opinion on this power conditioner

leftwinger57

Guys I do have a line on this Monster Cable HTS-3500 MKII conditioner. It's listed for only $60 and since I just bought from this guy I'm sure I could get it for $40/50 no problem. It has 10 outlets all I can use plus a coax in. My Samson has 8 rear outlets 1 up front and says nothing about voltage readings and has minor joule protection. In the summer Jersey does have many lightening storms and when I know they are coming I just unplug. Is this conditioner well worth it and is it way better than what I have now.


http://southjersey.craigslist.org/ele/5336686177.html

tonyb

Is it better than what you have now ? Yeah....but it appears to be an older model so who knows how long it will last. You'll probably get some better noise reduction also as a side benefit. Up to you, I know your on a budget.

BTW...The coax input is for video, like cable tv.

Speedskater

Remember that 'power conditioner' is an undefined term. It could mean almost any combination of the following.

a] Noise filter - a low-pass EMI/RFI filter.
b] Surge protector - although it's better to have surge protection at the home's service entrance.
c] UPS - note that many UPS's are not really UPS's!
d] Line voltage adjuster.
e] Balanced power transformer.
f] Isolated power transformer.
g] DC blockers.
h] An outlet strip.
i] I forget? But I think that there are more.

**********************************************
But most hi-fi systems don't need most of those functions.

tonyb

Speedskater wrote: »

Remember that 'power conditioner' is an undefined term. It could mean almost any combination of the following.

a] Noise filter - a low-pass EMI/RFI filter.
b] Surge protector - although it's better to have surge protection at the home's service entrance.
c] UPS - note that many UPS's are not really UPS's!
d] Line voltage adjuster.
e] Balanced power transformer.
f] Isolated power transformer.
g] DC blockers.
h] An outlet strip.
i] I forget? But I think that there are more.

**********************************************
But most hi-fi systems don't need most of those functions.

I might disagree with that statement. Most anyone can benefit from voltage regulation, a lower noise floor, cleaner video signal, and surge protection....especially with the price of gear these days. Sure, a whole home solution is out there for surge protection, but that's all it gives.

Granted, all power conditioners are not created equally and of course vary in benefits offered along with price, but I personally wouldn't be without one.

[Deleted User]

I would get a good power strip over this unit. (for the reasons above and more)
It looks good...
I like Furman. About twice the price new. Worth an order of magnitude more
to me if it does its job once.

[Deleted User]

http://www.amazon.com/Furman-PST-8D-Aluminum-8-Outlet-Conditioning/dp/B0009GI7NC/ref=pd_sim_267_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=31ZtR-zhMYL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=0TKCMT541247TXFZ6HNQ

this seems like a good one at a fair price...

leftwinger57

I like the varying opinions. I've told you guys this before that my apt development is over 60 years old and used aluminum wire. Romex wasn't invented yet I guess. I do notice dimming of lights on occasion but it has never affected the tunes as far I can tell. No rush I have the Samson and the 2 hour ride would mean I would need to get it at the projected $40/50.

leftwinger57

Red, what you showed is close to $100 and looks terrible. I need my gear to both work and have eye appeal. Thanks for the link, it all helps. Maybe a used Panamax on the bay w/ the lights. Something like this still to pricey for me. Has 10 outlets.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panamax-M5100-EX-Home-Theater-Power-Conditioner-Surge-Protector-USED-/321927232360?hash=item4af45bbb68:g:GiQAAOSwv-NWUOlv

skrol

My HTS3600-MKII made me a believer in power conditioning. I think the one that you are looking at is a bit older than mine. It really depends on what kind of surges the thing has seen. Most have a varistor which is a sacrificial element that degrades as the unit is subjected to surges. If it is bad, the unit likely has a light which indicates the loss of protection.

[Deleted User]

Hi skrol,

what components do you have plugged into it?

