I am looking at power conditioners.Suggestions?

fbm211

I am considering Powervar ABC-1200-11 power conditioner -premium that is audiogon. Here is a rundown on the unit I am considering.



SALE! Save $50.00 now.

What are you willing to pay for bona fide power conditioning? $500? $750? $1000?

Is your audio and video system investment valuable to you?

Do you want your equipment to operate flawlessly?

Do you desire that your equipment’s circuitry be preserved for extended life and maximal enjoyment?

What is the true cost of disrupting, degrading and destructive raw AC power is on your expensive fine audio and video electronics:

1. Shortened operational life?
2. Frequent repairs or unscheduled maintenance?
3. Poor video and audio quality?
4. Less than maximal listening and viewing pleasure?

Are you interested in your fine electronics functioning optimally for many years and delivering clean and beautiful sounds and sights?

Powervar power conditioning is the state-of-the-art answer at an unbelievable price.

Don't be fooled by pretender manufacturers who do things half right. This is NOT an outlet, noise filter(s), high voltage surge clamper (TVSS), or some other combination of less than paramount technology that does not meet Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standard (IEEE C62.41) used by the National Semiconductor Industry.

It continues to amaze me how many devices are purchased on Audiogon that just can't possibly do the job completely with what is inside them. Don't be fooled.

POWERVAR power conditioners offer a power protection foundation that protects systems from Destruction, Degradation and Disruption. Common mode noise (present between ground and neutral wires) and normal mode noise (present between active and neutral wire) are purged when POWERVAR is used.

The multi-stage POWERVAR incorporates three stages of conditioning using the following components.

1. Low impedance isolation transformer (toroid). Does not limit current!

Isolation transformers help eliminate common mode and normal mode noise or voltage disturbances as permitted by the electrical code (bonding to the ground wire to permit voltage disturbances a clear pathway to the earth and away from your electronics). Both and LOW and high voltage (amplitude) transients are shunted away from your fine electronics to ground.

2. High quality AC noise filter. A filter removes higher frequency, low energy, voltage or noise disturbances.

3. Surge diverter. A diverter takes all high voltage transients and diverts them safely away from your precious electronics.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Used. Rated 8-9/10.
• NOW AVAILABLE: Premium, scratch and fingerprint resistant
black powder coat finish on cover. Beautiful!
• 43 pounds! 43 pounds! 43 pounds!
• 12 (TWELVE) amps of TRUE AC power protection and cleaning
• Master power switch with breaker and six quality NEMA
receptacles
• Indestructible barring direct lightning strike.
• Fits on almost all audio rack shelves (H x W x D IN)
5.60 x 11.15 x 16.10
• Eight foot power cord that can easily be replaced if
desired

Over 600 units sold to discriminating audio and videophiles. Perfect for plasma televisions too!


I am also considering the duet.But it seems I could plug my amps into rhe powervar which is not the case with the duet.And they both run around the same price.I dont want to spend more than 300.00. Thanks for looking.

Mike21

Hi fbm.

Why can't you plug your amps into the Duet (PSA, I assume)?

Mike

fbm211

The powervar states it does not limit current. Im not so sure the duet can handle a pair of high current amps along with my other gear.I doubt the quintet could handle that either.The powervar has a torid transformer in it....And I can get the powervar for around 250.00

F1nut

One little problem with the "Does not limit current!" claim. It only passes 12 amps, which is 3 short of what the normal home outlet will pass.

Look for a used UPC-200, which is rated at 15 amps, but will actually pass 20.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/upc-200-power-conditioner?cat=classics

jinjuku

Take a look at some of the Furman products. They have both rack-mount and in wall solutions. Furman also produces Panamax.

Check out the MIW-POWER-PRO-PFP

Around $80-$100.

heiney9

F1nut wrote: »

One little problem with the "Does not limit current!" claim. It only passes 12 amps, which is 3 short of what the normal home outlet will pass.

Look for a used UPC-200, which is rated at 15 amps, but will actually pass 20.

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/description/upc-200-power-conditioner?cat=classics

+2.

I'm sorry I might be cynical............but your description (I assume it was cut and paste) sounds like a hard sell and uses too much hype.

