:) Belkin PF30 vs. APC G5 Budget Power Conditioner? What would you choose?

U

Upgraditis

Audiophyte
Hey guys, I'm trying to decide between a Belkin PF30 or the APC G5 budget power conditioner. I did some research:

The PF30 seems like a good choice with 8 outlets(4 always on), different filtering circuitry for various gear and includes 1 delayed outlet for hi-current gear. I could not find the actual numbers for emi/rfi filtering.

The APC G5 has 9 total outlets (2 always on + 1 front outlet) and includes a whopping 5 delayed outlet banks. It also appears that you can set the minimum and maximum voltage for the device to trigger surge protection and can even specify the delay time for each delayed outlet bank. Emi/rfi filtering specs are available, but I read that only 4 banks are filtered(not the 2 hi-current banks).

I'm really on the fence with this, because the PF30 is almost the same price as the APCG5, but if the APC G5 won't filter all my gear, including the high current bank(where I will plug my amp) then it seems really limited.

Can anyone chime in on this?
 
U

Upgraditis

Audiophyte
I take it back, I was wrong, the APC does filter everything, but the outlets are separated into 4 banks.

This makes my decision even harder. I really like the APC because of their rep. But not many people have confirmed if it really clean the signal enough to notice a difference. The PF30 on the other hand has alot of people confiming that it does clean the signal noticebly.
 
digicidal

digicidal

Full Audioholic
I have the PF60 - which is supposedly better in every way. I don't see (or hear) a difference at all - but my power is pretty clean.

I bought it because it was really cheap (TigerDirect had a clearance lot for $149) and because it had 12 outlets in 6 separate filtered banks with one on the front. Oh yeah... and the LCD readout looks damn cool IMO. :)

Doesn't do anything that a $12 power strip can't - at least in my experience - with the exception of selectable switching and delays which is cool.

In any case - if your power is that 'dirty' or 'noisy' then it's always better to try to fix the problem at the source rather than mess with it at the end. I've never had big problems so I can't say if it would make a big difference with noise - but my guess would be "not much but slightly better".

Basically, the only reason I could even justify paying the price I did was because I would much rather organize my power cords and distribution in the cabinet, than have an even bigger rats nest behind the cabinet and have to use two 6-outlet power strips on the floor.
 
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