I've had a lot of questions about these things, and these models in particular. Thanks for finally bringing clarity to the subject. Very good video, indeed!
@TheAlphaAudio2 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@vmpty5 ай бұрын
This has been the most entertaining and funny live streams I have ever watched😂. And very informative too.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Thank you!
@portwill5 ай бұрын
Good stuff! I just happened to get me a PSM156 and was very surprised how much it improved the sound of my system (stage width, depth, spacial cues, etc.) However, in the first day it sort of tamed the transients a little, which I was not too happy about. By day 3 it “opened up” so no transient masking, huge dynamics and just wonderful sound. So yeah, it definitely needs burn-in time.
@Coneman35 ай бұрын
I’ve got the same. I found instant widening of soundstage and TV picture was much improved on installation.
@portwill5 ай бұрын
@@Coneman3 didn’t think about connecting my TV to a conditioner but now that you mention.. I might get a cheaper Puritan strip for the TV
@larsv61445 ай бұрын
I have the PSM156 as well since 2 months and can only concur. Plus the bass is a bit deeper and noticeably better controlled.
@dragocelander66715 ай бұрын
@@Coneman3I have a PSM156, too. I’ll try one on my TV as well. Thanks for that tip! 👏🏻👍🏻
@james26535 ай бұрын
A huge thanks to the team for this super fun and illuminating test! I appreciate the work and time commitment involved and I hope these will continue - I for one look forward to these sessions, and the way they are presented makes us feel a part of the the group. I have the PSM156 feeding my power and pre and it was journey of burn-in; beginning slightly harsh, quickly settling to become warm but rolled-off, and then (after about 2-3 weeks) becoming more detailed, spacious and balanced (did it change or did I? 😅). I think your conclusions and guidance are 100% - try before you buy, and check to see if the manufacturers also offer the option of 30 day return.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@writemeanovel5 ай бұрын
I find the tests you do very interesting and your efforts are much appreciated! I must confess I am studying the results of your videos and it is not like work for me. .
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Thanks!
@okafka54465 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for going to all this effort. 🙂
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@phantomplastics65825 ай бұрын
Amazing work guys! Thank you.
@gebreeze5 ай бұрын
Nice job, thanks guys!
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Welcome!
@luislunacortez19295 ай бұрын
Awesome testing thanks
@dirkbusche544 ай бұрын
There are a lot of drop outs during first track, but you realized it. Thank you.
@neilrobins33295 ай бұрын
Great work!!
@CupOfSweetTeaКүн бұрын
Power conditioners are the equivalent of paint protection for a new car: you purchased a car where you thought the paint isn't good enough.
@stephendixon85755 ай бұрын
Not watched the whole video just yet (1:01:22 in so far) so not sure if you covered this later on, but the Puritan PSM136 and more expensive PSM156 you were using both have very effective DC blocking already built in to them (as well as their various levels of filtering for common and differential mode noise). Thought I’d mention this in case it’s of use for anyone 👍. [EDIT - I see you did pick up on the built in DC blocking - but query if the unit you have has been burnt in, as they particularly warn customers to burn in for min of 100 hours before it realises its full potential. Maybe it opens up and is less “rounded” after? Also everyone who’s tried says their upgraded Puritan power cable to the unit, instead of their standard one makes a huge improvement. Just thought I’d add this]
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Thanks for the feedback.
@DavidMosher-ro1sm3 ай бұрын
The Puritan 156 alway requires three days of break in and it’s companion Ground Master to hear its full potential.
@writemeanovel5 ай бұрын
...and I have been listening to the AudioQuest Niagra 1200 and it certainly *seems* the better sound is from the low power plugs. Much better. Your livestream gave me the idea to try it out.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Cool!
@thepickyaudiophile5 ай бұрын
Great! I moved from the city (apartment complexes) to villa area with lots of wall box chargers and solar panels around, including some on my own roof. DC was MUCH worse in the city, to the point where I could not block it properly with any of the Supra DC blockers. Out here the blocker works well.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
That's great news!
