PS Audio

PS Audio's third new product displayed at CES, alongside the HCA-1 and Classic 250 power amplifiers, was the Power Director. It is a power management device designed to perform system switching and to work with network commands for custom home audio and video systems. It has 12 outlets on the rear panel - all PS Audio's Power Port design (with a 13th single outlet on the front panel for ease of access in rack-mount systems), and four dedicated 20 amp circuits. The rear panel outlets are divided into four isolated zones, each of which is capable of performing without limiting the power supply and each of which provides 100% protection and 40dB of "cleaning and isolation" between zones. Each bank is fully controllable from the front panel.

The design of the unit allows the user to preset the input voltage before the protection circuitry trips and to adjust the delay time before the unit resets and powers on again. Unusually among similar products the Power Director is modular and upgradeable -- containing 1 input module and 3 output modules so that the user can change the type of AC plug and the voltage it receives (for example, Power Ports, standard US 110/220 outlets, UK style or Shuko outlets). The input module has inputs and outputs for cable TV and antenna and phone lines, and slide switches to control switching delays, together with a 12 volt trigger input, PS buss connections to enable communications between PS Audio components, and a slot for a Crestron/AMX controller card. There is also a front panel LED which displays various system statuses and settings. Rack mounting ears are optional. The Power Director is available now at an MSRP of $1,495.

A pair of PS Audio's Mini Lab power cables and an Ultimate Outlet (high current version). The Mini Lab cables feature 10 gauge pure copper conductors with triple shielding and hospital grade connectors - a Marinco for the male end and a Kimber Kable Wattgate for the female end. The cables are also available with Neutrik Powercon connectors, high grade UK-style connectors or Shuko German-style connectors. The Mini Labs are available now in 2.5, 5.5 and 8.5 ft versions with MSRPs of $149, $199 and $249 respectively. The Ultimate Outlet is designed to replace conventional duplex wall outlets where critical power is required. Three models are available: 15 amp Standard, 15 amp High Current and 20 amp High Current; MSRPs $299 for the Standard, $399 for each High Current model.

A PS Audio Juice Bar, together with a Lab II and a Mini Lab cable. The Juice Bar is a no compromise plug extender built around three PS Audio Power Ports, a detachable AC inlet, a heavy 14 gauge shielded power cord to connect the Juice Bar to the wall socket, and a blue LED indicator. The Power Ports are wired in a star pattern giving each receptacle a separate path back to the source of the power. The Juice Bar is available now with an MSRP of $199. The Lab II power cable is a step up from the Mini Lab. It has Nickel-plated connectors, heavy 6 gauge pure copper conductors and triple shielding. Available now in 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 12 ft standard lengths at MSRPs of $399, $433, $466, $499, $599 and $699 respectively.

PS Audio Power Port and Ultimate Outlet. The Power Port s a custom built, hospital grade, isolated ground, 15 to 20 amp receptacle designed as a replacement for existing wall outlets. It has 15 coats of polished nickel over high-purity brass. Available now at $49.95 per each two-outlet unit and also available in kits to upgrade PS Audio Power Plants which were shipped before the Power Port was available. []

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