power conditioner help

Upstatemax

I'm going crosseyed looking at options and reading specs...

I'm looking at these two right now:

Panamax M5300
Furman Elite 15 PF i

Anybody have experience with either?

Both?

This would be going into my 2ch system, not the HT. Refer to my sig for associated equipment.

Nightfall

Have you thought about PS Audio, perhaps?

http://www.amazon.com/PS-Audio-Dectet-Center-Receptacles/dp/B00969SS4G/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450240308&sr=8-3&keywords=ps+audio

I believe @tonyb has either this one or one older, maybe he can tell you how he likes it.

tophatjohnny

I am in the midst of looking for one as well and the Furman line isn't one of the choices I've narrowed it down to. That PS Audio Dectec is high on my list but still have my eye on a couple other units too. If you pull the trigger before I do, please share. I;ll do the same and hope the community starts to chime in on what they (the one that have something other than a Monster Power strip) are using and how they like it.

motorhead43026

I purchased one of these last night. Do you need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a decent unit, I guess I will find out. It has some decent reviews, so for the price it is worth taking a chance on.

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

Upstatemax

Thanks for the input so far.

TopHat, one of the reasons I've narrowed to Furman is the build quality. The 15 PF i introduces their power reserve feature, I plan to plug the HCA 1500A into the conditioner so I really like that option.

cosmetics are also pretty important. I am willing to pay for an item that looks nicer as it sits front and center in my equipment rack...

Upstatemax

Okay, after doing some more research and watching/reading some reviews, I placed an order for a Furman Elite 15 DM i.

WW Stereo has them on sale for $375 and they even threw in a free set of Polk headphones...

I'll update once everything is in!

tonyb

I wouldn't be plugging the amp into it pal. It's only rated at 15 amperes all outlets combined. Which means it will limit current. These types of power conditioners are meant for smaller electronics that don't have a huge power draw.

Many conditioners have power limits usually related to the line.....15 amperes all outlets combined. If you want to plug an amp into a conditioner, you need a non current limiting one which of course runs more money.

slbenz

I have been using the Panamax M5100 without any issues the last several years. And I have a Rotel five channel amp and a Velodyne sub plugged into the amp/sub outlets that Panamax clearly marked for components needing higher amperage and wattage. My Panamax is certainly better than the Monster Power that it replaced. The Monster unit, couldn't handle a surge in my line and one of my components took a hit. To Monster's credit, they replaced the power conditioner and paid for the repairs to my CD player that was fried.

motorhead43026

I am going to use a conditioner for the preamp, cdp, television etc. I prefer the amp directly in the wall socket. I am getting a dedicated line soon. My amp is quite while the preamp not so much.

Upstatemax

tonyb wrote: »

I wouldn't be plugging the amp into it pal. It's only rated at 15 amperes all outlets combined. Which means it will limit current. These types of power conditioners are meant for smaller electronics that don't have a huge power draw.

Many conditioners have power limits usually related to the line.....15 amperes all outlets combined. If you want to plug an amp into a conditioner, you need a non current limiting one which of course runs more money.

In general, I like my amps plugged direct into the wall, but I get a hum from my 1500A if I do.

The main reason I opted to try this one out is that some reviewers tested this unit back to back with the $1,200 Elite 20 PF i and the amp performed the exact same.

For last several years this has been plugged into my APC H15 with zero issue. I don't think I've ever come close to a 15 amp draw with everything running in my 2ch system...

I figured I would pick this up, if it does not keep up, I'll send it back for the 15 PF i, or possibly bring the APC H15 back to the 2ch system and move the Furman to the HT.

I'm interested to see how it runs.

Upstatemax

Well it was delivered this morning, FAST shipping!

I hooked everything up and fired the 2ch system back up. Threw in some music and let it play at moderate volumes for a bit.

The background is DEAD SILENT. HCA 1500A does not appear to suffer at all. Okay, lets turn it up and see how it does.

Well I brought it up to WELL over my listening levels and everything sang. Just to test how much current draw this thing will see I literally turned on EVERYTHING in my system: P5, HCA 1500A, BDP-103, LG 42 LCD, and for good measure I even had the Pro-Ject turning.

I CRANKED Joe B's "Your Funeral My Trial" from the Royal Albert Hall album. I like this song because it runs the audio spectrum and is very high energy.

Even with all of it going this was the HIGHEST current draw the Furman saw:




Overall, I don't foresee myself needing anything more than this. I don't have THAT big of an amp and even when I crank it, I'm only dipping into about a 1/3 of what this amp can push.

If I was pushing much larger, harder to drive speakers and more power hungry equipment, I might consider something larger.

But for me, this Furman sounds great and has thus far only improved the sound in my system.

tonyb

as long as it works for you pal, roll with it. Did it cure your hum problem ? Would imagine so.

