...but the point about it being "the power conditioner lie" isn't that the conditioners are being touted by the high-endniks for their intended and perfectly valid uses of removing noise due to poor mains supplies or RF interference, but for the alleged ability to deliver audible improvements in things like soundstaging and bass and "air" and the rest. All rubbish, and nearly as absurd as the claims for exotic power cords.
Oh, and of course they're not just touting reasonably priced and solidly engineered gear from established companies, but kilobuck fantasy objects from "boutique" audiophile outfits with doubtful engineering at crazy prices.
Bottom line: Unless you have noisy/unreliable power or otherwise intractable ground loop or interference problems (evidenced by obvious hum, buzz, or Morse code from the ham radio guy a few doors down), well-designed audio equipment simply doesn't need power conditioning.
But what about surge and lightning protection? Another thing entirely, and certainly prudent. And shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
Now, as to whether there is generally room for improvement in the grounding of most consumer audio...that's a whole 'nother discussion, and a valid one. Dan Banquer has addressed that here and on other forums.
FWIW, my DIY amps will include a simple ground loop breaker circuit, and (thanks to Dan Banquer again) a common mode filter at the AC in from a mainstream vendor. That and keeping the internal wiring neat and well separated should do the trick as my AC seems clean.
(Dan, I'm trying a less expensive Corcom than the one you suggested, a bargain -- I hope -- from AllElectronics. Hey, if it doesn't work I can replace it.)
