Audience Power Conditioner

[dhizzle]

I'm thinking about getting a power conditioner for my system and wanted to get some thoughts. I've been looking at all the usual suspects from Shunyata, Purepower, PS Audio, RSA, and Audience. I don't have a lot of space, so I like the smaller size of the Audience AR6-TS and their reviews seem to be really good too. Not really sure about the regenerators, since they seem to be current limiting and I may be plugging my amp into it.

Some of these are very expensive to me, I could buy a second 275 for the price of the Audience, so I just want to make sure it is going to be worth the investment. My next step will be to see if I can try a few out and see how much of a difference they really make.

So, If anyone has tried the Audience conditioners, I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

[Frank750]

Originally Posted by dhizzle

I'm thinking about getting a power conditioner for my system and wanted to get some thoughts. I've been looking at all the usual suspects from Shunyata, Purepower, PS Audio, RSA, and Audience. I don't have a lot of space, so I like the smaller size of the Audience AR6-TS and their reviews seem to be really good too. Not really sure about the regenerators, since they seem to be current limiting and I may be plugging my amp into it.

Some of these are very expensive to me, I could buy a second 275 for the price of the Audience, so I just want to make sure it is going to be worth the investment. My next step will be to see if I can try a few out and see how much of a difference they really make.

So, If anyone has tried the Audience conditioners, I would appreciate any thoughts you might have.

I think the Audience is excellent. I have the AR6-TSS. The extra S is an added filter they put in as part of an upgrade last year. Lowers the noise floor even further. I had my unit upgraded after speaking with John McDonald of Audience. I believe it adds another $1,000 to the cost of a new unit.

I have used MIT and Richard Gray units in the past and I feel the Audience unit is far superior. I use it on the front end only. Had ARC REF 40, REF 2 and REF CD8 and now Pass XP30, XP25 and Playback Designs MPS-5 connected to it.

[John49]

I am in the UK and our version of the aR6 is the aR4, with the aR12 becoming the aR8.

I have an aR8 with my name on it, waiting for me to pay for it and have it shipped.

It will replace an IsoTek Aquarius, 6 outlet power filter.

John

[KahunaCanuck]

I had a PS Audio PPP in my system previously, and have since been using a RSA Dmitri...the difference was pretty startling, much lower noise floor (where you thought it was quiet already!), much more enjoyable. I haven't heard the Audience though I have heard great things about it...

[John49]

Originally Posted by John49

I am in the UK and our version of the aR6 is the aR4, with the aR12 becoming the aR8.

I have an aR8 with my name on it, waiting for me to pay for it and have it shipped.

It will replace an IsoTek Aquarius, 6 outlet power filter.

John

After many months of using my aR8, all I can say is that it is much better than my old IsoTek Aquarius. Clean power, clean sound.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by John49

After many months of using my aR8, all I can say is that it is much better than my old IsoTek Aquarius. Clean power, clean sound.

I am glad you liked it cause I have the aR12 and never had been more happier.

[The Attorney]

Hi there. My first post, so I've tried to make it informative:

I have an aR4 PLC here in the UK, with their bundled £500 Power "e" (my aR4 was recently upgraded to full TSS level, but that's another story). For now, my point is about the Audience house sound:

I haven't had the opportunity to compare the Audience to other PLCs of similar calibre, but my overall impression is that it majors on dynamics, with large soundstage, precise images, and bags of fine detail. In short, it can lift a good recording into "you are there" territory. There's no real downside, other than it may appear a touch forward compared to allegedly "weightier" rivals like the Powercell SE. And those who don't rate Audience cables usually complain of them being too thin or forward, whilst those who do rate them usually say the cables are just being honest.

Now, Audience PLCs use the Neutrik lockable Powercon for the input socket, more secure than the usual IEC socket. The downside is that it's hard to compare other cables... until now. I made a simple IEC-to-Powercon converter, using a stock Belken IEC inline socket, some wire and a Powercon plug. Total cost about £10, so not audiophile, but I was hoping that it would be enough to show the inherent quality of different power cords. If they sounded good with the converter, then they could only get better when directly connected.

