PS Audio PowerPlant 12 Review (AC Regenerator)

[PeteL]

So, what is the right solution if your building have Highly fluctuating voltage and abnormally noisy power distribution? What is the right metric/measurments to look for? What makes a good power conditioner?

 

[soundwave76]

PS Audio - a gift that keeps on giving

 

[pinpoint_oxford]

So, what is the right solution if your building have Highly fluctuating voltage and abnormally noisy power distribution? What is the right metric/measurments to look for? What makes a good power conditioner?

I think the argument by the various measurements here and on other power conditioner devices is: nothing. Amir asserts that a well designed device's power supply should handle noisy/dirty/fluctuating power and that using a conditioner or regenerator is superfluous at best and possibly wasteful at worst.

 

[tomo]

@amirm
Great test!
I was just wanting to see the AC Regenerator test.
If you don't mind me asking, could you tell me the model number of the differential probe you are using?

 

[Billy Budapest]

$5,500. What an example of insanity.

You could spend 1/10th the price on a SurgeX surge suppressor/power conditioner that actually does something to protect your equipment from surges, lightning strikes, and brownouts. And even that’s expensive.

 

[Billy Budapest]

I think the argument by the various measurements here and on other power conditioner devices is: nothing. Amir asserts that a well designed device's power supply should handle noisy/dirty/fluctuating power and that using a conditioner or regenerator is superfluous at best and possibly wasteful at worst.

Well, something like this designed to protect equipment is useful. I mean, they use SurgeX at professional broadcast institutions and performance venues.

 

[PeteL]

I think the argument by the various measurements here and on other power conditioner devices is: nothing. Amir asserts that a well designed device's power supply should handle noisy/dirty/fluctuating power and that using a conditioner or regenerator is superfluous at best and possibly wasteful at worst.

But this review don't demonstrate that.

 

[pinpoint_oxford]

But this review don't demonstrate that.

From the conclusion section of the review Amir states:

The rest of the tests show why none of these power devices are capable of improving the output of our audio devices. They do nothing about noise generated by the power supply which is easily filtered in the audio device.

 

[PeteL]

From the conclusion section of the review Amir states:

The rest of the tests show why none of these power devices are capable of improving the output of our audio devices. They do nothing about noise generated by the power supply which is easily filtered in the audio device.

OK, but my question was, what if it does create problems in your environment. The solution is to not care and live with it cause it can't be fixed by no devices anyway? Or it means your equipment is poorly designed and you should change the whole chain to find some equipments that is fully imune to power problems? In complex systems it can be daunting.

 

[anmpr1]

PS Audio - a gift that keeps on giving

Unlike the Jelly of the Month Club, anything from PS Audio is actually the gift that keeps on taking... and taking... and taking.

 

[KellenVancouver]

Domestic power plants... come on... this is a leap from impressionism to surrealism

Best. Comment. Ever.

 

[voodooless]

Domestic power plants... come on... this is a leap from impressionism to surrealism

I would demand turning cogwheels and steam at the very least!

 

[Mart68]

OK, but my question was, what if it does create problems in your environment. The solution is to not care and live with it cause it can't be fixed by no devices anyway? Or it means your equipment is poorly designed and you should change the whole chain to find some equipments that is fully imune to power problems? In complex systems it can be daunting.

If it's really that bad your power company should fix it. Otherwise buy a generator and make your own leccy.

 

[PeteL]

If it's really that bad your power company should fix it. Otherwise buy a generator and make your own leccy.

Nah, In Canada Power companies won't do anything past the electrical entrance of the building, problems are with old buildings wiring, standards and distribution. Sure house owners can redo the whole thing, but it's far from cheap.

 

[Zensō]

It‘s too bad regulators have bigger fish to fry as these snake oil salesmen should be held accountable for their false claims.

 

[pinpoint_oxford]

OK, but my question was, what if it does create problems in your environment. The solution is to not care and live with it cause it can't be fixed by no devices anyway? Or it means your equipment is poorly designed and you should change the whole chain to find some equipments that is fully imune to power problems? In complex systems it can be daunting.

There is no harm in trying a product like this. Most companies (PS Audio included) have a free return period. I own a P12 and find it to be useful for my use case, old house with very dirty city power. I found it to lower my noise floor (especially playing records), so much so that you can hear the difference without anything playing.

 

[NTK]

OK, but my question was, what if it does create problems in your environment. The solution is to not care and live with it cause it can't be fixed by no devices anyway? Or it means your equipment is poorly designed and you should change the whole chain to find some equipments that is fully imune to power problems? In complex systems it can be daunting.

What exactly are the AC mains problems you need a power conditioner to solve? Borrowing from John's picture of the spec.

Compare that to the spec of a Meanwell power supply (<USD$ 50), the AC mains voltage requirement isn't that much different. What does the PowerPlant 12 offer that a relatively cheap power supply cannot already accommodate?

If the requirement is to ride out some semi-severe brown/blackouts, an online UPS IMO will be a more suitable choice. For example:

APC Smart-UPS On-Line, 1000VA, Tower, 120V, 6x 5-15R NEMA outlets, SmartSlot, Extended runtime, W/O rail kit - SRT1000XLA | APC USA

SRT1000XLA - APC Smart-UPS On-Line, 1000VA, Tower, 120V, 6x 5-15R NEMA outlets, SmartSlot, Extended runtime, W/O rail kit | APC USA

www.apc.com

 

[Neddy]

Domestic power plants... come on... this is a leap from impressionism to surrealism

But...does make me wonder how clean the output is from various of the solar/battery/backup systems out there now....
Great work, Amir!

 

[PeteL]

What exactly are the AC mains problems you need a power conditioner to solve? Borrowing from John's picture of the spec.

Compare that to the spec of a Meanwell power supply (<USD$ 50), the AC mains voltage requirement isn't that much different. What does the PowerPlant 12 offer that a relatively cheap power supply cannot already accommodate?
View attachment 189761

If the requirement is to ride out some semi-severe brown/blackouts, an online UPS IMO will be a more suitable choice. For example:

APC Smart-UPS On-Line, 1000VA, Tower, 120V, 6x 5-15R NEMA outlets, SmartSlot, Extended runtime, W/O rail kit - SRT1000XLA | APC USA

SRT1000XLA - APC Smart-UPS On-Line, 1000VA, Tower, 120V, 6x 5-15R NEMA outlets, SmartSlot, Extended runtime, W/O rail kit | APC USA

www.apc.com

View attachment 189764

Thanks yes UPS certainly have use in some cases. I didn't say I need a power conditionner but I've come across many electrically induced, buzz-hums, interferences, it's certainly an issue for some, and when it is the case, what is the solution for it and what to look for. So input voltage spec is the one and only that matter in your view correct? Battery operation is a must?

 

[egellings]

For some people, sound quality perception is belief driven and not based on any actual audible differences. They really do need to look at a rose through world-colored glasses.