PS Audio Multiwave Owners manual
These instructions cover PS Audio Power Plant Models
Quick Start
We recommend you read these instructions before activating your new Multiwave software.
If, however, you want to jump right in, here is how to activate the MultiWave functions.
1. Turn on the Power Plant.
2. The display will read "Sin". You are in the sine wave mode.
3. Push the "up" button and the display will read "SS1". This is the first MultiWave pattern,
and the one we recommend you start with. This is not for turntables or equipment with built
in fans.
4. If your equipment has a built in fan, push the "up" button again and the display will read
PS2. This is the second MultiWave, and the one recommended for units with fans inside,
and in many cases, power amplifiers. This is not for turntables.
What is MultiWave?
MultiWave is a new technology available exclusively on the PS Audio Power Plant series of
AC generators.
Your home's AC voltage, whether 115 volts or 220 volts, is a series of AC sine waves at either 50 Hz or 60 Hz. These sine waves are convert-
ed to DC (direct current) by the power supply in your audio video equipment. DC is necessary to run the circuits in your equipment.
The AC sine waves coming out of your home's wall outlet are never an ideal power source. Thier variable and inferior quality can and usually
does degrade the performance of your equipment.
The PS Audio Power Plant AC generator supplies near perfect AC sine waves to your equipment, at a specific frequency easily set by the front
panel control. This use of near perfect AC sine waves makes a positive impact on the audio/video quality of your system.
P300, P600 and P1200
Now, MultiWave takes the Power Plant's generating technology a step closer to "better than" perfect AC sine waves. Instead of a series of sin gle frequency sine waves, the PS Audio MultiWave generator produces pure AC sine waves of multiple frequencies. These revolutionary mul tiple frequencies are stacked in a sequence that more closely approximates the proper charging characteristics sought by your system's elec tronics.
And the results? An audible and visual improvement in your audio/video system's performance. An analogy might help. Think of the power
coming out of your wall as the tap water coming out of your faucet. Drinkable? Depends where you live! Think of the PS Audio Power Plant
output as pure mineral water. Ah, refreshing! Now, think of the Power Plant with MultiWave as Gatorade: a power source designed to make
your equipment run and sound better.
Is it safe for your equipment?
Yes, with a FEW exceptions. These include some types of electric motors. We do not recommend using any of the MultiWave patterns for AC
synchronous motors on turntables. If you are planning on using the Power Plant to operate your turntable, we recommend you ONLY use the
standard sine wave functions of the Power Plant.
Check also to see if you have cooling fans in your equipment. Many amplifiers and projectors have small (or large) AC synchronous cooling
fans. On any equipment with a built-in fan, we recommend MultiWave pattern number 2, designated PS2 or the standard sine wave functions.
What features are new to the MultiWave upgrade?
In addition to the standard operation of every Power Plant, we have added several new features to the MultiWave software. These are:
1. Ten MultiWave patterns
2. Output voltage adjustment from the front panel
3. Auto return to the default setting on the front display
4. Half the distortion of the original circuitry.
We have removed the "Display Blanking" from the original software. Its removal was
the result of numerous instances of customer confusion about uncertainty of the
Power Plant's successful operation.
Power Up the MultiWave Equipped Power Plant
If you are using a P300 Power Plant, make sure the master on/off switch on the rear
panel (of most P300 models) is in the "ON" position. Make sure the Power Plant has
power from an AC wall socket.
Press the front panel button labeled "Power".
The Power Plant will activate. The initial display will read "Sin". This is short for "Sine
wave".
Select MultiWave Operation
Use the front panel up/down buttons to select one of ten MultiWaves. These up/down buttons will either be labeled "Power Factor" or
"Frequency" depending on the model of your unit. Although the buttons are differently labeled, their function is the same.