First off, I replaced the Power e with my ancient, first generation, entry level Transparent PC. And I promptly fell out of my chair. The sound signature of my system completely changed to that of the TA: Full but slow bass, pleasant midrange, no sparkle, plodding. This TA served me well in the early days, but is now outclassed in this company. At least this is showing that the Audience PLC itself is transparent and will take on the sound signature of its input cable. What surprised me was how obvious this change was - much more so than when I had done such a swap in different circumstances.

Next was my current TA mid-range PC, can't remember the name, but its about 4 years old, MM2 technology and cost about £500. This was much closer to the Power e. The TA a touch more natural, the Power a touch more dynamic and detailed. On balance I preferred the Power e. So now I'm on the lookout for a PC that combines both strengths, plus more of everything to make the change worth while. Soon to try the much pricier Audience Au24 versus whatever the dealer recommended as a worthy lower cost rival: he suggested Nordost Frey 2 - possibly the last company I would have thought of myself, but I'll stay open minded and see what happens.

Should add something about my rig: From a vinyl/loudspeaker background, I'm now exclusively a headphone listener, using Nagra CDC > TA Reference interconnect > BHSE hybrid amp > Stax SR007 Mk1 headphones.

[Masterlu]

The Attorney... Welcome!

[myjazz123]

I had latest AR6-TS with AU24 powechord and compared it with Running Spring latest Jaco with its stock power cord. I liked Jaco better. More natural and open sound that audience combo. May be the audience AR6-TS unit by itself is great, but audiecne au24 powechord tend to soften edges and sound less focused. I kept Jaco for its price/performance.

[tarquineous]

Originally Posted by The Attorney

Hi there. My first post, so I've tried to make it informative:

I have an aR4 PLC here in the UK, with their bundled £500 Power "e" (my aR4 was recently upgraded to full TSS level, but that's another story). For now, my point is about the Audience house sound:

I haven't had the opportunity to compare the Audience to other PLCs of similar calibre, but my overall impression is that it majors on dynamics, with large soundstage, precise images, and bags of fine detail. In short, it can lift a good recording into "you are there" territory. There's no real downside, other than it may appear a touch forward compared to allegedly "weightier" rivals like the Powercell SE. And those who don't rate Audience cables usually complain of them being too thin or forward, whilst those who do rate them usually say the cables are just being honest.

Now, Audience PLCs use the Neutrik lockable Powercon for the input socket, more secure than the usual IEC socket. The downside is that it's hard to compare other cables... until now. I made a simple IEC-to-Powercon converter, using a stock Belken IEC inline socket, some wire and a Powercon plug. Total cost about £10, so not audiophile, but I was hoping that it would be enough to show the inherent quality of different power cords. If they sounded good with the converter, then they could only get better when directly connected.

First off, I replaced the Power e with my ancient, first generation, entry level Transparent PC. And I promptly fell out of my chair. The sound signature of my system completely changed to that of the TA: Full but slow bass, pleasant midrange, no sparkle, plodding. This TA served me well in the early days, but is now outclassed in this company. At least this is showing that the Audience PLC itself is transparent and will take on the sound signature of its input cable. What surprised me was how obvious this change was - much more so than when I had done such a swap in different circumstances.

Next was my current TA mid-range PC, can't remember the name, but its about 4 years old, MM2 technology and cost about £500. This was much closer to the Power e. The TA a touch more natural, the Power a touch more dynamic and detailed. On balance I preferred the Power e. So now I'm on the lookout for a PC that combines both strengths, plus more of everything to make the change worth while. Soon to try the much pricier Audience Au24 versus whatever the dealer recommended as a worthy lower cost rival: he suggested Nordost Frey 2 - possibly the last company I would have thought of myself, but I'll stay open minded and see what happens.

Should add something about my rig: From a vinyl/loudspeaker background, I'm now exclusively a headphone listener, using Nagra CDC > TA Reference interconnect > BHSE hybrid amp > Stax SR007 Mk1 headphones.

Smart man to make an adaptor. I did the same for a Powercell 10se. You might want to try a Sablon Audio Gran Corona power cord with the aR4 !