For me the last big bang is the Ansuz sortz terminating plug. 
I ordered a few more to try out.
The Power Zone seems to have that effect on many.
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I am new to this thread. This has probably been covered in the previous 50 000 posts which I have not read.
I own a P20. How does it compare to the Gryphon PZ?
My PZ 3.10 displaced my P15 as well as my Puritan P156. I like the notion of a passive device that optimizes the incoming power significantly more than the aforementioned items. Of course, it is specific to my systems.
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I’ll do my best to provide an answer. I transitioned from the P20 to the PZ. I believe this comparison is like comparing apples to oranges. The P20 stabilizes power output and ensures cleaner transmission. It significantly improved my system. However, the PZ excels in bringing out more detail and separation. It masterfully places music in space and creates a soundstage that the P20 cannot replicate. In my opinion, the PZ extracts details that I previously overlooked. When I reached out to Paul Hafner via email, he stated that he designed the PZ as a companion product to devices like the P20, not as a replacement. (His words, not mine.) Gryphon on the other hand said no PZ from the wall to component which makes perfect sense because most devices like a P20 can’t be used to power Gryphon’s Apex amplifier.
I can relate to this from my personal experience. I’ve been spoiled rotten, and I went from PZ to P20 to PZ again. After spending two weeks with the PZ, I went back to the P20. The music there was less engaging and almost boring compared to the PZ. While I can comfortably live with the P20, the music wasn’t as enjoyable as it was with the PZ.
I hope that helped. I need a wordsmith like @luca.pelliccioli to bring more life to this answer. My response to your question is the P20 @luca.pelliccioli is the PZ.
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Thanks guys, this helps a lot.
The elephant in the room is of course AQ, ubiquitous with Stereophile and TAS reviewers.
Until this thread, it was my number one candidate when my P 20 dies, because my local dealer doesn’t carry PS any more 
.
Has anyone compared the PZ to the Niagara?
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Briefly as a friend has the Niagra 5000, with an upper tier Sim Audio Moon system and Sonus Faber speakers. We both heard improvements offered by the PZ 3.10 vice his Niagra. When I mentioned the PZ price, his comment was not happening. I should note the Niagra remained unplugged upon my exit. To a degree it is all system specific, but the PowerZone needs to be heard to be believed. I suggest attempting to borrow one from a buddy.
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Thanks a lot @weedeewop !
The next best thing outside of PZ is still a P20, I believe (I own P15 before PZ).
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One problem with the PZ is that it only has 8 plugs versus the PS and AQ 16 …
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Yes. 2 channel once shared the P20 with my home theater gear. 16 outlets are nice! Now my PZ shares responsibility with my trusty Furman.
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Here’s an updated after picture with the Gryphon rack center stage (didn’t need an extension cord).
The P15 in the bottom right is being used as a stand for the SW6 and is powering the TV/cable box, everything else is plugged into the PZ.
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No mention in Jay’s review whether the unit he had was new or not?
My understanding from this thread is that it takes the Powerzone round one month to burn in and reach full potential.
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That is a good catch @sheridd2! Yes many have reported the first week or two it’s can be on the bright side.
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One would hope he had enough sense to make sure the unit was fully broken in before evaluating it.
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Same statement could be made for evaluating with stock cables but…… yeah
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I borrowed a PZ for just over a week, and my system, with a tube preamp, sounded like I had found the best, most expensive, and PERFECT tubes on the planet for the tube preamp. Clean and open beyond belief.
I now listen to music without the extra splendor until I get a PZ.
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Tubes
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Welcome Phil.
Since you don’t want to read all the posts above, I selected a few of mines I wrote during the first weeks of burning in of my PZ.
I owned a P20 and a Puritan PSM156, no longer in use now because the PZ (amp and DAC) and the Allocator (sources) replaced them.
I added GRID Protector which was able to elevate even further the beauty of the PZ, becoming a marriage made in heaven, IMO,
———-
First impressions.
Bass profoundly deep
Air around voices, that are more vibrant and a little bit forwarded but pleasantly more realistic
Tons of details, separation - from left to right something is catching my attention every now and then
Ease and quietness and relaxation
As per my dealer today should be day #5 - the best is yet to come… need to acclimate myself to this new sound, that is NICE indeed.
Another evident difference I’m noticing with the PZ: dynamic range! Treble extension is increased as well as in the opposite direction lower frequencies are going down. I mean, in the same track I’m experiencing a wider distance between the two extremes. I’m new to this proportions.
The lowest passage seems to sound so delicate, almost inaudible, while loudest notes (female voices for instance) or attacks, seem to sound so powerful and impactful. Like changing the volume level via a remote, up and down, during the playback.
This is astonishing and involving, most of all it’s a completely new experience for me at this degree…
Probably the closest thing to a real performance experience, and I’m not playing classical music. WOW!
Yesterday evening I noticed a change in sound, for the worst. It seemed music on steroid, excess in bass and a general lack in realism. Just like the system sounded louder and more “hi-fi like”, unlike the other days when I perceived a more organic and natural sound. I’m afraid the burning in process needs more time.
Just to be clear:
- the general improvement is real and one of the most significant I got in my system
- bass are so impressive that you can forget subs
- it brings life to music, presence and a vibrant emotion
- It’s not one of those tweaks that make a difference once added but you soon find annoying and after a few weeks you remove
The only odd thing is that I’m realizing that time is needed until you can become more familiar with such a big leap. And once you hear what a wonderful sound it can give you one day, you are sad if the day after something happens lowering that kind of WOW effect.
Despite this, even on “bad” days it allows you to enjoy an experience that is superior to what you were used to before you put it in your system.
Day #12: the smile on my face is growing stronger and stronger every day with the improvement in sound quality.
The last quality I’m experiencing is that kind of realism and most of all music has become wonderfully liquid.
Day #16.
As said before, I plugged back the Puritan into a spare wall socket (without any cable in it) just because I was measuring a better value from my EMI sniffer.
Today I tried to unplug the Puritan from the wall, even though the EMI meter is confirming a worst value in mV. Oh damn this little stuff!
I can hear a better sound, period. Voices crystal clear and natural, a clean and natural image… so beautiful.
Conclusion, let the PowerZone do its job exclusively and it’ll make you happy. Other things are simply mind masturbation!
Back to music, that is still growing and growing in its beauty, fidelity and effortlessness. I’m loving it every day more!
To be honest the burning in period can drive you nervous, up and down, up and down at least for the first 2 weeks.
Having said that the capability to improve things, I mean significant changes in sound for the better, was immediately apparent since the beginning in my system. And after 4 weeks the final benefits were much appreciated.
A different power cord should be considered maybe.
It would be the first unlucky case among our many other successful experiences.
———
At the end of the day: P20 is a great unit and you can live with it forever. It is incredibly useful to regulate current if your power grid is not good. Puritan can add clarity but just with DAC and digital sources plugged into it.
PZ is another beast and simply makes you astonishingly surprised for REALISM, SEPARATION and PLEASURE in your daily listening experience.
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Couldn’t describe better!
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