now i'm worried

[rollinrocker]

After reading posts on the earthquake thread i'm wondering, should an amp be plugged directly into the wall? Line conditioner/surge protectors from apc, tripplite, monster, ps audio etc., should be used for source components only? What do you guys do? What SHOULD we do?

AARRRGGGHHH!!!!!

 

[Johnd]

At a minimum use a good quality surge protector.

 

[fredejo]

they are not expensive, i got a monster power SW 200 for $30 from amazon, im sure if u look around u can find something better than monster for the same price, or cheaper...

 

[Giuseppe]

Hey guys

I have the Monster MKII Home Theatre Power Centre http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10034066&catid=10677 and was wondering if I should plug in my sub to this??? I don't want 2 foot flames coming from my sub, thank you.

 

[Reorx]

It depends on the amp.

With the Earthquake amp, it has a line conditioner built in, and was designed to be plugged directly into the wall. If you plug it into anything else, you take the risk of damaging the unit.

Other amps you can plug into line conditioners and powerstrips...but it's best to check the manual, or if unsure, call the manufacture.

Reorx

 

[bongobob]

I use Triplite Isobars on everything, including the sub. I also keep my amp and receiver on different filter banks....

 

[ZoFo]

APC H15 - nothing better for the money

I just bought this unit a month ago and I have been amazed at the quality & thought that went into this Unit. It does everything the high-dollar units do; triggers, delayed outlets & sequential power -on, and it's display tells you everything you need to know about the circut including how close you are getting to maxing out your 15 Amp circut, even has a warning light & buzzer if its overloaded. It was designed for a 15 Amp circut and it has 2 high-current outlets designed for Amps & Sub and will not restrict power & sudden large draws on the circut like many do; no need to worry if your Amp / sub is getting all of the power it needs when it needs it without the conditioner seeing it as a spike and clamping down, restricting the current to the Amp.

Not only does it isolate & filter power, it regulates it by boosting & triming the actual voltage and it does all of this for under $300. And the pretty blue display light can be dimmed or turned off. APC is a very well established company who has been in the power business for many years, I have used their equipment for 20 years and can vouch for the quality & how they support their products.

 

[flyv65]

APC is a very well established company who has been in the power business for many years, I have used their equipment for 20 years and can vouch for the quality & how they support their products.

I second that: we've been using a few of their (APC's) UPCs on some important equipment without a problem. I wish I'd known about them years ago.

Bryan...looking at the S and J series conditioners...

 

[Audioholics]

It does everything the high-dollar units do

Yes, and if you factor in the esoteric gear it does much more for about 1/5 the price. It's almost laughable when you look at the supposed "high-end" power conditioners and surge protectors and realize most don't even offer voltage regulation - available at $300 from APC.

 

[gcmarshall]

some amps, B&K for example, are recommended to be plugged directly into the wall outlet and not use any power conditioner and/or surge suppressor at all.

 

[Giuseppe]

Hey guys, I checked my HSU VTF-3 MKII manual but it doesn't say anything about where to plug it into? Any HSU owners out there know if it is ok to plug it into a power center???

 

[gcmarshall]

if it were me, i'd call the manufacturer and ask that question about your HSU. they built it, and they know it better than anyone else. they are your best source of info, if you want the best answer possible.

 

[Giuseppe]

Well, I called HSU and some person told me that if I don't experience surges that I should plug it into the wall. But she said that she doesnt know what the power center I have can handle. The monster power center that I have can handle 2775 joules. I also have my HK AVR 7300, DVD, VCR, and PS2 plugged into it. Do you think the power center can handle all of that?

 

[Wid]

I think most of the worries about using a power conditioner or surge protector are a bit over blown. I have been running my system, including a Rotel Rb 1080, through a MonsterPower center for over two years now with no problems at all. I also have my Hsu sub going to a MonsterPower sub outlet with no problems. All one needs to do is add up the consumption rating of all their equipment then divide it by 120 and see if it is within the range of the powercenter or surge protector. If it is then just sit back and relax a bit.

Here is a link to figure out how many amps your system is using

 

[ZoFo]

I don't think your Power Center would be the problem

Well, I called HSU and some person told me that if I don't experience surges that I should plug it into the wall. But she said that she doesnt know what the power center I have can handle. The monster power center that I have can handle 2775 joules. I also have my HK AVR 7300, DVD, VCR, and PS2 plugged into it. Do you think the power center can handle all of that?[/QUO

Sounds like you are more worried in your 15 Amp circut handle that load. That is why I like the meter on the H15 so much; it shows you how many Amps your equipment is drawing and what percentage of the 15 Amp circut you have used, and how close you are to maxing it out.

I have a Hsu VTF-III Mk2 plugged into my power center's SUB plug which was designed for a high current device, when I had it placed across the room I also had a Panamax power protector designed for Subwoofers; the protector also has In/Out RCA plugs for your cable which I did not use.

It is my understanding that problems can occure with using high current drawing devices such as Amps & Subwoofers with surge protectors that were not designed for AV use, such as a PC surge protector, because Amps and Subs on occasion have high current draws that the surge protector sees as a spike so it clamps down and limits the current. I have also heard that PC protectors have filters that can introduce noise into your system. In other words that "Free" surge protector you got from the office just ain't going to cut it in many cases!

 

[Giuseppe]

So would you recommend I plug my sub into the wall, since I have everthing else connected to one outlet? At the max the sub takes 1400watts, and that is alot. That combined with my HK 7300, which probably takes around 800watts, my PS2, and DVD player, is a lot for one outlet isnt it?

 

[Eric Apple]

If everything were running maxed out, that would be to much for a 15A circuit. Only about 1800 watts total for a 15 amp circuit, 2400 for 20 amp. In real life, it would probably be fine on 15A. Using 2 plugs on the same circuit really isn't going to matter.

The worst that should happen is that a breaker trips. But, that probably would never happen during use. Turn on surge of the amp preceeds the sub (which is likely in stby with no big surge anyhow) so you proably wouldn't have an issue wih turn on surges either.

PS.. Just read that the orginal thread about the amp fire wasn't the total truth and involved user modifications.