PS AUDIO P500 revisited
Posted by: Rich Jerskey on 29 March 2004
A reasonable comment regarding my otherwise all-Naim system (from thread on Devore speakers):
"The best upgrade you can do for your system is to ditch the PS audio thingy"
and from NANA site:
"Do not be fooled--power conditioners will make your system worse in every case. (A few will make one area a little better while ruining fifty other areas--that is the best case we have seen!)
If the power is dirty, you can't improve it with a power conditioner without taking away some of the remaining quality and punch."
and my reply (from my thread on Devore speakers):
As I understand it and as PS Audio describes, the P500 is a power regenerator. It basically cleans, regulates and regenerates the power for the system plugged in. When I first got the P500, it was a significant difference in a very positive way. A real upgrade for my system. I then disconnected it and put in a dedicated spur. I listened to the system, with new dedicated circuit, for several weeks without the P500. When I reconnected the P500, the difference was rather subtle which leads me to confirm the fact that the unit was doing a very good job of cleaning the power. It also protects against surges and other potential electrical hazards. It doesn't color the sound and isn't your typical "power conditioner" as I'm sure others on this Forum will attest to.
Rich
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by AT
I have the same success with a Blue Circle Music Ring. I've tried a couple of other power conditioners with horrible results, but with the Music Ring the effect was only positive.
Posted on: 29 March 2004 by Rich Jerskey
..so the blanket statement made by NANA and quoted earlier is a bit of a generalization. I read somewhere on the thread that the P500 was given the OK by NAIM to use with a Naim system. Maybe it was Mark Dunn who mentioned it in one of his posts.
Rich
I B Aktiv....
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Emil
quote:
I then disconnected it and put in a dedicated spur. I listened to the system, with new dedicated circuit, for several weeks without the P500. When I reconnected the P500, the difference was rather subtle which leads me to confirm the fact that the unit was doing a very good job of cleaning the power.
So are you saying that the PS 500 only provides subtle improvements when connected to a dedicated line?
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Rich Jerskey
in this situation, after putting in the dedicated line, the P500 seemed to have a subtle effect as contrasted to a major day and night effect before the dedicated line was put in. I'm drawing the conclusion that with the separate spur there is less noisy-dirty power for the P500 to clean. so yes, that's what I'm saying. Over all the quality of sound is a bit improved over either:
1.)P500 without dedicated line
2.)dedicated line without P500
just not a quantum improvement. Should I be surprised, dissappointed, satisfied?
I am satisfied because the system sounds great.
Rich
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Paul B
Re: Blue Circle Music Ring
Further comments and experiences with this device in the context of a Naim system would be appreciated.
Paul
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Rich Jerskey
Chris Bell,
I just did a quick demo to remind myself of the basic difference in my system with and without the P500. With just the XPS and Supercap2 plugged in I get quite a noticeable difference which can best be described as more body to the sounds without sacrifice of any of the previous refinement. Again, it's not as much a difference as when I didn't have the dedicated line but still a noticeable improvement. Chris, you skeptic, you're welcome to come over for a listen, I just live in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia..so..whenever you're in the neighborhood....
Rich
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Chris Bell
Rich,
I'll be right over...now where's my passport?
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by David Sutton
Hey Chris,
After your visit to Saudi, you will be welcome to visit the UAE also! Bring Rich with you.
David
Posted on: 30 March 2004 by Rich Jerskey
Hey David,
Do you ever deal with Adil at Dubai Audio Center? If so, what's your experience/impression of him, etc.?
Best Regards,
Rich
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by HansW
I have humming and buzzing problem primarily with my S-cap and CDPS. Would a PS 500 help or will there just be an additional transformer humming along.
Gratefull for any insight.
Hans
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by Rich Jerskey
It could be due to messy power and in that case the P500 may get rid of it. On the other hand it may be due to something else that the P500 would have no effect on at all (maybe even aggravate it - no idea).I would demo one to see but I sure wouldn't bet on it as a solution to your problemo.
