No. 1 in Value: the Black Lion Audio PG-P Power Conditioner

The Black Lion Audio PG-P is the solution for killing any dirty power hum. There’s a certain kind of studio problem that feels almost philosophical and can drive you to madness if you let it. After years of Magnetic Studios being hum-free, it finally happened: a ghost in the machine started droning through my IK Multimedia iLoud Precision 6 MkIIs. I did all the basics, like checking and swapping cables, rebooting the computer, and trying different outlets, and the hum persisted. It was time for something to solve this at the source.

So I started researching power cleaners and found a solid, reasonably priced option with the Black Lion Audio PG-P. Magnetic Mag regularly works with Black Lion Audio, so I reached out to see if I could get a sample unit.

This is a fairly common culprit, caused by “dirty power or electrical noise,” which creates a persistent noise floor that creeps through the monitors. I live in a relatively new house and have not had this problem before. After some research, I discovered that there were probably too many devices drawing power from the circuit or a major appliance like our AC unit, causing fluctuations that created this wildly irritating noise.

First Impressions: Not Just a Fancy Power Strip

The PG-P doesn’t scream “studio savior” or come in at an astronomical cost like some other units on the market, and it can get especially crazy for HiFi systems, quickly getting into the thousands of dollars. The Black Lion Audio PG-P is a purpose-built unit, with an incredibly solid build and almost shockingly reasonable price point.

Yes, it looks like a rugged, slightly overbuilt power strip, the kind you’d toss into a gig bag without thinking twice. But that’s also part of its charm. Black Lion Audio has built a reputation on taking industry-standard products and leveling them, and the PG-P stays true to that DNA.

The Black Lion Audio PG-P is focused on surge protection and delivering clean, stable power, and it does what it’s supposed to do. One of the features I also really love is how well the six outlets are generously spaced to accommodate wall warts (a small but crucial detail if you’ve ever tried to plug in modern power bricks), so it definitely served a third purpose: cleaning up my power cables under the desk.

What The Black Lion Audio PG-P Actually Does

So, to go one level deeper or to get a little nerdier, the PG-P is a power conditioner, not just a surge protector. So don’t be fooled by its appearance, it’s got a lot more to offer than your average surge strip.

A standard surge protector is like a bouncer; it steps in when something goes wildly wrong (like a voltage spike). A power conditioner, on the other hand, is more like a sound engineer for your electricity. It smooths out inconsistencies, filters out noise, and ensures your gear gets power that isn’t quietly sabotaging your signal chain.

The PG-P uses what Black Lion Audio calls its proprietary filtering technology, built around high-quality Panasonic capacitors. It’s designed to reduce high-frequency noise riding along your AC power line, the kind that can manifest as a hiss, a hum, or a subtle degradation in audio clarity.

In-Studio Results: The Black Lion Audio PG-P Kills The Noise

So once I got the package, I immediately shut down all my gear and proceeded under the studio desk to rearrange the power cables. I plugged the PG-P into the exact outlet that had been causing issues with my studio monitors. Everything was running on this outlet via power strips, including my computer, midi keyboard, monitors, audio interface, subwoofer, and a few synths.

Before the Black Lion Audio PG-P:

• Low-level hum present, especially noticeable at higher monitor gain
• Noise floor inconsistent depending on time of day (classic power grid fluctuations)
• Minor interference when the other gear is powered on/off

After the Black Lion Audio PG-P:

• The hum? Essentially gone
• Noise floor is noticeably tighter and more stable
• Overall, this device has solved my hum problem and my sanity

It wasn’t one of those “squint and convince yourself” improvements. It was gone, no more hum zapping my sanity.

The Black Lion Audio PG-P worked really well for my particular problem, but power conditioners aren’t always magic bullets. If your issue is a ground loop caused by poor cabling or mismatched equipment, you still need to address that. But in this case, where the problem stemmed from dirty power, the PG-P delivered exactly what it promised.

Sound Quality: The Subtle Upgrade You Don’t Expect

Here’s the part that’s harder to quantify but worth mentioning: once the noise floor drops, everything else feels more defined.

We’re not talking about dramatic tonal shifts. This isn’t a new preamp or converter. But there’s a perceptible improvement in clarity, transients feel a bit sharper, low-end tightens up slightly, and stereo imaging feels less smeared.

It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t scream for attention but quietly improves every listening decision you make. And in a mixing environment, that’s arguably worth every penny.

Build Quality & Design

Black Lion kept things simple and effective here:

• Six outlets with wall-wart spacing (Nice to see designers thinking of this issue)
• Durable chassis that feels road-ready
• Compact footprint that fits easily into a studio or mobile rig
• No unnecessary extras — just power filtering and surge protection

There’s something refreshing about gear that doesn’t try to do too much. The PG-P knows its lane and stays in it.

The Big Question: Can You Plug a Power Strip Into It?

Short answer: yes — but with caveats.

You can plug a power strip into the PG-P, and it will still provide filtered power. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Total Load Matters – The Black Lion Audio PG-P has a maximum power rating (like any conditioner). If you daisy-chain power strips and overload them, you’re defeating the purpose — and potentially creating safety issues.

2. Diminishing Returns – The further you get from the PG-P (i.e., more strips, more connections), the more opportunity there is for noise to creep back in. It’s still cleaner than raw wall power, but not as optimal as plugging gear directly into the unit.

3. Best Practice – Use the PG-P as your primary distribution point for sensitive audio gear: Studio monitors, Audio interfaces, Synths and outboard gear

If you need extra outlets for non-critical items (like chargers or lighting), those can go on a secondary strip — ideally separate from your core audio chain. Think of it like signal flow: keep your critical path as clean and direct as possible.

Who This Is For

The Black Lion Audio PG-P sits in a really sweet spot between prosumer and professional use. This power-cleaning solution is an incredible value for the price.

Perfect for:

• Home studios dealing with unexplained noise
• Producers running compact setups
• Touring musicians needing reliable, portable power
• DJs with sensitive gear setups in unpredictable venues

Maybe overkill for:

• Ultra-minimal setups with only a laptop and headphones
• Situations where power is already known to be clean and stable (not usually the case)

But even then, having consistent power isn’t just about fixing problems — it’s about preventing them.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Modern studios are weird ecosystems. You’ve got analog gear, digital interfaces, LED lighting, laptops, and USB hubs, all drawing power from the same electrical source. It’s a perfect storm for noise.

Add in older buildings (in which many creative studios live), and you’ve got inconsistent grounding, shared circuits, and unpredictable interference.

Power conditioning used to feel like a “pro studio luxury.” Now it’s edging closer to a necessity, especially if you care about accuracy and clean sound.

Black Lion Audio PG-P Final Thoughts

The Black Lion Audio PG-P isn’t the kind of gear that makes for flashy Instagram posts. It won’t impress your friends the way a new synth or monitor upgrade will.

But it might be one of the most impactful pieces of gear you add to your setup.

It solves real problems. It improves your listening environment. And it does it without demanding attention — just quietly making everything better.

In a world where we obsess over plugins, converters, and monitors, it’s easy to forget that everything starts at the wall. The PG-P is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful upgrades aren’t about adding more gear — they’re about giving your existing gear the conditions it needs to perform at its best.

And if your studio has ever had that mysterious, persistent hum? This might just be the piece that finally tells it to pack its bags.

Get the Black Lion Audio PG-P HERE MSRP $69