Adcom ACE-515: What does it do?
- Thread starter Redboy
- Start date
Iirc...
The 2 prong cord gets plugged into the switched outlet on the back of your preamp, the preamp gets plugged into the unswitched outlets on the adcom. Turnon would be triggered when you power the adcom and turn on the preamp. The switching of the pre triggers the delay
WillMeyer
Active Member
I have 2 of the ACE-515. It's handy for powering up and down the system from one component (my preamp). I use them on two seperate systems. Overall I'm very pleased with the units.
I'm setting up a home theater and am looking for another, but before I buy are there other units worth looking at?
I seem to remember a Niles unit that you could program 2 different configurations, but having trouble finding the model. Any recommendation of equipment to look at?
I'm setting up a home theater and am looking for another, but before I buy are there other units worth looking at?
I seem to remember a Niles unit that you could program 2 different configurations, but having trouble finding the model. Any recommendation of equipment to look at?
brad1138
Active Member
Funny, I run 2 of these in my HT rack. 1 for just the "stereo components" for listening to music, the other for the surround sound components. Both are plugged into a Furman Line conditioner. Because I believe it has better surge suppression.
I recently had an amp fail miserably and early in it's life. Is it possible an old Line conditioner could damage components plugged into it?
I recently had an amp fail miserably and early in it's life. Is it possible an old Line conditioner could damage components plugged into it?
WillMeyer
Active Member
I found another unit that does a similar system switching.
Its a Niles IPC-6.
I'm still researching it, but it appears to have timing control of power outlets. Since I'm running 4 stereo amps, I like the idea of powering them up sequentially. I'm still looking for other power control options.
Its a Niles IPC-6.
I'm still researching it, but it appears to have timing control of power outlets. Since I'm running 4 stereo amps, I like the idea of powering them up sequentially. I'm still looking for other power control options.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I have had two for many years. Work well to simplify turn-on and turn-off in a complicated bi-amp system.
I don't really depend on it for surge protection though of all the electronics I've lost from surges over the years (including in a brand-new home), not were plugged into the ACE. I recently installed whole panel surge protection in both of my electrical panels after losing a TV, answering machine, two cable boxes, and an X1 modem/router, as well as one HDMI output from my Oppo to rural power outages and the way the power comes back on. No problem since.
I don't really depend on it for surge protection though of all the electronics I've lost from surges over the years (including in a brand-new home), not were plugged into the ACE. I recently installed whole panel surge protection in both of my electrical panels after losing a TV, answering machine, two cable boxes, and an X1 modem/router, as well as one HDMI output from my Oppo to rural power outages and the way the power comes back on. No problem since.
The thread is still alive, haha. It's still relevant since these things have 2nd, 3rd, 4th? lives and usually don't come with manuals. I got one of these a few years ago and finally found a reason to use it, and have figured it all out, I think.
Here's the common way to hook it all up: The big fat power cord is where the ACE gets its electricity, and needs to be plugged into a constant power source (the wall socket). The other, (skinnier) cord allows the unit to turn on when it is detecting voltage. If you want the ACE to be the primary switch, you also plug this cord into the wall socket. Anything with an amplifier (your primary amp, amped subs, powered speakers, alternate amps) plugs into the ACE's 3-prong white outlets labelled "amplifiers". All non-amplified accessories (Pre-amplifier, CD player, etc) plug into one of the ACE's four 2-prong "accessory" black outlets (on the left when looking at rear). Put all the accessory and amplifier switches to "on" position. Now when you flip the ACE's switch, the accessories will all turn on immediately and the amplifier will turn on 10 seconds later to avoid pops/noise from accessories. Press play and listen
When you turn the ACE's power switch "off" the amplifiers will all turn off immediately and you can listen for the little fizzle sound that indicates its capacitors and other internal working have all sufficiently discharged. 30 seconds later the accessories will all turn off, having left plenty of time for avoid pops from an amp that's off, but otherwise still would have had juice in it. If you have more than 2 amplified components, plug a power strip into the white amplifier outlet and run everything amplified through that (this is what I've done - 2 powered subs and a GFA-6000 amp).
