Audioquest NRG=10, Isol-8 Mini-Sub Axis, Isol-8 Ultra Powerline.

But given the cost of the DSP8ks my feeling was that Meridian surely must be satisfied with their own conditioning as they only provide a standard power cable. If a better cable improved the sonic performance then it would be in Meridians interest to sell, recommend or include it in the package? Any thoughts? (I should note that I have no analogue in the system)

Thanks!

I would look into a power conditioner only if I had poor power service from the utility. I have good power so I plug my 8KSEs straight into the wall. I do have a whole house surge protector in my panel that protects my A/V circuits.

I would make sure that any active power conditioning device can handle the current required by the DSP8000s.

Five 150w amplifiers per speaker (specifications vary across datasheets) is 750w. Offering a generous 33% efficiency suggest they really need ~2250w. At Hong Kong's 220V standard that is around 10 amps per speaker.

See for example the Isol-8 power specifications which show a maximum of 10 amps across one or all power outlets.

When my second-user DSP8000s were installed one of them blew the plug fuse at switch-on as somehow an IEC cable with a lower value (3 amp) fuse had got into the mix. A 13 amp fuse was needed.

I am using a Furman 1500K UPS on my Front 8000kSEs. It has a meter that indicates power consumption. At the maximum bearable volume the pair consumes 750W.

I have sized the UPS to provide a 100% headroom.

Shankar

I use a Shunyata Triton v2 for the three front speakers 2x DSP8000SE, DSP7200HCSE on a separate 16A/240V breaker.

My experience is that Meridian wants to keep the current clean and powerful. If you would put in a current limiting conditioner - that would hamper the instantaneous current draw of the speakers. Everything is drawn in pulses or bursts especially if you analyze the current draw of amplifiers.

Audio performance will not just be limited by the MAX current draw of the system, rather the burst draw capability of the complete system chain combined with low noise. This equals more percussive dynamics and clearer texture and ambience detail if attended to.

You can't go by the output wattage what the input load requirement is. Just look at the specs.

From the DSP8000SE Data Sheet

POWER
20W standby, 920W max

So either Meridian are claiming a very high >81% efficiency for the DSP8000 power amplifiers or they are providing "optimistic" figures for power output and/or consumption.

Your point is well made and taken however.

Does Meridian state it can drive all 150watt amps simultaneously? No (not that I know of anyway).

Do they state how long they can sustain all 5 amps at 150watts? No (not that I know of).

There is also the response time. How quickly does that power need to be delivered? That's what the capacitors are for. But the faster the response the higher the instantaneous power required. But that does not make it all the way back to the AC lines.

The spec is what the AC line will see. Worst case. As an entire system. The Amp spec is what ONE amp can do.

There are a ton of variables between the input and output. Not just the efficiency of the power supply.

How much reserve is stored in the huge Toroidal transformer, how much is stored in those huge capacitors.

As pointed out above it would be VERY hard to get any where near the 950 watts. Yours ears would probably be bleeding before reaching 500 watts.

But also keep in mind that watt meters average over some time period. And it's hard to know what the peak load is over a shorter span of time and if that shorter span of time would even hit the AC line or be absorbed by the capacitors.

But I think the spec would be the safest spec to go with, with oodles of margin.

As I recall, long ago Meridian HQ (can't remember the individual) went on record on this forum stating they prefer NO power conditioning on DSP speakers.

I have been told the same thing (
no conditioners recommended) by a few of Meridian's hierarchy over the years.

I think every demo I have attended put on by a dealer with M reps in attendance have used Transparent Audio power cables plugged directly into the wall socket along with Transparent interconnects where needed.

I know M USA always liked Transparent audio products but I know that is another subject (after market power cords etc.) that can be controversial.

That's true, so let's see how we get on now mine are connected to Kenya power

Nervous will be an understatement!

Don't worry there in Africa. It is either on or off but mostly off which saves you conditioning it.