What should be the best power management for my Music setup?

[AMITNOIDA]

I had purchased a Krykard Servo Stabiliser for my music set-up. Subsequently I have my movie set-up in another room and require another stabiliser or similar thing.

I am thinking to use the Krykard servo stabiliser for my movie set-up and purchase a power management item for my music set-up.

Can you guys suggest the cost effective and VFM power management system for my music set-up?

There are many things floating in my mind - power conditioner, online UPS, Servo stabiliser etc. etc.

Need your suggestion what would be the ideal one for music set-up. Now I am not using any stabiliser and directly connected my music set-up with power outlet in wall.

 

[venkatcr]

Amit, I have no idea what kind of budget you are talking about. Secondly, Delhi is famous for fluctuating voltages. You should seriously look at a combination of stabiliser and conditioner.

I have been using Audire's Zephyr for the last 8 odd months as a conditioner, and I am very happy with it. A 2kVA costs about 30K. You could consider that if it meets your budget. The Zephyr takes care of everything excepting voltage fluctuation.

Cheers

 

[malvai]

Amit, I have just gone in for a Liebert MT GT+. Its a online UPS 3 kva that does the duties on my Gear. and i really recommend it. super stuff. price in delhi about 28.5k. very happy with it.

this takes care of the fluctuations and even corrects the frequency. Plus it gives me about 45 mins of power back - more than enuff for the time it takes the buildings back up generators to kick in...

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Amit, I have no idea what kind of budget you are talking about. Secondly, Delhi is famous for fluctuating voltages. You should seriously look at a combination of stabiliser and conditioner.

I have been using Audire's Zephyr for the last 8 odd months as a conditioner, and I am very happy with it. A 2kVA costs about 30K. You could consider that if it meets your budget. The Zephyr takes care of everything excepting voltage fluctuation.

Cheers

Thanks Mr. Venkat, can you please tell me the precise function of Zephyr power conditioner? Once I have enquired for the above to Audire website contact mail address but didn't get any response.

BTW are you using a voltage stabiliser also along with Zephyr?

 

[audiodelic]

Can someone give me a quick overview of the difference between a power conditioner and servo voltage stabilizer, don't they both control voltage fluctuation ?

 

[venkatcr]

Thanks Mr. Venkat, can you please tell me the precise function of Zephyr power conditioner? Once I have enquired for the above to Audire website contact mail address but didn't get any response.

BTW are you using a voltage stabiliser also along with Zephyr?

I will just quote from their website:

"More often than not, homes and commercial establishments draw power for all their audio and video equipment from the mains supply. However, in most such cases, the power which comes in through the mains is frought with various problems. Owing to the widespread consumption and generally poor distribution methods, the power you get from your mains socket can degrade the performance and the life of your precious AV equipment considerably. The Zephyr power conditioner solves all these problems, by eliminating all the glitches in your mains line and providing your equipment, with clean, pure power. Primarily, the zephyr is a line filtering mechanism, which filters out all power line induced noise factors from your setup. The zephyr features a line filter comprising of an EMI and RF filter, along with an isolation transformer coupled to a line reactive Q transformer. Its also has a separate sockets with delayed on options for the preamp and the power which saves you from having to switch on every equipment in your setup manually. With a two phase input option, you can even eliminate the dirty neutral completely, since the power conditioner can be configured in a 440V mode."

I get quite stable power supply at home and never felt the need to get a stabiliser. I may yet do that in August.

BTW, with the Zephyr in place, I have long forgotten what noise on TV looks like. The amp is also dead quite. When there is no signal, the TV is like a clean blackboard.

Cheers

 

[venkatcr]

Can someone give me a quick overview of the difference between a power conditioner and servo voltage stabilizer, don't they both control voltage fluctuation ?

The previous post should give you some idea. A stabiliser uses a transformer to take input between, say, 170-250 volts and always give you 220 volts. That is all it does.

A power conditioner cleans the power supply. It removes noises such as RFI/EMI, has spike protection, makes sure there is no leakages in the lines, and ensures the earthing works properly. Some conditioner use what are called isolation transformers in which the output is completely delinked from the input.

Cheers

 

[sidvee]

Thanks Mr. Venkat, can you please tell me the precise function of Zephyr power conditioner? Once I have enquired for the above to Audire website contact mail address but didn't get any response.

BTW are you using a voltage stabiliser also along with Zephyr?

