The more I spend on my system, the more I spend on my system.

Here's the problem I have with all this based on my experiences, including stuff that has great reviews with people talking about the difference it made. I got a new AC power cable to use with my headphone amp, and was completely convinced while A/Bing with the stock cable that it was making an improvement to the sound. More low end dynamics, faster transients, etc. Then I had someone blind test me ... I couldn't tell which was which at all, it was 100% made up in my head, pretty incredible.

Being a Electrian i just ran a dedicated 30 amp circuit just for my audiogear i have only 2 plug in recepticals . And i don't have lamps/computers/microwave or T.v. hooked up on this circuit and the sound difference is amazing !!

Here's an informed opinion. I'm an electrical engineer with nearly 50 years of experience in power distribution for industrial projects such as manufacturing plants, laboratories, data centers. I'm particularly familiar with all manner of analyzing and solving power quality issues including for mission critical "can't fail" systems. If your high end audio equipment doesn't performed perfectly despite as long as you have power available from your utility you've been gypped. It is the job of the power supply within the equipment to filter, protect, and regulate line and load voltage and to have enough stored energy to operate perfectly under any conditions of operation. Of the countless scientific laboratories I've designed and built not a single one of them needed equipment to deal with power quality except a complete outage. Many were state of the art instruments, the most advanced in the world at the time. One photographed atoms. Don't expect that level of design in a $200 HT receiver but in a $10,000 amplifier you have every right to expect it. There are nine categories of electrical power anomalies. It takes an engineer with suitable instrumentation to record over time if you have a problem, what its nature is, and how to fix it. don't assume it's your utility's fault, it could be nothing more than a bad receptacle, a lose wire, or a bad circuit breaker so don't fix a $20 problem with a $1200 product. I installed whole house surge protectors on my main circuit breaker panels. They cost $27 at Home Depot and took me 5 minutes to install. Don't try it yourself if you are not trained to work on electrical equipment. Overvoltage protectors all work the same way, they're a category of devices called shunt clippers. When the peak of the 120 volt sine wave rises above 176 volts they go into a conduction mode briefly causing a short circuit between the hot and neutral wire protecting your load. They range for $2 for one you plug into a receptacle to $10,000 for a substation They are rated by how many joules of energy they can withstand. Most home audiophile power conditioners are nothing more than filters. The standard for industrial applications is the double static conversion UPS. It rectifies AC to DC and simultaneously charges batteries and operates an inverter that converts it back to AC. Harmonic distortion is typically below 5%. A regenerator is similar. The one I am familiar with does not have batteries so it is not a UPS, generates a sine wave, and amplifies it with a high power audio amplifier. (there might be a step up transformer on the output to achieve 120 volts. It's harmonic distortion is typically no more than 0.5 percent. A line interactive UPS is suitable for your PC but not your high end audio equipment. Its harmonic distortion is typically no more than 0.5 percent. Can it deliver a lot of power for a period? Yes using energy stored in capacitor banks so it can for a time have more output than input depending on the design. If it was determined that a power conditioner was needed and justified that's the only one I'd recommend for home use. I have no idea what's in the others but unless I know I can't recommend it and they probably won't tell me. As for UPSs, my go to brand these days is Eaton. I like the 9355 which can be rated up to 80 KW. Unfortunately there are no models of this type available for residential use I'm aware of. They are not cheap.

When you already paid two thousand dollars, your listening experience suddenly becomes better because your brain starts telling you it is better. Do blind test where you are not the one plugging the cord.

Audiophile Persian carpets are also a must have audiophile improvement. Also audiophile grade latex paint - it's the only paint you should be using in your critical listening room, especially if you have a highly resolving wallet.

I’ve just ordered two of these for my home cinema/ gaming setup along with two Audioquest monsoon power cables can’t wait 💪

I love watching your videos. They are highly informative and well done.

Hi you said you syterm sounded not that good sometimes and fantastic at otheres, did the Niagara keep the sound more constant. cheers

I think the best answer to this question is, 'it depends' .. It depends on the equipment in your audio system, the types of power supplies, and yes given those noticing a difference from one day to the next may depend on what someone in your general vicinity is doing with their power or what you're doing in other parts of your home. Some things that people connect to power tend to create a certain amount of noise on the line. It could also be things like radio transmissions which could be cell phone users, wifi use, ham radio operators, spark plugs in an ignition system in an engine can come across, you name it.. All of that can show up as extra noise on your power going into your audio gear. How much will pass through into your actual sound will depend on the equipment you have as part of your rig. Any equipment you have in the chain of devices that give you the music can affect the eventual output. That said there are other variables that change the way we hear the sound as well, level of humidity, levels of dust in the air, our moods, but if a person is correct when stating that a power conditioner actually caused their system to sound more consistent to them and it's not psycho sematic , then yes, it's probably cleaning up the power that did it.

