How To Properly Hook Up a Power Conditioner

[BrettMendes]

I have a Panamax MR5100 that features three isolated banks. I'm wondering which components I should be plugging in to which banks (and why). Here is a list of what I have:

Marantz SR6006 AVR
Marantz UD5007 Disc Player
Marantz TT-15S1 Turntable
B&W PV1D Subwoofer
URC MRF-260 RF Base Station
Panasonic ST60 Television
DirecTV Genie DVR

Also, I eventually intend to change out the AVR for separate pre and power amps. Which ones would I plug each of those in to?



Thanks,
Brett

 

[fmw]

I can't imagine why it would make any difference. Does the unit have an instruction manual?

 

[Grador]

I can't imagine why it would make any difference. Does the unit have an instruction manual?

It most certainly does. If I'm understanding the labeling correct Bank 3 doesn't go through any filtering and has a delayed turn on, presumably triggered by Bank 1. Bank 2 is switched (and filtered), presumably turning on at the same time as current draw is detected on Bank 1. Bank 1 is always on and filtered.

Really though the manual should be more help than I am on this.

 

[BrettMendes]

Amazingly, it didn't come with an instruction manual but I did find some diagrams on Panamax's website. Looks like the AVR, Base Station, TV, and DVR should be in Bank 1. The Turntable and Disc Player should be in Bank 2, and the Subwoofer should be in Bank 3...

 

[Grador]

Assuming that my determination of the Banks are correct I'll tackle the second part of your question: why.

Bank 1 is going to trigger the other two banks to turn on. The first device you want on, or a any device you want to be on seperate from others should be plugged in there. The preamp should be plugged in here for reasons I'll get to later. Your DVR should be plugged in here as you don't want it to lose power at any time.

Bank 2 is going to be triggered to turn on by your other devices. Given that your receiver/preamp will be turned on before a source (such as CD player) they can be plugged in here.

Bank 3 is unfiltered and turns on with a delay. The delay is fairly unnecessary with a properly designed preamp, but some preamps send a voltage spike as they are turned on. This spike will cause a popping sound when amplified by a power amp, and possibly damage speakers. To avoid this you delay turning on the power amps until the preamp has already been powered up. These are labeled as "high current" and are unfiltered in order to get the most power to your power amps as possible. Your subwoofer (depending upon power requirements) may be fine plugged into a filtered slot (such as in Bank 2) but given the questionable utility of power filters you may as well plug it into Bank 3 just to be certain.