Now, if you want the pre-amp power switch to be the primary switch for the whole system, I believe this is the way to do it: Take the pre-amp's power cord and plug it into the wall outlet. Then take the ACE's skinny cord and plug it into a switched outlet on the pre-amp. Turn all switches to "on" except the pre-amp. Now when you turn the pre-amp on, the ACE will detect voltage in its skinny cord, come alive, and turn on all the other accessories. 10 seconds later it will turn the amplifier on. When shutting down, flip the pre-amp switch to off and the voltage to the ACE's skinny cord drops and tells the ACE to go to "off" mode. As mentioned before, this turns the amps off immediately and the accessories 30 seconds later. Alternatively you could plug the ACE's skinny cord into a switched wall outlet or switched power strip and that would be the way to tell it to power up and down (like, if you had all the other equipment on a high or low shelf, behind a screen, or other inconvenient place).
Pretty cool stuff. I can't tell difference with filtering, nor have I tried. Not a lot of line noise here. I assume it will protect against a power surge too, but not a lot of those here either. I've been playing with this for a few days. It's using 2 adcom (GTP350 & GTP400) preamps to power 4 of the GFA6000's 5 amplifier channels, and 2 powered subs. I got all this stuff on ebay / craigslist for pretty cheap over the years. It's all going to a 2nd home we bought recently, so pretty excited about having good tunes there.
Here's the common way to hook it all up: The big fat power cord is where the ACE gets its electricity, and needs to be plugged into a constant power source (the wall socket). The other, (skinnier) cord allows the unit to turn on when it is detecting voltage. If you want the ACE to be the primary switch, you also plug this cord into the wall socket. Anything with an amplifier (your primary amp, amped subs, powered speakers, alternate amps) plugs into the ACE's 3-prong white outlets labelled "amplifiers". All non-amplified accessories (Pre-amplifier, CD player, etc) plug into one of the ACE's four 2-prong "accessory" black outlets (on the left when looking at rear). Put all the accessory and amplifier switches to "on" position. Now when you flip the ACE's switch, the accessories will all turn on immediately and the amplifier will turn on 10 seconds later to avoid pops/noise from accessories. Press play and listen
When you turn the ACE's power switch "off" the amplifiers will all turn off immediately and you can listen for the little fizzle sound that indicates its capacitors and other internal working have all sufficiently discharged. 30 seconds later the accessories will all turn off, having left plenty of time for avoid pops from an amp that's off, but otherwise still would have had juice in it. If you have more than 2 amplified components, plug a power strip into the white amplifier outlet and run everything amplified through that (this is what I've done - 2 powered subs and a GFA-6000 amp). Now, if you want the pre-amp power switch to be the primary switch for the whole system, I believe this is the way to do it: Take the pre-amp's power cord and plug it into the wall outlet. Then take the ACE's skinny cord and plug it into a switched outlet on the pre-amp. Turn all switches to "on" except the pre-amp. Now when you turn the pre-amp on, the ACE will detect voltage in its skinny cord, come alive, and turn on all the other accessories. 10 seconds later it will turn the amplifier on. When shutting down, flip the pre-amp switch to off and the voltage to the ACE's skinny cord drops and tells the ACE to go to "off" mode. As mentioned before, this turns the amps off immediately and the accessories 30 seconds later. Alternatively you could plug the ACE's skinny cord into a switched wall outlet or switched power strip and that would be the way to tell it to power up and down (like, if you had all the other equipment on a high or low shelf, behind a screen, or other inconvenient place).
Pretty cool stuff. I can't tell difference with filtering, nor have I tried. Not a lot of line noise here. I assume it will protect against a power surge too, but not a lot of those here either. I've been playing with this for a few days. It's using 2 adcom (GTP350 & GTP400) preamps to power 4 of the GFA6000's 5 amplifier channels, and 2 powered subs. I got all this stuff on ebay / craigslist for pretty cheap over the years. It's all going to a 2nd home we bought recently, so pretty excited about having good tunes there.
xero-D-hero
Super Member
They (Adcom) have always had the manuals for these online for download.
And yes the main heavy duty AC cable gets plugged into one's wall socket.
And usually if you want the preamp to switch everything on / off what you do is run the small power cord (control AC cord) to the back of the preamp to one of it's switched outlets and then you plug the preamp's power cord into the ACE-515 "unswitched" power outlet which is NOT controlled by the ACE-515 (iow: it's always powered on so long as the main HD AC cable is plugged in).
