What is a good Power Conditioner?

[albasbal]

I am thinking of buying a Power Conditioner and wanted to know if anyone knew more about them. I have read articles at audioholics about the brand APC but a friend boasts his Monster Cable brand with its three "digital comb filters" is simply phenominal. Is it safe to assume that Monster is overprised hogwash. Is APC good, are there any others to consider?

Thanks

 

[Mudcat]

If you want to protect your components from lightening, power spikes, brown outs etc.. Go with a Furman AR1215 or Triplite LCR2400 (The Furman is quieter- you'll the hear the Tripplite click occasionally).

If you want filtered power to isolate components from each other , The Monster thingies do that, as well as Furman products. I do not know about APC though.

 

[jaxvon]

Monster is quality, but overpriced and full of marketing BS. So in essence, you're right.

APC is a good brand, but there are other great options such as Tripp-Lite and Panamax.

 

[JeffreyDurbin]

I got a new Monster HTS5000 for $300, down from $600 MSRP, at uBid a week ago. It might pop up again. I think Monster is horribly overpriced but I decided at 1/2 price it was approaching a fair deal. I would never consider buying power conditioning equipment used on eBay but apparently people disagree with me. I bet I could unload it a couple years down the road for close to what I paid.

 

[ht_addict]

I am thinking of buying a Power Conditioner and wanted to know if anyone knew more about them. I have read articles at audioholics about the brand APC but a friend boasts his Monster Cable brand with its three "digital comb filters" is simply phenominal. Is it safe to assume that Monster is overprised hogwash. Is APC good, are there any others to consider?

Thanks

If your in the US do a web search for the new Belkin Pure AV power conditioners. They can be had with deep discounts. Other than that what kind of budget are you looking at?

 

[Nick250]

I have nothing against power conditioners, they serve a purpose in certain situations, but if you are looking to improve the audio or video of your system, look elsewhere. I have seen the monster ones at Best Buy and I must say they really have a hugh "cool factor". I think of them as high quality power surge protectors. That being said a much less expensive quality surge protector will serve the same purpose IMO.

 

[gene]

We use APC Power Conditioners in all of our reference systems for very good reasons:
1) They are some of the best on the market
2) They are UL/CSA Certified
3) They are snake oil free

When our new labs are setup we will be doing some measurements on them to show the benefits of regulated power conditioning.

APC FAQ Interview

 

[albasbal]

Thanks

Thanks for your help.

As to my budget, I really don't have set boundaries. I am in the desigining stage and I am trying to get good quality "marketing-junk free" equipment. I understand the minimal audio and video benefits of a power conditioner. I want to make sure I'm protected and reduce any noise coming into my system.

 

[jcPanny]

APC H10 deal

This site has the APC H10 (on backorder) for $168 bucks. It retails for $300.
You can get good deals on the Belkin Pure AV products on this site also, but they only provide filtering and surge protection of your AC power, while the APC also regulates the output voltage so you get a perfect 120 AC to your gear.

http://www.digitallyunique.com/h10.html?src=247

 

[majorloser]

Myself, personally I'd go with one of APC's Smart-UPS line. They give you the auto voltage regulation along with a UPS. Adding a UPS can save you headaches in the long run.

 

[shokhead]

Any good ones out there for under 100 bucks are are they something you just have to spend more on?

 

[majorloser]

Any good ones out there for under 100 bucks are are they something you just have to spend more on?

I hate to say it, but I think that's a "NO". Think of it as an insurance payment.

The APC H10 that jcPanny sugested is a great unit. It is also available with battery back up (UPS) as the S10. It is designed to look like a component and is rack-able. Furman products are also rack mounted components. Both can be EXPENSIVE.

This is why I suggested the APC Smart-UPS or the lower line Back- UPS line. Computer items are usually discounted a little better than audio because it's a more competative market.

There's always Ebay. Older UPS's might need a battery replacement, though. Depending on the size of the unit it's not that expensive to buy batteries.

 

[shokhead]

I did see a Belkin PF20 AP1000-10 for 98 bucks on e-bay.