New Surge Protector

zingo

Over the last week, my Monster 2500 has been giving me the "alarm of death" off and on. I had the until for almost 10 years, and it was nothing fancy, but served its time well did its job. Well this morning it was beeping at me constantly, and so I finally unplugged it after a few hours of listening to that terrible noise. I have my equipment plugged into a cheap power strip for the time being, but am now looking for a replacement for the unit. I'd like to say I'll be throwing a bunch of money at a new one, but it looks like a reasonable budget for the time being is around $50. I've been very interested in the APC Line-R 1200 as it can be had for around $50 on Amazon, and it is an automatic voltage regulator. I know the H10/H15 is the best option of that type of product/protection, but I'm just not sure I can justify the price difference and the Line-R would work great for my few components.

Are there better options that I have over looked for a similar price? Has anyone used the Line-R line from APC in their system? Thanks for all the help!

http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=LE1200

F1nut

It's not rated to pass high current, so don't plug an amp into it. For everything else, it would be ok.

zingo

For any amp Jesse? I would either be running a class A 15wpc power amp, or PP 40wpc KT88 integrated amp as I don't use too much power on my horns. You think either of those would be too high current for the LE1200? It's rated at 10A/1200w.

Zeros

What about this Belkin PF30 for $60 shipped:

http://www.buy.com/prod/belkin-pureav-pf30-home-theater-power-console/q/loc/101/207514354.html

I just picked up one recently. I don't know if it meets all of your needs though.

F1nut

zingo wrote: »

For any amp Jesse? I would either be running a class A 15wpc power amp, or PP 40wpc KT88 integrated amp as I don't use too much power on my horns. You think either of those would be too high current for the LE1200? It's rated at 10A/1200w.

You'd have to find out what the maximum amp draw is for your amps. Considering that what is coming out of your wall is 15A/1800W, the APC unit isn't doing you any favors.

zingo

Zeros wrote: »

What about this Belkin PF30 for $60 shipped:

http://www.buy.com/prod/belkin-pureav-pf30-home-theater-power-console/q/loc/101/207514354.html

I just picked up one recently. I don't know if it meets all of your needs though.

I do like the voltage regulation that the APC unit offers, but the PF30 looks like a nice unit for the price as well.

samnor

In case you're interested, I picked up a rotel line conditioner rlc-900 ( I think) that has a convenient delay on feature for amps (turns preamp section on first and then the amp section). The amp section allows for 1300watts in total across 2 outlets. It cost me 90$ on the 'gon... I'm a little lazy at following protocol so having the rotel doing it automatically makes me stay lazy...

Zeros

zingo wrote: »

I do like the voltage regulation that the APC unit offers, but the PF30 looks like a nice unit for the price as well.

Just a FYI, the PF30 has a delayed outlet for an amp as well.

leftwinger57

i don't think it has enough outlets formy purposes.

digitalvideo

You should go with SurgeX or Brickwall for surge protectors...they use no MOV's which are catastrophic or deteriorate over time and they divert surges from the neutral to the ground. The SurgeX and Brickwall don't do that, they use patented Series Mode technology and are used by professtional recording studios, sports stadiums and high end home theaters.

I never understood how people want to cheap out on protecting their home theaters with mickey mouse surge protectors?

http://surgex.com/

http://www.brickwall.com/

Zeros

digitalvideo wrote: »

You should go with SurgeX or Brickwall for surge protectors...they use no MOV's which are catastrophic or deteriorate over time and they divert surges from the neutral to the ground. The SurgeX and Brickwall don't do that, they use patented Series Mode technology and are used by professtional recording studios, sports stadiums and high end home theaters.

I never understood how people want to cheap out on protecting their home theaters with mickey mouse surge protectors?

http://surgex.com/

http://www.brickwall.com/

I understand what you are saying, but maybe he doesn't have $230+ to spend on a surge protector. He stated that he has around a $50 budget. So you recommend ones that cost five times that. I don't think that is very constructive.

zingo

Zeros wrote: »

I understand what you are saying, but maybe he doesn't have $230+ to spend on a surge protector. He stated that he has around a $50 budget. So you recommend ones that cost five times that. I don't think that is very constructive.

Don't worry about it, and thanks for the suggestions digitalvideo. I do think no MOVs makes sense, but my budget is a little limited right now with a new amp coming through the door. With just $50 to be spent on my next surge protector, I won't feel too bad if I upgrade in a while to a better unit.

I know the possibility is there, but I just don't get big electrical issues in my neighborhood here in the PWN. My biggest issues seem to be junk on the lines and fluctuating voltages, so I'm hoping the ACP Line-R will do me well for the time being.

