Quote:
So, in your opinion, are you saying that a true online UPS will not have a negative effect (and might even have a positive effect) on audio quality? |
What you're calling online, is actually the line-interactive type. To break things down:
1. Stand-by. Doesn't do anything, except when voltage/frequency drop/rise is out of the preset range. Cheap. Most APC Back-UPS models are stand-by types.
2. Line-interactive. Regulates voltage, does not regulate frequency, except when outside of the pre-set range. Reasonably priced. Most Smart-UPS types are line-interactive.
3. Dual conversion. Voltage and frequency stable. More parts, so expensive and more important: high cost of ownership, esp. for smaller UPSes. Smart-UPS RT is dual conversion.
A few things to take notice of:
- A properly sized UPS will never damage equipment. Some companies even offer free insurance for it (fi. one time, 25K max.). Even for undersized UPSes the chance of damage is slim. But an undersized UPS will sometimes try to give the power you need regardless of it's capacity and can then literally melt it's battery. Plus it's not smart to put fi. a 375W break onto a 625W transformer, even if the average load is only 100W.
- IMO The benefits of most UPSes are slim. The power supply in most equipment does a very good job in converting the AC to DC, and has a reasonable buffer. +/-10% voltage fluctuations should not be a problem.
- If your home is near an industrial zone, particularly one where HF welding equipment is used, HF noise will cause more problems than anything else. Only a good filter in front of the UPS will help, unless you're using a dual conversion type of course. If the noise/fluctuation is big, a line-interactive UPS will constantly switch on and off, wrecking the battery within a short time frame. And please note a filter is a CHEAP part. Most SurgeArrest blocks are fine, although they don't look as sexy as the "audio" grade counterpart.