Power amps into surge protector/Conditioner or DIRECT to wall? Final verdict?

A point some may wish to consider is that it is possible for potentially harmful voltage transients to be introduced not only from outside the house, but from inside as well.

For example, the only time I’ve ever had the power supply of a desktop computer fail was the day after a plumber had been using a large hand-held electric drill or saw (I forget which) in my basement. The next day a high quality Corsair power supply in a desktop computer I had built, which was in that basement, failed. My suspicion is that it was damaged by a high voltage transient resulting from “inductive kickback” (that term can be Googled for additional explanation) occurring when current to the motor of the tool was shut off.

The computer was “protected” by a cheap power strip/surge suppressor. The computer was turned off when the work was being performed, but as usual the AC switch on the power supply at the rear of the computer was on, so that standby power could be supplied to the motherboard.

Regards,

--Al

I still keep everything plugged in through a surge protector which I care about.

Likewise in my case.

FWIW, I have my entire system protected by an Audience aR2p conditioner/surge suppressor ($695), and with my system at least it has no adverse sonic effects. Even if it did have some slight effects, though, I would probably use it anyway because I don't want my system (including the amp) exposed to any more risk than necessary.

I also use a Wiremold UL210BC power strip ($61) to expand the number of outlets (the Audience only provides two outlets). And I have a Shunyata Venom Defender ($200) plugged into the Wiremold, for additional protection and to minimize coupling of noise between components.

I should add, though, that the two amplifiers I've used with these things operate in class A, and hence draw current that doesn't fluctuate significantly as a function of the dynamics of the music (as it would in the case of class AB and especially class D amps). So I would be hesitant to extrapolate my findings to those kinds of amps.

Good luck. Regards,

-- Al