Need advice on Surge Protectors...

Grimster74

Okay, about a week or so ago I posted a thread about a humming sound coming from my speakers and I do beleive I found out why. I'm currently using a Monster Cable HTS5100 reference power center I do beleive has gone bad, another words, don't have the hum if I plug directly into the a/c outlet but once I plug the gear into the HTS5100, the hum is back. Anyways, I you had to purchase a new surge protector today in the $300-$500 dollar price range, what would you get. I'd really like to stay with a rack mount style so I can still keep all my cables behind my a/v cabinet. Should I buy another monster cable or should I look into another manufacture like Panamax. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

venomclan

Grimster74 wrote:

Okay, about a week or so ago I posted a thread about a humming sound coming from my speakers and I do beleive I found out why. I'm currently using a Monster Cable HTS5100 reference power center I do beleive has gone bad, another words, don't have the hum if I plug directly into the a/c outlet but once I plug the gear into the HTS5100, the hum is back. Anyways, I you had to purchase a new surge protector today in the $300-$500 dollar price range, what would you get. I'd really like to stay with a rack mount style so I can still keep all my cables behind my a/v cabinet. Should I buy another monster cable or should I look into another manufacture like Panamax. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Grim,
I have the Belkin PF60 and love it. Lifetime warranty and great build quality. I had a hum both before and after I added the Belkin due to a faulty ground wire in the chain. The hum disappeared however when I attached Balanced cables and reappeared when I switched back to rca's. I think it is fixed now with the ground. The Belkin did quiet the hum a bit. I also noticed better video quality when I added the Belkin. It has no problem hadling my entire system listed below.
Venom

Emlyn

Do you mean the hum goes away if you plug your amplifier directly into the wall? If so, you'd probably be safe and better off if you just plug the amp directly into the wall socket. My own choice would be to use a PS Audio UPC-200 (small size, usually available for $350 or less) for the amp and preamp because it is truly non-current limiting. Regardless of what Monster says, their 5100 unit is current limiting and suitable for use with mid-range receivers only, not large amplifiers. You could keep using the Monster unit for everything else.

tryrrthg

Emlyn wrote:

Do you mean the hum goes away if you plug your amplifier directly into the wall? If so, you'd probably be safe and better off if you just plug the amp directly into the wall socket. My own choice would be to use a PS Audio UPC-200 (small size, usually available for $350 or less) for the amp and preamp because it is truly non-current limiting. Regardless of what Monster says, their 5100 unit is current limiting and suitable for use with mid-range receivers only, not large amplifiers. You could keep using the Monster unit for everything else.

I wish I could swing it right now, but the PS Audio UPC-200's are selling for $250 on audiogon, brand new!

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accspowr&1163372473

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accspowr&1162853180

Emlyn

Damn, if I didn't already have two, I'd be on that deal. PS Audio is closing out their previous line and they seem to do it through a few different sources, so there may be a lot of these deals coming up soon. Highenddude is a great seller.

univera

Emlyn wrote:

Damn, if I didn't already have two, I'd be on that deal. PS Audio is closing out their previous line and they seem to do it through a few different sources, so there may be a lot of these deals coming up soon. Highenddude is a great seller.

Have any clue about those power cords? Is that a worthwhile investment? And, do Panamax products current limit? That was going to be my conditioner purchase.

audiobliss

The UPC-200 just has two outlets, right? That stinks.

tryrrthg

audiobliss wrote:

The UPC-200 just has two outlets, right? That stinks.

four

peteran

venomclan wrote:

I have the Belkin PF60 and love it.
Venom

I'm getting the PF60 Also. Then I will use the Panamax 1000+ for the Amp.

univera

I've mentioned this in a few threads previously, but the 1000's have a problem that eventually renders them inoperable. If you call Panamax and tell them you have a 1000 and would like to upgrade, they will give you half off any upgraded conditioner. All you pay is shipping. Not a bad deal. They have brushed metal face plates available as well to match up with other equipment. My 1000 went bad and I going to get a new piece instead which is much better than the 1000.

peteran wrote:

I'm getting the PF60 Also. Then I will use the Panamax 1000+ for the Amp.

read-alot

PF60 saved everything when the lightning was a frequent flyer this summer.

