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View Full Version : Monster Cable AVS 2000 vs. PS Audio Power Plants

KLM
12-15-2002, 06:39 PM
Does anyone have any experience with either of these two power conditioners. I was wondering if there are any big differences that translate to one providing a quieter or more dynamic musical experience. I am thinking about getting one of these for my 2 channel audio system and didn't know enough about one versus the other to make a decision. Any help from the forum would be greatly appreciated.
Steve Hoffman
12-15-2002, 06:47 PM
Do you actually need a power conditioner? Is your juice good on its own?

Sometimes a power conditioner can really screw up the sound. Sometimes it can help it.

Don't forget to try the Tom Port style "unplugging household appliances when playing music" trick first....
Gary Freed
12-15-2002, 07:35 PM
An additional recommendation would be to use a three prong to two prong adapter. They can be bought for under $1, and can be very important
to your digital front end CD player. My SACD player came with one in the
box.

Some folks run dedicated lines to their equipment instead of line conditioners.

Power conditioners will get rid of noise, but as Steve pointed out they
can also sometimes dampen overall Fidelity as well.

I use them for my system and they seem to help.
Jamie Tate
12-15-2002, 08:51 PM
Check out these Furman power conditioners. (http://www.furmansound.com/pro/blncd/)

I have three. They stopped all the buzzes in my studio.
aashton
12-16-2002, 01:32 AM
I had a PS Audio Powerplant for a little over a year but sold it about 2 weeks ago - in my system it didn't do anything to write home about and I found the fan noise to be a clear distraction. I know that they have had very good reviews and I know people who swear by them so I would suggest a trial if that is at all possible.

All the best - Andrew
Gary
12-16-2002, 05:30 AM
Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Don't forget to try the Tom Port style "unplugging household appliances when playing music" trick first....

This worked for me in my mid-fi system (McIntosh tubes, etc. - check my profile). Tom was right - turning off appliances and disconnecting them really helps clean up the sound!

I was shocked at the difference!

Steve, do you have a power conditioner or do you unplug everything for serious home listening?

G
Steve Hoffman
12-16-2002, 10:06 AM
Originally posted by Gary




Steve, do you have a power conditioner or do you unplug everything for serious home listening?

G

I use and AudioPrisim Power Foundation III in my upstairs mastering room. With all the wires it helps keep the hum down to a minimum. In the rest of the house, no, I don't. The juice in my neighborhood is very clean to begin with.

Do I unplug kitchen stuff to do serious listening? No. Not my deal. BUT IT DOES WORK!
Jeffrey
12-16-2002, 10:34 AM
Originally posted by Steve Hoffman


Do I unplug kitchen stuff to do serious listening? No. Not my deal. BUT IT DOES WORK!

Hi All,

This is my deal. Our house is an open concept and my stereo is set up in the living/dining/kitchen area of the house so I unplug the fridge and cut off the AC. This works great!! The problem is when my wife gets home on a hot summer day and immediately hits the fridge for a cold drink and realizes what I did. I have frequently been instructed not to do this! Only seconds later she then realizes the AC has been turned off and out to the dog house I go. :)

-Jeffrey
aashton
12-16-2002, 10:37 AM
Jeff - why not get a UPS for the fridge :D

All the best - Andrew
Jeffrey
12-16-2002, 10:39 AM
Originally posted by aashton
Jeff - why not get a UPS for the fridge :D

All the best - Andrew

Hi Andrew,

My theory is, I'm bound for the dog house regardless so I might as well have a couple bucks in my pocket when I get there. :)

-Jeffrey
Gary
12-16-2002, 10:42 AM
Forget the doghouse, J! Head for the air conditioned CD store..... in your air conditioned car...... :D
Jeffrey
12-16-2002, 10:49 AM
Hi Gary,

Ya got me figured out! That's why I wanna have a couple bucks in my pocket when I get there! :)

-Jeffrey
Strabo
12-17-2002, 05:34 AM
Originally posted by Jeffrey


so I unplug the fridge
-Jeffrey


Our living room to kitchen is also open, and I unplugged the fridge because it is too loud and distracting.
But, I forgot to plug the fridge back in once. OH, big truble from the boss. It was only a couple of hours. But man was I in trouble.:eek:
Jeffrey
12-17-2002, 06:47 AM
Originally posted by Strabo



Our living room to kitchen is also open, and I unplugged the fridge because it is too loud and distracting.
But, I forgot to plug the fridge back in once. OH, big truble from the boss. It was only a couple of hours. But man was I in trouble.:eek:

Hi Kyhl,

Since you're in Minnesota and I'm in Texas, maybe we should spend the summers in your dog house and the winters in mine. :)

-Jeffrey
Tullman
12-18-2002, 07:37 AM
I have a dedicated line going to my power amps. This really helps.
Gary
12-18-2002, 08:49 AM
Originally posted by Tullman
I have a dedicated line going to my power amps. This really helps.

This is what I want done for my stereo (copper wiring, of course). Believe it or not, the townhouse has aluminium wiring and I can't even use those hospital grade recepticles....

Tullman, do you have a special way to ground the stereo? I've heard of running a ground wire to an outside steel spike driven into the ground.

I wonder if the spike idea works? :confused:
Gary Freed
12-19-2002, 04:31 PM
A dedicated line is definitely a great way to start out. I sure wish I had one.
Steve Hoffman
12-19-2002, 04:34 PM
It's not always the sonic nirvana you imagine. Sometimes it sounds worse that way. Why, I don't know...I heard it over at Tom Port's house...
cunningham
12-19-2002, 05:05 PM
Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
It's not always the sonic nirvana you imagine. Sometimes it sounds worse that way. Why, I don't know...I heard it over at Tom Port's house...

that is odd, I wonder if Tom tried moving the breaker to the other phase, the new circuit could be the same phase as some loud stuff.