EndersShadow

Love me some Furman gear! My APC is nice.... But I'd love something like what you got

tophatjohnny

I'm assuming Upstatemax does have a dedicated 20 amp line running to his rig? Furman is band gear to me, but if it works for stereos too, great!! I wanted something that was out of sight out of mind and although the PS Audio Dectet is a good looking unit, it's nothing I want to look at either, so behind the dresser it will be living!! So, you do have a dedicated 20amp line to your gear...right???

Upstatemax

tonyb wrote: »

as long as it works for you pal, roll with it. Did it cure your hum problem ? Would imagine so.

The hum is gone for sure.

Even with my system hooked up to my APC H15 I would get a slight noise from the speakers if I shoved my ear right up to them.

Now, dead silence.

Matter of fact, playing around with my system since hooking up the Furman I figured out that my P5 has a scratchy volume knob...

Time to email Parasound.

Upstatemax

tophatjohnny wrote: »

I'm assuming Upstatemax does have a dedicated 20 amp line running to his rig? Furman is band gear to me, but if it works for stereos too, great!! I wanted something that was out of sight out of mind and although the PS Audio Dectet is a good looking unit, it's nothing I want to look at either, so behind the dresser it will be living!! So, you do have a dedicated 20amp line to your gear...right???

Yes, I do have a dedicated 20amp line for my 2ch and HT systems (one for each).

Furman has it's hands in two markets, pro gear and residential.

Furman also owns Panamax, or the other way around?

http://www.furmansound.com/index.php?div=01

EndersShadow

Furman owns Panamax.

Furman is the higher end, higher pricepoint stuff, Panamax is their lower tier gear.

recoveryone

I was not a big believer in conditioner until I had a hum issues with my 2ch rig that was on the same circuit as the kitchen. I have 3 of them now (all Panamax) and they do make a differences. Cleaned up some graying pixals on the 55", I get more detail and tighter bass on the 2ch setup, and deeper black in the music.

motorhead43026

Upstatemax wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

as long as it works for you pal, roll with it. Did it cure your hum problem ? Would imagine so.

The hum is gone for sure.

Even with my system hooked up to my APC H15 I would get a slight noise from the speakers if I shoved my ear right up to them.

Now, dead silence.

Matter of fact, playing around with my system since hooking up the Furman I figured out that my P5 has a scratchy volume knob...

Time to email Parasound.

Max,

is it (the P5) scratchy during manual operation or when using the remote or both.

Upstatemax

I noticed manually and with the remote.

It seems to fade/ go away once the system is all warmed up and running for a while.

I just wanted to email Parasound to make sure I will not screw up the warranty opening the lid and looking at the volume knob. Or if I should send it back to them.

motorhead43026

I had VC issue as well. Call them or email and they will issue an rma. They turned mine around real quick. Can you hear the VC motor through your speakers, of course when using the remote?

Upstatemax

I don't think it sounds like motor noise. Just a faint scratchy sound when the volume is turned up or down.

Like a dirty volume pot.

motorhead43026

I had mine replaced because I had scratching and I could here the VC motor through the speakers when using the remote. I don't have any problems when turning manually now, but I can still hear the VC motor when using the remote, but you have to be real close to hear it. So I figure that might just be the way it is. But they did say the VC was faulty and replaced it.

F1nut

PS Audio is having a sale on their Dectet Power Center right now, normally $499.00, on sale for $249.00, but you have to call them at 720-406-8946 to get that price.

PS Audio makes excellent AUDIO power products.

tonyb

I'd second the PS Audio suggestion. I use an older version of the Dectet called the Quintet. Couldn't be happier, quiet as a church mouse no matter what cables I swap in and out or gear.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Uil1vUF4Icv/p_681QUINTET/PS-Audio-Quintet-Power-Center.html
Neither of these have fancy meters, they are designed to be out of sight.

EndersShadow

F1nut wrote: »

PS Audio is having a sale on their Dectet Power Center right now, normally $499.00, on sale for $249.00, but you have to call them at 720-406-8946 to get that price.

PS Audio makes excellent AUDIO power products.

You dont have to call anymore


http://www.musicdirect.com/p-92589-ps-audio-dectet-power-center.aspx

vcwatkins

Doggone, I was looking forward to the salesman asking me what he needed to do to put me in a Dectet today.

Mikey081057

F1nut wrote: »

PS Audio is having a sale on their Dectet Power Center right now, normally $499.00, on sale for $249.00, but you have to call them at 720-406-8946 to get that price.

PS Audio makes excellent AUDIO power products.

You can also get it at this great price on amazon by selecting the Music Direct ordering option.

Just ordered 1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00969SS4G/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Great deal!!!

Thanks for the heads up Jesse !!!

voltz

I use a Voodoo Powermatic for my main system but almost bought the PSAudio Detect. but at this price i think I will pick one up for my secondary system.

motorhead43026

Just bought one as well.

txcoastal1

DANNNN!!!!!....not thanking you for posting

....pulled the trigger on 3