I came home from work about a month ago to see a disaster that my big poplar in the front yard took a major direct hit, limbs and tree bark everywhere.

Toka78

I'm a fan of the Isobar line from Tripp Lite...works as well as anything and won't break the bank.

venomclan

peteran wrote:

I'm getting the PF60 Also. Then I will use the Panamax 1000+ for the Amp.

I have no problem running my Krell amp through the "high-power" outlets on the pf60. At the same time I also run all my gear and my 36" crt. The Belkin seems to have no problems so far.

The manual says not to run the PF60 on a 20 amp circuit. I now run it on a 15 amp and was going to get a dedicated 20 amp outlet. It seems that with everything running, it only uses 3 amps, plenty of power left over. So I will only now get a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

peteran

venomclan wrote:

So I will only now get a dedicated 15 amp circuit.

Isn't the stantard outlets based on 15amp circuits?
Do you really need a dedicated one? 15amp

venomclan

peteran wrote:

Isn't the stantard outlets based on 15amp circuits?
Do you really need a dedicated one? 15amp

While "need" is too subjective a term to elaborate on, to answer your question, yes - standard outlets are usually 15amp.

I find that there is some bleed through from sharing circuit lines that interferes with my system. When my ciruits were not properly grounded, there was an audible hum when my a/c air handler turned on. I also noticed that when my wife turns on the lights in a bathroom nearby, it sends a horizontal quick line up the tv. After all the time and energy we put into this hobby, I see it as a small investment to run a dedicated line.

There was an article in Sound & Vision about dedicated lines last year. They found it to be the best economical investment, making the most improvement over any added power conditioner they tested. While results may vary, I am curious.
Venom

halo

I just got an APC H10 and I love it. I also have a Panamax 500DBS and there is no comparison between the two.

Venom - I had two dedicated outlets installed in my room as well (my wife's brother is an electrician). I didn't notice a difference.

faster100

sounds like venom has electrical problems.. Id fix that and worry less about dedicated circuits.for now. you have a open ground or something, id hunt it down and fix it.. not good.

polkatese

venomclan wrote:

I see it as a small investment to run a dedicated line.

There was an article in Sound & Vision about dedicated lines last year. They found it to be the best economical investment, making the most improvement over any added power conditioner they tested. While results may vary, I am curious.
Venom

True, running a dedicated lines for my A/V was THE most single worthwhile expenditure for me. I used to be worry about the laser printer in the next room, if I sent a print job to it, ruining my RPTV. I consulted with a KB Home's electrician who wired my house, and he even suggested it to be a good idea. Btw, there is no rhyme or logic on how the (contractor) grouped the convenient outlets (which most A/V systems out there are plugged into), so there is no scientific measure to do a proper load balancing. Everything else beyond dedicated outlets, is icing on the cake, as far as cleaning the power is concern.

halo

polkatese wrote:

Everything else beyond dedicated outlets, is icing on the cake, as far as cleaning the power is concern.

Guess that means I'm extra super duper squeaky clean!

MattN03

I've been happy with my Panamax 5100-EX. Contact olkiepolkie on here-he's an authorized Panamax dealer and can hook you up.

bknauss

I have the PF60 and I'll put another vote in for that. Can be found for pretty cheap if you search.

I'll also give a vote for APC's stuff. I've used many of their non-HT stuff, and I have a college buddy who's one of the head engineers for the HT stuff, so I guess its two reasons to get it. More expensive though.

venomclan

Halo wrote:

Venom - I had two dedicated outlets installed in my room as well (my wife's brother is an electrician). I didn't notice a difference.

Hi Halo,
When you say there was no difference with a dedicated line, do you mean with sound, or in voltage/amps dropping etc?

venomclan

faster100 wrote:

sounds like venom has electrical problems.. Id fix that and worry less about dedicated circuits.for now. you have a open ground or something, id hunt it down and fix it.. not good.

Hi Faster,
I did have it fixed for the most part, an electrician found some outlets not properly grounded, once fixed the hum was gone. I am looking to build a media room out of my semi-enclosed porch, I would have to add outlets anyway so I feel that a dedicated line would be a no brainer. I am thinking that at least it would help to isolate from all the other crap in the house. My 1 1/2 hp pool pump does not help.
Venom