# Single P20 or a pair of P10's to power amps? **URL:** \ **Category:** Power Components\ **Created:** [April 8, 2022, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532 "2022-04-08T12:01:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![darrenv1070](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/darrenv1070/32/270293_2.png) [@darrenv1070](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/darrenv1070)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 12:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/1 "2022-04-08T12:01:04Z")
I own a P20 I use to power a pair of PSA BHK 300’s. I was curious if Im better off with a pair of P10’s to power the amps? Anyone have direct experience? Paul? Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![brian.fitterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@brian.fitterman](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/brian.fitterman)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/2 "2022-04-08T12:09:26Z")
No. The 20 is better. ---
**Author:** ![Paul](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/paul/32/6_2.png) [@Paul](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Paul)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 12:26pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/3 "2022-04-08T12:26:18Z")
Oh, by all means, a single P20 would be the answer. The P20 is a much better sounding regenerator because of its lower impedance. ---
**Author:** ![darrenv1070](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/darrenv1070/32/270293_2.png) [@darrenv1070](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/darrenv1070)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/4 "2022-04-08T12:30:55Z")
Thank you ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2022, 5:05pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/5 "2022-04-08T17:05:33Z")
And following your doubt, then I ask: to feed a PS Audio system (M1200s, BHK Preamp, DAC Sr, PST and SPP with a TT) is better 2 P12 (I already have) or a single P15 (no room for P20 unfortunately)? And if there is a difference, why? Thank you @Paul … ---
**Author:** ![rower30](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/rower30/32/297137_2.png) [@rower30](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/rower30)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 6:24pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/6 "2022-04-09T18:24:47Z")
I use one P20 for my system but it is or isn’t enough depending on how I use my system. With two M40 HV mono amps that are 550 watts each into eight-ohm, it isn’t enough for full output if I use it like that. But, when look at the duty cycle of use, I’m seldom past 50% VA delivery at as much as I feed the Enterprise, and Scotty isn’t being asked for more by the amps and all the rest of the system at an 85 dB nominal SPL. If I was pushing near 80% or more of the P20 VA capacity, I’d consider another separate 20A outlet be installed and get another P20. Same system, but two different use patterns. I did have a P10, but I was taxing it too much on average with the new amps if I use class A mode, so I upped to the P20 and re looked at the VA delivery and I’m OK with 50%-60% nominal total P20 VA delivery. But, that maxes out the P10 (below). P10 - 1200VA CONTINUOUS P15 - 1200VA CONTINUOUS P20 - 2000VA CONTINUOUS 20A line = 20A \* 120V = 2400VA @ 100% efficiency. 15A line = 15A \* 120V = 1800VA @ 100% efficiency. You need a 20A line to reach full output from ONE P20. A 15A line can be used with ONE P10 or P15, not two on the same circuit for full output. A 20A line can JUST do two P10 or P15 but not quite, A P10 or P15 isn’t 100% efficient and you need that overhead to reach full capability. Not knowing your usage can make this a hard question to answer but I’d go with the actual usuage data and if you are around 50-60% or so of max VA, keep the one unit. If you exceed that, get two but…you need to use a separate leg to feed each one or you’ll really be no better off than before as the line VA maximum is a bottleneck. A regenerator can’t create double the power from the same line feeding a second unit. A 20A line can’t feed more than 20A\*120V = 2400VA at 100% efficiency. So it isn’t jusy one or two, it is also TWO separate circuits to feed each one if you do tax a single unit past a 75% VA average. Best, Galen ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2022, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/single-p20-or-a-pair-of-p10s-to-power-amps/28532/7 "2022-04-09T18:47:51Z")
> [@rower30](#): > > Not knowing your usage can make this a hard question to answer but I’d go with the actual usuage data and if you are around 50-60% or so of max VA, keep the one unit. If you exceed that, get two but…you need to use a separate leg to feed each one or you’ll really be no better off than before as the line VA maximum is a bottleneck. A regenerator can’t create double the power from the same line feeding a second unit. A 20A line can’t feed more than 20A\*120V = 2400VA at 100% efficiency. Good advice.