Let's Talk About Power Conditioners

jflail2 · May 2019

Now that the system is running like a champ with my new amp, I'm curious about power conditioners. Currently using a Monster HTS1600 and feel like I need to step up my game a little bit. Looking to keep it at/under $400 if possible, but what are you guys currently using and what should I take into account when choosing one? Nearly pulled the trigger on a Panamax MR5100, but figured I'd poll the masses first prior to taking the plunge.

Thanks!

VR3 · May 2019

Tried power conditioners on multiple of occasions and have always sold them/returned them. Dynamics life sucker in my experience.

honestaquarian · May 2019

Monster Power is one of those love or hate brands amongst audiophiles. I happen to love them. I’d recommend getting your hands on an AVS-2000. It’s rather large and very heavy, because it’s essentially a variac. They don’t make them anymore and you can find plenty for sale on eBay. It’s a voltage stabilizer and your power center plugs into it. I have one in each of my systems and did notice a positive change when I got each one.

nooshinjohn · May 2019

I would steer well clear of Monster anything.... Bad experience with one of their better conditioners and complete lack of support from them when it failed due to the backup battery being defective.

codycatalist · May 2019

"I've been conditioned my brother, even my conditioning has been conditioned"

jflail2 · May 2019

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I would steer well clear of Monster anything.... Bad experience with one of their better conditioners and complete lack of support from them when it failed due to the backup battery being defective.

Well that doesn't sound good. What did you replace it with?

verb · May 2019

I have a Furman Elite 15PFI, bought right here on this forum. Used marked can be had under 4 hundie easily.

However, used ones have risk. Unless you trust the seller, which is implicit here on CP, you may be getting one with issues, or worse. So be cautious.

Mikey081057 · May 2019

I have some Panamax stuff and it seems to be fine. never had any issues. I would like to not have anything but living in the lightning capital of the world Lee Cty Florida you need to have protection. I also have a surge protector on my electrical meter as stage I protection. My lightning detector has been beeping all day. I have a PS Audio

https://www.psaudio.com/products/dectet-power-center/

On my 2 channel which you can find used.

nooshinjohn · May 2019

jflail2 wrote: »

nooshinjohn wrote: »

I would steer well clear of Monster anything.... Bad experience with one of their better conditioners and complete lack of support from them when it failed due to the backup battery being defective.

Well that doesn't sound good. What did you replace it with?

Right now, just a power strip, but I am looking at PS Audio...

F1nut · May 2019

jflail2 wrote: »

Now that the system is running like a champ with my new amp, I'm curious about power conditioners. Currently using a Monster HTS1600 and feel like I need to step up my game a little bit. Looking to keep it at/under $400 if possible, but what are you guys currently using and what should I take into account when choosing one? Nearly pulled the trigger on a Panamax MR5100, but figured I'd poll the masses first prior to taking the plunge.

Thanks!

Is this for your amp or the rest of the gear?

pitdogg2 · May 2019

I picked up a used Hydra8 from @DSkip and yes it did make a difference. I was using a older Monster power/surge strip. I however never plugged in my amps to the Monster but have on the Hydra8. Now if @erniejade would mail the paperwork that went with it I forgot to grab from him at Axpona I might know more about it.

verb · May 2019

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I picked up a used Hydra8 from @DSkip and yes it did make a difference. I was using a older Monster power/surge strip. I however never plugged in my amps to the Monster but have on the Hydra8. Now if @erniejade would mail the paperwork that went with it I forgot to grab from him at Axpona I might know more about it.

You're the rascal that snagged it! I was looking at that baby! Nice grab Ivan!

motorstereo · May 2019

I received an emi measuring device earlier today and I've been having fun measuring all my power conditioners and my circuits as well. My findings thus far...... my monster 3500 is getting listed on craigslist tomorrow and won't be going to anyone I know, PS audio noise harvesters do actually work to some extent. Belkin conditioners do surprisingly well and my new 83lb Furman 20I reference conditioner all but completely stops emi.
My advice for a conditioner for $400 would be to keep saving unless you get a smoking deal on an excellent quality used one.

verb · May 2019

motorstereo wrote: »

I received an emi measuring device earlier today and I've been having fun measuring all my power conditioners and my circuits as well. My findings thus far...... my monster 3500 is getting listed on craigslist tomorrow and won't be going to anyone I know, PS audio noise harvesters do actually work to some extent. Belkin conditioners do surprisingly well and my new 83lb Furman 20I reference conditioner all but completely stops emi.
My advice for a conditioner for $400 would be to keep saving unless you get a smoking deal on an excellent quality used one.

