TICE mag beschouwd worden als de eerste fabrikant die zich realiseerde
dat de kwaliteit van de aangeboden netspanning een aanzienlijke invloed heeft op de audio-
en video kwaliteit. TICE is ook de eerste fabrikant die produkten op de
markt heeft geïntroduceerd om de aangeboden netspanning dusdanig te behandelen dat onder
de geldende omstandigheden het beste geluidsresultaat kan worden bereikt.
Hoewel deze materie bij velen van ons al jaren bekend is blijft het toch weer iedere keer
verbazingwekkend wat zo'n TICE ingreep/aanvulling voor een installatie
kan doen. Dat geldt zowel voor de Infinite Speed netkabels als voor de nieuwste Powerblock
III EHP.
Om U maximaal te informeren zullen wij naast het programma van TICE ook de
meest gestelde vragen over TICE op deze website publiceren.
TICE levert momenteel in de BeNeLux de volgende modellen:
Frequently Asked Questions
About Tice Power Conditioners
1. Q. How long has Tice been producing power conditioners?
A. Tice was the First Company to develop power conditioning specifically dedicated to high end audio and video use. More than 10 years ago, we began systematic research into how "raw" power can degrade the performance of audio and video equipment. Our ground-breaking first product, the Power Block 1, convinced many sceptics in the audio and video community of the validity of power conditioning and spawned a new industry.
Since then, we have continued to devote countless hours exploring how the power fed to your components ultimately affects the music you hear and the picture you see. The result has been the Power Block 111, the Elite and Solo. Because we are always seeking ways to refine the state of the art, Tice products are designed to accommodate upgrades as they become available.
2. Q. How do lice Power Conditioners compare to other power conditioners?
A. Tice Products are unique in both design philosophy and implementation. Competitive
products were designed in response to our innovations. Our designs never stem from a desire to "one up" another manufacturer, but from a more important goal: To enhance the musical and viewing experience of our customers. Design changes at Tice are never marketing-driven, and are adopted if and only if - they result in audible and/or visible quality improvements.
Similarly, our designs are implemented with reference-grade parts throughout. In quality-control language, this is known as "over-engineering." For example, a part required to perform at 120 volts will be rated as high as 1 200 volts, to ensure that it performs "effortlessly" and provides long-term trouble-free operation. Everywhere you look in a Tice product, from the military-grade printed circuit boards and Wima polypropylene signal-grade capacitors inside to the non-ferrous, aircraft-grade aluminium enclosure, you will see quality - designed to last a lifetime.
Finally, our proprietary conditioning technologies - particularly the TPT treatment - delivers audible and visible enhancements simply not available elsewhere. Dramatic improvement of soundstage and "air," realistic, tautly controlled bass and sharper picture quality are some of the hallmarks of this technology.
3. Q. I can buy power strips with spike and surge protection, why is a Tice Power Conditioner better
A. Good spike and surge protection is just the starting point in a power conditioner designed for high-end audio and video applications. A spike and surge protector alone will not do anything to filter EMI (electromagnetic interference) or RFI (radio frequency interference) - two of the "nasties" responsible for degrading clarity and "veiling" the sound of your stereo system. Simple spike and surge protection affords none of the proprietary power conditioning described in question 2.
So at best, a general spike a surge protector leaves much to be desired. At worst, a spike and surge protector can degrade and even endanger your system. Improperly designed spike and surge protection can give your system a "closed in," darker sound. The spike and surge protection built into Tice products is carefully implemented to be neutral with regard to its sonic effects.
Many spike and surge protectors do not activate until the spike or surge has reached 300 to 800 volts! That's great protection for the spike and surge protector, but disaster for your equipment! A good example is the highly touted Panamax brand power strip, with its protection beginning at 200 volts. What happens if your power surges to 180 volts? The power strip will not sustain any damage, but will your equipment?
Tice Power Conditioners protect against spikes and surges starting at 150 volts (for 120-130 volt U.S. use, higher for overseas voltages). The state of the art protection incorporated into Tice conditioners monitors the voltage at up to six individual points for the most comprehensive protection available!