FWIW

H9

Systems

fbm211 wrote: »

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Used. Rated 8-9/10.
• NOW AVAILABLE: Premium, scratch and fingerprint resistant
black powder coat finish on cover. Beautiful!
• 43 pounds! 43 pounds! 43 pounds!
• 12 (TWELVE) amps of TRUE AC power protection and cleaning
• Master power switch with breaker and six quality NEMA
receptacles
• Indestructible barring direct lightning strike.
• Fits on almost all audio rack shelves (H x W x D IN)
5.60 x 11.15 x 16.10
• Eight foot power cord that can easily be replaced if
desired

A couple of things I would be interested in knowing about the isolation transformer but are not mentioned.What is it's VA rating? and is it a Balanced AC design?

Systems

Doh,If it's rated for 12 amps 120 x 12 =1440 VA.Thats a beefy transformer that.

fbm211

Link to the audiogon listing>>> http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcond&1247588929&/Powervar-ABC-1200-11 Ok,,,from what you all are saying I will start looking at your suggestions.Id like to get something I can hook all my audio gear into as well as the TV. I have/had a tripplite LCR2400 that no longer works.There seems to be a short in it.I replaced the power toggle,plugged it in and ZAP.It was such a nasty ark that it took a big chunk out of one of the plug blades. Oh well, on to other options.
Thanks for the input. It must be a big transformer...43 pound unit!!

fbm211

I would like to get this but its a little to much..Cool though>>> http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcond&1247762894&/Monarchy-Audio-M150-pwr-cond. How about this one>> http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?powrcond&1247744195&/Furman-Elite-15

heiney9

I have an APC H15 used for both. I works great, despite my apprehension to use it on my 2 channel gear. It's lowered the noise floor and improved my video.

http://www.apc.com/products/apcav/products/index.cfm?action=display&id=6B399E40-5056-AE36-FEBA529439EACF4F

H9

fbm211

I like that UPC-200 I Cant seem to find a US version so I will wait it out for one to show up. Or the APC H15...I really dont want to spend more than 300.00 on one.I have put a good deal of cash into recent upgrades and mods the last few weeks.
The 5.8 sonicaps are going to show up monday sometime and I dont imagine Ill be able to sit on those for to long without calling up polk to order a pair of 198s to do the TL mod....

heiney9

fbm211 wrote: »

I like that UPC-200 I Cant seem to find a US version so I will wait it out for one to show up. Or the APC H15...I really dont want to spend more than 300.00 on one.I have put a good deal of cash into recent upgrades and mods the last few weeks.
The 5.8 sonicaps are going to show up monday sometime and I dont imagine Ill be able to sit on those for to long without calling up polk to order a pair of 198s to do the TL mod....

You can buy the H15 all day on e-bay for $199 plus shipping. Check Tiger Direct.Com

mizthuphee

i just ordered a white APC AV H15 (Black is $315) from Tigerdirect.com thru Amazon.com for $ 199.99 free shipping.

concealer404

^ I got the black version at Fry's a few months ago for $140. Nice unit. You'll need to use the "dimming" feature, though. Those lights are BRIGHT.

heiney9

It really is a nice unit and Rotel uses the exact same unit (made for Rotel by APC) it has their name stamped on it and some different cosmetics and they charge even more.

I bought mine from Tiger Direct (off E-bay) for $99 NIB (not a refurb), shipped. Tiger Direct is about 60 miles from my house. I should have bought (2). Stupid low price deal.....I would have never considered it at retail or for more than $199.

I wanted a PS Audio UPC-200, but this came along and I though WTH, I'll try it, if I didn't like it I'd move it to the office rig/computer, etc. Well, I like it and I might still look for a used PS Audio for the future.......but I'm impressed with the APC unit so far.