@AudiolandCH4 ай бұрын
You should add a Shunyata Denali V2 to the mix. Incredible what the Alpha and Sigma bring to the table.
@norahkluis5 ай бұрын
Very nice job again!
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
We had severe connection problems at the start, so up until time mark 29:10 you will experience a few strange cuts in the video and sound. That is where the stream dropped. Sorry about that, but we don't know why this happened. Furthermore: When we test a filter, we had the plug of the Rega Planet CD player, the plug of the Weiss DAC and the plug of the Earmen power supply, which feeds the Earmen preamp, in the device we test. The plug of the power amplifier is always in the Supra power block and is not filtered. 05:18 - introduction of the set. 13:42 - the order of the test explained. 17:51 - the music used in this test (from cd). 21:33 - everything in a Supra power block (first try). 23:15 - livestream interuption, due to bad connection. We had to restart. 29:10 - restart of the livestream. 30:35 - everything in a Supra power block (retry). 42:48 - Jaap is checking the polarity of all plugs. 48:22 - everything in the Supra power block, but now with polarity of the plugs checked. 55:21 - Jaap explains a parallel filter plug (and zap's himself). 58:05 - The function of the Isotek Syncro explained, to block DC. 01:01:20 - Rega planet and Weiss Dac in the Isotek Gemini, which is fed from the Isotek Syncro. 01:11:35 - Puritan PSM156 power conditioner explained. 01:20:00 - Listening with the Puritan PSM156. 01:29:00 - Isotek Aquarius Evo3 explained. 01:30:45 - Listening with the Aquarius Evo3. 01:34:53 - Isotek Aquarius V5 explained. 01:36:38 - Listening with the Aquarius V5. 01:43:20 - Audioquest Powerquest 707 explained. 01:46:04 - Listening with the Powerquest 707, plugs in low current outputs. 01:48:05 - Listening with the Powerquest 707, plugs in high current outputs 01:56:33 - Listening to the Powerquest 707, fed from the Isotek Syncro, plugs in high current output. 02:01:47 - Listening without any filtering, back to the Supra power block only. 02:04:15 - Conclusion. 02:11:14 - The next live stream. Music used: They say it’s wonderful, Johnny Hartman & John Coltrane, album Coltrane & Hartman, 1963 Spiral Stairs, Mammal Hands, album Captured Spirits, 2020 Speakers and amplification: Tannoy Super Gold Monitor (SGM) 15 Yamaha B2 power amplifier EarMen CH-amp preamplifier EarMen PSU-3 power supply Source: Rega Planet CD transport Weiss DAC2 Studio D2, Nieuwplaatz, Leiden
@gabrielbacca3818 күн бұрын
Another great video guys. Too bad that it didn't happen last year when I purchased a Furman power distributor... The Supra would have been a better choice or the Isotek Gemini, which I was looking into by the way. What was the Furman model that you Jaap tried and didn't like? On the outlet polarity, i have a question, correct me if I am wrong because I am just learning about this, but if the polarity was reversed, to bring it back to normal, the wiring between the hot and neutral lines needed to be switched in the outlet, but you did it very fast there in the video, so how was it corrected? Thanks again and keep up the good work. just editing my comment here. The polarity issue is more of a problem in Europe compared to the US/Canada/Latam region, as our outlets have three prongs, one for grounding. So you only have to rotate the plug 180 degrees to solve the problem. Although the problem of having wrong wiring connections on the outlet affects everybody. Actually, in Europe the problem can be solved a lot easier.
@TheAlphaAudio8 күн бұрын
@@gabrielbacca381 yes... We can just turn around the plug.
@mddawson15 ай бұрын
Good thing about Aussie mains plugs is they can only fit one direction so polarity is always correct. They have two flat prongs for the active and neutral angled inwards 45º at the top.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Yeah. That is weird in the Netherlands.
