P5 or P10

[bvlaw]

Any opinions as to whether p10 or p5 is more appropriate for my system, which consists of two McIntosh MC501 Amps and a McIntosh C48 preamp?? I read a statement from the CEO of PS Audio that the p10 sounds much better than the p5. Anyone have a chance to perform an apples to apples comparison of the two? Would the p10 be overkill or worth the extra money? Thanks in advance.

[bvlaw]

p10, not p1. Sorry for the typo in the title. I can't figure out how to edit the title......

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by bvlaw

p10, not p1. Sorry for the typo in the title. I can't figure out how to edit the title......

I can

[bvlaw]

Thank you!!

[Weirdcuba]

Lots of capacity for future growth, no under shot in current system. P10.

[jdandy]

bvlaw.......I think you would be safer in the long run to install the PS Audio P10 simply because of its higher current delivery capability. I believe the P5 will operate your sound system but there could be a possibility where some current limiting may come into play with the MC501's.

At one point after I first received my first PS Audio Power Plant Premier, the older brother of the P10, I powered my two MC501's with it along with the preamp and sources. The MC501's maximum current draw is 6.6 A at 120 volts, so the pair equals 13.2 A max current. The current draw for the remaining gear I owned at the time, a C1000C/P, MS750, MCD500, MR85, and Sonos ZP90 was 2 A. Powering everything, including the two MC501's would equal a maximum current draw of 15.2 amps, well within a 20 A dedicated circuit's ability to deliver current that the PPP was plugged into, although this equals 1824 watts which exceeds the PPP's 1200 watts maximum sustained output. Maximum load demand for this sound system was generally much less than that because the amplifiers were rarely pushed to anywhere near maximum current demand, and it certainly would not be sustained. I tested the MC501 using an amp meter and discovered that with audio peaks at 300 watts output the MC501's current demand was peaking at 3.5 A. Multiply that times two for both amplifiers and I had a 7 A current demand for both amplifiers peaking 300 watts. That is well above my typical listening level. So, take the 7 A current reading for the pair of MC501's, add the preamplifier and source loads of 2 A, and I only needed 9 A to satisfy the current demands of the entire system's components, including both amps. This 9 A current draw equals 1080 watts, which was well within the 1200 watts continuous output capability of the PS Audio Power Plant Premier. I kept the 501's on the single PPP until I decided to purchase a second PPP just for the amps. That way I was able to keep both amps on a separate dedicated 20 amp circuit and the preamplifier and source components on their 20 amp dedicated circuit. Both the PPP and the P10 have the same 1200 watt continuous load rating. The P5 has a 1000 watt maximum continuous load rating.

Judging from the gear you said will be powered by the newer PS Audio AC regenerator, I suspect the P5 can and will work, but I still recommend the P10. Power reserve is a good thing, even in an AC regenerator.

[Masterlu]

I agree, the P10 will run cooler, longer, and sound better with all your gear vs a single P5

Remember, there is very special pricing for AA Subscribers.

[jdandy]

bvlaw.......Here are the actual specifications for the PS Audio P5 and P10 AC regenerators.


P5 Specs:

Dimensions 17” W x 14” D x 4” H
Weight 37 lbs.
Nominal Input Voltage 95-145 (US) 200-285 VAC (Europe/Asia)
Maximum Continuous Load 1000VA (US) 1500VA (Europe/Asia)
Maximum Peak Load 1200VA (US) 1800VA (Europe/Asia)
Dynamic Power Delivery 0.5 second> 3600VA 9US) 5000VA (Eur./Asia)
Voltage Regulation +/- 0.5V (US) 1Vac (Europe/Asia)
Output Distortion Input 220-240VAC 1200VA Resistive Load <0.9%
Output Distortion 230V 240VAC 1200VA Reactive Load <0.9%
Output Distortion Input 110-130VAC 1200VA Resistive Load <0.5%
Output Distortion Input 110-130VAC 12000VA Reactive Load <0.5%
Output Impedance <0.0015 Ohm
Noise Reduction (all zones) 100KHz-2MHz >80dB
Efficiency @ 1200VA Resistive Load > 85% Reactive Load > 85%
Input Frequency 45-56Hz
Under Voltage Limit Continuous= -10% of setting, 15 Sec Duration= -15% of setting
Over Voltage Limit Continuous= 5% of setting, 15 Sec Duration= 10% of setting
Protection Modes L-N, L-G, N-G
Energy Dissipation 2440J (US) 3670J (Europe/Asia)
Peak Current Surge 144,000A (US) 84,000A (Europe/Asia)
Max Surge 6,000 Volts
Clamp Level 330V (US) 800V (Europe/Asia)
Telco Protection 320 Joules 395 volts
Coax Insertion loss <1dB



P10 Specs:

Dimensions 17” W x 14” D x 8.5” H
Weight 73 lbs.
Nominal Input Voltage 95-145 (US) 200-285 VAC (Europe/Asia
Maximum Continuous Load 1200VA (US) 1800VA (Europe/Asia)
Maximum Peak Load 1500VA (US) 2000VA (Europe/Asia)
Dynamic Power Delivery 0.5 second> 3600VA (US) 5000VA (Eur./Asia)
Voltage Regulation +/- 0.5V (US) 1Vac (Europe/Asia)
Output Distortion Input 220-240VAC 1200VA Resistive Load <0.9%
Output Distortion 230V 240VAC 1200VA Reactive Load <0.9%
Output Distortion Input 110-130VAC 1200VA Resistive Load <0.5%
Output Distortion Input 110-130VAC 12000VA Reactive Load <0.5%
Output Impedance <0.0015 Ohm
Noise Reduction (all zones) 100KHz-2MHz >80dB
Efficiency @ 1200VA Resistive Load > 85% Reactive Load > 85%
Input Frequency 45-56Hz
Under Voltage Limit Continuous= -10% of setting 15 Sec Duration= -15% of setting
Over Voltage Limit Continuous= 5% of setting 15 Sec Duration= 10% of setting
Protection Modes L-N, L-G, N-G
Energy Dissipation 2440J (US) 3670J (Europe/Asia)
Peak Current Surge 144,000A (US) 84,000A (Europe/Asia)
Max Surge 6,000 Volts
Clamp Level 330V (US) 800V (Europe/Asia)
Telco Protection 320 Joules 395 volts
Coax Insertion loss <1dB
DC Trigger configured Tip Positive
DC Trigger Voltage 5-15 volts dc

[bvlaw]

Jdandy- thank you so much for the detailed responses. You are truly an invaluable asset to this forum. I appreciate your helping me to understand the various considerations in choosing the appropriate unit for my specific equipment.

Masterlu- I will be in touch with you soon (probably in about a month) when I am ready to make a purchase.

Thanks again.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by bvlaw

Jdandy- thank you so much for the detailed responses. You are truly an invaluable asset to this forum. I appreciate your helping me to understand the various considerations in choosing the appropriate unit for my specific equipment.

Masterlu- I will be in touch with you soon (probably in about a month) when I am ready to make a purchase.

Thanks again.

bvlaw.......Thank you for the kind words. It was my pleasure to be able to help you make the best decision.