5 systems in my place, most of which was built between 1976-1981, high power DC. All are on Monster's and 1 Panamax. Here in Calif. Power fluctuates like I cannot believe 111v to 119v, especially in summer when everyone has their AC ON. So is why I own these.

I have tried many power conditioners, but my Gryphon 120 amplifier always sound best plugged directly into the wall.

When you are chasing better SQ, it’s not easy to say when someone’s been ‘dealt with’. I use a Puritan audio PMS 156, which is great, but I also use DC blocks after it on each piece of kit. It all helps. Only way you know whether anything helps is to try it.

I purchased and used an AVR unit to my system and it does great the AVR run on a built in battery that is automatically charged the power that I get from the unit is cleaner and regulated plus a bonus of five min available power during an outage

Clean power does make a difference - unless you own an extremely pricey system, an inexpensive Furman unit will noticeably eliminate line noise resulting when HVAC systems, hair dryers, and other motorized devices are powered on. Also important to install a heavy duty outlet (with dedicated circuit to breaker box if possible). With that being said, I found that power conditioners dampen the sound quality of high current amps, therefore best to plug them directly into the wall outlet.

I would have liked if you used a meter to measure the noise in your electric mains in conjunction with your test.

Nice review. Did you try the niagara with common or other power cord? Wondering if blizzard model is worth. Have a friend that is happy with z3 model and his 1200 niagara.

Do we need special plugs for amps? What if Power Conditioner doesn't have that - and is rated 10A max - Would it make sense to plug amp to that, or better connect that to the wall plug (in terms of sonics - not protection)?

Get the new Audiolab DC blocker . Awesome improvement for £100 .No dc on toroidal transformer, transforms sound of amps for zilch.

Happy your happy with the unit. After seeing images of whats inside it seems rather high $ for what your getting. Personally for even less $ Id rather have something like a SurgeX SX-1120-RT that does all the above and more. I certainly cant say how each would "sound" in everyone's personal rig. Just trying to compare apples to apples with this type of product. But hey as long as folks are happy with their toys thats all that matters in the end.

I researched into this and found a theoretically better solution. This Furutech eTP60-E Japanese power distributor shields EMI and RFI but without filtering the electricity itself. So you can plug your Blizzard power cables into that one, using a less expensive but thick gauge power cable into it. My bet is it will beat the sound of any power conditioner.

You pay two grand, you're going to like it. Confirmation bias. However, I have not tried one, so what do I know?

I took a roll o' the dice on a budget amazon "Furman" power strip style conditioner. It definitely DID quiet up the system a bit as far as hiss & hum/buzz goes. It DIDNT solve my issue where the system loses dynamic range during business hours of the automotive shop across the street from me.

I strongly believe that a power amp, and particularly pass monoblocks, will sound best plugged into the wall. I have the most effective surge suppression system- when a storm is coming through I unplug my gear

Paul McGowan of PS audio mentioned they started with power conditioners but they realized it makes the sound sterile. That is why they sell power regenerator. I bought a stellar power plant ($2500) that is their chipest power regenerator. It is 300W with 1000W for 30 sec. The difference with a cheap $25 power strip with cheap power cables were night and day, I assume with your system you need to measure your wattage before chosing any of those power plants. I added power cables later. Never doubted the value it brings.they have trial policy as well, also 1/3 trade.

My experience is different. My Audioquest 1000 with Audioquest mains cables improved bass and generally clarity.

I've had the Brickwall surge protector for years on a 20 amp circuit. I've always thought about getting a power regenerator to maintain consistent voltage but just haven't done so I'm thinking it time!!

I bought a PS audio power conditioner quite few years ago, with no discount at all for $ 5K, and sure love it. Just wonder how that compare to AudioQuest Niagara 1200, for my sure is a huge piece equipment and generate so much heat in my living room.

Man, power conditioners are the truth. I have some good Powervar power conditioners which can be had anywhere you live or on ebay for cheap. Hospitals and merchants use them and they stop my tune amp from pulsing and affecting my audio feed and other spikes I get from the various components in my chain as it draws power. My sound is much cleaner, crisp and alive. No joke

Just a little note from someone who worked in the utility business for 40 years. Two things can make a massive difference. ! how old is your line transformer? Power company one that is. 2 how far are you from it? Many are overloaded to a degree that would shock you. Mine was just replaced when installed? 1958. 500% overloaded no central are then. I borrowed a power measuring device a 10 volt difference at times. In this kind of situation you need a power regulator my system really improved especially at night when line voltage down. I keep a large ac voltmeter (analog oldie) on at all times and you can see the spikes and dips. Houe this is helpful, It really made a difference when my old Monoblock's were working hard they draw 1800 max watts ea.

