Do you connect your amp to your power conditioner?

[Supermerio]

Originally Posted by Audio 1

Whenever existing cables are moved, or new cables are put into place in a system there is a period of time where the cables need to “settle in”. The sound can change based on the alteration of the signal and power flow as it pertains to the structure of the internal cable components. This can also be true for other electronics or components that are connected together in the system.

“Break-in” is more related to the optimization of the individual components or circuit parts that comprise the entirety of the finished product. Depending on the type of parts implemented this can yield a significant change as the process takes place. Often there is a larger percieved or audible change in the first 50-100 hours with more subtle differences beyond. The type of internal parts like capacitors, metalurgy or in the case of speakers the driver design and materials can all influence the time necessary for optimization.

Thank you.

I do believe in break in. The settling part was kind of new to me.

Whenever i have a new component in my system, the first thing
I do is play a couple of songs that are familiar to me for a couple
Days. One of them is alison krauss “gravity”, not only do i love
This song, but her voice err on the sibilant side if i have an unba-
Lanced system — bright to be exact. When i bought a new set of
Speaker wires and interconnect i could definitely tell that my new
Ancilliaries are “breaking in” due to to the gradual softening of the
“Zzzzzzzz”, mind you i dont listen to the bass, soundstage width or
Depth or other changes that may occur. I just concentrate on the
Voices lower mids.

People might think that we just “get used to or adapt” to the new
Sound, but in my humble opinion changes sometimes depends
On your system’s tranparency, and sometimes this “tranparency”
Is directly proportional to equipment cost. The higher the price—
The more revealing it becomes.

People tend to malign our own “perception and hearing” based
On their system — this is where the problem lies, “their system”.
Im not here to argue or insult anybody’s equipment implying
“ you dont hear it because your system is cheap”, this is my
Humble opinion based on climbing a ladder that i see has no
End.

[Supermerio]

Originally Posted by PHC1

There is no break in. The electronic parts are manufactured with tolerances in factories which are guaranteed not to drift or we could never get to the Moon or Mars... Your doctor would not be able to get an accurate diagnosis because the MRI or CAT machine in the hospital was using the "wrong" power cord... OK?


In audio, the "ears" and the "mood" are the break in process. It goes something like this.... We run home with that new component. Expectations are very high from a multi-thousand dollar power isolator... We often will grab the most exciting CD or worse yet, a new and unheard CD for the celebration!

When reality does not meet expectations, the shock to the system makes everything sound like dog excrement...

Take a deep breath, let it "settle", let it "burn in" but in reality, let your mood and blood pressure return to normal.

There is no break in audio. Can't be. The components are no different than the ones in your household appliances or any other electronic device...

Ever wonder why the iPhone never needs a break in? It just works from the box doesn't it? Imagine those spicy texts going to the wrong recipient if the iPhone was not broken in yet?


Having said that and laughed a bit, we can on a serious note say the following... Speakers do benefit from a break in. The mechanical parts of the driver or the "suspension" needs to work itself in and loosen up. The speaker becomes more relaxed and coherent. Smoother sound. It should not take long.

As far as the Transparent Power Isolator. The only "possible" component that can potentially change its value ever so slightly are the fancy filtering capacitors they put in those devices. The "forming" of the capacitors as it is called typically applies to the bigger capacitors of the less usual construction compared to the mass produced capacitors used in everything, including Elon Musk SpaceX rockets...

The Transparent piece you have is not an "active" device. Not a power regenerator. It is mostly a "parallel device" that filters and isolates the outlets. So there is really nothing to break in or affect the sound so it sounds like "grating", "harsh", "screeching" or any other adjective like that.

There are many variables... a system that has not reached its potential from synergy of various of components and/or speakers that are not agreeing with your ears and/or music recording that you are not very familiar with and God knows there are a lot of bad recordings.


What were your troubles with the system when you went to the audio store for the power isolator?

Thank you


I live in a mountainous area where lightning and thunder is
A pain in my arse. In fact, my house got hit by lightning twice
Last year, luckily i was there to unplugged everything before
It happened.

So my primary goal for the conditioner is more on its “protection”
Benefits rather than what it will bring sonically.

I do believe you are wrong when it comes to “break in”, im not
Here to argue and i did answer my opinion to —audio 1’s— post.
That opinion was based on my personal journey.

