I've not found simple MOV-based surge and spike protection to affect current draw with my system. Some power cords do offer basic spike and surge protection (MIT and Tice come to mind) and I tend to use these straight into a P&S hospital grade outlet with power amps. I have noticed restrictions in dynamics with larger power amps where transformer-based conditioners were used. I'm a little leery about sticking MOVs and other sacrificals in the walls.
Hubbell hospital grade outlets w/ surge protection
Alot of people have talked about the benefits of Hubbell hospital grade wall outlets. I have discovered that Hubbell makes a version of these hospital grade outlets (20 amp with isolated ground) with built in surge protection.
If power conditioners (w/surge protection) limit the dynamics and power of some amplifiers, would this Hubbell outlet be a good way to protect your amplifiers from power spikes, etc, without the downsides to a power conditioner - potentially at a reasonable cost? Many have suggested that their amps sound best when plugged directly into the wall outlet. The surge protection version is identical to the std. hospital grade-isolated ground outlet in evert way, it just adds a measure of surge protection. Could this give the best sound AND protection, for significantly less than $100?
If power conditioners (w/surge protection) limit the dynamics and power of some amplifiers, would this Hubbell outlet be a good way to protect your amplifiers from power spikes, etc, without the downsides to a power conditioner - potentially at a reasonable cost? Many have suggested that their amps sound best when plugged directly into the wall outlet. The surge protection version is identical to the std. hospital grade-isolated ground outlet in evert way, it just adds a measure of surge protection. Could this give the best sound AND protection, for significantly less than $100?