Audioquest PowerQuest 303 Power Conditioner
For the longest time I’ve been an “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” type of audiophile. My equipment reviews have focused on sources, amplification and speakers—products that touch the audio signal. I can’t remember a time when I sat in the sweet spot and thought “What this system needs is a new power conditioner.” That is until recently.
A DAC I’ve been using for a couple of years has started to introduce noticeable noise. The Ferrum ERCO has been a favourite for its balanced sound, powerful headphone section and flexible features. Once I heard this noise, though, whether using the included switch mode power brick or HYPSOS linear power supply, I couldn’t unhear it. Certainly, a new DAC would solve this problem but it was also an opportunity for experimentation. Audiophilia had the AudioQuest PowerQuest 303 in the queue and I got curious. This combination power conditioner/surge protector is widely available with an MSRP of $459 with free shipping and returns so it seemed like an ideal first power solution for this review and possibly for the skeptical masses as well.
It may be useful to define what the PowerQuest 303 is in the context of various types of power products available in high-end audio. The PowerQuest 303 is billed as a power conditioner and surge protector. Power conditioners offer some sort of modification of the AC supply in the interest of better performance while surge protectors simply protect gear from energy spikes. The Powerquest 303 covers both of these bases. Also out on the market are power distributors which are essentially devices with multiple outlets and no filtering or surge protection at all.
Features & Specifications
With an entry-level power device like the PowerQuest 303, features are relatively straightforward. AC from the wall goes in, presumably cleaner AC comes out. There are 12 outlets in total, four high current outlets for amplifiers and 8 normal outlets for sources and similar lower current gear. The unit comes with a heavy-duty AudioQuest branded power cable with a flush wall plug for use behind furniture.
These are the specifications as listed by AudioQuest:
Noise Dissipation: Differential-Mode: 30kHz-1GHz; more than -22dB
Power Cable: Detachable PQ-415 / 2m Direction-Controlled
Non-Sacrificial Surge Protection: Yes
Outlets: 12 total: (8) Source / (4) High-Current
Maximum RMS Current: 15 Amps (RMS) @ 120V
Dimensions: 17.0" W x 3.4 H" x 13.4" D (2RU rack ears included)
Weight: 10.2 lb
Design & Build
The PowerQuest 303 is a handsome, if plain, black box that occupies a standard rack width and height. It could easily be mistaken for a power amplifier. Its sole switch—for power—is satisfying to use. The case of the PowerQuest 303, except for the faceplate, is plastic. This is logical given the MSRP and I respect AudioQuest for saving a few bucks on the chassis to focus on the electronics. A power conditioner is hardly the centrepiece of a system so I’d rather not invest too much in the bling factor, especially if a device like the PowerQuest 303 is likely to live on the floor under a rack. In terms of connections, the outlets on the business end are robust with a firm grip on plugs and plenty of room for chunky cables. The included power cable is well made and very thick but it is flexible enough to be quite practical.
My Use
The PowerQuest 303 lived in two systems during its review period. First, I dropped it into my living room system consisting of the Cambridge Audio EVO 150 All-in-One Player, PSB B600 Synchrony Bookshelf Loudspeakers and TCL TV for a few weeks of casual break-in right out of the box. This system normally relies on a super-affordable Furman M-8x2 for surge protection. Critical listening took place in my office system using a Ferrum ERCO DAC, Parasound HCA-750A power amplifier and Care Orchestra Celestial Deep Breath Evo speakers. Ordinarily, I plug the amplifier directly into the wall with other devices plugged into a heavy-duty Monoprice power strip (distributor) with no surge protection or conditioning.
The Ferrum ERCO DAC has a simple 24V switching power supply brick and an optional high-end linear power supply called the HYPSOS. When plugged into the wall, the switching PSU makes a clicking sound and introduces too much noise to be usable. This seems isolated to my house as this problem was not present in my friend's system when he was using the ERCO. Coming straight from the wall, the HYPSOS fairs much better although I still detect a soft high pitch noise coming from inside the ERCO case in this situation. Sure, replacing the DAC would be a fix but this gave me something specific to listen for as I played around with a serious power conditioner in my system.
Listening
My listening was focused on two particular aspects of performance. First, I approached the PowerQuest 303 as a potential solution to an audible problem with my system. Second I listened for any possible effect the unit had on the overall character of the system's sound.
As a possible first for me, I must report on listening to my system without music playing. The baseline noise from my speakers was dramatically reduced once I introduced the PowerQuest 303 into the system. It’s a head-scratcher that an aging switch mode power supply with transformer issues would perform differently with a change in AC power. Even more, so that the hum from the ERCO DAC itself was slightly reduced. What is the root cause of this improvement? I do not know. But it was blatantly easy to compare without music playing. Just noise then less noise. This is a singular situation to be sure, but it illustrated to me that the PowerQuest 303 was doing something and that in my case that something was an improvement.
I’ve been navigating the murky world of Jamaican dub lately. From its birth in the mid-1970s to the early 80s analog dub’s reworked reggae tracks feature hard-hitting bass grooves, splashy percussion and fun reverb. Perfect for testing out my system’s low-end torque and spatial presentation. Dub pioneers King Tubby & the Aggrovators exemplify early dub magic on their 1975 album Shalom Dub (Klik Records). Swapping the PowerQuest 303 in and out of the system I struggled to detect any difference in my favourite audiophile nuances on this album. On Shalom Dub and other albums, space, air, tone and sparkle all seemed just the same with or without the PowerQuest.
The black background effect is often discussed in the context of power conditioning. I listened for this and did not perceive much of a difference with the PowerQuest 303. If anything, instruments and vocals were slightly less etched in space but the all-important separation and deep backgrounds were always there. For me, this could improve ease and listenability which is a perk.
To understand the effect of the PowerQuest 303 on the overall headroom of my system - another common concern with power products - I turned to the Swedish metal band Opeth and their 2001 magnum opus Blackwater Park (Music For Nations). This Steven Wilson-produced epic album is packed with heavy melodic riffs, deep growling vocals and delicate atmospheric passages to balance everything out. As a package, the album packs an explosive punch. Fortunately, dynamics and attack were just as sharp with the PowerQuest as without. At the very highest end of the comfortable listening range, I noticed that my system ran out of juice slightly sooner. Soundstage and dynamics got a bit squeezed at lower levels when running the PowerQuest 303. This was happening at levels beyond my comfortable listening and while using a 75-watt amplifier, so hardly a deal breaker. Just an observation when pushing my system to its limits.
Conclusion
Everyone needs an amplifier and speakers to make music but not everyone needs a power conditioner. In that sense, power products like the AudioQuest 303 will not be necessary for everyone. On the other hand, everyone does need power and if that power is not feeding a high-end system cleanly, there is a problem in need of a solution. In this case, the AudioQuest PowerQuest 303 ($459) is a perfect place to start. It’s practically designed, accessibly priced and widely available. I found it had a positive effect on a basic power issue without negatively impacting the sound of my system which is exactly what I would hope for from a power conditioner. Anyone looking to add power conditioning to their system would do well to maintain their healthy skepticism for the all exotic and expensive power products on the market and just give the Powerquest 303 a try. It may well be the perfect real-world power solution.
Further information: AudioQuest