@thepickyaudiophile5 ай бұрын
In my experience gear is made to have the positive on different pins (e.g. Rega vs Rel), so having a fixed direction might actually be a disadvantage.
@mddawson15 ай бұрын
@@TheAlphaAudio I am well acquainted with the Euro plug, my in-laws are Austrian.
@johenkay11295 ай бұрын
They needed to use a ultimate cable with the puritan to be honest. They said it was too smooth.... that's absolutely the stock power cord that came with it...
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
OK
@johenkay11295 ай бұрын
@@TheAlphaAudio I have 2 psm156's, and 5 ultimate cables going into various equipment... Do you not believe that power cables can make a difference? Didn't know if your "OK" was sarcasm or not, sorry.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
@@johenkay1129I definately believe that a good cable makes a difference. The OK was not sarcastic in that sense. The thing is: we set-up a test to show the difference in power conditioners. We do the best we can. Is it perfect? No... But it is impossible to do so. Every test there are comments on our set-ups, cables we use, speaker placement, etc... I think people forget there are 1001 variables. And honestly: the type of power cord is not really on the list when we set things up. We just use the cord that's in the box, because that's what people get. Also: if we use a certain power cord, we will get comments on that too... you get the point now. Also: I don't think people know how much work a live stream is. Apart from the time it takes to get the gear, set-up 5 camera's, sound and what not... we have to think all the variables in the test. It looks like it's just a bunch of guys sitting on chairs having fun with audio gear... and in a way it is... It's definately not heavily scripted. But a lot of time, thought an effort go in to our live streams and tests.
@johenkay11295 ай бұрын
@@TheAlphaAudio I see. I would be curious to know how you feel about the puritan ultimate cable when you get the chance, especially paired with the psm156. Appreciate the in-depth testing that you guys do over there.
@gerihifi5 ай бұрын
Would be interesting your opinion on the Stromtank, I'd several years Audioquest Niagara and since owning S1000 Stromtank it is quite shocking how good battery-pack can be. Thanks a lot for your heavy-duty work, keep going!! 😊😊
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
It's not available in the Netherlands
@schaut_utube2 ай бұрын
hey guys.. thanks for the work .. fun to watch, entertaining, ..(although maybe next time test it with streamers/DACs/amps of the 2020s.. ;-)) I am thinking of upgrading my power supplies.. so one question, one comment: which power filtering system/ conditioner or whatever to use for devices with switch mode power supplies?? ( I own a decent Linn streamer/DAC ) ... how about power regenerators i.e. ps audio.. that ok for switch mode device + torroidal in one system ?? .. you know, its hard for normal customers to test this amount of devices at home and only keep the best one for your system...
@ThomasL5 ай бұрын
I'd love to hear all those against Professional 19" Studio Racked Power Conditionners. I own myself a Black Lion Audio PG-2 (F Type), and it literally improved a lot my system (88' Accuphase E-305 + ATC SCM40 MkI's)
@tom_loves_audio_tech_gaming5 ай бұрын
Am just happy I learn more and more what my taste is in sound. If you have time to explain why you like about Mammal Hands -- Captured Spirits - Spiral Stair and at what point in the track you listen specifically too.
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
Two things: 1. You either like a certain piece of music or not. That's irrespective of the audio quality in recording or playback, it is music. I like this music. 2. Some recordings are better suited for auditioning equipment than others. From those recordings, a few really work to get the differences we hear across to the listeners at home. We do not listen for something specifically, it is about the tonal balance, the colour of the instruments, the rhythm, if things fall out of place in terms of rhythm, harshness of sounds. We listen how the soundstage is placed, how clearly instruments are positioned in the soundstage. We listen how easy it is to follow what the different musicians are doing. So, it is not a particular thing. And all of us are zooming in on different aspects by default, because our ears are all sensitive to other areas. That's true for every human being.
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
@@Burphy42 For the written reviews we do we have different recordings. My tests lists are published on Qobuz and I refer to them in reviews I write. Live-streaming is a different ball game.
