Power Conditioning / Surge Protection

What are you all using for power conditioning / surge protection? I currently have my SCD-C333ES and HeadRoom Max plugged into a Tripp-Lite Isotel surge suppressor. However, upon reading about MOV (metal oxide varistor)-based surge suppressors on Audio Asylum, and then at Brick Wall, I decided to order a Brick Wall model PW8R15AUD while it was still available for US$50.00 off for the month of June (I got it for US$249.00, down from US$299.00).


This picture shows the front (top) and rear (bottom) of the unit.
(Click on image to enlarge it)

Of course, I'll let you all know what I think of it after it has been in my system a little while. For their audio power conditioners/surge suppressors, Brick Wall offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

Though it also conditions the lines through filtering, my main interest is the surge suppression. My rig wouldn't be cheap to replace, so I wanted the best available surge suppression I could find that also had a reputation for not negatively affecting the sound quality of hi-fi systems. The Brick Walls are very well reviewed, and many even state that their systems sounded better after hooking them up to Brick Wall suppressor / conditioners. Once it arrives, I'll move my second-string Isotel to the office for my office rig.

Check out Brick Wall's site for some interesting reading on power conditioner / surge suppression.

Anyone else here have experience with Brick Wall units? Or any other power conditioner / surge suppressors?

Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Apheared,

I know who'll be laughing if New York ever has rolling blackouts. You're just begging for a new funny user name.



Okay, now I've got a question for you. Did you check out the Brick Wall web site? Is there anything special about that device as a surge suppressor? Do you know of any devices that work on similar principles (and that are MOV-less) that don't cost, say, $250?

I was interested in a PS Audio power regeneration unit -- I figured it was similar to an online UPS in that it actually takes power from the wall outlet and cleans it up and then delivers it. I understand that the PS Audio products are not like online UPS's in that they don't use batteries, and shut down when the power goes out. What had me not selecting the PS Audio products was the obviously higher price of even their smallest unit, and that my biggest concern is the suppression of surges.

Apheared, your comments -- and anyone else here too -- would be very welcome. And if it's not too much trouble, if you could kindly review the Brick Wall site briefly to make some comments on their methods versus more standard surge suppressors, I'd certainly appreciate that too. Though I already ordered one, I'm still seeking opinions.

-- Jude --

Tides,

There are two types of UPS units that I'm aware of: the kind that kicks in when the power goes out, and the kind that actually does that and conditions the power through some sort of active power regeneration even when the power doesn't go out.

I believe the Smart-UPS 700 by APC is one of the former -- I also use Smart-UPS units for all my computers. There is line filtering, but I'm not sure that the Smart-UPS 700 does exactly what the X-PSU was intended to do (deliver regulated power specific to the demands of the X-CAN), especially when the power's not out.

From the literature:

So it reads as though there's switching involved, whereas an online UPS I believe is entirely regenerating the power regardless of line conditions in.

I would be interested in such a device (like the PS Audio units or Apheared's online UPS's), but they're quite costly, and some swear that such devices may actually have deleterious sonic effects, though I don't quite understand how that'd be if the units are regenerating a stable sine wave.

As a result, I decided to look for a more affordable option: a highly effective surge suppressor with a reputation for not negatively affecting the sonics of my headphone system (which is how I somehow ended up ordering a Brick Wall unit). It's easier with a headphone rig, as there are no gigatntic amps demanding loads and loads of current, but the way of the audiophile -- headphone rig or speaker rig -- is rarely inexpensive.

I'm no electrical engineer, so, again, I'd appreciate any comments about the design concepts behind the Brick Wall, and why, if for any good reason, it has earned a reputation for being a very good audiophile surge suppressor.

Wow, bootman, that is quite an interesting link. I am looking at those very seriously, trying to find a reason to not buy one.

Can someone here offer any good reason why an online UPS/conditioner like these would not be good for audiophile equipment?

My Brick Wall just arrived. Very nice, simple unit. I don't know if there are any audible differences yet, as I've not listened to it at all (it just arrived).

One thing that is very impressive about it is that it emits VERY low AC magnetic field and AC electrical field emissions (as measured with my AlphaLab Broadband TriField Meter), which means I feel very comfortable putting this unit directly above my HeadRoom Max (about 3.5" above it actually). I mean, even with the AlphaLab meter placed directly against any of the Brick Wall's sides, there's virtually no reading above ambient at all.

It is also very quiet -- even with my ear directly on it, there is no detectable hum.

I'm going to take the ferrite cores and rings off my audio equipment power cords now, and see if this Brick Wall can also eliminate the noise from my sump pump and refrigerator (the sump pump being, by far, the biggest offender of all my appliances).

Now I feel safe leaving my stuff on all the time. Listening in a thunderstorm may be a reality now.

I'll report on any (if any) effects on the sound.