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It's use added grain, reduced the highs, limited dynamics, squashed the soundstage.

After reading so many good reviews for this product, I went out and got it. The moment I plugged everything into it, I knew I threw my money away. The soundstage collapsed, the clean highs were now gritty, the dynamics were constricted, etc. I spoke to John at Audio Connection who said they take a long time to "break in". I sat on this stuff for months, and the sound did change, but still, it was a step backwards by plugging all my conponents ito it. I tried various combinations with the power amp by-passing the RPG, but nothing helped. The best sound I felt I could get from using the RPG's was not plugging ANYTHING into it - just plugging it into the wall by itself. Surely it didn't work for me.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

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Keeps your system operating a peak performance all day long and really adds another level of dynamics!

For $795 it only has 4 outlets but it does enhance performance to the other components on the same line.

I have to admit that I have tried a number of different power conditioners prior to buying a RGPC 1200 and never really noticed a difference either way. I was using them mainly to protect my components from surges and spikes but felt they never really improved anything. The PC's I used prior to the RGPC included some well regarded units like API Powerwedge, Tice, Audio Magic and another one that was well reviewed in Stereophile.

When I heard that the RGPC's were non-current limiting I decided to take the plunge and get the large 1200 to accomadate all my components. The main improvement I noticed was that my system sounded consistently good. Before there were certain times in the day when either the audio and or the video was not as good as I was used to. I figured hey, it actually does make a slight improvement but not what I was hoping for based on all the rave reviews.

Then I made a big mistake..........
I wanted to free up some shelf space so I decided to go back to my API Power Wedge as it sat on the floor behind my components, not on the shelf like the RGPC 1200 does. I was able to quickly sell my RGPC 1200 and went on vacation so my system sat idle for a week.

When I returned we popped in a movie and the bass was all over the place. I thought something was wrong as it sounded more like a Honda Civic filled with 4 15" radio shack subs then the tight powerful bass I was used to. The house was empty for the entire week so I know no one messed with my settings and I even confirmed this with my Meridian software that was saved in my laptop. The levels were all the same on the subs so I had to recalibrate but it still didn't sound the same. The tight dynamic clean sound I was used to was replaced with a system I could not enjoy at all.

I racked my brain to figure out what had happened then thought, it couldn't be the RGPC 1200?

The 1200 is basically 2 400s in a sigle chasis with more outlets so I went to my dealer to pick up 2 400s and find out if that was the missing piece. After adding the 2 400s and taking out the API things started to get better. I used my laptop to reload my previous configuration back into my Meridian pre-amp and there it was, my clean dynamic sound was back!

I have owned a lot of high end components from Proceed, Meridian, Theta, Thiel, Krell, EAD and a lot of others. When I added a EAD PM 2000 amp it really added another level but I have never had a component that made such a dramatic difference once it was removed. I am now a believer in the Richard Gray PC's.

Similar Products Used:

API, Tice, Monster AVS 2000, Audio Magic

Better bass, better soundstage, more detail to music.

A bit pricey, but....

The RGPC 400 MKII really works. I stewed over buying one for 4 months, but it seemed like I should be getting more out of my system (Rotel RSP-1068/Outlaw Audio 755 amp/Denon DVD-2200 universal player/Paradigm speakers and PW-2200 sub) and I'd noticed the performance seemed inconsistent. Some days wonderful, other days not as good. Power appeared to be the only variable in play. The improvement is very noticeable. The power and pitch definition of bass is improved. More details come out of every CD/DVD/DVD-A/SACD I play. Soundstage has improved, especially for surround sound. The gaps between the speakers are gone. HDTV is a bit improved. Black is definitely black and very stable. Haven't done any serious movie watching to really look for differences.

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You name it.

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To those who wonder why Scull and Stereophile gave such a lousy review..... he works for Monster Cable now. Don't you think he knew he was leaving Stereophile at that time. Kill the competition. Creep.

