Voltage Regulators?

Laura Palmer

Let's try not to Monster bash here, cause I already know ALLL about it.

Suffice to say, I *did* get a Monster Power Center, and I *did* get a Monster Amplifier, and they've suited me quite well... my next question is Voltage Regulators though.

I was looking at the meters on my Monster HTPS 3500 and it is showing that I'm getting 105 volts (sometimes as low as 100 volts, even). The proper voltage is 115, right? What is there to be gained by a steady voltage stream to your components? Does it provide any sound quality improvements, or is it just safer for your equipment?

I'm very happy with my setup, and I don't really want to bite the bullet on a voltage regulator (even though I'm 15 volts or so lower than I probably should be), but is it completely necessary?

madmax

Most equipment is rated at 110 volts. More or less typically causes a change in sound, especially for amplifiers. You probably want a constant voltage more for consistancy of sound rather than safety. Of course overvoltages can cause problems.
madmax

thehaens@cox.net

To add to the comment, I would say if you are hitting 100 Volts then your amps are probably not putting out as much power as their rating would otherwise indicate. Basic Electonics Course 101 Power=Current x Voltage........I have also looked into getting the AVS-2000 as the competitors bricks carry a ridiculous price tag. They seem to hold pretty steady in the showroom at 120 :rolleyes: heck, get one from your local A/V store, and if it doesn't give you a sonic improvement then take it back. I know the Tweeter/Good Guys around here have a 30 day no hassle return policy without any re-stocking fee.....

scott

edit: I have never hit as low as you on the scale, I have seen mine go as low as 114 during some dynamic passages in movies, but normally it stays around 117-120...you may want to have the electric company come out and take a look.

Laura Palmer

Yeah but what's strange is that the sound quality still sounds fantastic, and if I want it louder or with more power, then I just turn my amp up more cause I have plenty of headroom... so if I'm a bit under-voltage I guess it's not a big deal to me since it's not going to damage my gear.

Thanks!

bknauss

If you've truly got 105V coming out of the wall, you definitely need to call the power company. Voltage in the USA is supposed to be 120V +/- 10% @ 60Hz.

Voltage regulators are nice if you're in CA or a place that has the voltage level sag from time to time. I would personally put up the money for a voltage conditioner if I was getting a regulator (should be able to find a heap of units that do both).

thehaens@cox.net

It is always nice to have overhead. I accomplish that by driving lower impedance speakers....So I figure even if my voltage drops a bit, I am getting plenty of power from my amps. It is all in your ears, if you are satisfied with the S/Q then I wouldn't bother with changing a thing, it is sometimes hard to reconcile, (IMO), spending another grand in a system for a slight marginal gain.

thehaens@cox.net

bknauss wrote:

If you've truly got 105V coming out of the wall, you definitely need to call the power company. Voltage in the USA is supposed to be 120V +/- 10% @ 60Hz.

Voltage regulators are nice if you're in CA or a place that has the voltage level sag from time to time. I would personally put up the money for a voltage conditioner if I was getting a regulator (should be able to find a heap of units that do both).

I think Laura has the volt. conditioner with the 3500. Their line of AVS products are supposed to keep the voltage set. I haven't pers. had any hands on experience with this product, (AVS-2000), except that the display at the A/V store stays a constant 120 regardless of the input....

I agree with you on the power though, something isn't right, maybe the 3500 needs a good calibration....perhaps a multimeter in the wall would show a different value. I believe the wall outlets are wired in parellel, so Laura could put a MM on the second outlet to see if the values are the same...

ezc

I have a AVS2000ss & in my home the voltage is between 105 & 128v. With the AVS the voltage is constant between 118 & 122. The preformance of my equipment is constant. Before one day my picture may be perfect the next day the picture was soft, or 2ch sounded killer & later in the evening the sound started to get less detailed & the sound stage is smaller & not as deep. With the 2000 the picture & sound quality is always constant. I know that once calibrated I will have the same picture or sound quality every day. Need to remember the electricity is the foundation of your system. if you have a bad foundation everything you build on top of it will not preform 100%, or another way of looking at is your equipment is high preformance & needs premium grade fuel, it will run with regular but not give you 100% preformance, just like our race car I could put regular in it & it would run but would not preform its best, but use super/racing gas the car runs noticably better & preformance is much much better. I feel the preformance gain from the 2000 is worth the cost, but again its up to you as to how much preformance you want to get out of the equipment you have. Heres a link to a pic of my 2000
http://www.ezconnection.org/ezcsystem.htm

F1nut

Drops into the 100-105 range are brown out conditions which isn't good for any piece of gear or any appliance with a motor. Verify that reading and if it's accurate call your power company.

ezc

I have contacted the elec co. they came out & took readings & monitored the line. They made a change at the transformer which brought my average voltage up to between 110-112v low & 125v high. The voltage doesn’t stay at the low voltage level or the high voltage level, it moves up & down. In the evenings during the summer the voltage is usually a constant 113-114v. During the days I get about constant 118v but I hardly get to use my system during the day so the evening voltage is most important. With the AVS I get the 118 - 121v to my system all the time. My shop is a different story. I get a solid 118-121 all the time & I see no need for a AVS2000 at the shop.

fireshoes

A couple of years ago, my store stocked the AV2000. It made a huge difference on plasma tv's. I suppose because they suck so much juice. If I had a plasma, I would definitely get one. For an audio, eh, maybe.

ntculenuff

added an avs 2000 few months back love it i always knew i ran a little hot in my area and the avs 2000 is consistantly cutting 2.5 to 4 volts keeping it between 119 and 120 the most ive ever seen it add voltage is when i was railing a movie at a ridiculoius level it added 2 volts back in so it is nice to know that ive got some consistancy back and not killing my equip with too much going in and beating it up. well worth the investment