power conditioners -any good ?

ezc

I was told by Monster at the 2003 CES the Signature Series were to be Limited Distribution, Now dose that mean they will only sell x amount of that certain item? They dont have it on thier web site & you should only be able buy it from a authorized Monster Power Dealer. Monster hasnt said how long they will sell the product either. Will they make the ss series a part of thier Monster power Line up who knows? And the Sig. series costs about $200 more than the standard unit.

brettw22

And they're only doing the SS line with those two models?

polkatese

Brett, I saw several etailers carry the HTS-5100 SS, so it could be more than just those two..

ezc, great system!

howie777

I have a monster HTS5000 MKII and it hums really loudly. Actually the level of noise from this unit varies depending on the load, but it will hum with no equipment plugged in too. I am told this is the dreaded 60 cycle hum and I need a dedicated circuit to get rid of the noise. ($250-$300 was one estimate) I did verify it does not hum, even loaded up, at the store I bought it from so it is my house and not the power center itself. I'm just surprised that only the power center hums, none of my other HT gear does. I have a UPS for my computer and that hums too...

I really feel better with one. Just read the warrenty info. I believe it states that ALL components must be plugged into the power center or it voids your warrenty so no xbox plugged into the wall and then into your receiver! Only problem is, 10 outlets just isn't enough!

ezc

The Monster Power Sig Series comes in 3 models.
The AVS 2000 SS $1699.95, the HTPS 7000 SS$1499.95, and the HTS 5100 SS $$799.99.

PETERNG

I have two good ones: The monster cable HTSS 7000 and 5000. Great performance, can't complaint...turn on anything in the house, microwave, vacumm cleaner, even lawnmower, diswasher, dryer, don't do one bit of harm to your system, crystal clear picture and sound. The lighting struck my system twice, shut off the whole damm thing, but when everything is over, no damage found.

PETERNG

Originally posted by howie777
I have a monster HTS5000 MKII and it hums really loudly. Actually the level of noise from this unit varies depending on the load, but it will hum with no equipment plugged in too. I am told this is the dreaded 60 cycle hum and I need a dedicated circuit to get rid of the noise. ($250-$300 was one estimate) I did verify it does not hum, even loaded up, at the store I bought it from so it is my house and not the power center itself. I'm just surprised that only the power center hums, none of my other HT gear does. I have a UPS for my computer and that hums too...

Shouldn't have the hum noise, however, send it back to MC, it has the lifetime warranty.

jmierzur

Originally posted by brettw22
I can't find anything on the SS versions of the Monster units. Their site doesn't indicate that they even have a new model coming out. Do you know where to check for specs and pictures?

I recently did a comparison between the HTPS 7000 (balanced power for source components and stage 5 filtration!) and full balanced power for your entire system. As I stated before, if you are looking for the "cool" factor, buy a Monster unit. If you are looking for performance and end results, there are others that are better, especially for the price Monster charges.

Balanced Power

gidrah

For my $.02, you'd be better off investing in a dedicated line and adding a Radio Shack surge protector.

polkatese

A rather naive question for my own education: if I already have a dedicated line and a basic surge protector, adding any of the above power conditioners (Monster, Panamax, BP, RGrayCo, etc.) what would be the remainder of benefit to gain (other than the convenience such as switched outlet and cool factor)? This is along gidrah statement above...thanks

ezc

polkatese
What you would get by adding to your system is Filtered Clean Power, & in some cases isolated clean power. Did you know that digital equipment create lots of noise, & by pluging your dvd player , your display, reciever, amp ect into a surge protector that dosnt have isolation the noise in the line comming from your electric co & the noise generated by your equipment is fed into every component plugged into your surge protector. With isolation the noise your dvd player creates wont beable to crossover through your powercenter & go into your display ac line giving you a bad picture or crossover to your reciever & give you a bad sound. With isolation the circuits are all isolated from each other & the noise say the dvd player or cd player creates stays in that ac circuit. Ask your local Monster Power dealer to do a demo of clean power. We here have the Monster Power noise sniffer, which we can demo clean power, isolation & pick up noise from other sources like lights, computers etc. I think that what ever brand you buy if you get a good quality surge protector with filtering you will notice a difference. Remember if two people demos the same product one will say it was awsonme & the other will say the product sucked. Let your eyes & ears be the judge. We have Monster AVS 2000 Sig Ser & a Monster HTPS 7000 Sig Ser. in our system. Did it help? Yes it made a big difference to me, is there bigger or better out there probably is but Im happy whith how my system sounds & how my picture looks. Isnt that the bottem line! Being happy & enjoying your system!