Best
Oh Yea......
Rich
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by David Sutton
Hello Rich,
I have bought a few items of Naim equipment from Dubai Audio and Adil in particular. He is fine. His prices are always good and he does not offer bucket loads of BS. He does not use a turntable, which is a worry, but he is a good guy.
Hope your experience is the same.
David
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by David Sutton
Hans,
I had similar probs with my supercap and xps. Attempts to cure mains related problems did not work and in desparation, I turned to a regenerative solution. Not only did it silence the equipment, but the audible improvements were enormous.
Give it a try.
David
Posted on: 31 March 2004 by Mark Dunn
Hi all:
Emil wrote:
>So are you saying that the PS 500 only provides subtle improvements when connected to a dedicated line?<
I have a PP600 (as opposed to the 500) and a dedicated spur with dedicated grounding. In my mid range Linn/Naim system the difference between having the PP600 or not, is very clear, with the PP in circuit being easily preferable.
I wrote this some time ago, but it's worth reiterating that the PPs are basically just beefy power amps with *extremely* tightly controlled input/output sections. Thus, like most equipment they take time to warm up. Mine took anout 30 days to burn in and requires about 7 days after being powered off for any considerable (> 1day) period of time.
Also, the extra 'oomph' and detail provided by the PP can definitely show up weeaknesses in system set-up, especially (from my experience) speaker placement, - mainly becasue the bottom end is more extended with better control.
As noted elsewhere, the PPs are NOT mains filters, they're regenerators. Like having a miniature substation at your system's disposal.
Lastly, a PP driving an LP12 (at least through an Armageddon) is magic. No bloom, no complaints of the Cirkus seeming relatively clinical wrt the non-cirkus bearing, etc, - only positives.
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by HansW
Thanks for the feedback.
I will see if a home demo can be arranged.
Best regards
Hans
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by Emil
Mark
Thanks for your input.
I also have a dedicated line with dedicated ground.
My system is pretty simple: CD5/FC2/Nait5. Maybe I can get away cheap with a P300
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by Paul B
Is it possible to connect the entire system to a single P500 without dire results - I am concerned about the power draw of the amps - or is just for the source and preamp?
Paul
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by Mark Dunn
Hi Paul,
It really depends on your power amp(s). I ahve a 250 and have never had any signs of pushing the envelope, even at disturbing volumes.
My advice would be 'suck it and see', as all PS Audio dealers have a 30 day love-it-or-leave-it period. Also, the PowerPlants have a yellow LED that comes on when you're getting near the rated output, and a red LED which means "I've shut down" (as if you couldn't tell).
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by David Sutton
Paul,
I have my whole system, including the NAP250, plugged into the P500 with no ill effects. The P500 has an optional display of the power output. At the loudest volumes that my system requires it rarly goes above 280W.
Try it!!
David
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by syd
I notice that all the positive results with Mains coditioners are from the States, Middle East and parts of Europe. Anybody using these regenerators in Britain. I was wondering if the mains quality abroad was poorer than in Britain once you had the Mains properly sorted. I certainly feel that the mains is the most important element in sound quality after the room. I'd love to be able to fit seperate spurs but live in rented accomodation, but have made significant gains with optimising the cabling layout using Home Made Hydras etc.
Yours in Music
Syd
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by Rich Jerskey
continuing on what's hooked up....
I put my 2 250's and hicap into the P500 and the sound is two thumbs up and slightly better than just having source and preamp. The amps are not in the special regenerated outputs but in the unlimited outputs which don't suck as much juice from the P500.
Syd, I seem to remember someone from UK in a previous thread mentioning PS Audio. I forget the details.
Rich
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by David Sutton
Syd,
The P500 is available in UK but costs GBP2450, about double its cost in the USA. I beleive that power specialists IsoTek have now produced a regenerator in recognition of the superior benefits. I heard it costs GBP2800.
However, you should try and listen to one if you can!!
David
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by London Lad
