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198.54.202.226
I have the opportunity to pick up one of these at a reasonable price.
The unit also comes with the following AC leads (also PS Audio):
2 x PS Audio Prelude
2 x PS Audio Punch
What I would like to know covers two areas:
a) From personal experience, just how effective was the UPC-200 in improving overall sound quality (noise elimination, etc)?
b) How best to make use of the 4 x conditioned outlets?
The system comprises:
Turntable: Linn LP12
CDT / DAC: Theta Data Basic II plus DSPro GenVa
Amplifier: Classe' CP-500 (pre) & 2 x JRDG Model 201s
I live in South Africa, so AC mains supply is 230v/50Hz
Ideally, I would need 6 x outlets:
1 for TT
1 each for CDT/DAC
1 for pre-amp
1 each for 201s
However, only having 4 means some compromise:
a) Leave the TT off a wall outlet
b) Use one Power Cell circuit (2 x outlets) for digital (CDT/DAC)
c) Use other Power Cell circuit for amplification:
- Pre-amp direct from one outlet
- JRDG 201's sharing the other outlet
The sum of the current drawn by the amplification should be well within the limits, but am not sure if its wise to share one outlet between the 2 monoblocks...
Any feedback and guidance would be greatly appreciated.
DevillEars
Follow Ups:
Didn't do much of anything in my installation. Also modded the heck out of it.
Lovely casework, but a PCB that is not only a bit thin, but lacks enough standoff supports. IIRC, the wiring was #14 AWG MTW. Uses a mixture of point-to-point wiring and PCB traces; the latter being IMO, 'not good' for primary voltage wiring. The bottomside switch, rated IIRC, at 10A, introduced a lot of complicated wiring and switch contacts in the circuitry. And, you're adding all that surge supression stuff into the chain.
The dealbreaker was trying it on my video system, where it proceded to introduce visible noise on US TV channel 3.
I agree that some of the design choices could have been better. I use mine in high current mode only, so the zone switch and additional circuitry are just excess baggage; also makes modding more of a pain.
IMO one of the biggest porblems sonically is the input and output connectors and much of this is due to the nickel plating. I replaced the stock IEC with a Furutech FI-10 (rhodium) and one of the power ports with an Oyaide R1. I now hear more improvements with the upc compared to going straight into the wall than I did before changing the connectors.
Although not a conclusive test of the upc itself, I suspect the upc is better than I first thought. Overall I think it's a good, but not great, passive conditioner. It has good spike protection and does no harm sonically.
OTOH, you weren't impressed even after some mods. (A while back someone here reported bypassing the zone switch and other changes; was that you?) So it seems that the upc is one of those products where try before buying is best.
Jerry
I have four upc200s on four dedicated circuits feeding main amp, subwoofer amp, preamp and digital sources. Overall I've found that the upc200 gives a moderate but not massive improvement. The most significant improvement for me was with digital source components and this is probably because the upc allows less junk back onto the ac line (according to PSA). I could also hear a difference for the better when the main amp was plugged into the upc compared to straight in the wall, but not as great a difference as with the source components. By the way, I am also using the Data Basic II and GenVa (with a Genesis digital lens).
Based on this experience I would suggest you try using the upc in dual mode with transport on one duplex, DAC on the other and everything else on other circuits (assuming other circuits aren't too compromised with the usual offenders). If you need or want to put more on the upc, then you could try transport/DAC on one duplex and pre on the other (upc in dual mode). I don't know how power hungry the 201s are, but amps on the same circuit might constrict dynamics.
Of course YMMV, but I think the above is a good starting point.
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Many thanks for the feedback - much appreciated.
The Rowland 201's use B&O ICEpower technology so are pretty damned efficient (~80%) and, at full rated power (250watts into 8ohms/500watts into 4ohms) draw 650 watts each. I never use these amps at full power as the speakers (Tannoy D700's) are very efficient (93dB for 2.83v) and I've set the CP-500 volume limiter to 70% and usually run at 55-60%.
The Classe' CP-500 draws a paltry 30 watts.
So the math would appear to be something like this:
- Assume maximum power output at peak listening level = 150 watts per unit
- Assume efficiency = 75% (quoted by JRDG @ > 80%)
- Maximum power drawn = 150 / 0.75 = 200 watts per unit
- Total power drawn by power amps = 2 x 200 = 400
- Add power drawn by pre-amp (30 watts) = 400 + 30 = 430 watts
- Assume mains supply voltage = 230 v
- Current drawn = 430 / 230 = <2 amps
- At full power (ignoring damage) peak current drawn would be ~6amps
So, what we are looking at from a current drain perspective is somewhere between 2 and 6 amps for the amplification from a single Power Cell.
I'm looking to putting something like a PS Audio "Juice Bar" into the one cell to share two outlets across three components.
AM I SMOKING SOMETHING STRONG OR IS THERE AN OUTSIDE CHANCE THIS WILL WORK?
What I WILL DO is try out your suggestion (CDT on Zone 1, DAC on Zone 2 the rest on unconditioned power) as one of a number of permutations.
Thanks for your inputs...
DevillEars
I'm in the US and only have experience with 110v mains, so I don't have a feel for how well everything on one circuit would work. The only potential problem I see is the two 201s on one power cell. It may be fine, but I can't say for sure. The efficiency of your speakers and limiting volume will help, but a demanding passage on a recording that requires extra power in a narrow band will work against you.
Probably the best thing is to ask PSA. Then you would know for sure if it will work. I've seen numerous questions like this on their discussion board and Paul or Barrows are very helpful. If you're not a member of the board it's easy to register, but even easier is to post on the PS forum here on AA.
Sorry I couldn't give a firm answer, but I hope some of this is helpful.
Jerry
Hi Jerry,
Many thanks for taking the time to respond and post your inputs - you, sir, are a scholar and a gentleman!
DevillEars
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