Radio Shack surge protection

MrNightly

Was in my local RS today, and saw a Monster power supply thingy for $99.99. It was supposed to provide surge/power protection, and isolate the power signals as well as labeled DVD, AVR etc etc for the powercords along with antenna's.

Would this be a worthy investment or just fluff? I currently don't have a power protector or surge protector on my HT. I know i need something.

What is a decent price to pay for these? Take into account that within the next year or so, I will be remodeling my basement and dedicated a sole HT room.

Toxis

You definitely need to get a good surge protector on there. Not many people like Monster here, but I don't mind their power bars. Personally, I'd look into finding a used rack mount piece and I've seen some go for $100-150 used in great shape (here and elsewhere). I wouldn't buy that one, but definitely get something. Tripplite, Panamax, Furman...all good brands.

MrNightly

Thanks for the advice. I have seen those rack mounted pieces at CC, and thought they were a waste of space! But, then again, I've never had anything fried by power either.

Anything special to look for in one of these???

mrbigbluelight

Buy.com has the Monster Cable HTS1000 8 Outlet PowerCenter w/ Stage 2 Filtering - MP-HTS1000 for $49.99 SHIPPED.
Looks like an 8-outlet surge strip, but it does provide filtering and surge protection of 1665 joules.
That's probably what Radio Shack had for $99.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=90048361&adid=17662



On ebay, keep an eye on the Monster Cable Power Centers, they can be had for a lot less than retail sometimes.

MONSTER Power Center NEW - HTS 3500 MKII MP-HTS3500 goes for about $110 shipped. 2775 joules. Has an analog voltmeter for display.

NEW MONSTER CABLE HTS-5100 POWER CENTER MKII HTS5100 goes for about $200. I like this one because it has higher protection, 6814 joules.
Plus it looks cool. And the digital display shows both volts and amps.
Which looks cool.

You have to have patience on Ebay, of course, and get it on an item that doesn't have a lot of last second, Let's-jack-the-price-up-300% to get the best deals, but they're there.

Beekyman

My good friend is an electronics technician/repairman for a high end audio /video outfit in Florida and he tells me that approximately 80-90 percent of the business he gets is for repairs due to surges! He got me convinced that power protection is a MUST !! He recommends TrippLite products and I use both TrippLite and Panamax products in my setups around my home. Dont skimp on quality in this department...you are after all PROTECTING and maximizing the performance of your investment of gear! Good luck in finding what fits your needs!

krabby5

Don't forget Brickwall..

EricBurg

For that kind of money, you probably could just go with whole house surge protection at your breaker box!

This is another heavily debated concept, much like wiring. Most all commercial surge protection devices use MOV's, which means they all have a limited lifespan. I'm not sure there is much difference between a cheap one versus an expesnive one, just compare the joule ratings. What you do get with some of the HT strips is line and noise conditioning, if that is important to you.

I would look online at brickwall surge protectors if you need protection at your equipment.

Eric

audiobliss

I was reading a lot about PSAudio's offerings in this department on their website a week or so ago, and I remember reading about them pointing out the avid use of MOV's and their inherent problems. They also said they used a different type of device for smaller surges and such in combination with a larger MOV for big spikes. I would like to get a PSAudio unit when I get the money.

MrNightly

This may be a dumb questions, but 1,665 joules protection doesn't seem that high to me. I mean, isn't this about saving the equipment when lightening strikes and the power blows? I'd think that you'd want way more joules protection than that. Maybe I'm wrong.

I like the Monster Cable HTS1000 8 Outlet PowerCenter w/ Stage 2 Filtering - MP-HTS1000 for $49.00 I think I like the price tag the most

Is spending a hundred dollars on a power/surge protector that common?!?

From TrippLite: seems like a pretty cool gadget to me.
http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=3119
Are these safe to find used??? No way I can drop 200 right now!

Toxis

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=125-012

That's the tripplite that I own. I bought them over a year and a half ago when they had a buy one/get one free special so 2 for $168 or so... can't complain!

EricBurg

If you get a lightning strike, then no amount of surge protection will save your equipment, thats what home owners insurance is for.

Personally, if you are going to invest $150-200 in surge protection, you are probably better off going straight to the circuit breaker, check and reinforce your whole house grounding(ie make sure the grounding spike is still attached and at the proper depth in the ground) and add a separate surge protection box right there. This should take care of almost any problems you have. Also, this is usually a good place to make sure all your incoming cables are protected (phone, cable, etc). These are usually more vulnerable sources then your power lines and can do just as much damage, if not more, to your equipment.

Eric

jeffwalter

You should definitely invest in a good one. I personally like the Furman products. If you search Ebay you should be able to find some reasonable units. Their Digital 10 strip is an excellent buy and offers many features found on their high end power conditioners/surge protectors.

madmax

Whole house protection at the circuit breaker is nice but not a cureall. If lightning hits a line on one side of the house and the circuit breaker and protection is at the other side of the house the stereo in the center of the house has very little protection. On the main stereo or HT system I would still use a protection device right where it plugs in. Of course most hits come through the main circuit box... but not always.