There are ten possible MultiWave choices. The ten choices appear in the order of our listening choices on the PS Audio reference system. We
think many of you will agree with our preferences. But, these are ONLY our recommendations. Please take the time to experiment with the
remaining choices available. Each MultiWave will change the performance of your system and everyone's system will react somewhat differently. Choose the MultiWave pattern that best suits your listening and viewing preferences. It may very well be different from our system.
PLEASE NOTE: the front panel display will show either "Sin" or the symbol for the chosen MultiWave pattern after 30 seconds, from
wherever you are in the menu.
The pattern you select will be remembered even after the Power Plant is shut off from the front panel. Should the Power Plant become disconnected from its AC source, your last settings will be lost and the unit will output pure sine waves.
Now, the MultiWave Settings
SS1. This is our favorite MultiWave. We recommend it first for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with
fans, and turntables. All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are perfect candidates for SS1. This wave-
form is a series of Sequential Frequency Partial Square MultiWaves composed of 50 Hz, followed by two 120 Hz Partial Square MultiWaves.
PS2. This is our second favorite MultiWave. This is a single 60 Hz sine wave, with a minute amount of a 180 Hz sine wave mixed together to
form a single Partial Square MultiWave. This waveform is strongly suggested for those applications that do not lend themselves to SS1, such
as power amplifiers with fans, projectors with fans, but not turntables. In addition, we recommend everyone try this in comparison to SS1 to
hear or see if it better fits THEIR own system's performance.
SS3. This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency Partial Square MultiWaves composed of 50 Hz, followed by two 90 Hz Partial Square
MultiWaves. We would recommend use of it for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turnta-
bles. All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
SF4 . This is the first of the pure Sequential Frequency MultiWaves. This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency sine waves composed
of 50 Hz, followed by two 120 Hz sine waves. This pattern is the same as SS1 with the exception that we use pure single frequency sine waves
as opposed to the Partial Square MultiWave construction. We recommend SF4 for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans,
amplifiers with fans, and turntables. All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for
this waveform.
SS5. This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency Partial Square MultiWaves composed of 60 Hz, followed by two 120 Hz Partial Square
MultiWaves. We recommend use of it for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turntables.
All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
SS6. This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency Partial Square MultiWaves composed of 60 Hz, followed by two 90 Hz Partial Square
MultiWaves. We recommend use of it for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turntables.
All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
SF7 . This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency sine waves composed of 50 Hz, followed by two 90 Hz sine waves. We would rec-
ommend SF7 for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turntables. All digital, analog, power
amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
SF8 . This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency sine waves composed of 60 Hz, followed by two 120 Hz sine waves. We recommend
use of it for every application, with the exception ofprojectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turntables. All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
SF9 . This waveform is a series of Sequential Frequency sine waves composed of 60 Hz, followed by two 90 Hz sine waves. We recommend
use of it for every application, with the exception of projectors with fans, amplifiers with fans, and turntables. All digital, analog, power amplifier, and video equipment without internal fans are good candidates for this waveform.
Selecting An Output Frequency without MultiWave
If you are not using one of the MultiWave patterns, you can activate the user selectable sine wave feature of the Power Plant. In this mode, you
can choose the single frequency that best suits your system's needs.
We recommend your country's standard AC frequency as a start. In North and Central America, that frequency is typically 60 Hz. Outside of
North and Central America, particularly if your power is 220-240v, your AC frequency is typically 50 Hz.
Please pay careful attention if you plan to operate a turntable with an AC synchronous motor. In this case, the Power Plant frequency must be
set for the specific AC frequency for which the turntable was designed. Check with your turntable manufacturer for specifics.
If your equipment has an internal cooling fan, operate this equipment only at the AC frequency for which the equipment was designed. This will
be either 50 Hz or 60 Hz. This frequency should be marked on the back of the equipment.
For all other applications, we recommend trying 90 Hz. Most customers find this a clear advantage over 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
Remember, after 30 seconds of inactivity, the display on the Power Plant will return to its default position.
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