Yes there are other ways it can be utillized,but ^^^ this ^^^^ is how the manual recommends connecting it.
And that way the if the preamp has a remote control,everything powers on / off with the remote control.
And this way the preamp's AC is "enhanced" via the ACE-515 filter / protection circuits.
Otherwise anything that is NOT plugged into the ACE-515 is'nt filtered / protected (like a preamp that's plugged into a wall socket).
If the preamp does'nt have any AC convenience outlets yes the control AC cord can be plugged into a wall socket instead and the switch on the ACE-515 controls the start-up / shut-down process. The control AC cord can also be plugged into the "unswitched" outlet on the ACE-515 itself and still acheive the same basic function as plugging it into a wall socket,though in the later case the preamp is then likely not connected to the ACE-515 and it's AC wont be filtered / proctected.
FWIW
Bret P.
And yes the main heavy duty AC cable gets plugged into one's wall socket.
And usually if you want the preamp to switch everything on / off what you do is run the small power cord (control AC cord) to the back of the preamp to one of it's switched outlets and then you plug the preamp's power cord into the ACE-515 "unswitched" power outlet which is NOT controlled by the ACE-515 (iow: it's always powered on so long as the main HD AC cable is plugged in).
Yes there are other ways it can be utillized,but ^^^ this ^^^^ is how the manual recommends connecting it.
And that way the if the preamp has a remote control,everything powers on / off with the remote control.
And this way the preamp's AC is "enhanced" via the ACE-515 filter / protection circuits.
Otherwise anything that is NOT plugged into the ACE-515 is'nt filtered / protected (like a preamp that's plugged into a wall socket).
If the preamp does'nt have any AC convenience outlets yes the control AC cord can be plugged into a wall socket instead and the switch on the ACE-515 controls the start-up / shut-down process. The control AC cord can also be plugged into the "unswitched" outlet on the ACE-515 itself and still acheive the same basic function as plugging it into a wall socket,though in the later case the preamp is then likely not connected to the ACE-515 and it's AC wont be filtered / proctected.
FWIW
Bret P.
WillMeyer
Active Member
I really like these units - so far I've picked up 5 of these.
I do not put a lot of faith in the power conditioner aspect, but I really like the ability to control multiple devices from the preamp.
You can pull down the service and owners manuals from the internet.
HiFi Engine has them available as free downloads.
I run multiple power amps (4 amps each in two different systems). I use 2 of the Adcom Ace-515s on each of these setups. By default, the amps outlets power up 10 seconds after the preamp. By changing a one-quarter watt resistor in the unit, you can change the amp power-up delay. I have 2 amps starting at 10 seconds, the other 2 powering up at 20 seconds. This reduces the power up surge. The service manual is very clear what to change and walks you through the setup.
I do not put a lot of faith in the power conditioner aspect, but I really like the ability to control multiple devices from the preamp.
You can pull down the service and owners manuals from the internet.
HiFi Engine has them available as free downloads.
I run multiple power amps (4 amps each in two different systems). I use 2 of the Adcom Ace-515s on each of these setups. By default, the amps outlets power up 10 seconds after the preamp. By changing a one-quarter watt resistor in the unit, you can change the amp power-up delay. I have 2 amps starting at 10 seconds, the other 2 powering up at 20 seconds. This reduces the power up surge. The service manual is very clear what to change and walks you through the setup.
I used to use 2 of these a very long time ago, they worked very well for delayed turn on for amps. I plugged my TV into 1 of them and really did notice a decent improvement in PQ, then again that was a million years ago, living in an apartment building with a bunch of seniors boiling kettles for tea at all hours...
WhiteNoize
Active Member
I own 3 power conditioners and for me it's the PQ and SQ that I like the most. My house was built in 1916 and though the wiring is replaced, the wiring is OLD and noisy. The first time I plugged in a power conditioner and immediately saw the picture of my TV sharpen up, I was sold! I'm a big fan.
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
The thread is still alive, haha. It's still relevant since these things have 2nd, 3rd, 4th? lives and usually don't come with manuals. I got one of these a few years ago and finally found a reason to use it, and have figured it all out, I think.
