I was aware that, having a pair of power-hungry Krell mono blocks in the setup could ‘drain’ supply from other components and thereby affect sound quality. Aside from having a dedicated 30 amp power cable from my consumer unit to the Krell (something Krell advise) I decided a power supply was the way to go.
Initially trying out an AC-DC-AC mains regeneration system, found the initial unit went into overload - unable to supply enough current to the power hungry Krell mono blocks. A second unit from the same manufacturer did supply enough current but started to overheat due to inadequate cooling/ventilation. Eventually Mark Cargill of Elite Audio based in Scotland, UK, told me about the Plixir BAC3000e unit and suggested this as a solution.
Since it’s arrival, the BAC3000e (Schuko outlets) has performed sterling service providing all of my units, including rebuilt Quad ELS63 electrostatic speakers, with a power supply which supports all the audio components in the chain with, I believe, the best AC supply money can buy and with clear sonic benefits. I have since swopped a Pink Triangle PiP2 preamp-Krell KMA160 power amps with a valve Conrad Johnson pre-power combo. Unless the units have captive cables, I use Plixir Statement balanced power cable to the units.
Apart from the obvious delivery of stable AC current to the components, to my ears the introduction of the BAC3000e has opened up the sound stage width and depth, made performers more ‘tangible’ and focused without being over-etched and introduced an acoustic ‘space’ between the performers, apparent even in mono recordings. It seems to lend an inky darkness to silence - out of which sound attack and decay are even clearer.
I appreciate that component matching/room placement is vital if one is to achieve engaging and musical performances from one’s setup, but somehow the BAC3000e sits outside and independent of the ‘orchestra’ of components, lending an essential element all the components need.
EQUIPMENT:
- PLiXiR Elite BAC 3000e
- Jay’s CDT-2 Mark 2 CD transport
- RME ADI-2 FS DAC
- Voyd turntable - SME V tonearm - Kiseiki Purpleheart NS
- Revox B215 cassette deck
- Revox B260 tuner
- Conrad Johnson PV12 (Phono) preamp-Conrad Johnson MV-55/Tesla EL34 amplifier
- Quad ELS63 (rebuilt by Quad) on sorbothane damped Arcici stands
- Audio Note silver litz interconnect and speaker cables.
- SOLID STATE ALTERNATIVE: Pink Triangle PiP2 battery-passive/active revamp; Krell KMA160 mono blocks.
