Surge Protectors and Clean Power

thehalo8 · February 2004

I am currently running my system off a high end Belkin power strip. I am looking to get a new strip that offers the protection of surges but also provides clean power to my equipment. I have my eye on a Monster HTS 2000 MKII Power Center. If anyone has any comments on that unit or perhaps one you use I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to get a good strip to protect and power all my stuff. Thanks for the help guys.

Mike

Frank Z · February 2004

Halo,
I'm using a Monster HTS1000. The only reason that I bought it was for surge protection, and it had enough oulets for all my stuff. As for "Clean Power," the 1000 made zero difference in the audio or video quality in my HT.

goingganzo · February 2004

the panamax stuff is so much beter than the monster stuff you are just paying for the monster cable name.

dorokusai · February 2004

That is entirely subjective Ganzo, sorry. That is why a individual should shop around, and not be led by the Best Buy nose.

EZC, Polk Forum member, is a MC dealer, if you want a deal on a MC product, he may be able to help you out.

I am with Frank on that one, as I picked a HTS-5100 up simply for protection/capacity.....if it "cleaned" up anything, I am unaware of the benefit at this time.

ezc · February 2004

The HTS 2000 MKII is a great power conditioner / surge protector. It even has a 3-30 volt remote trigger. The clean power circuits does a great job removing the noise & protecting from surges, it also has a input voltage led meter & amp usage led meter. If your looking for a strip type the 2000 is great. If you want better you should look at the HTS 2600 which has application specific filters or what we spec into systems we sell is the HTS 3600 which are component type. Unless you have plans to upgrade equipment that draws lots of power the 2000 should be ok. If you do go to high current equipment you would need to have a conditioner/surge that has dedicated hi cruuent outlets w/ application specific filters. Hope this helps. If you got more questions or want more info let me know. ace@ezconnection.org

I-SIG · February 2004

What about that unit that Adcom makes? I've always heard good things about it but could never quite pull the trigger on it the purchase. Thanks

Wes

thehalo8 · February 2004

Well I do plan on upgrading to the HDTV and adding mono blocks to my speakers. So perhaps I should look into the HTS 2600. I was originally looking at the HTS 2000 MKII but what is the difference between that one and POWERBAR 2100 ? The specs look almost identical; only the style looks different to me.

Oh I was also mistaken when I said I am using a Belkin power surge, I am actually using a Panamax 8 outlet surge protector. I definitely want to have 12 outlets available on the strip. From what I saw at Panamax I did not see any units with that many outlets on their website. I am not hardcore on Monster, but the strips looked like just what I wanted and it sounds like other members use them too.

gmorris · February 2004

http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=monmphts2500&store=&catid=4100

Here is the best deal I've yet found on the HTS 2500. That site is an authorized retailer, so warranty is valid.

I will be ordering this from this site it two weeks. I'll let everyone know when I get it.

mantis · February 2004

Alot of good debatable comments made already.....

Here is my 2 cents.

Power center offer alot of benefits.The ability to plug in all your gear safley,surge protection and the possible ability to give you better video and audio performance.

In my experience,I have found I'll go as far as calling them "them"to make a noticable difference in my personal system as well as in others as well.Every house and system is difference to some degree.Your benefits will be your own.

I don't want to sound one way or the other.I for one support power centers.Some claim no difference and I'm not going to debate that.

For me I enjoy a nice power center.Again I have found differences in using even different levels of protection and line conditioning levels.I will willingly spend the money if it makes a difference.It it didn't then I would return it.

Portecting your gear in my opnion is a big deal.I have alot of money (in my eyes anyway and I'm sure all of you feel that way about your system)into my system and would like and feel more confortable just knowing it's better protected with then without.Your call here fellas.

As far as one company making better then others???Sure I have seen many different brands go but og different systems and seem different results.Monster power centers are built well as so is the others like Panamax and RG's.

You just need to decide if the investment is the correct one for you.

Dan

There are however some who claim that power centers robe your system of it's performance.Audio this comes from not video.I haven't heard anyone claim there picture got worse with a power center over plugging it into the wall directly.
Have you tested a power amp into a correct level surge/center over directly into the wall????I have.

danger boy · February 2004

which Panamax would be equivalent to say a monster power HTS 3500?

polkatese · February 2004

DB,
A Panamax 5100 would be roughly in the same ballpark as a Monster HTS3500.

reeltrouble1 · February 2004

My video was better after I started using the Monster 5000 power conditioner.