Here's the common way to hook it all up: The big fat power cord is where the ACE gets its electricity, and needs to be plugged into a constant power source (the wall socket). The other, (skinnier) cord allows the unit to turn on when it is detecting voltage. If you want the ACE to be the primary switch, you also plug this cord into the wall socket. Anything with an amplifier (your primary amp, amped subs, powered speakers, alternate amps) plugs into the ACE's 3-prong white outlets labelled "amplifiers". All non-amplified accessories (Pre-amplifier, CD player, etc) plug into one of the ACE's four 2-prong "accessory" black outlets (on the left when looking at rear). Put all the accessory and amplifier switches to "on" position. Now when you flip the ACE's switch, the accessories will all turn on immediately and the amplifier will turn on 10 seconds later to avoid pops/noise from accessories. Press play and listen
Now, if you want the pre-amp power switch to be the primary switch for the whole system, I believe this is the way to do it: Take the pre-amp's power cord and plug it into the wall outlet. Then take the ACE's skinny cord and plug it into a switched outlet on the pre-amp. Turn all switches to "on" except the pre-amp. Now when you turn the pre-amp on, the ACE will detect voltage in its skinny cord, come alive, and turn on all the other accessories. 10 seconds later it will turn the amplifier on. When shutting down, flip the pre-amp switch to off and the voltage to the ACE's skinny cord drops and tells the ACE to go to "off" mode. As mentioned before, this turns the amps off immediately and the accessories 30 seconds later. Alternatively you could plug the ACE's skinny cord into a switched wall outlet or switched power strip and that would be the way to tell it to power up and down (like, if you had all the other equipment on a high or low shelf, behind a screen, or other inconvenient place).
Pretty cool stuff. I can't tell difference with filtering, nor have I tried. Not a lot of line noise here. I assume it will protect against a power surge too, but not a lot of those here either. I've been playing with this for a few days. It's using 2 adcom (GTP350 & GTP400) preamps to power 4 of the GFA6000's 5 amplifier channels, and 2 powered subs. I got all this stuff on ebay / craigslist for pretty cheap over the years. It's all going to a 2nd home we bought recently, so pretty excited about having good tunes there.
In the preamp`s power switch on control mode configuration you described above, does not protect the preamp from any surges/spikes when you plug it into a unprotected wall outlet, even if the outlet is switched off.
Though I don`t have any experience with the ACE unit, it appears in design very similar to my many decades old Panamax Max 1000/+, model that I`ve been using protecting my house`s 6 rooms A/V systems, which provides a couple of non switched (always on) but fully surge/spike protected power outlets which is where your preamp`s power cord should plugged into for power protection of it to fully utilize it`s protection capability..
Just a suggestive thought, tbro420
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
PM sent. Don't know if you'll get it as a new member.
Welcome to AK! Nice to have another young guy around here.
lol, this thread.
i'm running a 515 but just plug my amps into it..
need to rabbit hole line conditioners..know nothing but I'm guessing it would help out my SQ.
my house was built in 73, the electrical was set up in a creative, whimsical way. turning on the ceiling fan, makes my computer chirp, (plugged into the opposite wall, 20' away). when it does that I say, 'yah yah, i hear you..'
i'm running a 515 but just plug my amps into it..
need to rabbit hole line conditioners..know nothing but I'm guessing it would help out my SQ.
my house was built in 73, the electrical was set up in a creative, whimsical way. turning on the ceiling fan, makes my computer chirp, (plugged into the opposite wall, 20' away). when it does that I say, 'yah yah, i hear you..'
Mine was adding a notable hum to the audio signal, but was also keeping the crown fart in check. I moved it downstairs with a lighter load and it's fine.
It's a good unit for most applications, but doesn't really seem to handle its full rated amperage well.
im running quicksilver v4 monos and they are dead quiet at listening position.. same for the Proceed AMP5 which I also run through the ACE.
.. need to AB. with/ without now that my system has changed so much.. haven't done that for a spell. there may be some performance boost/ degradation that I'm experiencing or could imagine experiencing, that I'm not currently aware of.
.. need to AB. with/ without now that my system has changed so much.. haven't done that for a spell. there may be some performance boost/ degradation that I'm experiencing or could imagine experiencing, that I'm not currently aware of.