Interesting my man! I would be very interested if you created a thread on this subject! Need to learn!

rpf65 · May 2019

Depends on your gear. Better gear deserves better conditioning.

Also depends on what you want to protect. A subwoofer or two, I would use this:

https://www.amazon.com/SurgeX-SA-20-Standalone-Surge-Eliminator/dp/B00ZPQQMZQ

Might use it for an amp if I were in an area prone to lightning strikes.

Currently using a Panamax m4300, because I never had one in my system before, and didn’t know if there would be a benefit. Cleaned up noise that I didn’t know was there. There were a few times that it went into protection mode before the clocks even had time to start flashing. Live close to the end of service on this particular transmission grid, so it works.

When I bought it, I only had about 1500 worth of gear, counting TV, plugged into it. Have considerably more expensive gear now, and the Panamax is 7 years old, so probably time to research and upgrade in the near future.

motorstereo · May 2019

verb wrote: »

motorstereo wrote: »

Interesting my man! I would be very interested if you created a thread on this subject! Need to learn!

I'm still in the learning stage but here's a few other tidbits I've learned today. I've found that the higher current outlets have less emi which surprised me. I've also found that coiling cords doesn't increase emi which again surprised me. Led dimmer switches are atrociously noisy. And dedicated lines with multi-strand wiring has moved way up my list of importance. Next is to start testing cords. If someone is into this hobby at all this is a must have and fun learning tool.

BlueFox · May 2019

Shunyata. No contest.

indyhawg · May 2019

I use a Panamax I bought right here on the forum. It has served me well.

verb · May 2019

BlueFox wrote: »

Shunyata. No contest.

Always loved the Denali's! A tad bit over budget, however!

dromunds · May 2019

I just dropped in to see what condition my power conditioner was in

joecoulson · May 2019

So I won’t flame anything, I’ll just give my experience with the last few.

I started a home theater build out about 14 years ago and picked up a Monster HTS2600 MKii (that consequently went to someone on here in a Karma). When I purchased it (for full retail) it was the best for the $$ known to my dealer (Hifibuys) at that time. It served me well for multiple reasons- it could handle all the components I had, had surge protection for said components and lastly (supposedly) it filtered the sound and video. Placebo (maybe that’s harsh but keep reading ) is powerful.
I had this piece in my main system for the last 13 years. It served that time well. When I joined this forum a while back, I started getting interested back into the upgrades to make the music sound better. Started with some LSiM705’s and then some Linn amps. Was starting a journey I have been on solidly for the last 18+ months. I then started reading about the new Audioquest power pieces. The more I read and the more I spoke to folks who had them or sold them, the more I felt I had to try it.
I purchased a Niagara 1000 along with a Thunder 1m power cable to connect it. I am not kidding that when I tell you it was a bigger upgrade than the Linn amps as far as what it did to the sound. I really was blown away. I could unplug all and run to the wall with a power strip and the difference was night and day. All of the positive effects we talk about on this forum were elevated and accentuated. I was sold.
Recently I was given an opportunity to bypass my next upgrade (which was going to be the 1200 so I could get two hi current outlets for the mono’s) and go straight to the 5000. It was hard for me to pass this deal up although I had never spent $4700 on any single piece (cable and unit) ever. The Hurricane power cable at 2m was the cable.
This time the effects that changed were as follows. More resolution on my music overall. The imaging was given more personalization. Meaning the recordings if they were good, they sounded glorious but if they were bad, it was evident. It has shown me that although I love Tidal, the streaming 44.1 falls very shy of vinyl and SACD. Before the 5000, they were slightly more equal. The biggest change I had was an effect I have not ever had in any system before. Front to back imaging. Meaning decay would now move away from me in some songs. What??! So cool.
So all in all I think I have my endgame power conditioner as I have seen folks with $100k systems with this same unit.
The last test is going to be when I finally plug in the SVS to this unit (which I have purposely waited to do). The Niagara has up to 90amps ready inside for transients and with that 1500rms amp on the sub, it can pull some current. I just need to decide which power cable to purchase to connect it.
One last thing. Before the 5000, I had my Marantz (I have a 5.1 with HT bypass to shut off and listen to 2ch) plugged into the wall. Now when we watch movies, surround has more depth and power too. It’s like I’m running audyssey but I’m not.