Clean power, improve dynamics, bass definition, vedio image

None

I own 2 RGPC 400s, and have used them for 2 years. All I can say is they are awesome. It makes sound cleaner, and the soundstage becomes larger. I compared it to Monster HTS2000 and PS Audio P300. RGPC is much better than HTS 2000, and around 90% of P300 performance. However, P300 costs $1,200 (MSRP) and only supplies 300W. RGPC 400 costs $750, and provides at least 1800W. I actually changed the fuse to 20 amp based on Richard's advise on the phone. You can do without lossing your warrantee (Richard told me this on the phone). The most sonic improvement of this unit is the dynamics. It sounds like providing clean energy to my audio system. Bass is more solid. I also hook up my P300 to RGPC, and it sounds a bit better with it for my digital sources, preamp, and pre/pro. RGPC not only enhances audio but also video. The image on TV is sharper. The dealer told me the unit was originally designed for video, and people fund it is good for audio. RGPC is built like a tank. It is very solid. I guess it can last 20 years easily. RGPC is sensitive to power cord hooked up to it. Be sure you use a decent power cord. I have no idea why Stereophile dumped this excellent device. Maybe the people in Stereophile do not know how to use, or they are deaf. I highly recommend RGPC 400 without any reservation.

Similar Products Used:

PA Audio P300

Makes video sparkle. Makes the sound more open and spacious.

Um, not enough outlets to plug everything I own into it. Didn't come with an ESP or Gutwire power cable ;)

What can I say? It really works. Audio changes are subjective, and sometimes, pretty subtle, and even when they ARE noticable, it's hard to discern whether or not those changes are truly positive, or just 'different'. But, video don't lie. And, when I plugged my TV into this thing, the colors JUMPED! Both color saturation and contrast increased. Plugging my DVD player into it, further enhances the effect. Now, watching DVD's is a freaky 3-D experience. The visuals really pull me in. Audio, too, enhanced, though it's harder to say how. My television, DVD player, preamp, and Monster HTS 2000 are plugged into the RGPC, and my CD player and VCR are plugged into the Monster. I tried every possible configuration, plugging every device into every outlet of the RGPC and Monster. I replaced the Monster with a high quality non-limiting strip. I took the RGPC out completely. I find the forementioned configuration works best, bringing the most out of my video sources, but the CD player and VCR benefit from the extra noise filtering, bringing more refinement and cleaner reception. (The cable wire in my system MUST go through the Monster, because it creates a ground loop, which the Monster reduces greatly.) The amp, is plugged into the wall (after trying it in every outlet in both the RGPC and Monster) The bass, with the RGPC in place, extends deeper, but is far less bloated than it was with only the Monster. The midrange is FAR more open, and the highs have less bite and harshness, but without losing any clarity. Actually, the sense of 'space' and 'size' of the music have extended greatly. Voices sound open, and very 'present' in my listening room, in a way they didn't before. The RGPC also responds to power cords very well. I bought a second ESP Essence (the first might as well be welded onto my amp, cause it ain't goin' nowhere!), and the improvements were very positive, both in Video and Audio, but finally, after much experimenting, the ESP ended up on my Preamp. I'd love to get a third for the RGPC, cause from the short time it was on, it really made a difference (just not as much of a difference as it made on my Preamp.) A while back, I toyed with the idea of selling it. I'd unplug everything, replug it all into the Monster, and as soon as I play a CD, or put in a DVD, I had to turn everything off, and put the RGPC back in, and BOOM, there are the colors again. There's that open and clean sound. If the differences were only in the audio, I might sell it, and invest in a better amp. But, it makes watching movies VERY involving. Now, instead of thinking about selling it, I'm thinking about buying a second to cluster through the first, for my source components. The problem is, there aren't too many on the used market. Cause the people that have them (like me), can't often justify letting them go, after they've had them in their system. For audio, I'd rate it a solid four, because it does make the sound better. For video, it's a DEFINITE FIVE, because it makes very obvious improvements on both my television AND dvd player. Overall, it's definitely a five, because for all the component changes i may or may not make, I will NEVER let this black box go.