4. Q. My dealer has told me about the "XYZ" power strip that comes with a warranty promising to repair my equipment if it is damaged by AC power. Does Tice offer a repair warranty?
A. No, our philosophy is very different, we believe in building a superior product without hype or sales gimmicks. This type of warranty is a great sales tool for the "XYZ" company, but just how good is it for you?
A close inspection of the warranty's fine print reveals numerous limitations and qualifiers. Accessing the warranty involves filling out forms and drawing a complete system wiring diagram, then return " the power strip for inspection. If the power strip is undamaged and within spec. they will not pay for repairs to your equipment. Another qualifier relates to the use of extension cords, even the use of high quality extension cords will void your warranty, unless you purchase the ones they manufacture.
Under this warranty the "XYZ" company can choose not to repair your equipment, but instead settle with a cash payment equal to the used market value of your equipment. A two or three year old component may only retain 40% or less of its original value.
5. Q. Do Tice Power Conditioners have individual circuits for analog, digital and power amplifiers?
A. Yes. The individual filter groups are designed to give you maximum flexibility in configuring your system. Some (but not all) digital equipment can bleed noise into analog equipment if not properly isolated through a Tice Conditioner. This design allows you to determine the optimal combination for your particular equipment.
6. Q. Do all Power Conditioners make your equipment perform better?
A. Unfortunately, No. Since the introduction of the first Power Block, words like spike and
surge protection, filtering and isolation have become merely marketing buzzwords. Many power conditioners especially those not designed by audio companies can actually make your audio or video system perform worse than when plugged directly into the wall outlet!
There are no shortcuts to the fundamental research, reference quality parts and extensive listening tests required to achieve perfection. Substituting less expensive parts or inferior designs will degrade performance. In the final analysis, it is our deep respect for audio and video realism that drives our dedication to strive for perfection.
7. Q. I have a powerful 200 watt per channel amplifier, the instruction manual Indicates the AC power consumption Is 2000 watts. Is a Tice Power Conditioner adequate?
A. Amplifier manufacturers typically overstate actual power requirements by a wide margin, because they specify AC power consumption at full rated power (full volume), rather than the actual power required for normal listening levels. In this case, a 200 watt amplifier running at reasonable volume levels may draw 350 watts to 400 watts including peaks! If you run your amplifier at full volume (200 watts per channel continuously), you would quickly blow out your speakers and your ears.
The "idling" power consumption (rarely given) of an amplifier is a better indication of an amplifiers normal current draw. Only in the rare case of a traditional Class A design will the idling power consumption be the same as the full volume peak amount. You can be confident that a properly configured Tice product will be sufficient for your amp. (For the largest amps, the power capacity of the Power Block III can be boosted from 1875 watts to 2500 watts, High Power Option.)
8. Q. I have read that transformers limit current. Is this true.
A. The answer to this question is simple, a bad transformer design can be a problem, but a
properly designed transformer is just fine. When a poorly designed transformer is implemented into a piece of equipment it may restrict dynamics. The "current-limiting" fear is a widely exaggerated piece of misinformation. As discussed in questions 2 & 3, power conditioner design is a complex, multifaceted project. As far as transformers are concerned, they are in every piece of electronics you own - not to mention the transformers on the utility poles feeding power to your home. Any attempt to boil down a complex issue into simple Yes or No terms is bound to be misguided.
9. Q. Do Tice Power Conditioners have one switch that can turn on my complete system? A. No, we provide a better system which incorporates two or four individual circuit control
switches to give you maximum flexibility in determining the best configuration for your system. For example, you may wish to watch television without engaging your amplifiers, or activate just the front speakers, not the rear. A "one switch" design would rule that out, it's all On or all Off. Also, a two or four switch design allows you to "sequence" the activation of your components as you see fit. Additionally, our products provide an unswitched circuit for components such as VCR's with clocks that must be left on continuously.
10. Q. I have two dedicated power lines In my media room, do I have to buy two power conditioners?
A. With other power conditioners, the benefits of two dedicated lines are erased because your components converge into one unit. The Power Block III has two separate power cables feeding two distinct power conditioners, housed in one chassis. Half of the circuitry within the Power Block III is dedicated to the special current demands of your amplifier(s); the other is for your front-end components. The Power Block ill may also be operated from a single outlet.
