Is Power Conditioning Neccessary?

O'Shag

At present, I don't have anything other than some fairly basic surge protection devices that cost me about $70 bucks each.

I need to understand the issue of power conditioning more thoroughly because its another area that requires a lot of the highly-valued little green paper, and I want some direction before I go out and spend money uneccessarily. Some of the components in this category include power cords, isolation transormers, and big expensive power conditioners ranging from Monster boxes, to PS systems costing $3k or more.

Its been difficult for me one way or the other to determine the validity of the need for power conditioning/filtering devices.
Last night I was out for a walk, and something struck me. all of the fluorecent lights I passed were making a very loud hum. I got to thinking, If such noice can find its way into the circuits at my place (which is condo complex), then surely this would effect my HT/audio system in a negative way. I would think it all comes down to whether or not RF artifacts and other undesirable noise make it through the socket in the living room and then on to the system.


Opinions on this question are greatly appreciated.

PolkThug

If you don't see or hear any problems, then you are probably OK. A power conditioner did help me with a problem. If the bass hit really hard, I could see a small amount of 'static' on the TV. After I hooked everything up through a power conditioner (monster), the problem was gone. So, in my case, a power conditioner helped isolate my equipment better.

Regards,
PolkThug

brickie

After a nice demonstration I saw of a moster one, most definitely recommended!

brickie

O'Shag

PolkThug and Brickie - Thanks for the input

Just talked to a friend of mine this morning. He thinks the monster gear is pretty good for power conditioning. I'm going to get specifications on some of the Monster models and do some comparisions, and will report back my findings on this thread.

dorokusai

EZC is a Monster Cable dealer and a forum member. Drop him a PM if you get a chance and decide on MC.

HBombToo

I own both the AVS 2000 and the HTS 5100. I am impressed to say the least. My HT is directly under the kitchen and when the dish washer was on I heard each inductive rotation. The 5100 nearly cleaned the whole mess up but was not enough because of fan noise in my sub amp. Interestingly enough my sampson 1000 amp which drives my twins would cause noise when its internal fan kicked on. Fans and good sounding equipment do not go hand in hand imo but the AVS 2000 fixed that. I'm not sure why the 5100 did not supress the fan noise but at least the 2000 fixed it.

again baby steps is all it take:)

HBombToo

oops

reeltrouble1

The Monster HTS 5000 gave me a sharper video picture, it allows me to switch gear on and off in the order I want and it has a couple plugs on the front for the kids to plug their games into.

If you buy one just make sure you get one with enough plugs, I have just about used up the dozen mine came with, do the research, Monster is not the only player.

ezc

YES Power conditioning is necessary! Line noise comes from your neighbors homes as well as your home. Your ac is tied into a grid & noise comes from anyone tied into your grid.Remember anything digital creates noise, also refrig, any electric motor, flour lights on & on. With conditioning you will notice a cleaner picture & lower noise floor. The better conditioners have specific outlest for High Current, Video, Digital & phone, & coax filter protection. I sit on the side of the fence that says it is necessary! My systems all have conditioning with surge protection! Im a beleiver that it works & have spent in the thousands on power conditioning. In fact I just orderd a HTS 5100Sig Ser for our small 2ch demo system in our store. Currently using a HT800 but I know Im getting lots of digital noise fed back into the ac line & into the receivr.

O'Shag

Very informative response ezc an reeltrouble.

I see sense in the idea that interference is prevalent throughout the grid, and could be detrimental to system performance if it gets through to the sockets in the home. How does this penetrate into the socket - and do manufacturers consider this interference when building their amps, preamps, receiver etc?

The idea of implementing a conditioning system that could lower noise floor and add more clarity in my audio system is compelling. But it can be expensive, so wanted to understand the problem as much as possible before purchase. An area of concern is how conditioners might somehow limit power through the conditioning process, perhaps degrading performance rather than enhancing it.
Does anyone have thoughts on this?

ezc

Yes there could be power limiting with power conditioners & surge protectors. I have tried cheep costo purchase 2 in a pack for $10 protectors to monster power htps7000ss & richard greys.
Depending on what equipment you are using you would want a conditioner/protector with dedicated high current outlest for amps / receivers. The lower end products do not have dedicated circuits & could affect your sound. When using standard protectors & even monsters ht800 & 1000 on our main system the sound is very compressed & just not there, plugging directly into the wall outlet the sound grows & becomes large! Using a AVS 2000 & a HTPS 7000 I get a slightly better sound than plugging straignt into the wall & my picture is much cleaner & constant. I have used hts3600 & hts5100 & have been real happy with those models too. We usually reccomend at least the hts3600 for systems that use a good receiver or small amp & hts5100 or htps7000 for high draw systems. The better conditioners/protectors are not cheep but I look at this way it protects $1,000's & $1,000's $ of equipment, filters out the noise, surges & if you have a voltage stabalizer keeps your voltage at 120v which gives you better sound, better picture, & should extend the life of your equipment, & lastly once you have good conditioner/surge you probably wont upgrade it like you would do with dvd players, amps, receivers etc. Call around in your ara the Monster cable deales & see who has a ac noise sniffer & have them do a demo for you, the demo will make it real easy to see why you would want conditioning. Most manufactures dont build conditioning into products due to cost, thats why when somone runs the vaccum or hair dryer it affects the tv's picture, & sound.

HBombToo

the 5100 was measuring 16 amps for at least an hour:D

Sherry was ready to divorce me:rolleyes: but then I came to my senses and turned it down:D

1/4twin

LittleCar_w/12s

I know that It's a little late in this thread, but I'll bring this up.

Does anyone else have experience with simple power conditioners?
What I use are these boxes that include a 1to1 transformer and capacitors to literally cut any frequency above or below the 50-60HZ power range. I am not sure what these cost, or where to get them, as mine were given to my from a large company who didn't want the bulk.
They are about, oh 50lbs each and 6"x10"x14" deep. Have, literally, three house receptacles on the back (six out's). Aside from the simple look, they operate very efficiently, have low usage current, and are entirely passive.
I was given all of four of these huge anchors, and I use one for my servers, one for my PC, and eventually one for the HT, when I get to the HT (receiver awaiting parts.. I'm too cheap to buy the $30 in xistors right now hehe)
-Jerry

BlueCLS

For anyone who is running something like a Monster AVS2000 & an HTPS 7000 together... does the power conditioner simply plug into the back of the AVS? Anyone have pics of this type setup... just curious, I am considering purchasing the set. Thanks.

ezc

I have a set of AVS2000ss & the HTPS 7000ss. The 2000 plugs in to the wall outlet & the 7000 plugs into one of the high current 2000 outlets. The units are stakable. The 7000 comes with a 8' power cord so you will have lots of extra if you stack your units. My 2000 only has the 7000 plugged into it & the 7000 has all my gear plugged into it. I have very happy with my set. I have some pics of the units here on this page. I dont have any pics of the rears. ttp://www.ezconnection.org/ezcsystem.htm If you have more questions let me know or send me a e-mail.

Ace