I live in Ireland, so a P5 has 4 outlets.
My audio system consists of digital sources, a computer, a Bluesound Node. There is a DAC (Directstream with a Bridge), and then some headphone amplifiers.
Which machines get the most benefit from connecting to a P5? Some of the material suggests starting up the chain, so the computer could be included?
One easy way around the problem is to get a good basic power strip. If you can, find one with no additional circuitry (no surge suppressor, no circuit breaker), just a box with a nice heavy cord and sockets). Maybe even look for a good, basic ‘audiophile’ product, depending on how much you want to spend. The P5 should have more than enough capacity to support a complete headphone system, regardless of the number of components.
J.P.
J.P., are you suggesting connecting the power strip to the P5? Hadn’t thought of that.
Overall there are 3 headphone amps, two of which are connected to the Directstream. The amps get used according to mood, one of the advantages of headphones is you can have many in a relatively small space.
Exactly. there is no reason to be limited to four devices powered by the P5. With a power strip you can power as many as you need, as long as you are within the 1250 Watt capacity of the P5. Just make sure that you get a good solid power strip so it does not limit the power quality of the power from the regenerator.
J.P.
I had not expected that. My initial check suggests nothing I’m planning to connect is likely to draw more than 200W, & even then the bigger items would not be on at the same time.
thanks for that
You’re most welcome. Do keep us updated on the progress and what you end up with. I am curious as to your results.
J.P.
Update with everything connected.
My P5 is now in place. It consists of; a Bluesound Node, a Sonos Connect (don’t ask), a Directstream, MacMini (the music is all stored on a NAS which is some meters away), and some headphone amps. The analogue amps are all connected individually. I have the digital items (Directstream, Mac, Node, Sonos, Benchmark DAC2HGC) grouped on an Isotek mains block. The most power hungry amp is a Headamp Blue Hawaii SE. There is an LCD panel for the Mac, that is on a separate plug board and is turned off.
Just now I have a mix of Qobuz and locally stored music playing through the Node to the Directstream, and the Blue Hawaii. There are four active devices, and another five machines connected which are either off or in standby. With that operating the whole setup draws 234W (1.17A), or 23% of the P5’s capacity. So plenty of headroom. The THD In is 1.8%, THD Out is 0.1%. The dishwasher is on, but the clothes washing machine is off!
If the Mac “plays” music to the DS via USB, the watts leap to 237.
The Blue Hawaii is driving a pair of Stax SR007s (warmer, less immediate than a Mjolnir KGSSHV Carbon-SR009 combination). The overall result reminds me of a system comparison I did some time ago, a bit like a pre+power amp vs an integrated, the same but more capably delivered. Music being delivered…easily.
Excellent. Nice to hear that all is working well together. Any direct comments on the sound with everything powered through the P5?
I have been curious about the Bluesound products. Seems like an audiophile version of the Sonos, or at least a Sonos on steroids. Any comparison to offer between the two? I know that you may not want to talk much about the Sonos, just doing a little gentle arm twisting to learn more. 
Anyway, thanks for telling us what you have so far.
J.P.
J.P., I didn’t say that clearly enough, must have stayed up too late listening to music! The P5 allows the system to do it all more capably, all those faint little details are there to enjoy, complex passages have more going on and simple ones do have that isolated instrument feeling. Example, vocal passages (The Persuasions) have that tactile feeling you get when acoustic music is presented well.
I can’t deny I heard background noise while listening, it was raining outside and I was breathing, there’s no other noise I can hear.
On the Sonos, the “don’t ask” is more a comment on “what is he doing with two players”, or even 3! I like and use Sonos a lot.I have no problem with the digital output from the Sonos Connect. The various players all do versions of the same job. When Sonos is feeding the DS or a Benchmark DAC2HGC I cannot find any fault. Sonos has a good set of control interfaces and handles many music services. The Bluesound (+DS DAC) does add the ability to handle higher resolution files, but then the MacMini and a Bridge will do more, though the control interface and service options are less user friendly.
Perhaps the Sonos is a bit like a Nespresso machine, convenient, a good level of quality, very reliable, consistent. Bluesound and the Mac and the Bridge are heading out on the path to perfection, but nobody has gotten there yet. Bluesound has a few modest blips on interface and the way it handles networking and music service connections.
In a conversation with someone at my local hi-fi shop we were talking about how digital music is getting like vinyl; an almost unlimited number of tweaks and little extras that move us toward some nirvana. Example, there are software packages that will rip your CDs at slower than listening speed to make sure that the ripped file is as clean as it can be. Or we download DSDx4 files that are bigger than a Blu-Ray movie. They do sound,… great, but it is like a visit to that coffee shop in town to get that superlative espresso.
Incidentally Aeropress does taste great, but it isn’t espresso.
Thanks for your response expanding othe previous post. I am glad to hear that you hear an improvement with the P5 in circuit. Also, thanks for the details on the Bluesound, Sonos and the rest of the network audio game. I do believe in network audio, besides my tablets and Blu-Ray player, the only real network audio gear I have is my PerfectWave DAC with a Bridge II. Very nice combo, but I hope to eventually upgrade to a DirectStream DAC should I ever have the funds to do so.
J.P.