[Charles]

I'm a believer in power conditioners. However, if I owned a Constellation Hercules II mono or Dag Relentless I wouldn't use one. I would be sure to have the best current coming from the wall and a superb high current power cord.

It depends on the amp's power supply and current requirements. I would not place any device between these amps or amps like them.

I like Mac amps because they possess very fine power supplies and are very efficient. Therefore, I think they benefit from a really high quality power conditioner.

I use Niagara 5000's and dedicated 20 amp lines with no. 10 wire coming straight out of the fuse box with 20 amp breakers. The 5000's have 90 amp current reserviors.

I think virtually any source benefits from a high quality conditioner. However, the power cord must be of the same quality and the wall current as pure as possible.

Again, I like Mac sources because they have fine power supplies but are not overbuilt the way the really expensive gear is. Therefore I think they benefit greatly from a Niagara 7000 with individual isolation transformers. I use Dragon power cords for all main sources and pre. Also, for the wall cord which is the most important cord.

Recently AQ has had a massive price increase with the 5000 coming in at 5,000.00 and the 7000 at 9,500.00. The new Niagara 3000 (3,000.00) has all the features of the 5000 with a smaller current reservoir (55 amps). It received a superb review in the Dec issue of Stereophile.

Best

Charles

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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of