11. Q. The Power Block HI, Elite and Solo AV all have spike and surge protection, filtering and power enhancement. Why is one more expensive than the other?
A. All three have exactly the same spike and surge protection design. The Power Block III has additional stages of filtering, power protection and enhancement compared to our less expensive units. It is important to note that the Elite and Solo AV are built with exactly the same reference grade parts as the Power Block III, but with fewer stages and features. Because the Elite and Solo AV are built to the same exacting standards as the Power Block ill, you can select a Tice product that accommodates your budget and still enjoy a lifetime of state-of-the-art power conditioning.
12. Q. I understand power filtering, can you explain power enhancement.
A. Power enhancement is a step beyond noise filtering and two steps beyond spike and surge protection. Our proprietary TPT technology will result in an electric current of the highest quality for your system. One listening or viewing session is all you need to verify the profound effects of TPT for yourself.
13. Q. Can lice Power Conditioners Improve the performance of video equipment and projection monitors?
A. Absolutely! Tice Power Conditioners and the TPT technology do marvellous things for video equipment, including better resolution, a brighter picture, more color saturation and less grain. The improvement is dramatic.
14. Q. if I put a 15 amp. power conditioner on a 20 amp. line does that mean my equipment only gets 15 amps.?
A. This is a common misconception. Most audio and video equipment draw all the power they need from a 15 amp. power conditioner - it's a huge amount of power. The fact that the power line can support 20 amps. simply means that it can carry a greater number of more powerful appliances before blowing the circuit breakers in your house. Your equipment draws only the amount of power it requires and no more.
If a complete AV system that draws 7 amps. is powered from a quality 15 amp. outlet it will not be improved if it is connected to a 20 or 30 amp. outlet.
15. Q. The Infinite Speed Power Cable has basic spike and surge protection and RF filtering, do I still need a power conditioner?
A. Yes, use a Tice Conditioner to gain the benefits of power enhancement, multistage filtering and isolation. The Infinite Speed Power Cable should be used to replace a "dirty sounding" power cable being used downstream of the power conditioner.
16. Q. I need more outlets on the other side of my media room. Does Ale make high quality extensions with outlet strips?
A. Yes, Tice Audio can provide custom no loss extensions and outlet strips for your special requirements.
17. Q. What is the warranty on Tice products?
A. Five years for our Power Conditioners, Lifetime for our Audio and Power cables.
18. Q. Which Power Conditioner should I buy for my system?
A. The Power Block Ill Signature, The Elite or the Solo have different levels of features and performance as well as different output capacities for various system requirements. The Power Block Ill with all its options has a maximum output capacity of 3700 watts of power - large enough for the ultimate audio/video system. The Elite's features and 1875 watt capacity makes it ideal for moderately priced systems. The Solo is our "No Frills" Power Conditioner which also has an output capacity of 1875 watts along with being small enough to fit into those tight places.
19. Q. Can A Tice Power Cable improve the performance of my A/V system?
A. Absolutely. The poor quality stranded wire power cords included with most audio
and video equipment is a major cause of AC power contamination. Tice Audio has designed two superior quality after-market power cables, the PC 3 and the Infinite Speed. Both use TPT treated Solid Core High Purity Oxygen Free Copper. The PC 3 is designed to power any component consuming up to 1875 watts, the Infinite Speed is capable of an astounding 2400 watts!
20. Q. Some companies are selling shielded power cables, Are shielded power cables really better?
A. No. This is just another case of marketing hype. Aluminium and or copper shields cannot stop EMI noise from entering a power cable. We have studied the shielded power cable issue at great length with consistently disappointing results. Each time we shielded a power cable it sounded dark and closed down.
Let us consider how electricity moves from its source to your home. It begins at the generator and travels through miles of un-shielded cable to get to your home. It enters your home and moves through another 100 feet or so of un-shielded home wiring to your room only to have the last six feet of its journey shielded. If it is going to pick up noise it will have done so long before reaching your room! What possible improvement can be gained from shielding the last six feet of miles of un-shielded wire?