I just got a TrippLite IsobarUltra on loan from my father-in-law to try out until I decide what to buy; seems like a quality unit.

20hz

panamax is the only one I would trust ,I had a older 2" tall one used it daily for 7 years the releys started to wear and sometimes would not turn off so I wrote panamax explained the problem they sent me claim forms to send it with my unit , for $25 I got a new model 1500 , great customer service and warrenty that covers anything I plugged into it .

djperez81

Zeros wrote: »

Just a FYI, the PF30 has a delayed outlet for an amp as well.

I just recently bought one of these units, pretty good deal for 60 bucks. Cant really beat it for that price.

unc2701

I've manged to score SurgeX's off of ebay for as little as $30. I think a lot of people don't realize exactly what they are, so it gets listed as a "power strip". Of course this comes with the usual never-know-what-you're-getting from ebay.

So, not entirely unconstructive and with a little patience you should be able to score one not too far outside your budget.

digitalvideo

unc2701 wrote: »

I've manged to score SurgeX's off of ebay for as little as $30. I think a lot of people don't realize exactly what they are, so it gets listed as a "power strip". Of course this comes with the usual never-know-what-you're-getting from ebay.

So, not entirely unconstructive and with a little patience you should be able to score one not too far outside your budget.

I personally wouldn't buy anything from ebay or any auction unless it's brand new in it's factory sealed box with warranty, some of the sellers won't pay for shipping and they won't cover any damages during shipping. I think the reason why is sometimes the product is already damaged before they ship it and you open it up and it's broken and the seller can claim it must have been damaged during the shipping process.

heiney9

digitalvideo wrote: »

I personally wouldn't buy anything from ebay or any auction unless it's brand new in it's factory sealed box with warranty, some of the sellers won't pay for shipping and they won't cover any damages during shipping. I think the reason why is sometimes the product is already damaged before they ship it and you open it up and it's broken and the seller can claim it must have been damaged during the shipping process.

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

H9

20hz

lol !!

zingo

digitalvideo wrote: »

I personally wouldn't buy anything from ebay or any auction unless it's brand new in it's factory sealed box with warranty, some of the sellers won't pay for shipping and they won't cover any damages during shipping. I think the reason why is sometimes the product is already damaged before they ship it and you open it up and it's broken and the seller can claim it must have been damaged during the shipping process.

In general I would disagree as I've never been burning on ebay or audiogon, but I would have to agree in the realm of surge protectors. If you are buying a MOV based unit, you really have no idea what the history or condition of the surge protector is unless it is new. I've bought used surge protectors in the past and been fine, but you have no way to know.

Face

It's a good thing that Monster component gave up the ghost, they're junk. But I'm having trouble understanding that you only want to spend $50 with your level of gear?

zingo

I've been giving that some thought... I currently have an amp coming in that I'll be paying for if I decide to keep it, which is why I had limited myself to $50. However, now that I have the TrippLite in place to hold me over, maybe I will wait a little longer for a better unit.

Given a choice of the APC H15 or an above mentioned non-MOV unit, what would be your choice for about $250?

Face

I've been meaning to pick up a Brickwall to compare to my Richard Gray 600S.

digitalvideo

heiney9 wrote: »

That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.

H9

How is it dumb, can you please explain?

When I was looking for a Pioneer Kuro Plasma back in 2009 many of the sellers wouldn't pay for the shipping or any damages during shipping, same goes with other products selling there, bd players, recievers etc.

About 2 years ago there were sellers on Ebay selling fake knock-off Monster cables for $50 claiming they were $500 ones...many people bought them, the packaging was almost identical. There was a video of it up on YouTube exposing it. There are scams on ebay and sellers do some shady things in general.

digitalvideo

When it comes to mov based surge protectors they're all the same, APC/Monster/Panamax,Triplite., if you open them up it's the same mov design. It doesn't matter if it's new or used when a mov encounters a surge even if the mov is intact it diverts the surge from the neutral to the ground which leads to ground contamination and common mode surges, if there is a strong enough surge it will destroy the mov sending all those volts to your equipment. A member on www.blu-ray.com had his APC blowout from a storm which damaged his electronics and APC gave him the run around for a month or so until they finally to payed up, he's switching to SurgeX.

heiney9

digitalvideo wrote: »

When I was looking for a Pioneer Kuro Plasma back in 2009 many of the sellers wouldn't pay for the shipping or any damages during shipping.

