Puritan PSM 156

[bumpy]

This is a mains purifier.

One of its claims (supported elsewhere on the Internet) is the removal of DC offset. My mains has only 5mv DC offset so I cant make an informed comment.

Where I have found it amazing, is in cleaning the mains supply, particularly noise introduced by Switched Mode Power Supplies SMPS

Brief History
I have been into Hi Fi for over 50 years. My system has evolved over those years and as the system got better all the normal attributes of Hi fi improved.
About 5yrs ago I was able to set up a dedicated listening room, but ironically this is when I became aware of an underlying harshness (glare) to everything I listened to. So in a traditional fashion I changed bits of gear (mainly valve stuff), then interconnects and speaker cables, then treated the room with adsorbers and diffusers, then tackled component isolation. All the while I moved the system around the room to search out the best location. I even got my ears syringed in desparation

After all this time and effort, improvements to the Hi Fi were marked, but that slight glare still invaded all my listening, meaning my music sessions never went past 90 minutes. - Sad.

The Cure
Recently I became aware of the damage that SMPSs do to the quality of mains power, injecting high frequency mush back into the supply. A quick count up of my house revealed about 30 SMPSs not including my neighbours.
They were all invasive - 3 Alexas, 8 chargers, computers etc etc, even on one of my DACs and First Watt pre-amp.

As best I could, I turned off every SMPS and listened again. The improvement to the enjoyment of the music improved enough to justify the purchase of a Puritan PSM156

This was a revellation. My system now sounds fantastic and I listen for many hours without feeling the need to go and do something else.

Specifically music seem more real, more relaxing, more enjoyable. I see reviews elsewhere claiming more bass, better instrument separation etc, but I see it much more simply. Removing the MUSH has let the system breath

Attributes

1. Silences within music and between tracks are blacker. Sometimes it seems like the whole system has turned off.
2. With MUSH removed everything is better defined
3. With MUSH removed small detail is revealed. This shows itself at the boundaries of the soundstage meaning the soundstage itself is wider and deeper
4. I can plug my Hi Fi SMPS devices alongside everything else with no downsides
5. My system sounds the same no matter what else is turned on in the house or what time of day.
6. The cost is spread over 5 devices so its easier to pursuade yourself its good value
7. I have lots of experience and you will just have to trust me that spending this money on any other component(s) would have got nowhere near this improvement

Caveat
The Puritan PSM 156 takes several hours to burn in
It can be left powered on 24/7, consuming just 0.2W of electricity
This device worked for me in my system. Your mileage may vary.

[Jimbo]

What was the difference between listening to your system with all the SMPS switched off and then using the Puritan PSM156?

Did you get a bigger improvement with just switching off SMPS or did it only happen when using the Puritan PSM156?

[bumpy]

What was the difference between listening to your system with all the SMPS switched off and then using the Puritan PSM156?

Did you get a bigger improvement with just switching off SMPS or did it only happen when using the Puritan PSM156?

I think switching off my SMPSs alone got me about 40% of the way to a full solution in all aspects. Bear in mind that about 10 to 15 of my SMPSs are built into essential kit that I didn't turn off (despite having a fairly tolerant wife) and, as was pointed out to me, the mains feed to my house would already be corrupted by every other neighbour on that supply. SMPS are cheap and more and more are built into most electrical devices.

Interestingly advocates of SMPS for hi fi say they can be built to a spec that sounds as good as a linear supply. I can believe this, BUT nowhere can I find if this reduces the MUSH back into the mains as well.

[hifinutt]

the 156 is on my bucket list too

[Mr. C]

The 156 is a quality product based on sound electronic engineering priniciples and works well no question, easily measureable in curcuit and out.

[hifinutt]

just managed to get one so we shall see what difference it makes to the EIX dac /pre

[bumpy]

Have just ordered another one for my main, valve based system.

[hifinutt]

mine been in for a few months now and i think its been worth it

[Barry]

I have something similar: a PURE AV PF240, a 9 socket mains conditioner. Tried it out in both my audio system as well as with the TV and DVD players.

Can't say it made any audible difference whatsoever, but the TV image might have been a little sharper. The measured source impedance, DC offset and N-E impedance were all worse via the conditioner, so I removed the conditioner from the systems.

I should add that phone chargers are only used overnight and switched off when not in use.

[Lawrence001]

I have something similar: a PURE AV PF240, a 9 socket mains conditioner. Tried it out in both my audio system as well as with the TV and DVD players.

Can't say it made any audible difference whatsoever, but the TV image might have been a little sharper. The measured source impedance, DC offset and N-E impedance were all worse via the conditioner, so I removed the conditioner from the systems.

I should add that phone chargers are only used overnight and switched off when not in use.

I might be interested in buying the conditioner if you want to sell it Barry.