I think being able to turn your equipment on and off in a certain order is a nice feature for the conditioner, the monster power strip I use in the bedroom does not offer this feature.

The conditioner helped my rack with wire management.

The conditioner has plugs in the front my kids use to plug their x-box into.

I like my conditioner!!:D

Shizelbs · February 2004

Originally posted by reeltrouble1
I think being able to turn your equipment on and off in a certain order is a nice feature for the conditioner, the monster power strip I use in the bedroom does not offer this feature.

I am pretty in the dark about power conditioners. Could you please explain a little bit more about the ability to turn equipment on and off in a certain order? Do you mean that by the touch of a button there is a pre-arranged sequence that boots your gear on and off?

nemos2 · February 2004

Just My $0.02,

While you are looking, take a look at brickwall.com. They make (IMHO) rock solid surge protectors, and the customer support is great. They will talk you through the entire process, and explain the concepts behind the surge protection and filtering. Take a look at the website, make sure that you get to the "audio" portion of the website.

gmorris · February 2004

Originally posted by Shizelbs
I am pretty in the dark about power conditioners. Could you please explain a little bit more about the ability to turn equipment on and off in a certain order? Do you mean that by the touch of a button there is a pre-arranged sequence that boots your gear on and off?

In a word, yes. BUT, this will only work if the connected epuipment has an ON/OFF toggle type switch. Most equipment has the notorious ON/OFF combo button, therefore it cannot be left on when the power is removed.

dorokusai · February 2004

Originally posted by nemos2

While you are looking, take a look at brickwall.com. They make (IMHO) rock solid surge protectors, and the customer support is great. They will talk you through the entire process, and explain the concepts behind the surge protection and filtering. Take a look at the website, make sure that you get to the "audio" portion of the website.

I think this would be a good choice also. I am a fan of just protection period, regardless of who makes it.

I think it would be a shame to have your gear spoiled, when it could have been prevented. This is not to say that the protection is 100% infallible, but at least it is something.

PolkThug · February 2004

Originally posted by gmorris
http://www.etronics.com/product.asp?stk_code=monmphts2500&store=&catid=4100

Here is the best deal I've yet found on the HTS 2500. That site is an authorized retailer, so warranty is valid.

I don't think e-tronics is an authorized Monster dealer. I think they also used to claim they were a Denon authorized dealer, but they are not.

You have been warned.

PolkThug · February 2004

As I've mentioned before...

"I have a Monster power conditioner. I think if anything, it keeps electrical components from interfering with each other. For instance, if I'm watching a movie and my girlfriend turns the vacuum on, I don't see any static or notice anything except for the level meter going down on the Monster."

Regards,
PolkThug

gmorris · February 2004

Originally posted by PolkThug
I don't think e-tronics is an authorized Monster dealer. I think they also used to claim they were a Denon authorized dealer, but they are not.

You have been warned.

I called them and asked if they are authorized. The operator said they are. I then asked if the warranty is valid (just to make sure he wasn't pulling my leg) and he said it was also.

I made this call maybe 3 months ago, so unless things have changed since then, I'm saying they are authorized.

dorokusai · February 2004

EZC, a forum member, has already offered his Authorized Monster Cable Retailer services...if Etronics does not sit well with anyone.

gmorris · February 2004

Will EZC match Etronics super low prices?

(Come on EZC, waiting for you to chime in here)

reeltrouble1 · February 2004

quote:

Originally posted by Shizelbs
I am pretty in the dark about power conditioners. Could you please explain a little bit more about the ability to turn equipment on and off in a certain order? Do you mean that by the touch of a button there is a pre-arranged sequence that boots your gear on and off?

Yes, on my MC 5000 you can set pairs of switches to either switched, unswitched, switched with delay's of 6 or 20 seconds.
This way you can power on your gear in a certain order and power off in a certain order.

