power conditioners to use, and to avoid

[dsavitsk]

I am looking for a power conditioner partly because the power where I am is terrible (and my 4 running computers don't help that) and partly for surge protection.

Does anyone have experiences both positive and negative in the $300 range? It looks like Adcom, Panamax, monster, and a few others make some that can be had in this range. Any comments?

Thanks,

-doug

 

[kuma]

Quote:

Originally posted by dsavitsk I am looking for a power conditioner partly because the power where I am is terrible (and my 4 running computers don't help that) and partly for surge protection. Does anyone have experiences both positive and negative in the $300 range? It looks like Adcom, Panamax, monster, and a few others make some that can be had in this range. Any comments? Thanks,

both adcom and panamax seem to restrict dynamics and soften transients. But those can work in a brightish system to tame the trebles sometimes.

someone told me Triplite does wonder. But, I haven't tried it.

 

[bluesaint]

I would suggest you getting at least a Monster PowerBar 2100 or a used Monster HTS3500 or higher.

 

[davidmiya]

nebuchadnezzar suggested the following to me. Perhaps AC regenerator might work well for you as well because they are MUCH cleaner.

Quote:

Look at Balanced Power Tech's BP jr.- MkII, it has four outlets and is about $400. Their products are cutsomizable, too. Or, PS Audio's Ultimate Outlet, this one offers two outlets and starts at $299. It is avaliable in 15 or 20amp models. Check out Audiogon, as the UO can be found pretty often on the used market. (under Accessories- AC) Monster also has alternatives you may want to look at. Good luck.

 

[Magic77]

Check out PS Audio at www.psaudio.com

They have some great stuff and lots of good information at their website.

I have their Ultimate Outlet, which someone else mentioned.

 

[drewski]

If you decide on the Ultimate outlets, I recommend the high current version. I've tested side by side and the high current one sounds better than the standard 15amp version. The standard 15 amp version didn't do much for my system and quite a few other people I talk to about these things say the same thing. Unfortunately, the high current version go for $400 when they are new, but can be found used right in your budget.

 

[dd3mon]

I'll recommend the ultra-cheap CyberPower series with voltage-regulation. They do better than the monster power series (which I have compared to), are cheaper, and have a battery backup built in to boot.

-dd3mon

 

[bluesaint]

dd3mon, which monster series have you compared and didn't think they are good? My exp is the lower models 3500 and under are waste of $. Only 3500~7000 are worth going after.

 

[Hirsch]

Hmmm...I've had very good results with the Monster HTS-2000. I've got three of them around here in various places. Not expensive, and gets the job done. I've also got a Tice Elite power conditioner on HT rig, and a JR power conditioner from DIY cable running around somewhere, but I don't think it gives me anything the Monster doesn't. I've got one of the Cyberpower backups, and will give it a try on my audio setups sooner or later (I got it for computer use).

 

[Howie]

If you really need a powerconditioner then I would say the HC Ultimate Outlet. I believe it one of the better surge protectors. Does it restrict dynamics? Unfortunately it does unless you're plugging a really low powered amp into it. In general I like the UO. I think you gain something and lose something though.

 

[dsavitsk]

Quote:

If you really need a powerconditioner then I would say the HC Ultimate Outlet. ... Does it restrict dynamics? Unfortunately it does unless you're plugging a really low powered amp into it.

I suppose I should be clear here. I have gotten to the point where I rarely listen to music on the big stereo, and almost exclusively use headphones. So, this will be a cd player into a melos sha. is that low enough power?

there is a ps audio dealer near me, so i think i'll try these out.

thanks everyone for the responses.

-d

 

[dd3mon]

Quote:

Originally posted by bluesaint dd3mon, which monster series have you compared and didn't think they are good? My exp is the lower models 3500 and under are waste of $. Only 3500~7000 are worth going after.

I had one similar to the HTS-2000, with fewer plugs (I forget the model number) - but I do know it had the identical filtering stage as the HTS-2000. I didn't try any of the higher-up models you're talking about - I'd hope they were better

-dd3mon

 

[Howie]

If you can try them out then definitely do that! I liked the UO in my headphone system. It did softened things up slightly but overall I think I preferred having it in my system.

 

[Sovkiller]

I was looking into those once as I have a noise from an AC and a guy from the partexpress technical forum suggest me to contact a guy that use to work for a respectable company in change of power conditioners for medical devices, and he told me that unless you get an interactive Power Supply conditioner, that means that protect you from over and under voltages and over this had a filtration for the line, and a rectification, etc... you won't get a good job "done", he even suggest me some UK made ones (don't remember the name now) very expensive that BTW had nothing to do with the company he worked for, at that time.
Sorry but the HTS2000 is a just surge portector with some filters, period, but nothing else, that means that protect your equipment for over, but if the voltage goes lower, it has nothing to fix in that case, and sometimes the lower voltages are more frequent and cause more problems to the sound quality than the high voltages, I have an old APC Smart UPS1250 (900VA) with 2-12v batteries inside of about 17Ah each, that rectifies, protect you for under and over and is 24/7 interacting with the line checking voltage freq etc, etc, that gives you 120volts and 60Hz steady, and I have never complain about it, not noises or anything like that from the line at all, the power is steady and dead silent......

 

[Hirsch]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sovkiller I have an old APC Smart UPS1250 (900VA) with 2-12v batteries inside of about 17Ah each, that rectifies, protect you for under and over and is 24/7 interacting with the line checking voltage freq etc, etc, that gives you 120volts and 60Hz steady, and I have never complain about it, not noises or anything like that from the line at all, the power is steady and dead silent......

I've got a new APC UPS (1000VA) with voltage regulation, but it only kicks in if voltages go outside 95 to 135 volts. I can tighten that a bit using software, but still wind up with a 25 volt range. So yes, the APC's give you some sort of voltage protection, but if you think you're getting straight 120v clean and steady, read the manual carefully. Maybe the older APC's were better than the newer ones are. For brief alterations in voltage, the power supply caps in my amps iron them out nicely.