PS Audio

[fuzz092888]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what exactly the PS audio power plan/P5/P10s do. I know it says it takes AC power, converts it to DC and then back into pure 120V 60Hz AC power, but what exactly does that translate into in real world usage?

Does it eliminate hum or buzz?

What exactly does it do differently than a power conditioner?

Whats the difference between the PS audio products and say a monster voltage stabilizer?

I've tried to do a little research on this myself, but I end up a bit more confused than anything. Thanks.

 

[honeymonster]

It reduces distortion in the AC waveform, which in turn reduces noise in the power supply of your hi-fi equipment.

 

[fuzz092888]

Yea, I've read that a few times and a few audio magazines have claimed that there is a noticeable difference.

My main issue is how is their product is so much better than a $200-500 line conditioner. A line conditioner doesn't do all the fancy switching to DC and back, but to me it doesn't seem like it's worth $1000-3000 more for a little less distortion.

Since writing that post I've done a lot more reading on them and I just don't see the justification for the price.

 

[TLS Guy]

I was wondering if anyone could explain to me what exactly the PS audio power plan/P5/P10s do. I know it says it takes AC power, converts it to DC and then back into pure 120V 60Hz AC power, but what exactly does that translate into in real world usage?

Does it eliminate hum or buzz?

What exactly does it do differently than a power conditioner?

Whats the difference between the PS audio products and say a monster voltage stabilizer?

I've tried to do a little research on this myself, but I end up a bit more confused than anything. Thanks.

Those PS audio units are regenerative units. That is to say they have an AC/DC and then DC/AC converters. This makes for an extreme waste of power. They generate gobs of heat.

It is not necessary, as by law THD on the AC line must not have more than 1% THD. When my line deviated, I made the power company fix it and they did.

What is required is units that have batteries and switch to battery in 1 to 5 msec in event of over and under voltage out of spec, and provide soft shut down in the event of power outage.

If the unit does not have a battery you don't want it.

Next those PS audio units are over priced junk. The dealer got my friend fixed up with one when I was out of ear shot. When it was just out of warranty, the distortion was way out of spec and it took down one of my friends MAC units. The thing made vast amounts of heat.

He had to pay to have it fixed, then sold it for only slightly more money than the cost of repair.

I fixed him up with a nice APC Smart UPS, that was a fraction of the cost of that useless and dangerous PS audio piece of junk.

 

[fuzz092888]

Gotcha that all makes sense. Do you have any specific models or suggestions for an APC?

 

[TLS Guy]

Gotcha that all makes sense. Do you have any specific models or suggestions for an APC?

Go to the APC site and work out what you need. You must meet both the true power in watts for the total of units connected and the VA rating of the units, to allow for the current of the apparent power required.

If you don't know the VA rating, then add 30% to the power consumption in watts.

When you have added up the requirement add another 30% on top for margin.

For receivers and amps you must use the maximum power draw from the AC line. This is not the power delivered to the speakers.

 

[fuzz092888]

Thanks, time to do some foraging