In my case I have the Conditioner turn on the pre/pro and CD then the amp and turn off in reverse order. I use the 12v trigger on my pre/pro to send the signal to the conditioner, I have the push button on/off switches on my equipment and all of this works just fine.

I got a deal on the monster piece I use, check out panamax and the others pick the one with the features you need. Make sure you get enough plugs.

PolkThug · February 2004

Originally posted by gmorris
I called them and asked if they are authorized. The operator said they are. I then asked if the warranty is valid (just to make sure he wasn't pulling my leg) and he said it was also.

I made this call maybe 3 months ago, so unless things have changed since then, I'm saying they are authorized.

You're approching this from the wrong angle. You need to ask the manufacturer, NOT the seller.

Here is the list from Monster for authorized on-line dealers:

6th Avenue Electronics
Amazon
American Satellite
Best Buy
BestBuyPlasma.com
B&H Photo/Video
buy.com
Circuit City
Crutchfield Good Guys
Harveyonline
HiFi.com
J&R Electronics
OneCall
Tweeter
Vanns
Wild West Electronics
Wirecloset
Audio Advisor
Electroshops
Parts Express PC Connection
Power Systems Direct
Smartermall.com
Toshiba

gmorris · February 2004

O.K.

I just sent an email to Monster customer support. I'll report back when I get a response.

ezc · February 2004

gmorris

In regard to matching the etronics.com price, I cant do it that low. Thier price is lower than what we pay monster as a authorized delaer. If you feel comfortable buying from etronics that is a great deal. Id check if ther are an authorized dealer, if not you will have no warranty. If your ac surged & damages your surge & equipment there is no warranty! Your equipment connected also has no connected equipmwent warranty either. Your system must have cost you alot of money, isnt is worth spending more & getting a warranty on the conditioner & your gear you connect to it? The surge/conditioner is a protection & ac line cleaner for your whole system, Its like insurance that you buy to protect & clean the AC. Its a chance you take but if your comfortable with that go for it. My 2 Cents is that electronics fail & sometimes come bad from the manufacture, I always look at the warranty for electronics as a must, although I dont buy additional extended warranty. I want to know if somthing goes wrong the manufacture will be willing to help me correct the problem, rather than tell me sorry go see the store that sold it to you, we cant help you.

dorokusai · February 2004

I received a fantastic deal from Ace(EZC) and his crew. I wouldn't trade that positive experience to save a couple dollars. If it is nominal, go with who you know you can trust....or just buy something else. Good luck in whatever you choose.

gmorris · February 2004

I just got an email from Timothy Pride, head of customer service at Monster Cable.

Etronics.com IS AN AUTHORIZED RESELLER.

Sorry PolkThug, but your list is out of date.

This is great news for me, as I am going to get the HTS 2500.

PolkThug · February 2004

Don't apologize, its Monster's own list, pulled it today. LOL

gmorris · February 2004

ezc,

How much would you be willing to sell me an HTS-2500 for, with shipping to Ohio.

Etronics.com will ship one to me for $181. If you can come reasonably close to $181, I'll buy it from you instead.

ezc · February 2004

gmorris

Thats great news that etronics is an authorized dealer. They offer great prices. The best price I could do deliverd would be between 200 & 220 the price would depend on exact zip. Etronics should beable to give you a better delivered price since they are closer to you!

kureboy99 · February 2004

Originally posted by thehalo8
I am currently running my system off a high end Belkin power strip. I am looking to get a new strip that offers the protection of surges but also provides clean power to my equipment. I have my eye on a Monster HTS 2000 MKII Power Center. If anyone has any comments on that unit or perhaps one you use I would greatly appreciate it. I just want to get a good strip to protect and power all my stuff. Thanks for the help guys.

Mike

Mike,

Take it from an ex-Monster owner...Monster Power (even the reference series) KILLS the soundstage of your expensive equipment and speakers. Getting something right the first time such as a Panamax MAXX5500 would be a bit more expensive but well worth it for your system for years to come. It has a torroidal power supply and gives unhindered power (no cheapy RF/EMI filters to get in the way) and clean power at the same time. It's basically almost like plugging your equipment into the wall of a dedicated AC line with no interference etc. TRust me...a purchase well worth the extra money. Just trying to help you out...

Surge Protectors and Clean Power

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