Brian, how does your P3 sound now (a week later)? Mine improved noticeably after the first week, and I think it has continued improving beyond that. After 3 months now, I would say it sounds better than ever. Like my Dectet before it, the P3 needed some burn-in time before it became its true self in my system.
Didn’t hear any improvements after a week. Still very harsh, very bright and forward but mostly fatiguing. All of that disappeared when I disconnected the SP3 and reconnected the Dectet. I have decided to return the SP3 and go back to the Dectet for now. Thanks for asking though.
Could it be that you are overtaxing the P3? I think the P3 is meant for source component and class D amps that might not be that much of a draw on power. A tube amp I believe draws considerable power. You say that the HF helped. The HF is not regenerated power. You probably need at least a P12 and you would have no problems but better sound.
I ran the tube amp in HF and a couple of source components in regenerated mode but it still had a very bright sonic signature. Very noticeable, though slightly less when running the tube amp in regenerated. As soon as all equipment reconnected back to the Dectet, no extreme harsh or bright sound. All was as was before. Smooth sound. The SP3 never shutdown in either mode.
Did you check the THD output from your P3? Sounds like you have a defective unit. Sounds like it’s outputting a lot of distortion with the power. You should notify PS Audio about it.
I didn’t check THD but the unit is on its return trip to PS Audio. Perhaps technical will inspect. It would be nice to know if operation was normal.
I am still bit unclear on the switchable HC outlets on the Stellar P3. When switched to the HC mode, do they pretty work similarly to a typical conditioner as they only “filter” the incoming current? If not, what’s the reason for the sonic difference between HC and the regenerated mode? I used to run my BHK250 in the regenerated mode, and the LED light would flash between amber and red when parts of the music reached around 80db indicating the load was at or exceeding 100%, and P3 would get really hot after a one-hour session. I eventually had to settle with the HC mode for my BHK, but I do notice a slight sonic difference as if the music becomes slightly “lifeless” or less dynamic.
From the manual:
“The Stellar Power Plant 3 has a total of six (due to varying outlet sizes, the German, Austrailian, and United Kingdom versions of this product will only have four) outlets for regenerated power, two of which can be used for equipment requiring a higher output current than the P3 can support. To activate the Filtered High Current setting on those two outlets, flip the bypass switch on the rear panel to the up position (as pictured below). By selecting Filtered High Current, the regenerator will be bypassed and your AC power will be filtered and able to deliver up to 13A of current.”
Thanks. I did read this part of the menu. The question came down to defining “filtered” when in HC mode. Does it filter like a power conditioner, which might explain the reduced dynamic and thinner sound; or else?
even late at night, my power feed shows a THD of 4.2% in, and the output THD is 0.1%.
Interesting, Tarheelneil. As far as I know, my P3 does not report that kind of detail. What power supply gear gave you that measurement? Also, I’d be interested to hear what are typical in/out THD measurements for your system at, say, 3pm, 9pm, and after midnight?
It doesn’t, but I also have a P12, which can show that on its display.
Hooked up my new speakers I ordered while at rmaf(totally unplanned but was blown away)…
Old speakers were 94db sensitivity, and the new ones are 88db. That’s causing enough of an increase in power draw to bring on the red warning light at listening levels I’ll actually be using at times. Bummer. Didn’t plan for this. No protection mode yet, but I’ve scaled back since I noticed it fairly quickly.
To avoid that possibility I’ve got everything but the amp plugged into the P3 and then have the P3 and the amp plugged into a PI Audio Uberbuss. Doing something like that with something like the new iFi PowerStation might work the same way and cheaper than a new Power Plant.
And to think, I got these speakers because I thought it was one less thing to think about for a while…
Have you tried setting the high current outlet to filtered only, not regenerated? I’m assuming you’re using the high current outlet for your amp(s).
I have not. I’m certain that would “fix” the situation as the vast majority of the power consumption is obviously coming from the amp side of the integrated amp…
Partially defeats the purpose of the product(for me) if I can’t have my integrated on regenerated power.
To be clear, this in no fault of the stellar p3. I am not complaining about it. It seems to work flawlessly within it’s parameters. I have still yet to send it into protection mode either. Only flicking it to red temporarily during powerful transients.
Would an s300 amp be considered a low power amp? I’m looking to plug in all of my components (s300, SGC DAC, phono preamp, 700w subwoofer, transport, tt), or is all that a bit too much for a P3?
It all depends on how big your listening room is, and how loud you crank up the music. The P3, iirc, is rated at 300W rms, 900 peak. In my very small listening room (11x15) at the levels I listen to (not loud, as I’m in an apartment), it would serve me. But, if I had a larger listening room, and was able to crank it up to more realistic volumes, I think the P3 might be pushed to its limits.