@marklydon4355 ай бұрын
We don't have this phase issue in the UK I think, as our plug architecture stops this. I have a separate dedicated fuse box feeding just the hifi equipment and this helps lower noise interference from household items.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
You are lucky indeed!
@r.koster89285 ай бұрын
Not necessarily. If the electrician wired the socket not according to code or if the power strip reverses phase or the audio equipment is wired differently, then it can still be wrong. And more difficult to resolve as you can't just reverse the plug.
@eViperRabbit4 ай бұрын
i was hoping that you had included Plixir Elite BAC in the test.
@luislunacortez19295 ай бұрын
One maybe silly question did you check the voltage anytime you did the test because maybe this can make changes in the sound if the voltage is not consistent equal or vsriable . I think you did test after midnight thanks
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
It was daytime...
@luislunacortez19295 ай бұрын
What about voltage ? Thanks for your incredible work Talking about your cables test when will be done?. I believe in cables i have up to six pairs of different pro speaker cables mogami and canare for bi amp 4 wires simple 2wires and coaxial speaker cables all of them have different sound . I have 4 different rca interlinks I love experimenting but without measurements . My gear is a Sansui vintage AU 719 90 w/ch dual mono integrated amplifier, source NAD cd player 2006 top of the line with toroidal transformer very analog sound, B&W dm603 speakers and power conditioner furman m8dx only for the cd player and a dedicated power line from main electrical box for all the audio gear. Even with the dedicated power line audio using the power conditioner only with the cd player connected I could hear differences to me better sound with the power conditioner pluged to the cd player. I would like to have a pair of Tannoy very good monitors Thanks i appreciate your hard work
@basvandesteeg7964 ай бұрын
yes great and entertaining review! by the way is it normal that you can shock yourself with a SNS plug like Jaap experienced? seems not okay. I believe SNP plugs have a CE certification so wondering...
@jmtennapel4 ай бұрын
This particular model isn’t sold anymore, it is the old version.
@jearley225 ай бұрын
what happened to your old studio?
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Still there 😂
@qualifierswedenab87675 ай бұрын
I dont use the 156 on my amplifier. Add syncro on the amps and you get the best of all worlds 👍
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
Indeed.
@basvandesteeg7965 ай бұрын
so would it be a good idea to put a Syncro in front of my power strip that feeds my CD transport, streamer, DAC AND integrated amp (class A/B)?
@basvandesteeg7965 ай бұрын
And could I have a DC problem even if I have no trafo humm?
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
@@basvandesteeg796 yes... You can.
@larschristensen16574 ай бұрын
Very nice test again :-) Do these boxes also work if you don't have earth in the wall.
@TheAlphaAudio4 ай бұрын
Nope. Not really.
@jmtennapel4 ай бұрын
Not these, but balanced power transformators, like Audes or Plixir do. Different price category though.
@MrWinger19515 ай бұрын
Would be helpful to have the overall conclusions posted, as many of us can't be away from other responsibilities in order to watch 2 hours of a YT video. Or at least, place time stamps so that we can navigate to those units individually.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
We just finished streaming. Give us some time.
@giorgiovaloti41294 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video! Where can I find the link to the polarity test you mentioned in the video?
@TheAlphaAudio4 ай бұрын
It is the Kemp Ultimate Polarity Checker.
@giorgiovaloti41294 ай бұрын
You mentioned an article of yours, if I remember correctly. I’d need the link to that article explicitly because the Kemp tool is not available anymore. Thank you for the quick reply 😊
@TheAlphaAudio4 ай бұрын
@@giorgiovaloti4129 I have not written an article about this specific tool. But we have multiple articles about power.
@colinbenfield3265 ай бұрын
Really interesting! Can you tell me the name of the UK jazz band? I didn’t quite catch it .
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
Look in the description box below the video
@dragocelander66715 ай бұрын
What is the bias of the amp(s) used? Class A, AB with non-switching power supplies or with amps having SMPS?
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
This was a class AB amp with some Class A bias.
