Power Conditioner?

ibewbrother
ibewbrother Posts: 186
edited April 2010 in Electronics
Hey all...

Is a power conditioner a good idea for my ht rig? I have everything on a $30 surge protector, but read something about them. I looked at some Furman products, and saw some that looked ok. Is it worth the $100 to $150 price?
What should i look for as far as features? And should I install a separate circuit just for the conditioner?

As always, any thoughts would be appreciated.....

Thank You in advance.....


....Brother
"Making life enjoyable through expensive electronics." BillD

Pioneer Elite SC-57
M70 series 2 mains
CS2 center
M40 surround
M30 front height
SVS PB 12 NSD

Carver TFM-45 (mains)
Carver A753x (center, surround)

320GB PS3, 42" Panasonic G10,

M60's as a Zone 2 off of the Pioneer in the living room

R.I.P. Onkyo TX-NR807
Post edited by ibewbrother on
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Comments

  • jojomgee
    jojomgee Posts: 198
    edited April 2010
    i like pert plus....lol
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2010
    Make sure you look for a power conditioner/surge suppressor that is UL rated and posts the UL certificate seal and it's UL 1449 Adjunct Classification Test Results. Federal Guidelines: Grade A, Class 1, Mode 1. If a company doesn't post it's UL test results and doesn't have a UL seal than avoid it.

    Do NOT buy power conditioners from stores like Best Buy, Walmart, those models are MOV's and use ground. You want to find a conditioner that doesn't use ground and is not an MOV.

    A well respected company is SurgeX, look into their 'Residential' series. SurgeX models are used through out new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, new Yankee Stadium. The SurgeX model I own (SurgeX XR315) is used in Carnegie Hall.

    http://www.listentech.com/blog/Dallas-Cowboys-Stadium-Spotlights-Listen/

    http://resmagonline.com/blog/36674.aspx

    http://www.surgex.com/media/index.html

    http://surgex.com/

    This explains in detail:

    http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1046031&page=4
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2010
    Also, contact SurgeX with an email and tell them specifically your HT setup and what amp outlet you're running it off of. They'll most likely ask if it's a 15 amp or 20 amp.
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2010
    My neighbor works for National Grid in Massachusetts and has over 20 years experience in commercial and residential. He set up my house and did a great job.

    Other excellent industry respected companies that are higher end are Exact Power, Furman Reference Series, Richard Gray Power. But, before you go to that much expense I'd add two 20 amp outlets (1 for the HT amp, 1 for everything else). Then add a whole house surge protector for about $400. Then use two SurgeX amp units for each outlet.

    In my opinion you'd be much better adding the outlets, whole house protection and decent SurgeX units than one high end unit. You could use any of the high end units listed above instead of the SurgeX if you prefer.

    If you add outlets makes sure both are on the same phase.
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited April 2010
    I'm a fan of both Panamax and Equitech.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,230
    edited April 2010
    Panamax , Furman (sorta the same company today) and APC is who I trust. Adding a Surge protector to ones system is smart. I will never go without one. You can and risk your system.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited April 2010
    Panamax is pretty good for the buck, check Audiogon for some excellent deals out there.

    Not sure what the heck "pert plus" has to do with a power conditioner, but a tad better input would be nice.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • BizmanJoe
    BizmanJoe Posts: 26
    edited April 2010
    digitalvideo wrote: »
    Also, contact SurgeX with an email and tell them specifically your HT setup and what amp outlet you're running it off of. They'll most likely ask if it's a 15 amp or 20 amp.

    SurgeX is a genuine power conditioner/surge protector, unlike MOV-based types such as Monster, Panamax and Furman. As a matter of fact, I have an unused, new SurgeX SX1120-RT that I purchased, but will not be using because I recently got a hold of a Tice Power Block that I've been salivating over. Anyone interested in a new SurgeX unit at a discount? They typically sell for around $450 - $500 on the web.
    Main: Klipsch KSP-400
    Cntr: Klipsch KSP-C6
    Rr/Sd Surr: Klipsch KSP-S6 (x 2)
    Rear: Klipsch KSW-150 Subwoofer
    Side Prs: Klipsch KSB 3.1
    Rear Prs: Klipsch KSB 2.1
    Frnt Prs: Klipsch SS-3
    HK Signature 2.1 (x 3)
    HK Signature 2.0
    HK DMC-1000
    Tice Power Block Sig III
    Fosgate DSL 3
    Fosgate DSL 3A
    Denon DVD 5900
    Denon DVD 2800 MkII
    ADC SS-525x
    ADC SS-325x
    DBX 400X
    NuReality Vivid 3D
    Akai GX R-88
    Pioneer PL-L1000A
    Pioneer SR-60
    Pioneer EX-9000
    Pioneer CTS-600
    Sanyo Plus N55
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  • BizmanJoe
    BizmanJoe Posts: 26
    edited April 2010
    ibewbrother wrote: »
    Hey all...