polkatese

ezc,
thanks for your explanations and you're right, the bottom line is being able to enjoy the system.

jmierzur

Originally posted by polkatese
A rather naive question for my own education: if I already have a dedicated line and a basic surge protector, adding any of the above power conditioners (Monster, Panamax, BP, RGrayCo, etc.) what would be the remainder of benefit to gain (other than the convenience such as switched outlet and cool factor)? This is along gidrah statement above...thanks

I have dedicated lines (20A and 15A) for my system and was using a TrippLite noise/surge unit. Power conditioning units I tested provided additional benefits. The one that provided the most and best benefits, in my opinion, was the one I selected.

As with any component, try several different units to determine the effects they have on your system. Select the one that suits your requirements and tastes.

eulogyt00l

I have the Monster HTS-5100 And I love it! Piece of mind and quality all the way baby. I got it off ebay for $400. which is really, really cheap for the 5100 its only second to the ridiculuous top of the line model. I can give you the sellers contact info if you want it. He runs his A/V business on ebay and he might even let you have it for the same price I got it for.

polkatese

eulogyt001, thanks for the info. I have my eyes on the 5500 since it has four isolated outlets for digital equipments. We'll see, the best price from an authorized dealer is $649 shipped, had purchased several items from this dealer in the past, so I know his track record. oh why not, let's get it over with....

RuSsMaN

Just doing some reading, Monster power centers cover "AC power, cable, telephone surges". Lightning strikes are not in the list. Not picking on Monster, I'm pretty sure no-one offers THAT level of protection. Lightning is DC anyway.

As long as you have a fast-blow 15/20 amp fuse, it doesn't matter if you have a $19 protector, or a $700 one, from the protection side. I've seen, I think they were 'ATC' surge protectors for $20-$30 with a $40,000 $200,000 whatever guarantee, with all the coax/rj25 connectors you would ever need.

They can offer it, because it doesn't happen (very very very rarely) from AC, telephone, or cable. You probably have a better chance of winning the lottery. The only protection from lightning is to unplug the unit(s) from the wall. Besides, I would not rely on a manufacturer of any power unit to make good on a claim, that's why you carry renters(if you are wise) or home-owners insurance.

I only stress this, because where I live, its a regular event. As a matter of fact, I have about 2-3 hrs before the next line of storms hit, and I'll unplug everything audio/video related.

I won't comment on how they sound, I use some various brands of conditioners myself, but my house has 'good clean power' (for a lack of a better term), so I can't really attest to what differences there are with and without conditioners, for me, if it's anything, its minimal. But hey, like I'm the first guy to pay a few bucks for 'minimal', or peace of mind.

Cheers,
Russ

RuSsMaN

Sorry to de-rail for a moment, but the apartment dwellers here really ought to contact their insurance agent for renters insurance. God forbid, theft, fire, storm damage, all fairly common in multi-family housing.

Our last apt was 1200sqft, and I think we paid $18-22 a month for $100,000 coverage on our personal property. It may not have even been that much. Take a good look at your neighbors, you trust them not to fall asleep with a cig burning?

Just something to think about.

Cheers,
Russ

mantis

Like anything else Audio and Video.

Does it make a difference???
Only if you can see it or hear it
Did It make a differnece in your system?
Yes very much so,I noticed a increase in clarity in overall color in TV.Audio was clearer and more I'll call it alive.
I own The Monster HTS5000 it retailed for 599.99.I feel it's worth every single penny plus the damn tax.

My only point that I'll make here is you have to consider all options and why the hell you want it.If your anything like me,you'll take the pluge for higher fidelity."Minimal" gains are what all the little tweaks do.Russ loves to use the word MINIMAL as he feels alot of things do this........but if you add up all of the little tweaks,you end up with a big difference in overall system performance.
Small steps...........

mantis

Think about this

wire....small gains in clarity and detail.I could go on here for awhile

Power....small but noticable......

Room treatments......medium to large difference

Tweaking position...medium to large.....

It doesn't end...the more you do,the better the existing gear will do......leave it all out and get regular performance.......tweak and see.......

RuSsMaN

Small steps don't cost $700 a pop. Source/back end (amp etc) upgrades do.

I'm not going there with you Dan.

