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

I use a Denali 2000 on the DSP speakers, and a Shunyata Triton V3 on my front end. The Triton V3 uses the same new technology on all eight of its outlets that is used in the Denali 2000 and on the two high-current outlets of the Denali 6000. As I understand it, the technology reduces noise while not limiting current flow at all (in fact, Shunyata claims it actually enhances dynamics by acting as a current reserve, but they're coy about the details because it's the subject of a pending patent claim).

I remember this too. So I was surprised to read this on Shunyata's web site (emphasis mine). No explicit mention of use with DSPs:

I found the official statement in the FAQ on the 8k support page:

Matches my findings exactly. Not cheap but in the Meridian world a very worthwhile step.

See my post on the topic a few months ago.

I'm a bit late to this party. But reading through the responses, there were some statements about the Equitech balanced power products. I don't understand where the comments about the sound being lifeless, leaned out, or reduced in dynamics are coming from. I have 3 Equitech products supplying power to my system; 1.5BQ, 2BQ, and 2Q. The 1.5BQ and 2BQ are the hardwired units where the 2Q is the rack mount unit with outlets. I have the 1.5BQ and 2BQ supplying power to my Bryston 6B-ST amp, Velodyne HGS15II, and Velodyne DD18 via dedicated circuits. The rest of my components are plugged into the 2Q including the Emotiva XPA-2 used for my rear surrounds. I have never noticed any constraints in dynamics or life with the sound in my system.

I've popped open the units and the heart of the Equitech products is the balanced power transformer. There's really not much more to it especially for the hard wired products. Here are pictures of the insides of the units I have. I find it hard to believe any of these units are holding back on any current draw.

I have one of the noise "meters" demonstrated in the video - sound plus numeric readout. I just want to caution all that the exact same results can be realized with the $250 Monster Power Bar I bought in the early 1990s. Now I have no doubt that Shunyata, Equitech, et al have far more sophisticated devices, but I'm not sure an objective, measurable demo will lead you to an answer. I, myself have Exact Power conditioning on all my source components, but I don't condition my DSPs. Years ago I had a pair of high current of PS Audio Ultimate Outlets, but I don't believe they made a positive sonic difference. Many good amplifiers have excellent common mode noise rejection (Meridians DSPs do), which is what these transformer-based solution provide.

John

Out of curiosity, what function is being improved by mains conditioning?

This stuff is converted to DC to run components. Does it therefore help by providing better DC?

Are they other ways of providing better DC by using better components inside?

Just trying to be logical (Captain...)

Takes a lot of creative license from what was said to them by Ken.

Norm and I were there and vetted the email he sent. Cannot remember the exact quote but it boiled down to 'These don't seem to do any harm' Norm and I were very clear that we would not and could not endorse their products as an improvement to the sound quality.

What's your view on possible fire risk Marc?

Reading through the "science" around balanced power, it seemed to make some sense. My primary goal is to ensure clean/stable power. When I was investing in the Equitech equipment, I was building out my basement sound room. So it was just a natural progression of just adding in the hard wired components along with the rack mount unit. I got some great deals at the time going direct with Equitech. If I were to do it now, I don't know if I would have spent the now significant cost differential in having balanced power in my system.

"What's your view on possible fire risk Marc?"

Don't screw with it. If you want you can replace with a "better" quality fuse of the same current and time spec. (from memory, 10A Delay Blow) but if you put in something bigger, or bypass the fuse, yes very good chance you can cause the speaker to catch fire if a fault occurs.

I’m still interested in the theory. Presumably those spending money on this have an idea about the science? Not wanting a debate, just basic understanding.