Power Conditioners - Anybody using them?

[bongobob]

Hey folks, looking for some feedback.
I currently run all my stuff through a couple of Tripplite Isobars. I was thinking of dropping a coupla bucks on a stand alone conditioner such as those put out by Belkin and (Gulp) Monster.
Does anyone find a clear advantage in using these units?

Bob

 

[Johnd]

Only if you experience interference. I've heard dozens of horror stories of the "lessened power output" of amps and receivers when ran through conditioners, but have found them to be untrue to my untrained ear on my equipment. Without an spl, my 5803 drives my 'digm 100's to ear deafening levels, both on and off my mc 5100.

 

[Sleestack]

I use voltage regulators b/c of my dimmers. I also use various Belkin, Monster and Audiophile APS conditioners, but more for their surge protection and streamlined design than anything else.

If you don't have money to burn, don't bother unless you are having power related issues. Even then, try to fix the root cause first. I'm just lazy.

 

[WndrBr3d]

If I were you, I'd look into the APC Power Centers. Not only do they utilize Isolated Filters to clean the incoming power signal, but they also have a Transformer so they can perform AVR (Automatic Votlage Regulation).

This way the incoming power can flucuate between 90-135v, and it'll always output a stable +/-5% 120v to your equipment.

The H series APC power centers have the transfomer/filtering. The J series have the same, but also include a battery, so it can also act as a UPS.

A great example of what a power conditioner fixes is when you run your vacuum, it'll show noise and perhaps distortion on the analog channels. Also, if you use any type of signal amplifier (like cable amplifier), it injects power into the line, and with it noise.

The APC H series run only about $350 and are worth every penny.

 

[Johnd]

A great example of what a power conditioner fixes is when you run your vacuum, it'll show noise and perhaps distortion on the analog channels.

Who vacuums while doing critical listening?

 

[WndrBr3d]

Who vacuums while doing critical listening?

My example was for video, as in when I'm watching TV and my wife decides to clean the house.

 

[Tom Andry]

My example was for video, as in when I'm watching TV and my wife decides to clean the house.

You can get your wife to clean the house?! What's your secret?

 

[Johnd]

You can get your wife to clean the house?! What's your secret?

WndrBr3d not only gets his wife to clean the house, he gets her to clean it while he's watching tv!

 

[ZoFo]

I have the APC H-15

It's a really great unit, not only do you have great EMI filtering and voltage stability but you can togle through it's menus and see exactly how much of a load you are putting on the circut and how much you have left, in %.

I was looking serioulsy looking at the Monster products until I saw there manual; it says to unplug during a storm! That was the primary reason why I was getting the damn thing! I looked at the APC H-15 which had just come out and it was a no brainer; I could get a true Power Conditioner for the price of a Monster Power Filter. I was having a problem with "noise bands" scrolling on my HDTV and this resolved that, that was as far as the picture improvment went but the peace of mind I get with the H-15 is, like the commercial says "priceless".

I priced the H-15 this week and see that it is now $400, I know I did not pay that much but even so it's still a great deal for what you get compared to the others. I also see that you have a choice of color, silver or black, that was not around when I got mine and they also did not have the S and J series of UPS enabled power conditioners.

I also have a Belkin P-30, nice filter unit but its not a Power Conditioner.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Who vacuums while doing critical listening?

The neighbors always seem to do that LOL

 

[WndrBr3d]

I was looking serioulsy looking at the Monster products until I saw there manual; it says to unplug during a storm!

Thats just common sense!

Surge Protectors are really only used to protect against a sudden rush of Voltage.

Think of Voltage like running water. If you turn on something with a motor or high power draw, such as a hair dryer, it consumes a lot of energy, which is now rushing down the line. When you turn off the device, the in-rush of energy is now diverted across the circuit in the form of excess voltage.

A small percentage of power surges are generated from outside the home, which your breaker box should protect against.

Now, in the case of the lightning storm I don't care how much you spent on surge suppression equipment, because if your surge protector is in the path of a lightning bolt that perhaps hit your house or near your house, it's fried. Period.

 

[tomd51]

Similar to Johnd's post, unless you're experiencing any noise or interference during playback, you're looking for more functionality (addditional outlets, 12v or A/C triggering, ethernet and additional RF connections, etc.), you're likely to see much benefit from doing so.

I'm currently (pun intended ) using a Belkin PureAV Power Console PF31 for the bulk of my HT equipment and I've relegated a Tripp Lite HT10DBS Isobar Surge Suppressor to a separate circuit solely for my subwoofer and rear surrounds amp. The Tripp Lite has worked just fine, but I wanted a bit more than it had to offer from a feature and expansion standpoint... -TD

 

[jcrobso]

I use a good battery UPS with AVR.

RP HDTVs that have lamp needs to be cooled , when you turn of the TV the lamp cooling fan runs for a couple of minuets to remove the residual heat from the lamp. If you suddenly lose power the fan can't run and the residual heat can melt the lamp, I have seen this happen. John

 

[evilkat]

I've heard that a 'clean' line can actually prolong the life of your electronics (not sure how much snake oil is in that one). I plan on using a tripp lite to at least minimally condition my lines before feeding it into my HT system.