Balanced Power

[jmierzur]

I have been researching the functionality, benefits and reviews of power management products for the past several years. During this time, I have reached many different hypotheses. The one that I always have been drawn back to is ‘balanced power’.

Having toyed with this idea for too long, I decided to test my hypothesis and purchased a BPT BP-2.5. The unit was placed in the entertainment center and continuously run for 36 hours before any listening tests were conducted.

Two Channel

I am pleased with the sound quality of the existing TrippLite surge/noise suppression unit. The amp, pre amp and CD player were connected to this device and played.

The above components were plugged into the BP-2.5 without changing any level settings. The sonic improvements were immediately noticeable. I will not go into too many details, as there are many published reviews reporting the improvements. I will note that the noise floor was substantially lowered allowing the fine nuances of the music to be heard. The soundstage clarified and is now more intricate and detailed. The bass is tighter and more musical than ever before.

The subs were then added, repeating the above comparison. The same results were noted, even at the lowest octaves

Home Theater

The same evaluation method was used to evaluate the HT environment. All the two channel sound improvements were noted. Video was noticeably improved with digital cable and DVD sources.

PS Audio P300

I have tested a PS Audio P300 unit utilizing the two channel (without the subs as this would have been too much of a current draw from the P300 unit) evaluation method. I did note some improvements in the sonic characteristics, but all possible benefits were destroyed by the noise of the cooling fan.

Monster Power HTS3600

The HTS3600 was compared against the BP-2.5. The HTS3600 was plugged into the dedicated 15A circuit and the BP-2.5 was plugged into the dedicated 20A circuit. The two channel evaluation method equipment (without subs) was used to compare the characteristics of the two units.

The HTS3600 did improve the quality of sound compared with the TrippLite Isobar. Music was more detailed and the overall presentation was quite pleasing. The level of improvements provided by the HTS3600 did not approach the level of improvements provided by the BP-2.5.

Conclusion

The improvements provided by the BP-2.5 unit could be equated to upgrading all components in my system at once. I did not have to 'try' to listen for any improvements that this unit might provide. They are immediately noticeable and thoroughly enjoyable.

I have wired a dedicated 15A and 20A circuit in the entertainment room. Purchasing the BP-2.5 allows me to run all my equipment through this unit and still have additional electrical capacity to run additional equipment (eventual purchase of a wide screen HDTV).

NOTE If you decide to use BPT units, ensure you have a sturdy stand and shelf as these products are heavy (BP-2.5 weights 68 pounds with a small foot-print).

Evaluated Equipment

TrippLite Isobar (using dedicated 15A circuit)
Balanced Power Technologies BP-2.5 (using dedicated 20A circuit)
Monster Power HTS3600 (using dedicated 15A circuit)

Audio System

Sony CDP-X202ES (CD player)
Rotel RC-980BX (pre amp, current model: RC-1070)
Rotel RB-980BX (amp, current model: RB-1070)
Polk Audio LSi9 (main speakers on 28” stands)
Two (2) Definitive Technology ProSub80 (subwoofers on 12” stands)
UBYTE-2 speaker cables (DIY)
AR Master ICs

Rotel RMB-1075 (multi channel amp)
Sony DVP-NS300 (DVD player)
Sony SDP-E800 (digital processor)
Sony 27” Trinitron monitor
Polk Audio LSiC (above TV on shelf)
Polk Audio FX500 (side wall mounted at 6.5')
AR Pro and RG-58 cable ICs
12 AWG ‘twisted pair’ OFC in-wall speaker cables

15x13x8 listening room

Resources
Balanced Power Technologies b-p-t.com
Equitech equitech.com

[goingganzo]

you should try compareing apples to apples the monster 3600 is a $500 unit and the bp 2.5 is $1100 now you should try the monster top of the line with retails for $100 that might compare with it

[HBombToo]

jmierzur, thanks for your time here... That was an excellent read!

To realize an entire upgrade for the cost of adding 1 unit is mind boggling.
few qustions if you have time...
Who is your power provider and do they have a history af dirty power?
Do you think the ground system in your house has a high impedance? 10 Ohm or greater? cound be the reason for a noticed reduction in SNR....

I have been a sceptic regarding these types of additions but your analysis has me rethinking this whole thing.

Thanks
HBomb

[Zero]

Very very interestined indeed. I have aquired quite a bit of interest in regards to those particular units for future possible upgrades. I will save your review and use it as footnotes.

Good work.

[jmierzur]

goingganzo

The intended functionality of these two products is the same. This is a fair evaluation, even though they take different approaches.

