[GrantS]

Hi Vlad,

You ask some great questions. All electronics regulate voltage within 10 volts on either side of the operating voltage, so in essence components regulate voltage on their own. If you have voltage swings outside of the 10v difference, the electrical company should be compelled to correct the problem--which is far better than adding more boxes in front of electronics.

In medical systems, its about noise reduction #1. In audio systems it should be all about instantaneous current, timing and dynamics 1-2-3. Better instantaneous current lowers perceived noise on its own--not a subtle difference.

Lower peak-current resistance in front of electronics also gives you the sense of a "live" sound--even with a pre-amp, DAC -- and especially amps. Everything power related should be kept as simple as possible. That was the reason for our Hydra Denali Desigin.

I've said before, we calibrate torque wrenches to a specific setting and choose specific termination alloys to maximize peak-current transfer at every junction. We developed KPIP and we use Cryogenics because they make a difference. From our perspective, you pay attention to simplicity with power--you are trying to draw a straight line between the panel and the component. The fewer breaks, the better the result. Putting Regenerators, Transformers, voltage regulators, chokes, coils in line is the opposite of what we do. Its the reactive variables you want to control and we don't do reactance--whether inductive or capacitive because it can interfere with the power supplies in electronics, which all have inductance or capacitance to some degree because they are trying to filter noise as well. That is why manufactures of electronics have been historically against "power conditioning". They feel that its already built into their power supplies. We agree. We are simply supporting that theory and adding in-system noise isolation. The idea that noise comes in from outside is antiquated and simply off point.

In system noise is the problem. It's a mini-grid, electrically speaking. Control the near-field component-to-component noise, and worry less about the brick-wall approach from outside noise--chokes, coils, transformers. It's been true in literally every system I have visited and I have visited more than a few. Brick Wall filters block outside noise. They also bounce back inside noise. Our POV outside of view on the hit parade is to not restrict peak current. :-). After that, you try to reduce noise passively.

Room treatment, power and component/speaker isolation, in my experience --and I have some, are the most under-recognized means of improving system performance. Bob Hodas is a friend and genius at doing in an unbelievable room. Paul and Bruce from Stillpoints and Mike from HRS are close friends and brilliant at room and component isolation. We are in a detail oriented business --and everything matters. If you are not paying attention to the room, power and isolation, you are not getting the most form your system.

From my POV. If you get the room, power and component isolation correct, you can spend less on electronics/speakers and have a spectacular system. Unfortunately, many retail customers buy with their eyes and Dealers like to sell the big hardware. It's always been that way. I am simply trying to inform friends, dealers and customers that there is more going on with systems than expensive electronics or giant speakers.

Power delivery should be as simple as you can make it based on your system context. I have been all over the world for 17 years and to extremely complex, high-end systems--SkyWalker Sound, Pink Floyd, Rick Rubin's studio. These people make a living caring about sound quality and in every case, -- simple wins over complex in terms of power delivery.

In medical, electrophysiology specifically, all the hospitals I visited were using iso-transformers and thought that was fine. They were wrong. There measurement devices were measuring .5 noise levels and they were struggling with in-system noise while cauterizing heart tissue with a device called an RFI generator. Right? RFI generator? Wow. I visited 5 EP labs, installed our system and their noise went from .5 to .01 (the limit of the labs ability to measure noise). On top of that, the surgeons ability to view the topography of the heart improved, making the procedures much easier. We definitely have the in-system noise reduction narrowed down to an ideal, but that is different from high end audio where its all about listening- timing-dynamics.

Anyway, I've scrolled on forever and over-answered your questions, but we are all about detail. :-)

Grant