Sounds like what I need for my guitar setup

Why not try the next one in line? Perhaps, 30 days of listening and evaluating against the basic version, will show us how good the product really is. Great insight on AQ product… thank you for posting.

What are the two black cylinders plugged in to the cheap power strip?

I have just back into vinyl. I have a power strip. One day I noticed some noise. I swapped the outlet on the strip. Problem .... it has a bad ground on the one outlet. Power is crap in a lot of places, one of the reasons for true rms meters.

If I were the owner of your rig, I would hire an electrician to install two more AC wall plugs for the 2 mono power amplifiers. I think the blizzard is most of the improvement in audio of your new purchase. I would use the niagra only for the sources. then I'd purchase two more blizzards for the passes. it would be a significant step ahead

Does it have battery backup?

Its true, I have one. It really does sound like the system got an injection of power, and its always the same level of power.

Didnt Niagara used to be their own company, or am I confused? Did audioquest buy them out?

If you had a massive power surge, wouldn't your homeowner's insurance cover the damage to everything electrical that you would lose, including audio equipment? I mean, you'd lose everything plugged in. That's 10's of thousands even before the stereo equipment and that's what the insurance is designed to do. Seems like some sketchy logic. Now, if you a/b the same system with/without the power cond. and it sounds notably better, then I get it. Also, does it sound better or just different, a la switching out subwoofer cables.

So it could be consistently off?

I’ve always heard most amps sound best plugged directly into the wall.

I'm sitting here at the start thinking what is he talking about? Then I remembered you are American and you guys only have 110V supply. I'm in Australia and we're lucky to have a consistent 240V. Strong consistent power from the socket is never an issue over here, unless your house wiring is a hundred years old.

I really need a power conditioner for outside DJ gigs plugging into a generator usually causes a lot of noise not only that it doesn't surge the amps on the generator because it starts one outlet at a time

I have an entry level system and the differences of sound quality fluctuate a lot. It's really noticeable. Some days it's not even enjoyable and somedays it sounds fantastic.

Nice review. I like the Niagara 1200 but i must confess I prefer a good powerstrip with simple star connection. It gives me that tightness you're talking about without loosing the wormth a that kind of naturality. Using any conditioner i can feel that weird control. It makes all music uniform. It's nice the first 6 months but after a while i get use to it and i can feel it. Even a simple actinote or wireworld Matrix 2 is better to me. At least if you don't have crappy AC.

Is it possible to do an A/B test?

My Costco power strip may save my TV but seems to make the stereo a little fatiguing. I’m always playing with cables and plugs and the results are surprising.

The Tripp Lite LC2400 is about 25% the price of a Niagara 1200. For audio, I use it for everything except power amplifiers which I plug directly into the wall.

I’m afraid there’s no way the Niagara 1200 would protect you from a lightning strike. It’s rated for 3000Amps, while a real lightning arrestor would be in excess of 100,000Amps, such as the Eaton CHSPT2ULTRA (which installs at your breaker panel). The vast majority of surge suppression equipment in power bars and the like are really only good for minor surges, ripples in the line and compressor kicks, etc. Still useful for sure, but lightning is a whole other beast.

You can increase the quality by putting a bit of lead inside. Then it will be even more heavy :)

Did you try to use the cheap $25 power strip connected to a high-power outlet of the Audioquest conditioner? It can also work in such a configuration and have more filtered outlets at your disposal. That is my own experience, anyway.

Would you recommend this for 5000USD systems?

I bought a different power conditioner and it definitely improved the sound of my audio system.

It could be the power cord on the audioquest.

Have you ever compared then to Computer uninterrupted power supplies. They are battery back up power conditioners . Computers like clean power too.

I find that all power conditioning kills soundstage and dynamics…but does quiet things down

My

I upgraded from this unit to PS Audio P12 Power Plant, wowza! I would urge anyone thinking of dropping over a grand on this, stretch to aP12 you will not be sorry. I now have to find a home for my Niagara

I would be very surprised if these kind of devices can protect against direct lightning strikes as the amperage is immense. I'm sure they can protect against relatively low power surges.

A slight improvement for $1,600!

you should try plugging your power amp straight into the wall.

if you get the 5000 you can plug your amp into it

Very few companies make AC filters/regenerators worth buying. AC quality DOES make a big difference!