Amit - After talking to Venkat and Vasu I have been using a 2kva Zephyr for the past 2-3 months. IMO with an aftermarket powercord (I am using a 20 amp shunyata venom which cost about $200) and some brass footers under the unit, it is performing superbly as a power conditioner. The black background in the soundstage has gotten blacker, consequently I perceive higher resolution and dynamics. I also noticed a tightening of bass. I also believe they have an option of ordering this with a servo stab. built in, but I am using an external Vertex servo stab. as I already had one. Hope this helps.
cheers,
sid

 

[odyssey]

Amit, I have just gone in for a Liebert MT GT+. Its a online UPS 3 kva that does the duties on my Gear. and i really recommend it. super stuff. price in delhi about 28.5k. very happy with it.

this takes care of the fluctuations and even corrects the frequency. Plus it gives me about 45 mins of power back - more than enuff for the time it takes the buildings back up generators to kick in...

Malvai
You have some expensive equipment. From what you are mentioning, its not a double conversion UPS, its just an online UPS. This means, that when running on AC power, you are not likely to get the benefits of a UPS - no freq correction, no filtering, nothing - you just see raw AC power as it comes from the wall. A double conversion UPS always gives you power - pretty much constant with a controlled frequency since it feeds of battery - it is immune to quality of AC power from the wall.
However, if I am wrong and it is indeed a double conversion UPS, then the deal you have is extraordinarily good.

cheers

 

[malvai]

Malvai
You have some expensive equipment. From what you are mentioning, its not a double conversion UPS, its just an online UPS. This means, that when running on AC power, you are not likely to get the benefits of a UPS - no freq correction, no filtering, nothing - you just see raw AC power as it comes from the wall. A double conversion UPS always gives you power - pretty much constant with a controlled frequency since it feeds of battery - it is immune to quality of AC power from the wall.
However, if I am wrong and it is indeed a double conversion UPS, then the deal you have is extraordinarily good.

cheers

It is a double conversion UPS. It corrects the voltage and the frequency. It is a hospital grade equipment that is meant to be used in OT's and very critical IT applications.

It allows one to connect the laptop and even take readouts of its performance. It has digital panel that allows you to check all aspects on the go as well. Plus it comes with a circuit breaker in case of a spike in voltage... so even the Libert/ UPS is protected from a surge.

And yes. It HAS cleaned up the sound. The background is as black as it can get. The music is far more dynamic now.

I did borrow an expensive power conditioner and I saw no difference between the Lieberts' performance and the said conditioners performance.

I feel Delhi is a different kettle of fish when it comes to power, in comparison with Mumbai.

Mumbai always had a constant voltage and frequency. Delhi OTOH, the voltage is constantly swinging between 150 and 260....

NO equipment can survive here.... for long....

What i like about the liebert is the BATTERY doing the job. so the expensive equipment is SAFE. And is functioning at its optimum. Plus it costs peanuts! As they still haven't realised that if they market it as "audiofool" grade, they can probably sell it for 3 x the price and have MANY more takers!

 

[venkatcr]

IMO with an aftermarket powercord (I am using a 20 amp shunyata venom which cost about $200) and some brass footers under the unit, it is performing superbly as a power conditioner.

Interesting. I have, in the recent past, started building my own power cords and changing them, post the Zephyr. I must seriously look at changing the power cord of the Zephyr itself. Thanks.

Cheers

 

[AMITNOIDA]

It is a double conversion UPS. It corrects the voltage and the frequency. It is a hospital grade equipment that is meant to be used in OT's and very critical IT applications.

It allows one to connect the laptop and even take readouts of its performance. It has digital panel that allows you to check all aspects on the go as well. Plus it comes with a circuit breaker in case of a spike in voltage... so even the Libert/ UPS is protected from a surge.

And yes. It HAS cleaned up the sound. The background is as black as it can get. The music is far more dynamic now.

I did borrow an expensive power conditioner and I saw no difference between the Lieberts' performance and the said conditioners performance.

I feel Delhi is a different kettle of fish when it comes to power, in comparison with Mumbai.

Mumbai always had a constant voltage and frequency. Delhi OTOH, the voltage is constantly swinging between 150 and 260....

NO equipment can survive here.... for long....

What i like about the liebert is the BATTERY doing the job. so the expensive equipment is SAFE. And is functioning at its optimum. Plus it costs peanuts! As they still haven't realised that if they market it as "audiofool" grade, they can probably sell it for 3 x the price and have MANY more takers!

