Can a power line fault have this much effect?

[seebert]

If not in the right forum please bear with me. I got hold of a Panamax 4300 recently primarily for my computer system but just tried it out today and it came up showing a line fault using my usual audio power sockets. I tried several other sockets (same fault light) before finding one that didn't light.

Now my observation: after plugging in amp and CD player and letting them warm up for 30 minutes (I was in a hurry to check) the sound is to my ears noticibly different and better where better = widened and deeper soundstage, more air around individual notes/phrases, cleaner less muddled upper bass with a 'smoother' midrange most noticeable on (typically) strings and female vocals (e.g. Sarah Brightman).

Now I know the setup I'm using at the moment isn't exactly hi-end ... I'll be kind and call it middle end : source and preamp Musical Fidelity CDPre24, Amp Adcom 5800, speaks Energy Audio Odyssey A3+2's, home brew interconnects that have compared well with upper end units (A/B testing), speaker cables are plain OFC 16g (until I make better) ....... plus a quick tryout with my old Meridian 207 into the MF Pre24 DAC.

The Meridian btw can hold it's own (or better) with the MF in most ways and certainly in bass extension and solidity via the MF's DAC - the original unmodified (as yet unmodified) Meridian DAC is yukky-shrill-old-school at best.

My questions to the learned are:

1. Could a line fault have such a big negative impact on the system?
2. Is the Panamax taking any part in this or is it simply a 'placebo' device?
3. Am I finally going senile - hey don't answer that one okay
4. Does anyone believe that the Meridian 207 could sound better than the 'more modern' MF Pre24? (might relate to Q3 above)
5. Did MF pay the reviewer at ***** Magazine to report that it was almost as good as their (MF's) top end CD player or what? The 207 lower bottom end is noticibly tighter and well-defined in this mid-fi setup.

Take a break ................ phew!!

If and I did say if okay the cheap Panamax line conditioner is having this positive effect which conditioner would you recommend - on top of a dedicated 20+ amp line install - as having in your experience a positive effect on audio and also as being good value for money.

Thanks to all, and good listening, Mike.

[simon7000]

If the hot and neutral are reversed that will put more leakage current into the chassis if the power transformers in the units are properly wired. This current shows up as noise in the midrange as it is mostly higher order power line harmonics.

[seebert]

simon7000: If the hot and neutral are reversed that will put more leakage current into the chassis if the power transformers in the units are properly wired. This current shows up as noise in the midrange as it is mostly higher order power line harmonics.

Thanks for the reply. Finding a 'clean' socket (and the Panamax?) certainly made an audible difference even to my ears - greatly aged but experienced in listening.

Gratuitous Pics: The Luxury Listening Room, The Reluctant Listeners, Oh Those Transformers !!

[mickeymoose]

I do not have golden ears, so I can not comment on seebert's observations. But: Run (don't walk) and get a $20 AC receptacle circuit tester (Stanley 61-035) and check/fix each outlet (especialy those close to a faucet). E

[kevinkr]

Definite second on the above, I would be most concerned about outlets in the kitchen and bathrooms which should all be protected by GFI.

[seebert]

Thanks for the good advice. The whole house wiring will be checked over later today (I do have to grab sleep at odd times - when I can) with attention to sockets in the kitchen / bathroom. We haven't had the house very long but it seems that the wiring matches the plumbing in 'quality' workmanship. Just didn't know about it until earlier today Best to all, Mike.

P.S. Can't run unfortunately - was 100% service disabled in '68 - but I do take your point

[Meshuganah]

Seebert, Even in the old days, with valve radios and gramophones, we could improve sound (especially hum) by reversing the plug. Sometimes this made all the difference listening on Short wave radio, so yes its a good idea to get all that sorted asap. Good luck and happy listening.

[seebert]

Hi there in SEQ! Yes the good old days ... it sometimes feels as if we haven't travelled far ... still need to play with cables to improve sound ... and that includes mains leads. Yussir, we sure have come a long way haven't we. My first audio outfit if you can call it that was all valve in 1955, then SS came along, then valves fought back, then SS made 'valve sounds' to be good. Uh huh, a long way