Skynut

I love the piece of mind I get from having my system protected however, my Panamax has shown it will hold back the power from my amps. When my RT3000's powered subs were hooked up to my Panamax they lost alot of punch.
So now I am shopping for something to go in my rack that will not hold back any component.
PSAudio has been recomended to me and I think I am going to try them out.

Just something to consider when purchasing power conditioners.

If you really want a long read try this thread, It is real long.

venomclan

I just ordered a Belkin PF60 for $225 shipped. Originnaly lists for $750. After research, it seems like the best bang for the buck. Only drawback is that it does not do voltage regultaion. Everything else is spec'd out.
Venom

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=AP41300-12%20D21914&source=fr

read-alot

Thanks venomclan. I liked the two high current outlet specs so much I ordered one too.

Demiurge

Price just dropped on it too, down to $197.

polkatese

that's a great price, JR still selling it at $499. MSRP was at $900, down to less than $200? wow, Belkin must be kicking itself. Very tempting, but I don't have a need for it. My Panamax 5500 is still kicking strong, has been for the 3 years and counting (knock on wood...)

read-alot

Demiurge wrote:

Price just dropped on it too, down to $197.

$194.12 confirmation recieved

Skynut

I am so tempted to try this one out.

venomclan

Skynut wrote:

I am so tempted to try this one out.

Sky, follow my watch. you are getting very sleepy, your eyes very heavy, you feel the need to hit the add to cart button, enter shipping preferences...

Skynut

I am sitting here right now with the billing info. page up and waiting for my info.
I really want to but I concerned about the lack of voltage regulation. I was looking for one with brown out protection also.

polkatese

Sky, I think it's no brainer. If you have a need for it. I believed you have Panamax 5510, which I think is better than this one (with AC Regenerator), but again, for $194, you got nothing to lose.

Skynut

I did it.

I do not think it will measure up to my Panamax but if it can handle my amps without any problems then I am good.
If not then I need one in the bedroom anyway.

crazy

venomclan wrote:

I just ordered a Belkin PF60 for $225 shipped. Originnaly lists for $750. After research, it seems like the best bang for the buck. Only drawback is that it does not do voltage regultaion. Everything else is spec'd out.
Venom

http://www.thetwistergroup.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=AP41300-12%20D21914&source=fr

I'm thinking of getting the Belkin PF30 - it seems sufficient for my needs (hooking up an integrated amp and a CD player). Even though the PF60 looks cooler I think the PF30 should be sufficient for a CD player and an integrated amp.

http://www.provantage.com/ seems to have a great price online for the PF30 and PF60

venomclan

I too would want one with voltage reulation, but all the ones that had that also were $1000 and up. I think this unit is the best one without the regulation, especially at that price. For me I need it beacuse I do not have a conditoner at all yet. I beleive Furman makes voltage regulaters only and may get one later to hook up in the wall in back of this one.

After I get a dedicated ac line of course.
Venom

venomclan

crazy wrote:

I'm thinking of getting the Belkin PF30 - it seems sufficient for my needs (hooking up an integrated amp and a CD player). Even though the PF60 looks cooler I think the PF30 should be sufficient for a CD player and an integrated amp.

http://www.provantage.com/ seems to have a great price online for the PF30 and PF60

I was going to order from Provantage because they were cheaper than Twister, but they were out of stock and most importantly, it says Not Returnable on the site. That turned me off so I got it from Twister. I spoke with Belkin and they confirmed that Twister was an authorized dealer and all warranties are covered.

The pf30 looks cool also, great price.
Sky, let us know how it stands up to the Panamax.
Venom

polkatese

Skynut wrote:

I did it.

I do not think it will measure up to my Panamax but if it can handle my amps without any problems then I am good.
If not then I need one in the bedroom anyway.

cool. btw, I plug my massive power-amp (Gemstone 7 channels 400w @4 ohms to the High Current outlets section on my P5500 with no problem. Bass is abundant, no issue whatsoever. Curious why your 5510 gives you problem.

Skynut

It seems to work fine with the Sherbourn amp but the Bass from my RT3000's was real subdued when they were plugged into the Panamax.
At the time I had everything in my HT plugged into the Panamax so it might have been working hard enough to use up it's reserve power.
I can't wait to try this one out.
I only wish they had it in black, it will be my only silver piece.

Maybe I paint it.???

crazy

venomclan wrote:

I just ordered a Belkin PF60 for $225 shipped. Originnaly lists for $750. After research, it seems like the best bang for the buck. Only drawback is that it does not do voltage regultaion.

Venomclan - thanks for your input on the PF60. So you must be using it on the amazing Krell setup you have, correct?

I too wanted something for my Krell setup. Currently I'm just using a basic surge protector. I realized after reading this thread that it might not be sufficient.

Would the PF30 be sufficient for my purpose?

Also, you said that the PF60 doesn't do voltage regulation - so essentially it is a good surge protector or does it do other functions as well?

Do you know how the PF30 differs from the PF60?

crazy

I just realized that my surge protector is from Belkin but I paid like $30 for it. I guess the PF30 or PF60 will be an improvement on that. Right?