TrippLite LC2400, Why Shouldn't I Buy It?

Inspector 24

I've spend the last couple hours, and several hours in days past reading threads here and elsewhere, looking at specs and features of various units and it seems the Tripp Lite LC2400 offers good cost effective voltage regulation. Any reason I shouldn't buy this? We do have fluctuations according to the twin Monster HTS-2600ii's from 110 to 120v.

Gear is in the sig, AVR, BD, 2003, are plugged into one HTS2600, VTF15h and PSW 650 into the other HTS2600.

Just purchased a HCA-3500, I figured I would plug that into it's own dedicated LC2400, and then plug the first HTS2600 into another LC2400 on a separate circuit breaker.

Anything else in this price range I should consider?

F1nut

Personally, I wouldn't plug that amp into anything other than the wall, preferrably it's own dedicated 20 amp line.

Anyway, fluctuations between 110 to 120 are within the normal range and I doubt the TrippLite would even kick in. It also does not mention anything about being able to pass high current.

then plug the first HTS2600 into another LC2400

You don't want to plug one unit into another.

Inspector 24

20 amp line is in the works. For now it will have to make do with its own dedicated 15a line.

You've created more questions than answers. Care to expand on why I don't want to daisy chain? And why wouldn't I want to use a line conditioner/voltage regulator for it? What about surge suppression?

F1nut

I just read something about that recently. They stated that daisy chaining power conditioners will raise the impedance presented by them to levels above those recommended for quality audio.

Well, one issue I already mentioned. It doesn't seem to be able to pass high current, which that amp needs. I think you'll find most folks recommend plugging a he-man amp straight into the wall. The large transformer(s) will take care any power issues.

Inspector 24

Yeah I can't find anything about current supply... And I'm well aware the Parasound needs a lot!

Plugging in the wall still makes me concerned about surge suppression. It would sure suck to loose the amp to a storm...

pitdogg2

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Plugging in the wall still makes me concerned about surge suppression. It would sure suck to loose the amp to a storm...

unplug it during a storm. understand the concern but i just plug mine in when i need to listen other than that its unplugged.

dcmartinpc

I have a HCA-3500 and I have been running it plugged into my TrippLite LCR2400 (Rackmount Version) for several years with no issues driving a pair of SDA SRS2. I have pushed them hard and never had a falt. Personally I never noticed a difference from plugging directly into the wall or the TrippLite and I haven't noticed current issues. I did just switch over to a SurgeX SEQ, but it wasn't because the TrippLite didn't do the job. I wanted series mode surge supression and sequencing to automatically turn the amp on!

F1Nut is correct though, if there is a big enough hit to take out the transformer on the HCA-3500, your power conditioner is likely going to be melted, especially one based on MOVs...

For reference, my LCR2400 triggered voltage regulation quite a few times a day. It really depends on the grid power, the load on the grid, and time of year. Some areas have very clean power, others not

YMMV!

Don

Glen B

pitdogg2 wrote: »

unplug it during a storm. understand the concern but i just plug mine in when i need to listen other than that its unplugged.

Ditto. I always pull the plug during a storm. No amount of surge suppression can protect against a close/direct lightning hit.

Polkie2009

pitdogg2 wrote: »

unplug it during a storm. understand the concern but i just plug mine in when i need to listen other than that its unplugged.

+1 I only plug my equipment into the wall when I use it, afterwards, it's all unplugged. One of these days I'd like to get one of those SurgeX SEQ units, have always heard good things about them. I've heard for years not to daisy chain power strips or conditioners etc....

Inspector 24

dcmartinpc wrote: »

I have a HCA-3500 and I have been running it plugged into my TrippLite LCR2400 (Rackmount Version) for several years with no issues driving a pair of SDA SRS2. I have pushed them hard and never had a falt. Personally I never noticed a difference from plugging directly into the wall or the TrippLite and I haven't noticed current issues. I did just switch over to a SurgeX SEQ, but it wasn't because the TrippLite didn't do the job. I wanted series mode surge supression and sequencing to automatically turn the amp on!

F1Nut is correct though, if there is a big enough hit to take out the transformer on the HCA-3500, your power conditioner is likely going to be melted, especially one based on MOVs...

For reference, my LCR2400 triggered voltage regulation quite a few times a day. It really depends on the grid power, the load on the grid, and time of year. Some areas have very clean power, others not

YMMV!

Don

I'd much rather fry surge protectors/conditioners than the amp any day! Though when I can I unplug for storms, or when I'm going to be away for more than a couple days.