@dragocelander66715 ай бұрын
Was the transport plugged into all the conditioners? I seem to recall only the Puritan PSM156 included the transport.
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
No... it was used in all the conditioners
@dragocelander66715 ай бұрын
@@TheAlphaAudio Thanks for confirming. I recalled some discussion in the Puritan segment about whether or not the transport should be plugged into the conditioner.
@tarquineous5 ай бұрын
We would like to hear some general conclusions. Most of us already know the power products make a difference.
@jagdesigns45665 ай бұрын
Hello from California. What’s the name of the second band, the British band that’s not really jazz. The song is “Spiral Staircases”? Thank you for another informative video.
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
Mammal Hands - Spiral Stairs, from the album Captured Spirits
@yunglie14455 ай бұрын
Spiral Stairs, Mammal Hands, album Captured Spirits, 2020
@REX43404 ай бұрын
Coltrane on vinyl smokes CD
@c.j.vanwoerden16765 ай бұрын
What was the setup? Source, DAC, amplification. It was mentioned briefly but not clear to me.
@yunglie14455 ай бұрын
Speakers and amplification: Tannoy Super Gold Monitor (SGM) 15 Yamaha B2 power amplifier EarMen CH-amp preamplifier EarMen PSU-3 power supply Source: Rega Planet CD transport Weiss DAC2 Music played: They say it’s wonderful, Johnny Hartman & John Coltrane, album Coltrane & Hartman, 1963 Spiral Stairs, Mammal Hands, album Captured Spirits, 2020
@c.j.vanwoerden16765 ай бұрын
@@yunglie1445Thank you.
@totalplonker8244 ай бұрын
@yunglie1445 and to think the bastard didn't even give you a thumbs up for that. Well, I will mate 👍🏻
@yunglie14454 ай бұрын
@@totalplonker824 haha, appreciate it, thx!
@c.j.vanwoerden16764 ай бұрын
@@totalplonker824Totally plonkers!
@alexandrlutsenko67335 ай бұрын
Thank you for another revealing test! It is makes any sense to use DC blocker prior to power conditioner?
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
Yes, if you have a DC problem and if the power conditioner doesn't address DC. Watch the segment about the Audioquest.
@Coneman35 ай бұрын
I use them after power conditioner and it gives further benefits. When do you know enough is enough?
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
@@Coneman3 Reverse them in the chain and listen to the result. Most of the time, audio enthusiast go way too far by stacking tweak upon tweak upon tweak. The end result is invariably the same: music starts to sound sterile and the enthousiast listening still feels that vague notion of dissatisfaction -- and invariably starts to add more. How to know when enough is enough? I do the following: take everything out of the chain and start with a sources-amplifiers set directly connected. Maybe a standard power block. Listen to it for two weeks. Then add whatever you have gathered over the years one by one and listen critically: is the music _really_ sounding better? I can tell you I have removed a lot over the years.
@IrenESorius4 ай бұрын
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@net_news5 ай бұрын
amazing video you should do a separated short video with the highlights and conclusions, 2 hours is too long and interesting information is lost in the sea of time 😅
@jmtennapel5 ай бұрын
There's always a written summary on the website after each livestream, in a few days.
@net_news5 ай бұрын
@@jmtennapel good to know thanks!
@matytinman5 ай бұрын
DC Blocker, star earth, common mode, RF/EMI.. very good componentes and MEASUREMENTS 👈 ATL Audio (Aleksandar) * Google: Combined module DC Blocker (trap, filter) & EMI/RFI/Common Mode Filter - Assembled in Case - 165€ + shipping from Bulgary (EU) * Google: AC Mains Line Power Filter LPF-6000 - 830€ + shipping from Bulgary (EU) and more
@jearley225 ай бұрын
couldnt really hear you guys :-(
@TheAlphaAudio5 ай бұрын
There is a thing on your amp called a volume knob...
@jearley225 ай бұрын
definitely tried that. dont know if others found that to be the case.@@TheAlphaAudio