Power conditioners

Skynut

So do any of you believe they make a difference and which one would you recomend.

I currently use the Panamax 5510 and am thinking about another one since I have used up many of the outlets with large aftermarket power cords.

I did not really notice any improvement to my sound but my power is not all that bad in my area. I do however feel better knowing that my equipment is protected better than a regular surge protecter will provide.

What are your thoughts.

Willow

I use a simple belking surge/filter bar and I'm happy .......................................................................................................................................................................................................For now

heiney9

I currently use a surge protector as I've never been sure a power conditioner won't subtract/add "other" things to the audio signal. My main system is always unplugged when not in use (just in case). This in one area that puzzles me and I just need to do more research. One of those expensive power re-generators from Panamax may be in the future.

H9

steveinaz

I have the Panamax 4200? 4100? I dunno 4..something. Basically a glorified multi-outlet. I tried and did not like power conditioning (Monster HTS).

Skynut

I think I like the peace of mind the most.
Mine went into protection mode once and if I remember right I had to turn it off and back on to reset it. (If I remember right)

Aside from easing my mind it also looks cool in the rack.

jrlouie

I feel the need to use a power conditioner now (since I can see my lighting fluctuate a lot), and at my previous residence I had to, or my AVR would go into protect.

Schris22

i live in a dorm room....

soo i thought a power conditioner would be a good diea. I don't have a great one but I feel it protects my equipment a little better from the constant small spikes going through the place

Chris

pearsall001

I'm running a Equitech Son of Q balanced power unit. It made a immediate difference on my video ( I actually had to re-calibrate the color) & audio. The music was more robust & cleaner sounding.

Emlyn

PS Audio Power Director 4.7 with a PS Audio Statement power cable to the wall for the home theater gear.

PS Audio UPC 200's for stereo systems.

F1nut

PS Audio UPC-200's with PS Audio Statement power cords. They offer both conditioning and surge protection, but most importantly they do not add or take away anything.

Polkersince85

I use a Tripp-Lite LCR 2400. Works fine for me.

Skynut

Sweet responses, I like to hear the names and model numbers so I can look some of them up.
I am curious which ones are better than mine.
Although I am pretty happy with mine.

jmierzur

pearsall001 wrote:

I'm running a Equitech Son of Q balanced power unit. It made a immediate difference on my video ( I actually had to re-calibrate the color) & audio. The music was more robust & cleaner sounding.

Finally glad to see that I am not alone; Balanced Power Technologies BP-2.5 with Bybee filters and differential noise filter (HFC-30 is the current accessory) for the entire system. Same problems, sorry, I mean benefits noted above.

Since you say that your power is not bad in your area, take your system to the next level with balanced power. A BP-2 with the HFC-30 filter should power your entire system.

I believe the 5510 has a small transformer in it. Are you using balanced power option for your source component?

louhamilton

I use power conditioning because my power runs close to 130V and I do not want to ruin my equipment. I have converted to using all 130V light bulbs because the 120V bulbs would be lucky to last a month.

-Lou

trubluluc

Panamax 5400EX.
Like you, I like the ease of mind being protected gives.
I heard the noise test, listening to unfiltered power vs conditioned power, and it convinced me.

Got to love the coooool blue light display.

-Luc

dkg999

I just ordered and rec'd a second Panamax 5100 for the bedroom HT and 2 ch. system. If anyone is interested, Panamax-sales.com is clearing them out for $249 with free shipping because the new EX line is replacing them. The EX line has some nice features, however if you can live with the previous line they have some great deals. Ya don't get no cool blue lights though

GATOR3000

MONSTER CABLE MP-HTS3500MKII Powercentre. Works well for me. 118V to 120V steady in my area. Cool analog blue light volt meter.

Skynut

jmierzur wrote:

Finally glad to see that I am not alone; Balanced Power Technologies BP-2.5 with Bybee filters and differential noise filter (HFC-30 is the current accessory) for the entire system. Same problems, sorry, I mean benefits noted above.

Since you say that your power is not bad in your area, take your system to the next level with balanced power. A BP-2 with the HFC-30 filter should power your entire system.

I believe the 5510 has a small transformer in it. Are you using balanced power option for your source component?

I am using the balanced option.

I am also interested in what is better and why. I am thinking about replacing it with something better if there is something out there for under $1000.00

Do the Bybee filters help enough to be worth the investment?
Aren't they for each interconnect?

jmierzur

Thread I composed for balanced power. Read the two reviews of BPT units linked in the last post.

Thread that includes my posts on Bybee Quantum Purifiers.

Ron-P

I have 2 Monster HTS-2500's in my HT rig. It does both power conditioning and surge protection.

Skynut

Ron-P wrote:

I have 2 Monster HTS-2500's in my HT rig. It does both power conditioning and surge protection.

Do you run them from different circuits or the same outlet?

Ron-P

They both run off the same dedicated 20 amp circuit. One is used for the 6 amps and the other is used for the dvd player, Outlaw 950, Z3 and the ICBM.

Lsi9

I love my Monster HTS, besides looking good I feel it does help when you play the HT at low volumes, keeping the power steady.

No here mentioned a great feature of having a power conditioner;
Many like mine come with switchable sockets which allows me to turn on/off ALL my audio components by turning on/off my preamp

Ferres

Ok.
Just had the opportunity to test out an Isotek multi-way powerconditioner. I've already upgraded my house wiring so it's benefits on the Audio side was only subtle but present. But on the video side this is where it shined.

Images on the plasmaTv became more crisp, contrast and texture more defined. Small text on screen became sharper and more readable. Does the same with crt's as well.

Yup, powerconditioners do have their benefits.

Also had a chance to try-out their powercord. Listended to some 'Oscar Lopez' and I noticed the individual guitar strings were more audible now.

All this is both good and bad coz' now I have to buy them.

Skynut

So the majority think it is benificial.

Thats good, like I said earlier I really like mine if for nothing more than piece of mind.

Ferres

The poll is rather hard to make for me. Since I don't consider a powerconditioner as a means to protect equipment, but mainly to filter out noise in the line that degrades overall performance of an AV system. I use switch boxes that shuts off power going to the AV system when I'm not using them.

I still use a separate Stac avr for the plasmatv before it goes into the powerconditioner.

gregure

I use a Panamax 5500EX and am very happy. I completely believe in line conditioners, both in terms of protection and performance enhancement. I saw a big difference in pq on my tv with the panamax, and I was using a HTS5100 form monster before. As for sound, all I know is my system sounds better than ever now that I've got the Panamax, some decent cables, and the best AVR out there in my opinion.