Mains Conditioners - Amp Stranglers?

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ESP2009

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Feb 16, 2009
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The subject of mains conditioners appears to be quite popular recently. I have noted that some contributors to the forum have expressed the opinion that the popular Tacima block 'strangles' the amplifier.

Whilst I am fully aware of the mixture of views on the effectiveness or otherwise of such pieces of kit, I am interested to seek any guidance regarding a conditioning block (or whatever) that is NOT thought to 'strangle' amplifiers. I am not interested in spending money on expensive conditioners or dedicated mains circuits, etc, but would be happy to explore possibilities that are a step up from the Tacima I already own. My amplifier is currently plugged into a spur from the normal mains sockets, rather than into the Tacima.

As a bit of background, I live in a Victorian semi, in an urban area with various retail establishments, etc, around me. I know that the mains supply is not as clean as it could be.

I look forward to your comments.
 
I would like someone to explain as to how a mains block can strangle an amp, given that the block will have a current rating of 13A, contains no more than an inductive coil and maybe a capicitor or two, to smooth the voltage

The implication seems to be that these conditioners somehow limit the voltage pressure/current flow that amplifiers need to provide dynamics that are virtually instantaneous coupled with coherence and detail, these dynamics et al are a function of the amp so I am unclear of the thinking

Can anyone help??

(I shall now take cover under the stairs)
 
fayeanddavid:

(I shall now take cover under the stairs)

They will still track you down...
 
I too don't believe it strangles the amp unless it is power amp exceeding the the 13amp, then i would be strangled, i am very satisfied with the tacima and amp performance maybe, it is all a matter on how polluted and loaded are the mains suppling the amp after all. Those with veryy noise polluted mains will reap much more benefits and those with relatively claen mains would consider it restraining, from my side i noticed cleaner sound with smoother bass and trebble which is much sharper, and the effect on tv and cable/DVD/BLURAY was incredible for just 24.99+ delivery.
 
ESP2009:
The subject of mains conditioners appears to be quite popular recently. I have noted that some contributors to the forum have expressed the opinion that the popular Tacima block 'strangles' the amplifier.

Whilst I am fully aware of the mixture of views on the effectiveness or otherwise of such pieces of kit, I am interested to seek any guidance regarding a conditioning block (or whatever) that is NOT thought to 'strangle' amplifiers. I am not interested in spending money on expensive conditioners or dedicated mains circuits, etc, but would be happy to explore possibilities that are a step up from the Tacima I already own. My amplifier is currently plugged into a spur from the normal mains sockets, rather than into the Tacima.

As a bit of background, I live in a Victorian semi, in an urban area with various retail establishments, etc, around me. I know that the mains supply is not as clean as it could be.

I look forward to your comments.

Try this http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/ourshop/prod_648639-Tacima-Mains-Interferance-Conditioner.html

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/ourshop/prod_648639-Tacima-Mains-Interferance-Conditioner.htmlI am due one next week.

Next step up from a Tacima IMO is to fit a dedicated radial cct using shielded cable (approx £130 - £200). Make sure you use a domestic part P installer as this is classed as a new cct.

Since Current = Voltage / Impedance and the voltage is fixed at 240v then it is quite obvious that any increase in cct impedance will result in a loss of maximum current deliverable (headroom) so yes it will restrict amplifiers.

From a previous post by Clearer Audio

"The sockets in the Tacima CS929 are linked so impedance increases along the chain. So from right to left (i.e., filter and mains lead on the right) socket 1 will have the lowest impedance and socket 6 will have the highest. As trevor has pointed out, putting components in order of power consumption (working from right to left - highest to lowest) should give slightly better performance."
 
True Blue:

From a previous post by Clearer Audio

"The sockets in the Tacima CS929 are linked so impedance increases along the chain. So from right to left (i.e., filter and mains lead on the right) socket 1 will have the lowest impedance and socket 6 will have the highest. As trevor has pointed out, putting components in order of power consumption (working from right to left - highest to lowest) should give slightly better performance."

So, for argument's sake, if I had two CS929 units and the following, what would be the recommended sequence (excusing my ignorance)?

CDP

BDP

Amp1

Amp2

LCD TV

Digi-box (Virgin Media V+)

DAC Magic

Oh, and optionally, a tuner and VCR (although these may be ditched).
 
True Blue:

Try this http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/ourshop/prod_648639-Tacima-Mains-Interferance-Conditioner.html

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/ourshop/prod_648639-Tacima-Mains-Interferance-Conditioner.htmlI am due one next week.

We look forward to your report.
emotion-5.gif
 
If you really must plug the power amps into the tacimas

then I would

Tacima1

Amp 1

CDP

Dac Magic

Tacima2

Amp 2

BRP

LCD TV

V+

However personally I would get a surge protected extension with at least three sockets on plug both amps onto that with one of the plug in tacima units as above.