As I use the system every day, I'd be plugging and unplugging a lot. I'm all for protection, but also convenience. I really like the simplicity of pushing one button on the HTS2600 to turn everything on and off. The timed function is nice too.

That said I don't mind turning the Parasound on and off, but plugging/unplugging would be somewhat cumbersome. Your experience with the LCR2400 is promising. The LC2400 does have two 20a outlets that the rack mount version does not have, *suggesting* it does have the ability to deal with high current loads? FWIW, I don't listen at insane volume levels I won't be using all 350w 120a of current per channel. Sure, I turn it up every now and then for friends or fun, but for when I'm really being critical It's usually around 75-80db on the Radio Shack Meter. That's where I'm most comfortable and where it seems to sound overall the best.

Random thought, perhaps I'll get two LC2400's, one for each channel.

Alternatively, is there such a thing as a High Current capable unit that provides voltage regulation, noise filtering, and surge protection all in one box?

Inspector 24

Hmm, here's an article that talks about positive results plugging a balanced power conditioner into a <gasp> Monster Power AVS2000 voltage regulator.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/monster-power-avs-2000-automatic-voltage-stabilizer-equitech-2q-q650-balanced-power-systems-0

I plugged the amplifiers into the 2Q and the front-end components into the Q650. However, the Q650 was plugged into one of the switched outlets on the Monster AVS 2000, using a new, active version of Synergistic Research's Designer's Reference2 AC cord. The results far exceeded my expectations: the precision, clarity, definition, brilliance, and coherence of regulated voltage, combined with the smoothness, layering, scale, and resolution of balanced power, made everything sound more relaxed and involving. I couldn't have been happier with the performance of my reference system, or more certain of what I was hearing up and down the signal chain. I was no longer amplifying noise—only the music.

Hmm, perhaps daisy chaining isn't so bad?

Face

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Hmm, perhaps daisy chaining isn't so bad?

It's fine as long you don't mind if your house burns down. http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/cpindex.pl?ctn=SPP5145A/17&dct=FAQ&faqview=1&refdisplay=PWRPROT_QAC_55853&refnr=0055853&scy=PA&slg=ENG

Stop looking for the answer you want to hear, don't do it.

tonyb

Face wrote: »

Stop looking for the answer you want to hear, don't do it.

Cha-ching !!

Inspector 24

Did you read the article? Not simple strip surge protectors. At any rate, pardon my semantics, Not concerned with daisy chaining. Found that in my searching and found it interesting and mildly relevant to the thread.

What I am concerned about is giving clean, safe, regulated power to the Parasound. In case someone suggests it again, a dedicated 20a line is in my future, right now I have to settle for a dedicated 15a line.

So, Power Conditioner Voltage Regulator? One positive experience with the TrippLite's, others? I've read about the APC H15, while it has a higher surge protection rating, it appears it's not rated past 15a, where the TrippLite apparently is, considering it's rated to 2400w and has 20a outlets. Other options I've not found?

Speedskater

That's weird TrippLite reports that the 'LC2400' has a 15 Amp line cord plug. 15 Amp plug's and 20 Amp receptacles just don't go together.

tonyb

The output amp capacity on the Tripp lite is 15 amps, hence the plug being the same. Conclusion ? It's current limiting if it's allowing you to plug a 20 amp rated device into it. That's what I gather anyway.

Like F1nut said, the large transformers should be fine with minor fluctuations in line voltage. Smaller electronics with smaller power supplies is what benefits most from power conditioners for that reason. Even connected to one, it is still no guarantee that your amp is save from a close lightning strike.

Now as for a unit that does it all, voltage regulation, power conditioning, non current limiting......your going to spend some bucks. PS Audio has a few, Running Springs may fit in, along with a host of others but these units probably cost more than you paid for your amp. Looking to do all that for a few hundies.....I don't know man, compromises are going to have to happen.

zingo

I love my LCR2400, and it is rated at 20A per the TrippLite website. I haven't heard any difference between plugging my amp into the wall and the LCR2400, but my 400wpc class-D does not draw the same power as some of the amps on this forum. The voltage regulation and filtering is great, and has kicked in a few times in the last year which makes me wonder, "what if I didn't have it?" The voltage regulation however doesn't kick-in until the line drops to around 105v. Keep in mind that because the voltage regulation is simply a massive transformer with multiple voltage taps, when the LCR2400 corrects voltage to the first step, the output voltage actually goes to around 125v because TrippLite is assuming a certain load which would bring the final voltage down a little.