verb · May 2019

Nice review Joe! That Niagara sure is a beauty! End game piece too!

motorstereo · May 2019

Thanks for the well written review Joe and it sounds like you've got a great unit and you're hooked on quality power conditioning to. I can also echo your sentiments about spending that much on power conditioning as I was apprehensive in my situation as well to say the least.
I see you like your Linn mono's running through it. I'm wondering how much current they draw? Reason I ask is twice I've tried running my Mac mono's though my 80amp reserve current Furman and I found I prefer them on their own 20 amp circuits from the wall both times. Perhaps the 3rd time will be a charm? I'm also thinking I'm somewhat prejudiced in thinking the pc may inhibit dynamics even though that's more than likely not the case with so much reserve current.

joecoulson · May 2019

I actually have PS Audio M700 mono’s on it now. They are class D so maybe they pull differently than the Mac gear ( currentl draw)
I will test the theory of enough current with the SVS when I finally settle on a power cable.

jflail2 · May 2019

Lots of good feedback here, thanks gents. A few follow up tid bits:

1.) Gear currently connected includes a 65" 4K tv, denon receiver, PS4, home theater PC, amp, and Rti 10's and CSi3 connected to the amp. I was torn on the amp being connected directly to the wall or not as I'd prefer it be protected, but am under the impression it would do better connected directly to the wall.

2.) Yes, the Niagra and Denali both sound nice, but both are well beyond my price range. Heck of a review on that Denali though Joe; great insight.

3.) Based on the consensus here, I'm going to avoid Monster going forward. Right now it's sounding like I'd want to go new, and Panamax is the best brand bang for my buck. Looks like I could get a Furman Elite for $5-600 and a good Panamax for about $4-450. Leaning towards the Panamax unless there's a material fan base for the Furman Elite.

scubalab · May 2019

joecoulson wrote: »

I started a home theater build out about 14 years ago and picked up a Monster HTS2600 MKii (that consequently went to someone on here in a Karma).

Joe, I was the winner of that karma! Thanks again!! Although I did not notice any audible differences when I added the Monster to the setup, I do sleep better at night knowing my modest 2-channel rig (Vincent integrated, Yamaha CDP, Lounge Audio LCR phono pre, and Audio Technica LP-120 TT) is protected from surges. I'm not a fan or supporter of Monster stuff, but it's definitely a well-built piece of equipment and does what I need it to do.

I use a Panamax M5300-PM PC in our home theater. Everything but my amps run through it. It's a nice power conditioner and is hard to beat for the price (usually around $400). Again, I don't notice any audible improvements with it, but it does stabilize the voltage and prevent surges.

joecoulson · May 2019

That’s right scuba! Forgot it was you

Yes the surges for our connected equipment is probably paramount to this whole conversation. Lord knows I don’t want to have an insurance claim for my rig. They would hang up on me.

Polkitup2 · May 2019

Just received an Audioquest 1200 today. Nice looking unit that will work well for my current and future placement needs. I'll post some comments after the recommended 2 week break in period.

joecoulson · May 2019

Congrats Bro!!!

joecoulson · May 2019

So I took a shot at the Monsoon 2m cable and it arrives tomorrow. Will update here on the difference the sub makes when connected to the Niagara for music and then movies.

Clipdat · May 2019

What considerations prompted you to choose the AQ Monsoon over Amazon Basics?

Let's Talk About Power Conditioners

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links