You have to tip your hat to Caelin once again for attempting to further refine what is possible in power conditioning. There's no flies on this guy as he just doesn't seem to stand motionless for any given length of time! However, the problem I'm now having with the introduction of the DPC-6, is trying to figure out if there aren't too many choices and combinations such that I'm not quite sure what, for example, would now be considered optimum power conditioning in my system, which has already been largely "Shunytatized".
In an effort to get some clarity, I asked Caelin some questions privately, but his answer was quite informative so I am posting the entire conversation here:
Caelin,
I'm a bit confused. I see an ad for the Hydra DPC 6 which states that it acts by "electrically isolates (firewalls) these devices and prevents them from polluting the other audio components on the power line.". So if that is the case, does my Hydra Triton Typhon combo not do this, thus necessitating another distribution device such as the DPC-6?
Next, the new Sigma cable info says. "No power conditioner in the world can capture noise at the first stage of a component's electrical circuit and isolate that noise from other components". But wait a minute, isn't that exactly what your ad states the DPC-6 does?
With those 2 questions out of the way, if I am trying to tell the "players" apart, it seems to me like the DPC-6 is a conditioner/distributor not unlike your alpha 6, but it incorporates whatever new filter (in addition to the Zitron filter) that you are using on the Sigma cord, for the very purposes of similar isolation. Is that a fair statement?
Next, please comment on the appropriateness of the following equation: (For digital circuit isolation only. I realize the Triton has for example, NIC chambers and more outlets, etc)
Hydra DPC-6 + Anaconda or Alpha HC AC cable (to my Meitner XDS1) = Hydra Triton + Sigma PC cable (to my Meitner XDS1)
And finally, may we assume the next evolutionary distributor product will be a Triton plus whatever digital isolation circuits are inside the DPC-6 (SDCs and VF IV filters?)
Thanks
Marty
Caelin's reply was as follows:
Hydras are power distribution devices first and foremost. They are designed to deliver current to multiple devices without seriously degrading DTCD which is what we consider paramount to good power system performance in an audio system.
Consider the above statement the prime directive.
Then and only then if we can add a certain level of noise reduction and surge protection, we will do it but only if it doesn't compromise DTCD?
It is actually quite easy to design a power conditioner that blocks noise from the power line by using in-line coils, transformers and ferrite torroids. However these type of designs sound dreadful because they also seriously degrade DTCD.
The Hydra Triton is the ideal power distributor to use in a classic audio system. However in the recent years more and more hi-end audio has become centered around computers as the source for digital music reproduction. These computers come in various forms including dedicated music servers. These computers have peripheral devices such as disk arrays, display monitors, USB converters, WiFi routers and other digital processors. Virtually all of these use commodity (cheap) SMPS switched-mode power supplies. These power supplies are notorious for producing massive amounts of power line noise which when combined with the noise emissions of the digital circuits in the devices contribute to a level of power line noise pollution that did not exist prior to the widespread use of these devices.
In our testing we have found it necessary to segregate (firewall) these devices from the conventional audio components for BEST audio reproduction. The challenge was to create a device that can do this without significantly violating our first design imperative. If you watch the DPC-6 video on our website you will see just a fraction of the various coils and transformers that we experimented with over the years to find one that is acceptable. We finally developed a unique hand wound, single lay air coil that performs the function of high frequency noise isolation in both the differential mode and common mode function. This without seriously compromising sound quality. There is a balance between measurements and subjective sound quality. It was the development of this unique coil that allowed us to create a device like the DPC-6. Even so, the DPC-6 is not superior to a Triton for conventional audio components. It is ideal for high noise digital devices like media server, and computers and the their peripherals.
If you have a computer or media server based system, the DPC-6 will radically improve its performance as the reviewer at Audio Stream points out in his review. I thought he did an excellent job at explaining all of this, actually. Did you get the opportunity to read the article? If you just have a CD player or transport and DAC - you do not need a DPC-6.
Regarding our XiTron power cables. the Venom Digital, Alpha Series and now the Sigma Series cables have a modified XITron circuit that reduces power line noise emitted by the component's power supply. Electrical noise is MOST effectively reduced when it is handled nearest the source of the emission. This is why we say that "no power conditioner" can more effectively deal with it. The power cords are reducing the emission at the exit of the component's power supply IEC connector. This intercepts noise before it has the opportunity to radiate and propagate across a power distribution buss and onto the power line itself.
Remember that noise reduction is not an absolute. Rather it is an on going battle of relative proportions. Noise can never by completely eliminating as long as we have electrical device that by their very nature create it. This is why we are taking a different approach than other vendors. We have introduced a "Distributed Power Conditioning" concept where we fight noise pollution on three fronts. The first is at the source itself with the noise reduction power cords. The second is within our power distributors like the Triton and the DPC-6 where there is an intersection of multiple components electrically. And the third is at the wall outlet with the Venom Defender for isolated audio related devices like Sonos speakers where a multi-outlet (and expensive) power conditioner would be impractical.
Caelin