    Is a power conditioner a good idea for my ht rig? I have everything on a $30 surge protector, but read something about them. I looked at some Furman products, and saw some that looked ok. Is it worth the $100 to $150 price?
    What should i look for as far as features? And should I install a separate circuit just for the conditioner?

    As always, any thoughts would be appreciated.....

    Thank You in advance.....


    ....Brother

    Uhhh, I'd highly suggest you invest some time researching the difference between series and parallel wired surge protectors, as well as the pros and cons of the common MOV-type variety (Monster, Panamax, Furman, APC, for example) and the non- MOV types such as SurgeX, Tice (old school), PS Audio, Richard Gray, for example... My suggestion: Go with the non-MOV!!!!
    Main: Klipsch KSP-400
    Cntr: Klipsch KSP-C6
    Rr/Sd Surr: Klipsch KSP-S6 (x 2)
    Rear: Klipsch KSW-150 Subwoofer
    Side Prs: Klipsch KSB 3.1
    Rear Prs: Klipsch KSB 2.1
    Frnt Prs: Klipsch SS-3
    HK Signature 2.1 (x 3)
    HK Signature 2.0
    HK DMC-1000
    Tice Power Block Sig III
    Fosgate DSL 3
    Fosgate DSL 3A
    Denon DVD 5900
    Denon DVD 2800 MkII
    ADC SS-525x
    ADC SS-325x
    DBX 400X
    NuReality Vivid 3D
    Akai GX R-88
    Pioneer PL-L1000A
    Pioneer SR-60
    Pioneer EX-9000
    Pioneer CTS-600
    Sanyo Plus N55
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2010
    ^^^ reported
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited April 2010
    I've been looking into the SurgeX units too, mainly the SX1115 line. From the reviews I've read,they are supposed to be pretty well made and do their job.
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  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2010
    Polkie2009 wrote: »
    I've been looking into the SurgeX units too, mainly the SX1115 line. From the reviews I've read,they are supposed to be pretty well made and do their job.[/QUOTES]

    SurgeX is the best conditioner/surge suppressor I ever owned and only one I would trust for my setup.

    I thought about their SX1115 line too but it's not for residential use. Before I bought my SurgeX I too was interested in the SX1115 line and I contacted them and they told me that for home theater the SurgeX XR315 is better for home and will do a better job for HT. It also matters what wall outlet amp you're running your system off of, the model depends if it's a 15 amp or 20 amp outlet. I'm running mine off a 15 amp outlet. Make sure you contact SurgeX and tell them your specific HT setup and what amp outlet it is.

    SurgeX Residential:

    http://surgex.com/residential/index.html
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  • phuz
    phuz Posts: 2,372
    edited April 2010
    BizmanJoe wrote: »
    Uhhh, I'd highly suggest you invest some time researching the difference between series and parallel wired surge protectors, as well as the pros and cons of the common MOV-type variety (Monster, Panamax, Furman, APC, for example) and the non- MOV types such as SurgeX, Tice (old school), PS Audio, Richard Gray, for example... My suggestion: Go with the non-MOV!!!!

    Why don't you enlighten us?
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    Sound quality.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited April 2010
    I am using the Cyberpower in my sig. DOuble conversion and 0 transfer time. I like it so far. My tube pre is sensitive to voltage drops like when AC motors in the house come on. The CP has resolved that problem.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited April 2010
    Thanks for the info digitalvideo, I'll direct my search for the XR315. I see a lot of the used SX1115's for sale and just figured people had used them for a HT application.
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  • Krazyz1
    Krazyz1 Posts: 256
    edited April 2010
    For HT I like APC. For audio I like A.R.T. PRO units with APF filtering.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,465
    edited April 2010
    Right now I have a Monster PC in my HT, a Monster PC in our bedroom for our Plasma TV, a APC in the family room for our LCD TV, and a Panamax 5500 in my 2 channel rig.

    All 4 seem to be doing their job just fine. a Power Conditioner is a must with a flat screen TV not only for protection but for Picture Quality, when you get a nice Power Conditioner you will be amazed at the PQ, you will fill like you just got a new TV..
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2010
    Larry, try plugging your amps directly into the wall and let me know if you hear a difference.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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