power conditioners to use, and to avoid

[Howie]

The issue here is budget and I do believe that the HC UO (you can buy a used one for $300 and slightly under) is by far the best one. It does give you surge protection, and it does give you sonic improvements. The fact that it has only 2 outlets is something to think about but I can tell you that the UO is something that is quite versatile and can be improved. Putting a really good powercord (the better the better) really makes a difference in terms of sound. If you don't like what it does to your sound you can always use it on video which is suppose to make an even better improvement if audio didn't do it.

I had originally bought UOs for my monoblocks but found dynamics to be constricted so I moved it to power my source to it. I'll probably do an A/B with and without the UO soon and would probably end up removing any UO from my audio chain but I would still keep it around as I like using it as a power extention to plug my TV into it. One thing it does do is make things more quiet although you can achieve better results with the use of better gear and better powercords still the UO does something for its price.

 

[Sovkiller]

The older are better on that than the new ones, the software let you adjust it more nicely, serial port connected, not USB, the new are USB and the communication is not bidirectional, at least is what they say, don't know about the freq, but according to the log file, I was monitoring it, the voltage is extremelly steady, and for lower variations up to 10-15 volts the same UPS can absorbed and even as you say the caps on the amps will do, and even withpout any regulation you will not notice it, but sometimes is bigger than that, at elast here around NYC area...

 

[bluesaint]

The only real way to get constant 120w is to use a AVS2000 from Monster, but that is by no way cheap!. But to get good power conditioner, you have to at least get a HTS3500 and up as I mentioned. I use a AVS2000 in conjunction with a HTS5000MKII so i have both constant 120w and noise free power.

 

[bluesaint]

For example, here you can buy them on audiogon cheaply nowadays.


http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.p...887&class&3&4&

 

[drewski]

One other power conditioner that is pretty good is the Richard Gray stuff. I think it's as good as the PS Audio gear.

 

[Hirsch]

Several people here have spoken highly of the Audio Magic Stealth conditioners. I haven't heard them, but thought they should be mentioned in this thread.

 

[Gallaine]

Quote:

Originally posted by bluesaint The only real way to get constant 120w is to use a AVS2000 from Monster, but that is by no way cheap!.

Really? I thought the PS Audio Powerplants did a good at this as well. The P300 provides 300w, the P600 600w, and the P1200 1200w. You can also adjust the output frequency. Of course, they aren't cheap either. But you can generally find a used P300 for $700-$800.

I realize that the PS Audio Powerplants are probably not within budget. I have 2 Monster HTS-2000's which I use for my headphone and HT systems. No restricted dynamics here as far as I can tell. I won't claim it beats the pants off anything under a bazillion dollars. But it gets the job done and, hopefully, protects my equipment, for a reasonable price (I paid $100 new from a Yahoo merchant).

 

[tom hankins]

The two monsters I tried in your price range (2500 & 3500) I didn't like as much as the Chang Lightspeed 3200, or the Ultimate Outlet. After alot of back and forth on my headphone system, I'm now using the Lightspeed over the U.O.

 

[RussKon]

for the best surge protection on the planet that does not restrict current in anyway....

www.surgex.com
www.brickwall.com
www.zerosurge.com

unlimited joule ratings.....

 

[Edwood]

How does the Monster AVS2000 compare to the PS Audio P300 or the HC Ultimate Outlet?

I have a P300--->cheap 14 gauge IEC computer cable-->Brickwall 2 Outlet Audiophile model-->very crappy apartment wall outlet.

I was thinking of using the Monster AVS2000 for my Rear Projection TV. The P300 did a fantastic job, but got too hot. P300 was intended for my headphone setup, I just wanted to see how it did with video. (BTW, the Monster AVS2000 has a $600+ markup )

I have to use a UPS with my DLP Rear Projection TV because the circuit breakers get tripped alot in my apt complex. The sudden loss of power is bad for this TV, especially the lamp. The stepped sine wave output from the UPS really strains the P300, so I can't use it on my TV.

I wonder if there was a way to modify a P300 by combining it with a UPS. A P300 with a battery pack, now that would be the ultimate!!!

-Ed

 

[DarkAngel]

For cheap I really like old Monster HTS2000 (not new PB2100 model that replaces it) which can be purchased still for @$100 new on internet if you search........I own a couple. (for audio they sound better than more expensive Monsters)

My reference system uses Audio Magic Stealth & Digital Stealth which costs plenty, but works great.

I compared and prefer the old HTS2000 to Monster HTS3500 and new PB2100, PS Audio Ultimate HC Outlet, Brickwall and maybe 1 or two others I am forgetting about..........the HTS2000 just revealed more detail than others which all softened/rolled treble and restricted dynamics to various degrees (despite adds that say they don't, use your ears and listen)

BTW when using HTS2000 be sure and plug CDP into outlet designed for CDP, also if you have some spare Audio Prism Quietlines plug one into empty outlet next to CDP.

 

[Edwood]

I use the Brickwall mainly because it is a series mode surge suppressor.
Extra bonus is that it provides excellent isolation between components plugged into it. That and there is no "buzzing" going on inside when high currents are being drawn, unlike those POS Tripplite Isobars. They have a nifty feature of converting electrical noise into audiable noise.

-Ed

 

[mega db]

Just to be a pain, I must say that I have never enjoyed the sound of any system using a power conditioner. That is not to say that there will never be a good one. Most that I have tried have restricted dynamics. Also most have negative impact on PRaT (mess with PRaT and forget about listening to Rock n Roll). Sure, some will benefit a certain aspect of your system but always due to the detriment of another part. On the other hand, I know many people who are happy with the PS Audio and AudioPrism products (but those people are delusional

) As always YMMV.

 

[GlowWorm]

What about power conditioners to avoid?

 

[markl]

I've owned a Panamax power conditioner several years ago I felt was worthless at the time. I've also owned a Monster HTS-5000 (~$500) that was an improvement, but not a vast improvement. I have since settled on the humble Monster PB1100 (~$180), that performs almost at the same level as the HTS5000. In addition to upgraded filtration, the new Power Bars have improved surge suppression over the HTS2000, something to consider.

My feelings now about power *conditioners* is that they should primarily be used for their surge suppression, it's cheap insurance for your audio gear. If you are looking for improvements in sound and component performance, you probably have to get a power *regenerator* like the PS Audio stuff. But those are very expensive and extremely inefficient (they are power hogs).

I wouldn't dip below the PB1100 in the Monster line, the "power conditioning" of lower-end models with lower quality componentry may do more harm than good. OTOH, as you move up the Monster line, you get more and more stages of filtration, which may have the undesirable side-effect of restricting the sound and choking the flow of electricity (just speculation there, but worth contemplating). I reason that the PB1100 offers decent quality internal parts, but does not over-filter the power supply, so it's a good, cheap compromise.

Mark