Now for the power isolator..... it’s already boxed and ready
To go back to the dealer...this thing is not for me sonically.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Supermerio

Thank you


I live in a mountainous area where lightning and thunder is
A pain in my arse. In fact, my house got hit by lightning twice
Last year, luckily i was there to unplugged everything before
It happened.

So my primary goal for the conditioner is more on its “protection”
Benefits rather than what it will bring sonically.

I do believe you are wrong when it comes to “break in”, im not
Here to argue and i did answer my opinion to —audio 1’s— post.
That opinion was based on my personal journey.

Now for the power isolator..... it’s already boxed and ready
To go back to the dealer...this thing is not for me sonically.

Sure, good luck with the next one. Keep climbing that ladder.

[GSOphile]

Originally Posted by Supermerio

Thank you


I live in a mountainous area where lightning and thunder is
A pain in my arse. In fact, my house got hit by lightning twice
Last year, luckily i was there to unplugged everything before
It happened.

So my primary goal for the conditioner is more on its “protection”
Benefits rather than what it will bring sonically.

I do believe you are wrong when it comes to “break in”, im not
Here to argue and i did answer my opinion to —audio 1’s— post.
That opinion was based on my personal journey.

Now for the power isolator..... it’s already boxed and ready
To go back to the dealer...this thing is not for me sonically.

Do you have whole house surge protection? If so (e.g., recommended by Shunyata and others), you can plug your amp straight into the wall for better sound with less worry. Probably not practical if you live in an apartment, but if you own your own home, pretty inexpensive first line of defense protection.

[PHC1]

Should I even mention I had over $30k of gear destroyed with the surge protection in place during a nasty lightning storm? Yeah, that happens...

Best protect yourself with real "professional" products at the panel.

[Masterlu]

I have 4 layers of surge protection in each one of my homes. My Florida home literally took a direct lightning strike on the roof peak.

It blew the Tiles right off the roof; Firemen responded, and checked all the walls with thermal scanners for any signs of hidden fire. Luckily no fire, and even more amazing not a single piece of audio gear was harmed.

Total damage was a single wall dimmer, and a PlayStation that’s all.

[Supermerio]

Originally Posted by GSOphile

Do you have whole house surge protection? If so (e.g., recommended by Shunyata and others), you can plug your amp straight into the wall for better sound without the worry. Probably not practical if you live in an apartment, but if you own your own home, pretty inexpensive first line of defense protection.

How do you protect your whole house from surge?

My experience was when i got hit directly by lightning,
( i though it was an earthquake ) a couple of my electric
Fan got destroyed, some light bulb exploded. Lots of my
Appliances survived —thank you lightning rod— but i just
Cannot take chances when it comes to my sound system.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I have 4 layers of surge protection in each one of my homes. My Florida home literally took a direct lightning strike on the roof peak.

It blew the Tiles right off the roof; Firemen responded, and checked all the walls with thermal scanners for any signs of hidden fire. Luckily no fire, and even more amazing not a single piece of audio gear was harmed.

Total damage was a single wall dimmer, and a PlayStation that’s all.

My friend lost a very nice house... Lightning strike somehow set the attic on fire and a gas line valve was also damaged. The baby sitter heard a noise upstairs and said she saw flames shooting out of the wall. Grabbed the baby and the dog and ran out. The fire department came but the house burned down to the ground faster than a matchbox. The family lost all personal belongings, various collectible items, etc but fortunately no one was hurt! It took them over 16 months to rebuild the house from the foundation up.

[Supermerio]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Should I even mention I had over $30k of gear destroyed with the surge protection in place during a nasty lightning storm? Yeah, that happens...

Best protect yourself with real "professional" products at the panel.

Sorry to hear that. I mean you have surge protection? Isnt that its
Purpose?

[Supermerio]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I have 4 layers of surge protection in each one of my homes. My Florida home literally took a direct lightning strike on the roof peak.

It blew the Tiles right off the roof; Firemen responded, and checked all the walls with thermal scanners for any signs of hidden fire. Luckily no fire, and even more amazing not a single piece of audio gear was harmed.

Total damage was a single wall dimmer, and a PlayStation that’s all.

4 layers of protection? —wow—-, i bet that cost more than my
Sound system