Unboxing PS Audio P5

[antipop]

I just received and unboxed my P5 which arrived in record time.

There is no issue with shipping as it is shipped in a double box and very well protected:


And the unit if surrounded of plastic inside that act as shock absorbers. It is the first time I've seen this.


Another layer of plastic to protect the case and the top of the unit


Cables and remote, I won't be using those but they provide a 2Gb SD card for the firmware update which is a nice attention


The top of the unit. It is a heavy bugger with almost 48 pounds.


Two fans in the bottom to keep everything cool. I haven't pushed it but it's silent so far.


Plenty of plugs, couple in zones that can be managed independently. The high current is made specially for power amps.


Here with is brother the PWD


And the Manley Snapper


Design is the same as the PWD, you couldn't make them apart if the screen is turned off. The unit is very easy to use and understand. Green = power is on, Red = power is off. It's as simple as that.


The scope view of the input current. The curve looks like it's tapered almost like a compression. It's good but not a sinusoid.


And the output current. Now that is what I call a curve. The triangle shape has disappeared plus now I have a stable voltage at 230V.


That's all that is removed from the input current.


THD divided by ten !

[antipop]

Alright so it's sturdy, heavy and well built. A current that is not-so-dirty is now perfectly clean. Good but what does it means for sound ?

So far, I've only plugged the PWD, the rest is plugged the same way. So I shouldn't notice anything, right ? Right ? Wrong !

I turned everything on, the Manley have been on for over 15 minutes while I was playing with the setup. I pick Soil x Pimp Session latest album - 6 - and chose Stolen Moments. I wasn't expecting anything, just the same old sound. But I already notice more bass, there is more bandwidth, more extension. The notes are tingling and very musical. Soundstage has opened a little bit more.

But that bass ! It's just pummelling like a punch. Quick I move to Chet Baker, Chet's Choice and Love For Sale. I know this track VERY well as it is the track I've listen to the most. Boom there is more soundstage, more silence, it's playing better, harder !

Adele, Rolling in the Deep next. This track has a very special bass, very saturated and I haven't heard many speaker getting out of it well. To m surprise, the voice of Adele has increased. She's singing higher, there is more emotion. And the bass is much cleaner than what I've ever heard.

I'm very happy with what I'm hearing and I just realised how clean current is important. Mine is not so bad but voltage has been playing a lot, I've seen it go as high as 236V and drop to 233V. Now it's stable and no distortion. I can't wait to plug the rest !

PS: I recently updated the firmware of the PWD. Another great surprise, the sound is better ! The biggest impact is on the soundstage. I have no clue why and I was among those who thought that software would have no impact on the sound. But still it's here I think it's time to upgrade to MkII ...

[jdandy]

Georges.......Thanks for the unboxing photos. That was fun. I am a firm believer in clean power and its positive impact on a sound system's performance. I use two PS Audio Power Plant Premier's in my living room system. I use the PurePower 2000 with battery back-up in my studio system. Both power conditioners made a substantial improvement in the systems' sound. Welcome to clean power. It is worth every penny.

[audio bill]

Originally Posted by antipop

PS: I recently updated the firmware of the PWD. Another great surprise, the sound is better ! The biggest impact is on the soundstage. I have no clue why and I was among those who thought that software would have no impact on the sound. But still it's here I think it's time to upgrade to MkII ...

The overwhelming consensus from PWD owners that have upgraded to the MkII version of the DAC is that it is a very significant upgrade and well worth the cost. Given the high quality of your other components I think taking that step would be fully justified and prove to be very enjoyable!

[Xuxa]

What is the height of these? I would like to consider the merits of ditching passive power conditioning to active.

[jcandel]

Originally Posted by Xuxa

What is the height of these? I would like to consider the merits of ditching passive power conditioning to active.

4 inches. Great unit. I have had mine for 2 years. One of the most significant improvements to my system.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Georges.......Thanks for the unboxing photos. That was fun. I am a firm believer in clean power and its positive impact on a sound system's performance. I use two PS Audio Power Plant Premier's in my living room system. I use the PurePower 2000 with battery back-up in my studio system. Both power conditioners made a substantial improvement in the systems' sound. Welcome to clean power. It is worth every penny.

Dan....Thank you for your nice comment. I agree it's worth the price as it makes your system go a step above.

Originally Posted by audio.bill

The overwhelming consensus from PWD owners that have upgraded to the MkII version of the DAC is that it is a very significant upgrade and well worth the cost. Given the high quality of your other components I think taking that step would be fully justified and prove to be very enjoyable!

Bill.... It's on my long list of things I need to do I'm using coax for the time being but I'll switch for USB and I believe the MkII will bring additional results. I didn't expect to keep the PWD for long, but after upgrading the software and with the P5 I think I'll keep it and upgrade it

Originally Posted by Xuxa

What is the height of these? I would like to consider the merits of ditching passive power conditioning to active.

Xuxa.... You should give it a try. You should demo it but I'm sure it'll bring positive results. Passive conditioning cannot do what this is doing.

Now let's go plug the rest of the system

[antipop]

Just added the preamp, load is only at 7% !

Voltage is still playing hard and the THD is at 1.4% but the output is clean 0.1% and 230.1V.

The system sound more relaxed, less chaotic. More music, less noise. I can hear every note on the guitar playing in Blue Valentine by Tom Waits.

The most impressive is the bass section. I now have a much cleaner and deeper bass. Before it was lost in the background but now it's on the stage and I can pinpoint it.

[Xuxa]

Nice to read your progress. I really like the smart analytics of this product. Similar to that of a UPS. Curious about the fans. Can you hear them?

Only 1 dealer here. Could be difficult to demo.

[antipop]

Originally Posted by Xuxa

Nice to read your progress. I really like the smart analytics of this product. Similar to that of a UPS. Curious about the fans. Can you hear them? Only 1 dealer here. Could be difficult to demo.

I don't hear anything but the load is very low. I need to check when I plug the power amps. Since they are quite large, I guess they must rotate at a low rpm.

The smart analytics is a very nice touch and you can judge what the product is doing. I would like it if they add some kind of logging, like the thd% and voltage of input current over a day. Right now, I only have it in real time.