Power

[losenotaminute]

I would be interested to hear opinions on which of the following should be explored first in order to improve sound quality, assuming budget is no object


ring main
power leads
balanced transformer
mains regenerator
mains conditioner
consumer unit (fuse box)

[Mark Grant]

how about an option for new consumer unit + new ring main

[John]

Do not forget separate earth spur

[losenotaminute]

how about an option for new consumer unit + new ring main

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, is that different from the ring main?

[losenotaminute]

Do not forget separate earth spur

I think I was intending ring main to cover that, but is it possible to get a separate earth spur separately from looking at the ring main? Can you explain the difference to me as I am not familiar with the choices here.

[Mark Grant]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean, is that different from the ring main?

as on this thread,
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23860&highlight=consumer+unit

New fuse box/consumer unit to replace the old one or alongside the existing to keep things separate.

With the talk of mains cables effecting regenerators it makes sense to start at the incoming mains first then try tweaky bits later.

[losenotaminute]

Consumer unit (fuse box) now added as a separate option alongside ring main

[John]

I think I was intending ring main to cover that, but is it possible to get a separate earth spur separately from looking at the ring main? Can you explain the difference to me as I am not familiar with the choices here.

Sometimes the earth goes back to the consumer unit and some people have a separate earth spur going into the garden see link
http://www.decdun.me.uk/powersupplies.html

[losenotaminute]

Sometimes the earth goes back to the consumer unit and some people have a separate earth spur going into the garden see link
http://www.decdun.me.uk/powersupplies.html

OK thanks - I think I would prefer to leave the ring main to cover the earth spur, otherwise I'll end up with too many choices.

Interesting to see what the top priority item is for people, i.e. which gives the most improvement.

[John]

I have a separate consumer unit and dedicated mains with the earth going back to the main board All done by a qualified electrician

[twickers]

If money were no object, i'd try a regenerator. The idea that regenerators give a steady supply of noise free electricity would surely negate the need for any of the others?

[losenotaminute]

I have a separate consumer unit and dedicated mains with the earth going back to the main board All done by a qualified electrician

It seems that I can't change the options of the poll once it has been created. Please therefore assume that the ring main option covers consumer unit (fuse box) and earth grounding.

[Alex_UK]

It seems that I can't change the options of the poll once it has been created. Please therefore assume that the ring main option covers consumer unit (fuse box) and earth grounding.

Sorted. :)

[losenotaminute]

Sorted. :)

muchas gracias

[chris@panteg]

Just had a new consumer unit fitted , an excellent upgrade to the hifi and for safety !

[Thing Fish]

As usual I voted too quick before I read that budget wasn't a factor...:doh:

[losenotaminute]

As usual I voted too quick before I read that budget wasn't a factor...:doh:

There doesn't seem to be an option to let you change your vote, so, money-no-object, what would you look at first?

[Thing Fish]

Ring main and fuse box as it's the first thing in the chain. An AG1500 can be added later if required...:)

[realysm42]

I've not read the whole thread, but I think you start where you can.

Ideally, the mains in the wall first if possible. I believe a ground up and systematic approach should be taken.

Having said that, life can get in the way sometimes, so I've taken the conditioner route to begin with. When I've got my own place, I'll work backwards and reassess.

[AlanS]

If money were no object, i'd try a regenerator. The idea that regenerators give a steady supply of noise free electricity would surely negate the need for any of the others?

Regenerators are not expensive £500 buys a Power Inspired AG1500 you don't have go the PS Audio route. The former are sold as general purpose units, could be used by a computer, PS Audio sold as pure audio magic and priced accordingly.

The other offerings have been around longer and are known and trusted by folks but not necessarily make better mains, none of them rebuild the mains to a known standard they improve it in various ways though so can bring some SQ benefits. Never understood why people have to have such a large external earthing arrangement.

Didn't vote

[jandl100]

The problem here is that very few (any?) folk have tried all the options. I certainly haven't!

A significant improvement can certainly be had just by changing power cable, ime. And then regenerators work well, too, and can give bigger gains, ime. I'm about to try a balanced power supply doohicky (on order).

THEN I might consider faffing around with major changes to my household wiring installation -- then again, that sounds like a lot of faff when worthwhile gains are to be had easily elsewhere for similar or smaller outlay.

I guess if I was in search of unobtainable perfection I might be bothered.
But I'm not. :)

[Reffc]

I would argue that the first step should be to measure your power supply to see if ANYTHING actually needs to be done!

Following that, a separate dedicated spur isn't a bad idea. I'd also replace the cheap and nasty switched sockets with better fitting better quality switch-less sockets (such as the Furutech ones). In fact, if nothing else is done at all, this can be a worthwhile upgrade in itself. If the costs associated with a dedicated consumer unit/spur exceed the cost of a mains regenerator, then I'd plump for the regeneretor.

[AlexM]

I would argue that the first step should be to measure your power supply to see if ANYTHING actually needs to be done!

Following that, a separate dedicated spur isn't a bad idea. I'd also replace the cheap and nasty switched sockets with better fitting better quality switch-less sockets (such as the Furutech ones). In fact, if nothing else is done at all, this can be a worthwhile upgrade in itself. If the costs associated with a dedicated consumer unit/spur exceed the cost of a mains regenerator, then I'd plump for the regeneretor.

+1

Only sensible to have a good idea about what your existing mains supply is like and the condition of your electrical distribution system is like before throwing money at regenerators and exotic leads and so on.

I used a scope to look for noise on the mains waveform, which was mostly pretty clean,but got a lot noisier when the kitchen fluorescents were on. the refrigerator also contributed a few pops and clicks, as did the Ch Controller.

Both of these problems were sorted out by a new memera split bus CU and four dedicated radial circuits.

Does an electrician have an instrument that can measure harmonic distortion of the mains? If you knew that was an issue you might look at regenerators .

Cheers,
Alex

[MartinT]

I have voted for ring mains and grounding. Although I am a regenerator fan, you must ensure that your mains setup is optimal before you go down that route otherwise you'll be trying to repair shitty mains. The idea is to make as-good-as-you-can obtain-mains even better. A good external ground into soil gives great results, but get an electrician in if you don't known what you're doing.

[doodoos]

Also make sure any earth bonding near the consumer unit is cleaned up. Made a difference to me or it could be my imagination of course.