Similar Products Used:

Monster HTS 2000. High quality industrial non-limiting power strips.

Quiets and clarifies a system.

None that I noticed.

I haven't compared this to others given the great deal I got on it through Corner Audio. It does quiet my system and clarifies every unit plugged into it, even my tuner (Yamaha CT7000). Bass tightens and higher frequencies ring with greater detail. Also, effects liek reverb on guitars and voicies become more prominent. I've tried running the amp (Bryston 4Bst) through it and through the outlet RG purportedly improves and the amp does better when plugged directly into the wall. These are pricey items, but I found teh addition more than worth what I paid. No doubt much hinges on your electrical source, but there are gains to be had here for some. By the way, I found that an upgraded power cord made things even better.

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None.

Sonic improvement, durability, high wattage level, no hum, can be left "on".

First I thought "price", but I now believe the price is justified.

I wanted a PS Audio Power Plant, but didn't want to spend $2000 on the 600 watt version. Also, my pre/pro needs to be powered at all times. I can't imagine keeping the Power Plant on at all times, like I do with the RGPC. The company claims thay have never had a RGPC returned for service. I feel the Power Plant will not be as durable.

I never listened to the Power Plant at home, and never was able to A/B the PP and RGPC.

To my surprise, in my system, the RGPC has improved the sonics better than anything I've added. I can't overstate the improvement. Everything sounds more realistic and that veil seems to be almost entirely lifted. My system has improved crispness. High frequencies come through with better definition. In addition, Kettle drums sound more like Kettle drums. Bass is more defined and deeper.

The RGPC is worth $750 in my system. By the way, I bought a demo for $550.

Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
Rotel 985 pre/pro
PSE Studio IV amps
Legacy Focus main speakers

Similar Products Used:

Monster 800

Makes the stero sound sooo much better

I haven't tried other big-choke power conditioners, so I can't give a comparison within the type, but I did just want to say how much better mys ystemsounds with this. I've been concerned about my high frequency sound ... too bright, harsh. All I wanted to listen to are old Rolling Stones albums that don't have any high frequencies! I added RGPC line conditioner (a big choke in parallel with the circuit) and instantly the system relaxed, got much softer, gentler. The glare is gone from the sound, its all much silkier. I thought the problem was my speakers! Now cymbals sound great ... not only are they not harsh, but they're much more detailed, resonant and realistic sounding. It's as if, without RGPC, the sterero was playing some weird electronic hash in place of cymbals. Bass is tighter, too, more distinct and very nice sounding.

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Much greater soundstage width, smoother highs, convincing image

Some very minor loss in punch

For the past three years I have used the RGPC unit on some or all of my components. About 6 months ago I switched most of my line level components (dCs Purcell and Elgar, Levinson 37 transport, Sony SCD-1 SACD player, Pass Aleph L preamp and Aleph ONO headamp) to a PS Audio 300. Since the 300 can't handle the current draw of my power amps (first a pair of Pass Aleph 2's and then a pair of Classe CAM-350 monoblocks), I left them plugged into the RGPC unit. The 300 did improve the general sound of the system. However, one of Classe's people told my dealer that the power supply on the Classe amps was so good the RGPC unit could only degrade the sound. So I pulled the amps off and tried them straight from the wall. Forget it: the soundstage collapsed, an electronic edge came back into the highs, imaging became far less distinct. The 350's are now back powering my Egglestonworks Andras very beautifully, with all the clean and dynamic power they need; but I no longer have any doubt that a substantial part of the credit is due the RGPC. As to Classe's inhouse expert, I guess if you want a completely objective view of a child, you don't ask his/her parents. And as to the boob who panned the RGPC unit in Stereophile, several issues later he did a precise comparison of the sound of the Sony and Marantz SACD players after casually admitting he no longer had the Sony on hand to listen to; need one say more?

Similar Products Used:

PS Audio 300