Panamax in the House Pt. II

gregure

I've had some time with my new Panamax 5500 EX unit, and I've noticed a marked improvement over the performance of my system since replacing the Monster HTS 5100.
First thing: Picture quality. TV picture is brighter, colors have a slightly more vibrant and more tangible feel. Biggest thing: I've noticed that it's almost completely eliminated the jitter I would sometimes see in bright backgrounds, like a sunny blue sky, white fog, etc. I've still noticed it a little in the fog scenes of Master and Commander, but is totally gone from all of the other movies I've looked at since I installed the Panamax. There was already an improvement of this problem when I switched from Monster to Audioquest Component Video, but the Panamax has all but cured the issue.
Second: Sound quality. I did notice a sublte improvement to audio performance in both music and movies. I find I'm noticing detail slightly better. Plus, despite the Monster unit's high current assigned outlet bank, I think there was still some current limitations. Panamax removes capacitors to high current outlets, eliminatining any current draw limitations. I've noticed that output seems to be louder at a given volume than it was on the same volume level with the Monster unit. In other words, -15 is much louder now with the Panamax than it was when the B&K was plugged into the Monster unit.
Subtle differences, but one's which I am happy with. I also would much rather own a Panamax, knowing it has better power filtering, protection, and build quality.
Can't wait until the reps come to blow up my old Monster piece!

SniperREX

gregure wrote:

I've had some time with my new Panamax 5500 EX unit, and
Biggest thing: I've noticed that it's almost completely eliminated the jitter I would sometimes see in bright backgrounds, like a sunny blue sky, white fog, etc. I've still noticed it a little in the fog scenes of Master and Commander, but is totally gone from all of the other movies I've looked at since I installed the Panamax. There was already an improvement of this problem when I switched from Monster to Audioquest Component Video, but the Panamax has all but cured the issue.

Very interesting. I have the same issue.

How much did you pay for that Panamax? I guess a lot .

gregure

Well, the unit costs $1000 retail. I paid $0. I had to trade in my HTS 5100 to Panamax so the reps can blow it up as a demonstration, plus with my accumulated points it worked out to be free. It's a nice perk.
The 5500 is advertised as an AC Regenerator and is called a "Firewall for Noise." It lives up to those names easily.
There are other levels as well:
MAX 4300EX $250
MAX 5100EX $350
MAX 5300EX $550
MAX 5400EX $750
MAX 5500EX $1000
The 5500 has the best filtration of the EX line, there is also the 5510 Pro for $1500, which offers a few truly balanced power outlets and supports 6 amps over the 5500's 4. You can get the older 5500 (with orange colored meters for amps and volts rather than the EX's blue digital read outs) for $600 on clearance at a lot of places. The CA Magnolia Audio/Video stores still have around 50 in the warehouse. All of the older units are clearing out for greatly reduced prices, so that would be a good way to get more for less. Not sure who else carries Panamax, and what their supply on the clearance units are, but that would be one way to go.

gregure

I would also recommend Audioquest video cables over Monster's stuff any day of the week. Very noticable difference in quality in favor of Audioquest.

SniperREX

Same here, I got a component Cobalt Cable. It's better than my old Monster one for sure.

$600 is still too much for me. I guess I'll try the cheap UPS way. I just found a CyberPower 1200VA in today's Fry's ad for only $89. I'll give it a try. If not satisfied, I'm gonna return it .

polkatese

Gregure, good review! I have the older 5500 for the past 2+ years, I love the meters look, and replaced the faceplate to silver bezel. Other than the packaging, what's the difference between the EX and old one? I noticed that 5510 stays the same, other than MSRP that went up quite a bit.

thehaens@cox.net

I'd be interested to see the results from the "blow up" test, I have two of the Monster conditioners (5100 and 5000) and haven't had any problems to note, but I also have the same grain in Master and Commander in the fog scenes. I didn't think the conditioner could be the weak link, could be wrong though..

steveinaz

I've got the little 4100 Panamax and I like it far better than the HTS2500 I had. It doesn't suffer from the loss of slam when my amp is connected. I had to disconnect my amp from the Monster because there was a noticable negative effect.

gregure

Besides the cosmetics, the Panamax reps just stated that they updated/enhanced some of the filtration processes in the new units, but I think mostly the difference is cosmetic.
As far as the jitter in the fog scenes of M&C, I still notice it a bit, but it is greatly reduced, and it is completely gone from all the other films I've noticed it on to a lesser degree (such as the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring, when they zoom in on the Middle Earth map during the Prologue).
After talking with the Panamax people, and spending some time with the units, I've no doubt they are better than the Monster stuff. I think the 5500 especially is a great unit, as it is their top of the line unit for basic consumers (5510 Pro is more for larger, custom install setups).
Panamax reps like to blow up Monster units for two reasons:
1. To demonstrate that a high current power surge will destory the unit, whereas a Panamax unit will simply shut off.
2. To show that there are several capacitors within the unit that are not even fried, thus the power never actually passes through them, making them completely superfluous.
I've heard they will bring a surge machine and turn up the dial until the Monster unit starts to smoke. Not sure that counts as "blowing up" but it's pretty cool all the same.
I recommend these units to anyone who may think they could use a better line conditioner.