Thanks for the replies. Since I already have it, I'm going to test it and see if I notice a difference. Does anyone have a specific recommendation for my 2 questions? (whether I should use "high current" outlets or "linear filtration" ones, and whether it's fine to use an extension cord to the sub - whether or not I'm using the conditioner with it)
to answer lovinthehd's question, everything seems pretty good, although I can hear a slight buzzing if I put my ear next to them. It's the same in the other room as well where I have some M-Audios with my computer and there's very noticeable buzzing from them. Also when you use the waste disposal in the kitchen, the lights dim while it's running. Do those things indicate dirty power or are they unrelated?
You are going to like my answer even less. Panamax units are useless and offer little to no protection. They do NOT condition power, and will not likely protect your equipment and may even damage it. There is no warranty on any Internet purchases.
People who do not understand specs buy these sort of units. Anybody able to understand specs would never purchase these units.
So what this unit does is just monitor AV voltage. If the unit senses an AC voltage over 135 volts, and below 100 volts, it disconnects the unit abruptly. Whereas a unit worth using would boost and shave the voltage and not cut it off.
Worse at 200 volts or over it uses old fashioned crude clamp circuitry that permanently disconnects your unit. That means your Panamax unit is then useless until repaired or replaced.
It only says you have protection to 300 volts. Any meanin full spec that would tell you how much useful protection you have is absent. So I assume it provides zero to no useful protection from a thunderstorm. Any legitimate device will specify how many joules of energy it will absorb and shunt to ground before your equipment is toast. This unit has no such spec.
As far as conditioning is concerned it just states "_Panamax Level 3 Noise Filtration". That is a meaningless spec and assume the AC signal is not altered in any way, and nor should it need to be as the AC signal has to be kept in tight parameters by your power company under Federal law.
As far a LAN protection it only offers clamping at 62 volts. Again the Panamax will be ruined, and so will your connected equipment at that voltage.
Again for coax connection from cable, satellite and over air antennas there is clamping at 75 volts. Again the Panamax will be ruined and so will your equipment.
The only truly fraudulent statement is that it completely protects your equipment from a lightening surge. That is impossible and there is no unit made that will or can guarantee that.
I have personally seen units where these units have failed to protect from trivial events, or may be caused the damage.
Their hope is that customers will not understand the specs and therefore how over priced, useless and unnecessary these units are.
My advice is not to use it ever. There is no guidance form their spec as to what the actual difference in those outlets is. I'm certain however that these units do not alter the steady AC signal in any way, and nor does it need to.
The way to protect if you are in a rural area like I am and prone to severe weather events, is to use a whole house surge protector, properly specified so you know how many joules of charge you are protected from. Then what you need is a unit that has batteries like a UPS, that can shave and support lowered or increased line voltage in 1 to 5ms, and also return to battery if the line voltage is way out of spec and seamlessly keep your equipment running. It should also provide soft shut down in event of power failure. In my case the UPS devices power the gear until the auto generator starts, which takes about 5 seconds.
Unfortunately you have been conned and you need to go into reverse on this one.
