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(Uploading does not provide flexibility of positioning in post. Three levels of improvement and an attempt to convert audio impressions into pictorial representation. Basically, the lowering of the noise-floor has made the sonic backdrop "darker and darker" to a point where it is almost an "inky black").
After a cold shower (courtesy of a few level-headed individuals), I decided to do some math covering three options…
1) Minimum cost for conditioner at least 8 outlets (PS Audio Quintet): ~R5,000 (nett) (= ~$700)
2) Next step for at least 8 outlets (PS Audio Quintessence): ~R10,000 (nett) (= ~$1,500)
3) Go the whole hog (regeneration via PS Audio PPP): ~R20,000 (nett) (= ~$3,000)
- Option 1) resembles a power strip on steroids
- Option 2) and Option 3) share the same component-sized casework
- Option 1) provides surge/spike protection, passive filtering, 5 x isolated outlet-pairs
- Option 2) adds common mode filtering and casework to Option 1)
- Option 3) adds regeneration, voltage/frequency stabilization to Option 2)
- Each option is double the previous in terms of price!!
A. CURRENT SPEND (Ouch – bad choice of words): Total of R3,500 (~$485)
Provided:
- 1 x PS Audio UPC-200 4-outlet conditioner (2 x isolated “zones” each with 2 x outlets)
- 2 x PS Audio Prelude mains cords (1.5m)
- 2 x PS Audio Punch mains cords (1.0m & 1.5m)
Constraints:
- Only 4 outlets when I need 8
- Only 4 cords when I need 8
- Outlets all US-style (not Schuko or other international format)
Initial usage:
- Zone 1: CD (transport & DAC)
- Zone 2: Pre-amp
- Wall Power: Turntable, Power Amps, FM Tuner, CD/HDD Recorder
Initial observations:
- CD: Some detectable improvement in mid-band presence, slightly lower noise-floor
- LP: No detectable difference
- Overall? Enough to warrant further investigation!
Other implications:
- Need to stick with US-Style Outlet/Plugs or re-invest in 4 x cords
B. CURRENT TRIAL (Courtesy of Paul Louw – PS Audio distributor)
Provided:
- 1 x PS Audio Quintet 4-outlet conditioner (5 x isolated “zones” each with 10 x outlets)
- 2 x PS Audio Prelude mains cords (1.5m) – from A.
- 2 x PS Audio Punch mains cords (1.0m & 1.5m) – from A.
- 1 x PS Audio Punch mains cord (1.5m) - trial
Constraints:
- Remaining sources have captive leads so need 3 x US-Style plugs (shipping Monday)
- Outlets all US-style (not Schuko or other international format)
Trial Usage:
- Zone 1: CD (transport & DAC)
- Zone 2: Spare (will use for Turntable)
- Zone 3: Spare (will use for Tuner/HDD Recorder)
- Zone 4: Pre-amp
- Zone 5: Power amps
- Wall Power: Turntable, FM Tuner, CD/HDD Recorder
Observations after 2 evenings:
- CD: Marked improvement in mid-band presence, lower noise floor, more detail
- LP: Lower noise floor, more detail
- Overall: Listening now “unfatiguing” over extended sessions
Other observations by genre of music:
- Large-Scale Orchestral Classical music benefited the most in terms of depth/detail
- Solo Piano (Beethoven sonatas) also significantly improved in “air” around piano
- Ensemble Jazz also benefited (Glenn Miller, Count Basie)
- Small Jazz groups (Brubeck, Davis) improved detail – almost to the point of “etched”
- Vocalists much more “in the room” – particularly females (eg Diana Krall)
Quintet - Capabilities
Protection
On the left is a discrete and dismountable component that provides surge and spike protection and shut-off in over/under voltage conditions. If surge blows protection, then just replace plug-in module.
Power-On Sequencer
The 5 groups of 2 outlets are isolated from each other and also grouped into 3 configurable power-on/power-off sequence groups, allowing some items to be left permantly on and, for example, sources to powered-on prior to power amps.
Summary?
I am beginning to believe that the Quintet probably offers the best value on a "Law of Diminishing Returns" basis. To be fair, this is an observation after only trying one of three options, so is not an "informed opinion".
For a first step? Probably the right choice...
DevillEars
Follow Ups:
Something smells fishy here....Duet and the Quintet are essentially the same, one has more outlets than the other, that is all. Yet...you claim to hear differences, great differences between the two.
You seem to be easily influenced and confuse price with value. Please explain.
May I suggest that you take the trouble to actually read the entire post before making derogatory and personal comments.Firstly, the comparison is between the Quintet and the UPC-200!
Secondly, the Duet is NOT MENTIONED ANYWHERE IN THE POST!The Duet and Quintet differ in three areas:
1) The number of outlets (4 vs 10)
2) The power on/off sequence "programming" capability (Quintet only)
3) TV/Telephone filtering option (Quintet only)Apart from these three aspects, the filtering capabilities of the two products are identical, so your comment about them being "essentially the same" is valid.
The UPC-200 is a previous "generation" product and does not offer the same level of RFI filtration (Quintet and Duet: low-pass at ~40KHz threshold).
The improvement from "no conditioning" to "UPC-200" was discernible but not significant (limitation of 4 x outlets = 4 x components).
The overall (and incremental) improvement from "UPC-200" to "Quintet" has been quite marked - due, probably, to a combination of the newer technology in use AND the capacity to connect all 8 components.
Reverting from "Quintet" to "no conditioning" (and back again) has reinforced this observation.
My one concern - based on concerns voiced by others - was that using any conditioning for 2 x 250watt monoblock amps would result in dynamic range limiting and making the overal sound seem "compressed".
This has not been the case - probably due to the Jeff Rowland Model 201's use of fairly efficient (~80%) ICEpower technology and the resultant lower load in terms of both power (watts) and current (amps) - a factor also helped along by 93dB efficiency in the speakers (Tannoy D700's).
As far as your comment "confuse price with value" is concerned, once again may I suggest that you actually take the trouble to read the post...
The initial comparison between Quintet/Quintessence/PPP was an attempt to analyse the "cost/benefit ratio" on the three items - where pricing steps up from unity to 2x to 4x (with the Quintet being the lowest priced PS Audio device with at least 8 outlets). I did not even consider the Duet due to its limitation of only 4 x outlets.
As far as the focus on PS Audio and not on any other make/model is concerned, when I bought the UPC-200 it came with 4 x decent-ish mains cords - all equipped with US-style plugs. Here in South Africa (with 240v/50Hz mains supply), most - if not all - other manufacturers ship their 230v units with European Schuko outlets which would have meant also having to replace 4 x cords. (PS Audio units imported to SA all come with US-style outlets).
Anyway, I've decided that the Quintet is definitely "a Keeper" and will be trading-in the UPC-200.
I'm happy with the result!
DevillEars
Yes, the Quintet and Duet are pretty much the same in function, but that is not what he is comparing. The UPC-200 is an older model, and is not like the Duet or Quintet, and by all accounts, the Duet and Quintet sound better than the UPC models. I have a Duet myself, and like it for my Modwright player and Innersound ESL amp for electrostatic panels (my CAT tube preamp does not sound as good plugged into ANY power conditioner so far, Duet included. This goes with designer Ken Steven's suggestions to give it straight wall power only, no conditioning. I would say he is correct.)
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