I take back my suggestion above. I use the power-station-6 from furman.
It doesn't have any sex appeal either.

skrol wrote: »

My HTS3600-MKII made me a believer in power conditioning. I think the one that you are looking at is a bit older than mine. It really depends on what kind of surges the thing has seen. Most have a varistor which is a sacrificial element that degrades as the unit is subjected to surges. If it is bad, the unit likely has a light which indicates the loss of protection.

DaveHo

I used a 3500MkII for a number of years. Prior to that it was a Panamax 1000+ which I disliked due to the outlet positioning. Didn't see or hear any real difference between the two. At the price being asked, you can easily get your money back if it doesn't float your boat. Little tip, black electrical tape will do a nice job of hiding the piercing blue light.

[Deleted User]

How about this one:
http://www.amazon.com/G5BLK-9-Outlet-G-Type-Rack-Mountable-Conditioner/dp/B0028RCZSS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450210457&sr=8-1&keywords=apc+g5#customerReviews

I am not having issues myself, but am very interested in others views
and experiences.

motorhead43026

I just bought that unit you have the link to Red. Applied for an Amazon Visa, instant acceptance and got an additional $ 30.00 off for a total $101.00.

How can I go wrong.

skrol

rednedtugent wrote: »

Hi skrol,

what components do you have plugged into it?

I first noticed improvements in clarity when I was using my Denon DRA-835R. I thought I was imagining things so I had someone do a blind A/B test.

Presently I have my Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, and DRM-800A (cassette) plugged into the power conditioner. The HTS3600-MKII has remote capability on most outlets which I do utilize.

Should I consider powering the HCA-1000A from a separate outlet and not through the conditioner? I only had it there as my previous preamp did not have remote capability and the HTS3600-MKII served that function.

Stan

leftwinger57

Thanks, If it's around next month I just might jump on it. I also gave P-Man the ad and he's interested but it's a haul for him, but that dude does have some good stuff.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Stan. Interesting.

mantis

The Monster Power centers are nice units. I have owned many of them. I have one just like yours and I was asking $100.00 so you got a damn good deal considering what it costs new.
If your un happy with it in any way, sell and and then talk to me. I have more power centers then I know what to do with. I'm sorta an addict when it comes to swapping out gear. I got a problem.

teekay0007

mantis wrote: »

I'm sorta an addict when it comes to swapping out gear. I got a problem.

Sig. material right there!

ken brydson

teekay0007 wrote: »

mantis wrote: »

I'm sorta an addict when it comes to swapping out gear. I got a problem.

Sig. material right there!

Should be a check box for membership here...

Polkie2009

skrol wrote: »

rednedtugent wrote: »

Hi skrol,

what components do you have plugged into it?

I first noticed improvements in clarity when I was using my Denon DRA-835R. I thought I was imagining things so I had someone do a blind A/B test.

Presently I have my Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, and DRM-800A (cassette) plugged into the power conditioner. The HTS3600-MKII has remote capability on most outlets which I do utilize.

Should I consider powering the HCA-1000A from a separate outlet and not through the conditioner? I only had it there as my previous preamp did not have remote capability and the HTS3600-MKII served that function.

Stan

I have the HCA-1200ii amp and run it direct from wall outlet.

EndersShadow

Belkin PF30 or PF60. Don't have voltage regulation, but both are good quality and on the cheap. I'd go with the Belkin PF60 if I could (@steveinaz) has one IIRC. Doesn't look like you can buy a new one, but used should be well within your reach...

Hell eBay has the Furman PM4300 models for under 100 most times... "Might" be worth looking into...

Here is a NEW one for 175: http://www.rakuten.com/prod/243838322.html?listingid=366927720


Otherwise another option is the Tripplite LC series. They look FUGLY, but are priced decent and provide good protection and INCLUDE voltage regulation which is not always found at their pricepoints....

LC1200 (100 on Amazon)

LC1800 (150 on Amazon)

LC2400 (200 on Amazon)

The Mac Daddy LCR 2400 (260 but might find cheaper elsewhere)