H9

At $99 shipped I should have bought 2

StickyStuff

There are better deals on both ebay and amazon if you are looking for a Powervar 12. BTW, they will "handle" more than 12 amps, the reason they are rated as such is that you are never supposed to continuously draw more than 80% from a circuit, if you draw 100% you will burn out the breaker and possibly more. I would be a little suspect of a device that claims it will draw a continous 15 amps from a 15 amp breaker.

edit...spelling

Systems

StickyStuff wrote: »

There are better deals on both ebay and amazon if you are looking for a Powervar 12. BTW, they will "handle" more than 12 amps, the reason they are rated as such is that you are never supposed to continuously draw more than 80% from a circuit, if you draw 100% you will burn out the breaker and possibly more. I would be a little suspect of a device that claims it will draw a continous 15 amps from a 15 amp breaker.

edit...spelling

Yes I believe CSA/UL certification states that fusing/breakers should not be greater than 80%.The peak short term current available will be substanially higher.

fbm211

So you are sayiong the powervar is a decent choice.I found a nice one ebay that runs 149.00 and a Calipso Blue that would be 199.00.....Free shipping too. Take a look at the transformer on this thing.>>>>http://cgi.ebay.com/Powervar-ABC1200-11-1440VA-Toroidal-Line-Conditioner_W0QQitemZ250426983797QQihZ015QQcategoryZ67780QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

reeltrouble1

I would suggest a used Shunyata Guardian passes 20 amps, high build quality.

RT1

heiney9

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

I would suggest a used Shunyata Guardian passes 20 amps, high build quality.

RT1

I guess you missed the part about him being on a budget

heiney9

I suppose he could get a Shunyata Guardian 2 just for the amps and then something else for the rest.

H9

reeltrouble1

gee, I think I know a guy who does just that.

hehehehehe

RT1

fbm211

Well I think its come down to the Shunyata Guardian 4 and the PS audio UPC 200.Ive been reading a-lot of reviews and the guardian 4 seems to have a tendacy to add excitement and slam factor to the music.The upc is said to add a little warmth to the music.Hmmm. The SG4 is available for 300.00. Ill try to make a deal..Maybe free shipping

Systems

fbm211 wrote: »

So you are sayiong the powervar is a decent choice.

First off it's impossible to predict what effectiveness it or any other power conditioner will have on your setup.$149 is very reasonable for a transfornmer of that VA rating.I can't find any info indicating if the transformer outputs AC in a balanced manner.The absence of the mandatory code required GFCI outlet (according to the pic in the link)would indicate it is not.Like balanced audio signals,balanced AC is very effective at cancelling common mode noise and such units usually sell for far more.IMO if it is a balanced unit I would not hesitate to give it try at that price.



btw what components do you intend to run off of it?

fbm211

I intend to run both Adcom 565 amps,Pre,CDP,and DAC.I have the tuner plugged into the Preamp's unswitched outlet.Id like to be able to plug the TV into it too.Its always off when playing tunes...As is the PC..........I found that apc unit for 147.95 plus shipping...Thats got me thinking.

fbm211

I started tinkering around with my tripp lite LCR2400 and after breaking out the MM I located the short and fixed it.What an easy fix.I thought the thing was shot and had it in the closet for years.Its not a pretty unit and I dont know if its as good as some of the newer stuff out there but its working again and it didnt cost me anything. It is a power conditioner AND a voltage regulator with a pretty heavy transformer in it...What do you think GV??
Here is a pic of the ugly unit:eek: http://www.tripplite.com/EN/products/model.cfm?txtModelID=2832

ben62670

Dude I so seriously need a pic of the wiring of the front inside of that unit.

fbm211

Sorry for the bad pics. Cheap Crappy camera you know

Systems

fbm211 wrote: »

..What do you think GV??

While I don't think regulation is a necessity unless your service is prone to large flucuations it won't hurt.It appears from the description that that unit can source enough current so as to not starve your big Adcoms.
It will add a measure of protection but how effective it is as a filter and what if there are any audible improvements you'll just have to give it a try.

fbm211

I got everything hooked up to it and WOW,talk about a difference.The soundstage is bigger and I have better detail.And well, everything just sounds better.
Im thinking Im going to replace that ugly 12 foot power cable with DH Labs power plus studio reference cable (6ft) and terminate it with a cryo parts Furutech FI-11M (cu). I may even install a PS Audio Power Port AC receptacle to plug it into.The cable company has the power plus studio reference cable on sale at 4.88/ft. Here are some links FYI.>>http://www.thecableco.com/product.php?id=5206
http://www.cryo-parts.com/ps_audio_power_port.html