Inter_Voice said:
I think I'd be inclined to ask the folks at Leema, as I'm sure they've tried or use something like this in their demos, or point their dealers to something they feel enhances their products. I agree that the amp is where the potential gains or losses may be most apparent, notwithstanding the popular 'source first' approach.
Actually I did ask Leema on the use of Balanced Power Conditioner but they do not recommend the use of any mains conditioner as it would degrade Leema's dynamics. With this in mind that is why I am thinking of plug-in devices which will not affect current flow of the amplifier.
I'm largely with nopiano on this one - I too use a dedicated, robust mains supply. With respect to Leema, I'm sure their amplifiers perform brilliantly on a clean mains supply, but Leema really have no idea how clean your mains supply actually is, do they? The point of any mains filter is to clean a dirty mains supply, and therein lies the rub... nobody knows how clean your personal mains supply really is unless it's tested/measured.
As for the Neoplug specifically, it can make your hi-fi sound exactly as they (and all other manufacturers of similar devices) claim... "removes a veil from the music", "less gritty", "becomes smoother, less sibiliant", "improved detail", "less bass boom", "clearer, blacker background"... take your pick... some or all of these enhancements will/can/might apply PROVIDED your mains needed curing in the first place. If it didn't, you'll notice nowt.
I personally think the Neoplug by comparison to RA's equivalent products offers a good value bang for the buck (I have an RA Silencer, a Mini-Purifier, and a Super-Purifier too... and many many more besides). But I personally don't use any of them on my hi-fi except the RA Megaclamp Ultra to remove spikes. I also use the Quantum Pro which positively affects everything in the room/house by dint of the fact that it effectively broadcasts a frequency field. And I use only a PureAV PF30 on my AV which I have modified using test equipment (an oscilloscope) to provide just enough correction to ensure my mains is perfectly clean: Even then, the mains waveform was already a pretty clean sinewave... it was the plasma and sub-woofer creating hash which adversley affected the amp and BR player, but only by a small degree. The PF30 is used to effectively isolate these components from each other, and now applies just a small amount of correction, and only where it's required. I use my Tacima on my computer/router/NAS to isolate those noisy items from the rest of my house.
But this is all very difficult to do unless you A) know how good or bad your mains supply is to start with, and what, if any, detrimental effects your components themselves are creating, or B) have the test equipment to measure it. Most people understandably don't have a clue, and therefore just have to take a leap of faith and see if these plug-in devices work for them.
If the Tacima is already working well in your situation, you may prefer to try a PureAV PF30 - at it's heavily discounted/clear-out price, it's currently available for about the same retail money as a Neoplug. There were a couple of threads from last year which discussed this particular mains filter in detail. Good though the Neoplug is, for the same money, I personally think the PF30 is a better bet, is a logical/progressive step on/up from your Tacima, and probably the best judged mains filter of all those I own/have mentioned irrespective of price.
Hope that helps.