Cheers,
Rooster

HBombToo

Originally posted by mantis

wire....small gains in clarity and detail.I could go on here for awhile

I have no clue what this is????? how about some details DANO....

Evil Twin so consider the source!

mantis

Russman,
Need not to go anywhere with me.Choose your own path.700.00 or 7,000.00 makes no differnce.It's all in the eyes of the beholder whats worth it.Your's it is not.Mine is of a different story.

HbombToo or evil I'm not sure twin,
You don't understand the gains that wire or better wire can do.Is that what your asking????Maybe I wrote that alittle 2 general for you.Not a problem.....
Wire....standard Home Depot wire,Radioshack and any other standard wiring.Can do the job,can get some of the signal there.RFI and EMI play a very big role in these wire choices.Some are happy with not spending any money on what they don't believe in will better there system.This is a choice for better fidelity or not.Some feel little gains are not worth the price asked to pay.Some feel it's a nessary component to ones system.
Level or caliber of wire needs to be considered with the level of equipment used.
Age old question......This needs to be answered yourself.Your system your way......

RuSsMaN

Interesting.

I'll refrain from derailing this thread any further, but I wish someone would tell me, what is RMI/EFI, what are it's causes, and how can certain wire designs prevent said interference? Not just manufacturers claims, good solid facts/data will do just fine.

Hell, if anyone has it, a good DBT will suffice, if there is no real scientific reason to be stated.

Cheers,
Rooster

polkatese

Folks,
whoa! small prints that I am glad I read before finding the deals on ebay. It's such an ironic event, this is one of those purchases that really has to be done right, otherwise, you missed a big chunk of the reasons why you bought it in the first place....

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

Panamax warrants to the purchaser of this Panamax audio/video component style surge protector, for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase, that the surge protector shall be free of defects in design, material, or workmanship, and Panamax will repair or replace any defective unit. For product replacement see "NOTIFICATION" below.

PANAMAX SURGE PROTECTOR CONNECTED EQUIPMENT PROTECTION POLICY
Valid only in the United States and Canada

1. PROOF OF PURCHASE REQUIRED: Panamax’s connected equipment policy extends to the original purchaser only and is non-transferable. Original purchase receipts must accompany any product return or claim for connected equipment damage.

jmierzur

Originally posted by mantis
Think about this

wire....small gains in clarity and detail.I could go on here for awhile

Power....small but noticable......

Room treatments......medium to large difference

Tweaking position...medium to large.....

It doesn't end...the more you do,the better the existing gear will do......leave it all out and get regular performance.......tweak and see.......

I would agree with these statements for the most part based on my previous experiments. Fortunately, I found an exception for the Power category. Moving to balanced power for my entire system was a medium to large difference. Unfortunately, you can not go to your local store to see and hear this for your self.

Check equitech.com for some of their clients (recording studios).

ezc

jmierzur
I have to agree with you. Upgrading components, cables, Stands etc gave me small sometimes very small gains & for the price I paid may not be money well spent. With power all my components preformance was noticeably improved, but thats on my system. Also my ac power is bad. ac voltage from about 116v - 124v. somtimes lower & some times higher than that too. My ac line to my system is dedicated but when checked with monsters noise sniffer there is soo much noise it & goes over what the meter can read, When the meter is turned down so it can take a reading it pegs at 199 ( 200 is over what it can read) at that I have am radio stations playing through the sniffer. You can actually hear & listen to the brodcast along with all the noise. I was amazed at how bad my ac was! With the power products all noise is gone even the am radio station brodcast. If you get a chance for a Monster Dealer to demo the noise sniffer in your home give it a try!

polkatese

ezc,
Is all monster dealers have this noise sniffer? My dealer carries monster products, but not quite sure if they have it...

fireshoes

There's one at my store. Pretty cool. The $5 home depot-type power strips actually add about 50% more noise, where the monster ones almost totally eliminate it.

ezc

polkatese
I dont think every monster dealer has one. We had to purchase one if we wanted one. We call it our closure / bonus sale tool. When we do a demo for a customer weather they are buying a surge for HT or computer & they see what clean power dose they almost always purchase a unit with clean power. When we sell cables & go to a customers home to isntall ( we offer free installation) we as a service to the customer we always test the customers ac power with the customer watching of course. Over 90% of the time we end up selling the customer at least one power center with clean power. I always thaught my own ac power was great until we tested my ac & really found out how bad it was!

polkatese

ezc,
I saw the demo flash on monster site, that gizmo looks great! thanks for the explanation...