Best bang for my buck? Dedicated CU & new Radial; Balanced Mains; or Battery Power?

[BilliumB]

Hello - I'm looking at the power side of my system(s) and would like to learn from your experience.

Having read around the subject widely, there appear to be 3 or 4 main options that I need to consider:

- Installing a dedicated consumer unit and radials to a limited number of high quality mains sockets. Potential option of an 'audio ring main' as ideally I'd like to improve the power to 3 systems in one hit (main in sitting room, others in kitchen and office). Interested how important it is to use screened cable for the radials/ring, and also how expensive I need to go on the cables used.

- Installing a Balanced Mains setup - probably a balanced mains transformer (eg something from Airlink) at the equipment end of the supply, although I would like to hear of experience of installing a large balanced transformer just after the consumer unit and then using this to feed multiple locations (via the radials/ring discussed above). Clearly there are significant safety issues involved (I've got a somewhat ancient background in electronics/electrical stuff - electronics degree, CEng MIEE etc - so do understand that care will be needed!).

- Mains regeneration.

- Battery power to the early stages of the system - main system currently uses a SB Touch feeding a Bushmaster II. Seems to offer significant benefits for minimal outlay.


So, from your experience, what approach should I take, where should I spend money first, and how little can I spend to make a significant difference?

Thanks. Bill

[John]

Tell us a bit more about your system first

[BilliumB]

Yes John

I recently dug out my old amp and speakers (Rega Brio from the late 80's, Heybrook HB2's from the early 80's) and teamed them up with my ipad, a second hand Airport Express and a New Bushmaster II DAC - this has become my office system, mainly playing Spotify premium, although planning to add a NAS at some point.

Enjoying listening to music again, I decided to invest in some kit for the sitting room - main system. I've been active over on the wam and now have a pair of Amphion Xenon Mk II speakers set up either side of our rather large fireplace (room is about 25' x 20', with a big fireplace set out from the long wall - the fireplace is approx 9' wide, 6' high and 3' deep). For the moment, I'm using the Rega Brio (sitting very happily on top of the fireplace) to power the Xenons, but will be collecting a Conrad Johnson CA200 Control Amplifier in the next few weeks. This will be fed by a SB Touch with Fidelity Audio mods (also recently purchased on the wam) as soon as I get all the connections and setup sorted. For the foreseeable future, I'm planning to use the Bushmaster II in the main system also (and this is what led me to think about battery power).

For the kitchen, I'm planning to get hold of another SB Touch or similar, feeding a further Bushmaster II DAC, and use the Rega Brio, or possibly a Sony TA-FB940R QS amp that I recently picked up on ebay, feeding a pair of Sequence Sonata 400 wall speakers that I've been offered.

As you can see, I've decided to go all digital for my source material - the old Rega 3 TT and Arcam CDP are still stored out in the stable at the moment. I'm considering installing a NAS, but am currently using Spotify premium and considering qobuz for high res streaming/downloads (I'm using cat 6 cable to link systems back to the Billion router).

So, what do you think I should do about power?

Thanks. Bill

[BilliumB]

Any advice? Thanks.

[nat8808]

My advice would be a lower-powered regenerator (your system won't need too much) like the PowerInspired AG500 (a 500 Watt regenerator). And then battery supply for the Bushmaster and maybe SB Touch (if that's easy).

[BilliumB]

Any comments? Thanks

[Gazjam]

Balanced mains is a must imo.
See my thread here mate, ask away if you think my experience is of any use.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26471-Balanced-Mains-Transformer-WOW!-Hardwired-Installation-log-%28Pic-Heavy!%29

[Blueflash]

As I live in an estate where there are around 7 Wifi points spraying EMI everywhere.

After reading a book on recording studio design, I opted for a balanced mains transformer that was designed by a transformer manufacturer that deals with pro installations.

I ended up with 2 transformers, one 2kva for the ATC50A`s and another 1kva for the source components with the benefit of captive Supra 2.5 Lorad cables going to the ATC`s.

If you suffer from the peak listening hours degradation, a balanced mains will sort the problem :-)

[Yomanze]

Balanced mains is a must imo.
See my thread here mate, ask away if you think my experience is of any use.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26471-Balanced-Mains-Transformer-WOW!-Hardwired-Installation-log-%28Pic-Heavy!%29

I use a pretty identical setup to this, but with an industrial mains block instead of hard-wiring. A definite drop in noise floor meaning that my HiFi got more dynamic at lower volumes, which is a must for me due to terraced house / suspended wooden floors. It does buzz sometimes though it's the fridge & washing machine, which I need to sort.

[Gazjam]

Aye, know what you mean about the drop in noise floor Neil.
I didn't realise my mains was so bad until I hear Ali Taits BPS in my system.

Knew that was next on my list to get.

[Sovereign]

Please please if your going to use a BPS you must use a Nick Gorham DC blocker, it will transform the BPS and stop the hum DEAD. I have had a run of making BPS for people and I may have one spare if anyone wants one.
My own set up is a dedicated supply straight from the tails that come into the house feeding a dedicated consumer unit. This leads to a 3kVA BPS which leads to a regenerator which then feeds my hifi. Each approach to the mains has it's own effect and improvement to the sound of the hifi.
It's really hard to say which has the best effect, but if I could only do one of the above I would probably either instal the dedicated supply or a BPS although the dedicated power supply can be a lot of work

[BilliumB]

Thanks for the replies - I think that I've read most of all of your posts on the matter across the net.

Does anyone know of an easy way to check the mains 'quality' - I'm out in the country, about 200 yards from the step down transformer which supplies 2 houses about 300 yards apart. The 3 phase then goes on to other farms (some running milking equipment - big motors etc). I've not really noticed changes in music quality at different times of day, and am wondering how to get an idea how bad things actually are before investing in new radials, balanced power, battery supplies etc.

Thanks. Bill

[Sovereign]

There are devices you can plug into a mains socket and they they reproduce certain noise frequencies through a speaker. Russ Andrews will lend you one, or they mare charge now. I have been told that these devices don't give you a full picture of the extent of pollution on the mains.
There was a massive difference when i tested it on both my house and my brothers house.
Ali Tait may be a good chap to ask.

[John]

With the Bushmaster DAC Battery power better The rest of the system will work best with balanced mains as described above