A large very expensive Plasma TV I could see them making those kinds of restrictions as an option. I would never buy anything from someone who wouldn't guarantee the piece makes it unbroken. Proper packing and insurance covers it. If they aren't willing to do that, then I don't care what the item is I'm not buying it. A surge protector is COMPLETELY different than a very large Plasma tv.

Then to make a blanket statement about not buying *ANYTHING* used on ebay because they don't pay for shipping or damages, is the most absurd thing I have ever read on the is forum.

H9

digitalvideo

heiney9 wrote: »

A large very expensive Plasma TV I could see them making those kinds of restrictions as an option. I would never buy anything from someone who wouldn't guarantee the piece makes it unbroken. Proper packing and insurance covers it. If they aren't willing to do that, then I don't care what the item is I'm not buying it. A surge protector is COMPLETELY different than a very large Plasma tv.

I also mentioned coming across some bd players and recievers too that the sellers weren't standing behind and weren't willing to pay for any damages in shipping that cost far less than a plasma tv.

heiney9 wrote: »

Then to make a blanket statement about not buying *ANYTHING* used on ebay because they don't pay for shipping or damages, is the most absurd thing I have ever read on the is forum.

It would be pretty dumb to buy anything online that is used when you can't see the condition of it in person or even see if the power turns on so it's a gamble to buy it and risk the chance.

And No I don't think it's absurd, we both know there are things posted on here far worse and what I posted isn't out of the norm at all if you knew about all the scams out there. I think it has more to do with you and some personal grudge you might have towards me from previous run ins we had here like when I was questioning you or some others on here for why they were spending $5000 for a wire and you making some comment about my post above was your way of being immature and getting your little shot in at me.

Now let's get back to helping zingo.

digitalvideo

zingo how many pieces of equipment will be plugged into the surge protector? Try to figure out how many volts those electronics adds up to in total, each device lists it's voltage on the back. Will you be plugging it into a 15 or 20 amp circuit? The units below should do the trick...

SurgeX SA-1810 http://www.surgex.com/products/sa1810.html

or...

SurgeX XS10 www.surgex.com/pdf/XS10-LR.pdf

heiney9

digitalvideo wrote:

It would be pretty dumb to buy anything online that is used

It's absurd, because Ebay has been around for a long time and if it's nothing but a scam, it wouldn't still be here. I've bought upwards of 200-300 items, most used and had about 3-4 small issues that were all resolved. All within a 5-6 year period.

Every transaction is buyer beware, that's a given or else you have no business buying on-line.

H9

mrbiron

Given a choice of the APC H15 or an above mentioned non-MOV unit, what would be your choice for about $250?

Zingo, i literally picked up my first APC H15 3 days ago. I've owned a couple of Monster HTS in the past of years and let me tell you, this is a nicer piece of gear. From looks to functionality, for $250, you can't go wrong. Input voltage, used voltage, about 6 dimmer setting for the display lights, clean backside :biggrin:, a lot of headroom in the power draw, and did i mention $250. If you shop around you can actually get it for $230 shipped...i did
*cough* - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=465426&Q=&is=REG&A=details

digitalvideo

heiney9 wrote: »

It's absurd, because Ebay has been around for a long time and if it's nothing but a scam, it wouldn't still be here. I've bought upwards of 200-300 items, most used and had about 3-4 small issues that were all resolved. All within a 5-6 year period.

Every transaction is buyer beware, that's a given or else you have no business buying on-line.

H9

I don't think you have a problem with my posts...you seem to have a personal problem with me and whining and harping on about my posts is just a way for you to express it.

Ok, now let's see here... now I never said: "Ebay is nothing but a scam." and I don't believe they're a scam...but there are sellers on there who are scammers and have been caught scamming people. One of the examples I mentioned about was sellers selling fake knock-off Monster cables that looked almost identical to the original and many people fell for it and even Monster said these fakes exist on ebay.

One of the Largest eBay Scams Finally Comes to an End:

http://fourpastfour.com/2010/02/24/one-of-the-largest-ebay-scams-finally-comes-to-an-end/

But thanks for ruining the OP's thread...now let's get back to trying to figure out which surge protector zingo needs. If you got anything to say about ebay send it through Instant Message PM and leave your personal problems with me off the public boards so it doesn't disrupt the forum.

BWilberg266

Sorry but I have to say, as far as monster goes...they're all fakes (especially the ones bought in stores for $500) charging crazy amounts of money for their name. The amount of cash people drop on the Monster name instead of putting that money towards actual quality gear just drives me nuts. Monster isn't interested in improving anyone's experience with audio, they're just interested in emptying their wallets.

That being said I've got a Panamax 5100 that I've been more than pleased with, and you can get one new, unopened on flea-bay for around $250.