Let's Talk About Power Conditioners
jflail2
Posts: 2,869
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!
Thanks!
2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!"
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!"
Comments
-
Tried power conditioners on multiple of occasions and have always sold them/returned them. Dynamics life sucker in my experience.- Not Tom
"No, that's silly talk. Dude, you can't possibly be this audio dumb so quit the act." - Doro -
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.
-
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.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, TriangleArt Reference SE with Pass Labs Xono Phono Preamp, Walker Precision Motor Drive, ClearAudio Goldfinger Statement V2 cartridge and Origin Conqueror Mk3c tonearm, Polk Audio "Signature" Reference Series 1.2TL with complete mods, Pass Labs X0.2 three chassis preamp, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MkII, Pioneer Elite SC-LX701, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds.
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered…History has stopped. Nothing exists except the endless present in which the party is always right” — George Orwell
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” -
"I've been conditioned my brother, even my conditioning has been conditioned"
Just a dude doing dude-ly things
"Temptation is the manifestation of desire which equals necessity." - Mikey081057
" I have always had a champange taste with a beer budget" - Rick88
"Just because the thread is getting views don't mean much .. I like a good train wreck doesn't mean i want to be in one..." - pitdogg2
"Those that don't know, don't know that they don't know." - heiney9
"Audiophiles are the male equivalent of cat ladies." - Audiokarma Member -
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?2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!" -
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.Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cables, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner -
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.My New Year's resolution is 3840 × 2160
Family Room| Marantz AV7704| Usher Dancer Mini - 2 DMD Mains |Usher Dancer Mini-x DMD's Surrounds | Usher BE-616 DMD Center | SVS Ultra Rear Surrounds | Parasound Halo A21 | Parsound Halo A52+ | MIT Shotgun S3's | Dual SVS SB 4000 Ultras | Oppo UDP 203 | Directv Genie HD DVR | Samsung 75" Q8 QLED | PSAudio Stellar GCD | Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ | Lumin U1 Mini | HP Elite Slice PC | ROON'd for life |
ManCave: HT:Polk LSiM 706VR3 LSiM 703's LSiM 702's|| Marantz AV7002 AV PrePro Sunfire TGA-7401| Sony PS4 Pro| Sony PS4 Pro|SVS PB13 Ultra| Oppo UDP 203 | Music Hall MMF 5.3se TT w/ Soundsmith Carmen | Samsung 55" SUHD TV | Sony PS4
Patio | Polk Atrium 8's | Yamaha R-N303BL |
Office BlueSound Node| KEF LS50 | Peactree Nova 125SE |
Bedroom | Focal 905's | Chromecast Audio |
Garage | Polk Monitor 5B's
Closet Yamaha M80 | 2 Polk MP3K subs| Yaqin MC100B with Shuguang Treasures KT 88's & CV181Z's | Tesla E83CC's | Marantz 2252B | Marantz 2385 |Polk SDA SRS 2.3 | LSiM 705's | -
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...The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, TriangleArt Reference SE with Pass Labs Xono Phono Preamp, Walker Precision Motor Drive, ClearAudio Goldfinger Statement V2 cartridge and Origin Conqueror Mk3c tonearm, Polk Audio "Signature" Reference Series 1.2TL with complete mods, Pass Labs X0.2 three chassis preamp, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MkII, Pioneer Elite SC-LX701, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds.
“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book has been rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered…History has stopped. Nothing exists except the endless present in which the party is always right” — George Orwell
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” -
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?Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
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.
-
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!
Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cables, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner -
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. -
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! Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cables, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner -
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 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. -
Shunyata. No contest.Lumin X1 file player
Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Pass XP-22 pre, X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers, SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I use a Panamax I bought right here on the forum. It has served me well.
-
Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cables, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner -
I just dropped in to see what condition my power conditioner was in
-
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. -
Nice review Joe! That Niagara sure is a beauty! End game piece too! Basement: Polk SDA SRS, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,Enlightened Audio Designs CD Transport, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, Marantz SA-14 SACD, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Digital Cables, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, Wireworld Oasis 8 RCA IC's, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, PASS ACA Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks, Tisbury Mini Passive Pre, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Garage: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner -
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. -
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. -
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.2007 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
2010 Club Polk Fantasy Football Champ
2011 Club Polk Football Pool Champ
"It's like a koala bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!" -
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. -
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. -
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.
-
Congrats Bro!!!
-
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.
-
What considerations prompted you to choose the AQ Monsoon over Amazon Basics?