Model: LCR2400
Voltage compatibility: 120 VAC
Frequency compatibility: 60 Hz
Output capacity: 2400 watts
Output amp capacity: 20
Overload protection: 20-amp circuit breaker
AC suppression rating (joules): 1440
Outlet quantity/type: 14 x 5-15R (2 front, 12 rear)

All that aside, I feel the LCR2400 is everything I want, nothing I don't want to pay for, is over built for home stereo use, and I'll buy another if this one ever dies.

Inspector 24

I ordered two LC2400's off eBay, a seller had two new in box available, nabbed them both for $300 shipped, seems a good deal since they retail for $270ea on Home Depot!

Solid feeling, if a bit cheapish with the plastic case, cord is thick, feels heavy duty. Units come with a 20a plug to wire onto the existing cord.

On to the A/B comparison. I plugged both Tripp Lite's into the same outlet, and fed each channel of the 3500 from the 20a plug of it's own Tripp Lite. I did this late at night, completely exhausted so it was short demo. First impression, something was definitely different, but it took me a few times back and forth. Song was Daft Punk Random Access Memories Loose Yourself To Dance, something I'm familiar with, and I like. With the Parasound plugged to the Tripp Lites, I though there was a smoothing of the sound, specifically the vocals, but I going back to directly in the wall I found I heard more sibilance in his voice. Going back to the Tripp Lites' the sibilance disappeared but it also made the vocals sound slightly veiled. Also, the texture of the bass notes seemed less defined, and maybe ever so slightly less punchy. Going directly to the wall again the sound was slightly harsher but it seemed like I could pick out more texture in Parrell's voice, and the soundstage was slightly bigger. While I like the smoother sound with the Tripp Lites in use, I wonder if that's smoothness at the expense of detail and accuracy. More listening is needed.

For now I figured I'd let them burn in to see if there's any difference to be had. From reading other posts it seems a reasonable way to do this is to plug them into something like a fridge for a couple weeks or so? The Kegerator downstairs and the drink cooler at work should fit that role nicely. In the end if I can't hear any difference with them plugged in they will stay, if I hear a difference, and I don't like it, they'll get the boot, or duty somewhere else in the house.

Thanks for all the info everybody! I'll post back when I do more A/B listening.

tonyb

Sell the tripp lites, and invest that money into better cables.

Inspector 24

He he, that will be another thread. Looked at a few appealing DIY options too, seems you can get a lot of cable for not much money that way.

dkg999

I've used a Tripplite LCR 2400 in my HT for quite a few years. Mine has the metal chassis/case. I've not noticed any real difference in my HT. I've had my B&K AVR, amp, and two SVS subs all plugged into it.

RamZet

Buy a Panamax.
I toss out about 3 Tripp Lite products a week. I have real work experience with that company, they make trash.

Inspector 24

Some say Panamax is trash.

Besides, I looked closely at their products, looks like some really good stuff but nothing I saw appeared capable of delivering enough wattage/current to the Parasound HCA-3500. The Tripp Lite is rated at 2400W, each channel of the 3500 requires 1200W according to the manual, and the back panel of the amp.

Jury is still out on the Tripp Lites anyway. If I don't like them for the amp, I've got other places they can be used in the house, like replacing the Monster Cable power strip for the upstairs rig.

madmax

I used a pair of the lcr2400 for many years and loved them. At a financially bad time I sold them and found out how much they were really doing for my system.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3478801&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CMDeosO3mbkCFUPl7AodJA0A9g

Inspector 24

madmax wrote: »

I used a pair of the lcr2400 for many years and loved them. At a financially bad time I sold them and found out how much they were really doing for my system.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3478801&SRCCODE=WEBGOOPA&cm_mmc_o=mH4CjC7BBTkwCjCV1-CjCE&gclid=CMDeosO3mbkCFUPl7AodJA0A9g

More info on that? What did you notice??

Polkersince85

IMO, one of the best things for protection is to be sure the house has good grounding. Poor grounding can lead to all kinds of issues. I've used an LCR2400 for years.

Inspector 24

Aaah, indeed. I was looking at the ground spike for the house the other day. It didn't look terrible, but I'm sure there's some room for improvement.

zingo

My LCR2400 has a metal chassis as well, so I've very surprised that yours is plastic; first from anyone I've heard of that.

Inspector 24

I didn't get the LCR2400. I got the LC2400. No 'R'

http://m.tripplite.com/en/model.cfm?txtModelID=2845