Thanks Manav, The double conversion UPS makes sense in NCR kind of power supply. Any contact details of the dealer of Liebert or any specific shop you recommend?

 

[malvai]

Thanks Manav, The double conversion UPS makes sense in NCR kind of power supply. Any contact details of the dealer of Liebert or any specific shop you recommend?

You can contact the Liebert dealer in Delhi.... he is a good guy, will send the stuff to your home!

His details: Sameer Khera- 9810280404.

You can give him my reference. tell him manav from gurgaon gave you the number.

 

[malvai]

Amit, i have just re-checked the manual and with the dealer. The MXT GT+ is NOT a double conversion UPS.

However, IT DOES correct the voltage constantly and the frequecy cycles as well. which to me is good enuff!

Plus, it's extra circuit breaker keeps both the UPS and the other equipment protected from surges!

 

[AMITNOIDA]

I had talked to Mr. Sameer Khera of Emerson Liebart shop yesterday. The shop is at Malviya Nagar (SMA Power, A 239 Shivalik Malviya Nagar).

Now, I am in between 2KVA and 3 KVA model. The 2 KVA model may be adequate for my Leben 300xs amp and Ayon Cd1s CDP. In future, one TT + Phono may be added. Would a 2 KVA model be adequate? It's retail price is Rs. 24.5 k. and 3 KVA is 28.5k. The battery replacement cost every 2 years would be approx. 5-6 k.

Shall I go for Liebert or Zephyr 2 KVA (along with my Krykard 3 KVA Servo stab) would make more sense?

 

[ajay124]

Amit
The difference between a 2kva and 3kva Emerson is only a couple of thousand. It would be better to go with a 3kva. Since it works at 80% efficiency a 3kva will output 2.4 kva. Wonderful product. I consider it THE most important component in my system. I paid 27.5K after negotiations.

But it has to be installed at a distance from the audio rack, because of noise from the cooling fan. And if possible run a fresh power cables externally (two 4mm cables, phase and neutral and a 2mm cable for earthing, covered by batons) to a power point behind the rack. Don't use any extension boards or converters.

 

[GeorgeO]

Amit

I agree with Ajay-you have some spare capacity in the UPS for any future needs, without any worry.

Manav:

Is it an online pure sine wave unit? I'm curious, since the pricing is so good.

I paid a similar amount for a Sukam 1.4 inverter with 2 huge automotive type batteries as back up for my house-this is not online. For my HT room I have a 3KVA pure sine wave APC unit which lists for a lot more than what you paid.

 

[sidvee]

Shall I go for Liebert or Zephyr 2 KVA (along with my Krykard 3 KVA Servo stab) would make more sense?

@Amitnoida - not having tried the Emerson - I cannot comment on it, but I can assure you that the Zephyr is performing admirably in my system. I tried connecting my SL Rg7 power amp, directly to my power outlets (dedicated lines from the circuit breaker to my audio room) vs the Zephyr and did not discern any mitigation in dynamics or bass frequencies. So I am convinced that the Zephyr is performing as advertised ie no power limiting within its power rating (2kva) in addition to other benefits as stated in my earlier post.
Cheers
Sid

 

[ajay124]

Amit

I agree with Ajay-you have some spare capacity in the UPS for any future needs, without any worry.

Manav:

Is it an online pure sine wave unit? I'm curious, since the pricing is so good.

I paid a similar amount for a Sukam 1.4 inverter with 2 huge automotive type batteries as back up for my house-this is not online. For my HT room I have a 3KVA pure sine wave APC unit which lists for a lot more than what you paid.

George

I was quoted 40K for an APC 3kva and 27.5K for an Emerson 3kva. I think the price difference is senseless as both products are equally good. In fact I found the build quality and performance of the Emerson Leibert GXT MT+ better than that of the equivalent APC model. Choosing it over the APC was a no brainer.

It is the only part of my music system to which I would give ***** and unhesitatingly recommend to everyone.

Listen to music without an online ups is history for me. The sound quality is miles ahead of what I had before through the regular wall sockets. SQ through my Sukam inverter was really bad!

 

[audiodelic]

Amit, i have just re-checked the manual and with the dealer. The MXT GT+ is NOT a double conversion UPS.

@manav: as per this link it is a double conversion ups

Liebert GXT - MT UPS, Liebert GXT MT UPS - 1 / 3 kVA, True Online Double Conversion UPS, Lead Acid Batteries, Mumbai, India