The only unit that you can compare (apple to apple, to satisfy your concerns) with the BPT unit is the HTPS7000 ($1299.95). This unit has two small (2.5A) isolation transformers for source components only. The remaining power is only filtered.

I was only able to take home a HTS3600 unit, as this was what they had on the floor for demos. A 15A BP-2 is $999 and should power your entire system. I choose the BP-2.5 for the 20A capability.

The HTPS7000 is $2300CDN locally. Based on my review of the two approaches to power management, I choose correct. You may experience different results than I discovered. The only way you will know is to test the various approaches, as I have done, and pick the one that suits your needs.

HBombToo

To say that I am very pleased with this component is an understatement. Yes, it does cost more than conventional power management components. Justification is the performance benefits.

Our power provider is through the city I live in. I live in a new district (4.5 years old) and the power is very clean. We do not have a general problem of dirty power in the city. It does not appear that any neighbours have noisy electrical devices. The voltage fluctuates between 118–121V.

I am not sure what the value is or how to measure the ground impedance. The entire house is on a common ground.

[jmierzur]

Originally posted by goingganzo
you should try compareing apples to apples the monster 3600 is a $500 unit and the bp 2.5 is $1100 now you should try the monster top of the line with retails for $100 that might compare with it

One of the local audio stores has the HTPS7000 on display in one of their sound rooms. With all the talk about Monster products lately, I asked if I could have an in-home demo of this product...

The HTPS7000 states that it has dual balanced power transformers and Stage 5 Clean Power. This unit was compared to my BPT BP-2.5. The Monster unit used the 15 amp dedicated line and the BPT unit used the 20 amp line. I used my CD player, pre/power amp and two subs. I listened on a song by song basis, first using the BPT, then the Monster. No settings were touched when comparing the units. The line voltage as indicated by the HTPS7000 was 121 to 122 throughout the test.

When listening with the HTPS7000, I noticed that:

-the bass was not as extended, musical or as detailed.
-the mid and highs were not as clear and intricate; slightly muted in a manor of speaking.
-I could not hear all the detailed nuances that were present with the BPT.
-the noise floor of the entire system was noticeable.
-in general, music was not as dynamic and lively; like a veil was placed in front of my speakers.

Overall, I would rate the two units as:

Monster
-performance: 8
-appearance: 9.5 (has the 'cool looking' factor that most find appealing)

BPT
-performance: 9.9 (nothing is perfect, but I am still searching)
-appearance: 7


Monster HTPS7000 $1299.95 (15A) (local CDN$2600!)
BPT BP-2 $999 (15A) (Audiogon.com $850)
BPT BP-2.5 $1199 (20A) (Audiogon.com $980)

[F1nut]

Cool. I've been looking at getting a PS Audio P600 (no fan), but I'm going to have to look at BPT now.

[jmierzur]

Originally posted by F1nut
Cool. I've been looking at getting a PS Audio P600 (no fan), but I'm going to have to look at BPT now.

Unfortunately, we no longer have a local PS Audio dealer so I can not do a direct comparison of the two products. I read a post on another site (AudioAsylum, I think) that compared the PS Audio units to balanced power (an Equitech unit?). The poster preferred the balanced power unit. You may want to search that site for further information.

There are several upgrades that might be of interest if you are considering the BPT. I purchased an Ultra version of the unit, no upgrades. There is now a differential noise filter available (or you can get the BP-3.5) that I purchased from BPT, but have not installed. I do not know what difference this will make. The Bybee filters made a difference and I will recommend these.

If you are not in a hurry, I can update this post on the difference the differential noise filter made.

[F1nut]

Thanks for the additional info and yes, please post a update.

[jmierzur]

Originally posted by F1nut
Thanks for the additional info and yes, please post a update.

Quick update, as this subject is getting old. :o

Installed the differential noise filter this weekend. I cannot do a before/after comparison due to the time required for installation process.

Sounds now originate from a precise location in all three dimensions. This difference was immediately apparent and unexpected. Other improvements to the overall presentation may be present, but at the time I was mainly enthralled by this improvement. I did not think Polk speakers would ever be capable of producing such a precise spatial image.

In conclusion, who would have thought that adding a power conditioner could make all these improvements? Adding this one component exceeded all my initial expectations.

[jmierzur]

Couple of reviews I just found:

BP-2 & BP-2.5 (Bybee filters, high current filter) (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue7/bpt.htm)

BP-2 & BP-2.5 (Bybee filters) (http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue7/bpt2.htm)