You spent how much on a power cord? You have drunk the cool aid

I think you will yield better results by getting a dedicated line in that room

$600 for a mains power cable - madness.

It cant protect anything if ut wall outlets is not grounded

i agree with everything you say/ive had no regrets thanks for tthe review

It's a different beast, but some say Hendrix had the best tone ever. Listen to his live recordings, lots of hum and noise.

How did you know it was a Power Conditioner you needed. Post your results here, if you can.

Is it possible your mind is "projecting" a listening experience/change you expect to find especially since purchasing such an expensive device? Many times, people hear, see, taste or smell differences when the suggestion is there. Psychology 101.

Consitioners do come up a lot for sale. They do have some benefits though. But always robbing something in the music. I think a power plant is the only thing to keep things intact.

So all of these comparisons were done sighted with extended periods of time between samples. That is problematic when it comes to reliable results.

I own the niagara 1200 as well and did the experiment and it does make a difference, less noise and more clarity. When the noise is low and you play your turntable you hear what is meant by coming from a black back ground, music comes from silence.

Both AQ Niagara 1200 and even power regenerators stifle dynamics and musical flow. I’ve owned both, Isolation transformers on the other hand just let that music flow with an amazingly low noise floor.

Lightning strikes are not all created equal, they can be large enough that they can arc through equipment and destroy it. I’ve seen the after effects. At least you want it for more than lightning strikes.

for any hifi audio equipment, a blind test will always tell the truth.

You should go and read Amir review of it on A.S.R. ....😜

Yes protection first and foremost

So, with the Niagra in place the sound was less organic ??? That about sums up my experiences of power conditioners. You need to look to the likes of PS Audio, who have a better grasp of mains' effects.

Too bad you didn't try the unit with a regular power cord to see if there was a difference in this perceived improvement.

Echoic memory...is VERY short...placebo and snakeoiling is long term

As soon as they have changed transformers outside my house everything sounds better.

If you compare a $1300 surge protector to the "$25 power strip", why you have a pair of QV2 stabilizers plugged ($390 each) in there? So instead of your "$25 power strip", you actually use"$800 power strip" instead.

I recently bought a Niagara 1200 and Monsoon power cord(I do have two dedicated lines), and they were a MASSIVE improvement as far as low-level clarity of inside lines in orchestral arrangements, and in soundstage depth. I’m a professional musician for 40+ years and used recordings I know intimately (including some I’m on). Great product, I wish I could afford the pricier Niagaras

Hard to quantify the improvement but there’s definitely a decrease in noise an increase in clarity. That’s been my experience with Shunyata and now a Puritan PSM156. Try running the amps directly from the wall outlets and all your sources from the power conditioner. It would be a good experiment.

even a cheap old Monster power conditioner made my system sound quieter, better

You want to clean up your power, drop a direct line, or two, three, or four from your electrical panel to your AV location. That will make a greater improvement than any power conditioner ever will.

Protecting the investment in overpriced audio gear is obviously a wise plan. But, I would like to see an oscilloscope and Fluke power monitor 24 hour test on the input and output of a pricey audio power conditioner. This would certainly prove out the system's worthiness.

I tried a big audiophile power conditioner and to me it sucked the life out of the sound.

A word of warning. Power amps are hampered by any stuff that ad inductans. Like shielded power cables or a badly constructed powerconditioner. For other gear in the system inductans is not that influenceful. I guess Furutech fixed this by having different outlets in their conditioner. Two outlets dedicated for power.

Atmospheric conditions? Just spitballing here... Like to see a double blind test on this one.

If your power conditioner doesn't have an isolation transformer it's nothing more than a fancy surge protector.Look at Richard Gray sub station or pole pig.

People and reviewers need to stress to people the problem of current on audio electronics,and that’s why you have to make your own opinions on your own system,and the change you say you got is not slight sounding to me,I have two Niagara 1200 one on each mono blocks and my system is a lot more costly than yours and the have a great affect on my system and it’s not by no means a slight difference and people who say it makes no difference have lowfi systems (period) and also no ears 👂 are created equally,that includes yours 🥴

IMO most of these conclusions is based on every individual’s perception.

Thank you for taking the time to listen, evaluate, and review our Niagara 1200. And thank you for sharing your open, honest thoughts with your viewers. We're proud to be a part of your system and listening experience.

Happens all the time

That device will not protect against an actual lightning strike. And be sure it can handle the current draw of your amplifier, with headroom to spare.

The only thing your hearing different is the hollow sound of your wallet minus $2000 dollars !

Nice speech, I only hope you have been paid for it, or at least had the thing for free. 😉