The rest would be plugged into one of the remaining tacimas, CDP, BRP, V+, DAC, LCD

Leaves you with a spare Tacima though
 
My panamax 5300 has separate banks that are totally isolated from each other so socket order should not matter. Also, one bank is specifically designed for high current amps. Don't ask me what it does since I have no idea. BTW, I still don't plug my amp into it. I just use it for the preamp, CDP, and DAC.
emotion-4.gif


Panamax%20m5300.jpg
 
True Blue:

If you really must plug the power amps into the tacimas

then I would

Tacima1

Amp 1

CDP

Dac Magic

Tacima2

Amp 2

BRP

LCD TV

V+

However personally I would get a surge protected extension with at least three sockets on plug both amps onto that with one of the plug in tacima units as above.

The rest would be plugged into one of the remaining tacimas, CDP, BRP, V+, DAC, LCD

Leaves you with a spare Tacima though

Aha! As yet I only have the one Tacima (the reason for asking the question in the first place), and I do have at least one surge protector lying around. So, thanks for the guidance thus far - I hope to act upon it early next week.
 
jaxwired:

My panamax 5300 has separate banks that are totally isolated from each other so socket order should not matter. Also, one bank is specifically designed for high current amps. Don't ask me what it does since I have no idea. BTW, I still don't plug my amp into it. I just use it for the preamp, CDP, and DAC.
emotion-4.gif


Panamax%20m5300.jpg


There are words for folk like you (unprintable ones!)
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emotion-1.gif


Sexy-looking piece of kit, though.
emotion-5.gif
 
Excellent. My single Tacima unit and a couple more leads (black rhodium super jazz cable.......full details to follow) are due to arrive on Child and wife free Wednesday next week 🙂 = playtime
 
True Blue:Excellent. My single Tacima unit and a couple more leads (black rhodium super jazz cable.......full details to follow) are due to arrive on Child and wife free Wednesday next week 🙂 = playtime

Playtime for me is Monday - Thursday evening. Shame I can't have the days too!
 
What you need is a mains filtering block with it's own dedicated outlets for source, preamp, amps and digital equipment. Every different outlet has it's own type of filtering. For example, amps will have minimal filtering while for sources some blocks even have a small isolation transformer and filtering. A good example is the Xindak XF-2000ES wich i have and cost about 300£. I also tested this block with a Kemp mains noise dedector, a device that makes you hear if any electric noise is coming through. While directly plugged in the wall there was sometimes a lot of noise to be measured, after the conditioner it was almost dead silent. I found the Xindak wasn't compromising on dynamics either compared to some PS Audio stuff i tried. True, with the PS Audio stuff i heard the most difference but the music became dull, dark and muffled away for my taste.

http://www.xindak.com/en-us/product_detail_info.asp?id=309

On the cheaper side some others i met on forums including me were satified with a bada lb-5600 block, it has 2 oulets for power amps, 2 for a source and preamp and 2 non filtered. I have not measured this one with the mains noise dedector but it certainly didn't hurt dynamics. They can be found on Ebay and cattylink as far is i know.

http://prylli.com/amplisatubes/images/bada5600.gif

That are just 2 (chinese) examples but there are mny more, but a lot of blocks are soundwise not very good, so watch out! If your looking to buy, then not forget to look if they are available for the UK standard, i live in Belgium.
 
jaxwired:

My panamax 5300 has separate banks that are totally isolated from each other so socket order should not matter. Also, one bank is specifically designed for high current amps. Don't ask me what it does since I have no idea. BTW, I still don't plug my amp into it. I just use it for the preamp, CDP, and DAC.
emotion-4.gif


Panamax%20m5300.jpg


Looks nice and not that very expensive, i browsed for it and i can't figure out if they are available for the European market and with euro sockets. Do you know? Any link?
 
Not sure what you consider a suitable amount to spend on such an item ... but I always have got on well with the Russ Andrews range.

A Silencer block would give you a good start - unless you can stretch to the Ultra Purifier Block.

They work in parallel to the mains, so do not strangle the dynamics and I have found them very effective in my systems at home.

They can have surge protection included also.....
 
I'm literally picking one of these up on saturday morning, another spanner into the works..

http://www.isoteksystems.com/isoplug.asp

Isotek_Isoplug.jpg
 
Dave,

Slightly off topic - sorry - remember you said you just stripped the IEC off the Chord, was the IEC silver plated or anything?
 
True Blue:
Dave,

Slightly off topic - sorry - remember you said you just stripped the IEC off the Chord, was the IEC silver plated or anything?

True blue, i didnt strip down the chords, only the supra, looked around about the powerchords, just remember it being a 1.5mm copper spec.Couldn't see any mention of silver plating on anywhere.

So couldn't say for sure....
 
Do you know what is inside the Isotek Isoplug? Lot's of fresh air! Mine is used to keep cats away from the Hi-Fi, it seems to work!
 
mains cables r us:Do you know what is inside the Isotek Isoplug? Lot's of fresh air! Mine is used to keep cats away from the Hi-Fi, it seems to work!

Well im allergic to cat's, so i canny wait !!!!
 
mains cables r us:Do you know what is inside the Isotek Isoplug? Lot's of fresh air! Mine is used to keep cats away from the Hi-Fi, it seems to work!
ah but i bet its high quality air
emotion-4.gif
 
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