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Power conditioner/protection question

Hello,

I am assembling a budget system and I need an advice what power line protection or conditioner devices have to be included. The system is initially worth not more than $2000 of mostly used gear. The SS integrated amp (Classe CAP80, 100 wpc) will be the most power-consuming device in it. I live in a small town with (I believe) not many power spikes and irregularities but frequent thunderstorms and occasional power outages. I am not going to use the power protector for cables, phones etc.

Reading threads here I realized that spike protection is essential and the filtration of EMI/RFI noise is highly desired. So now I’m considering a PS Audio Duet surge/spike protector and power conditioner; few posters here said it improved sound quality which is an additional plus.

However, the Duet is around $200 (new). Would it be an overkill to have it for a $2000 system? Or should I buy something cheaper such as some Monster Cable products such as HTS 1000 Mkii surge/power conditioner? Or a Panamax MIP20-MAX Image Pro 20 amp Power Conditioner/ Surge Protector, here on sale for $65? Do I need a power conditioner at all? If not, will something like Furman PL-8II ($109) which is a filter and spike protection is enough?

Thanks for the help.
prophos
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
Hi Magfan.... Evidently peace of mind is valuable to you. By all means use anything you like. I have never had any trouble with gear blowing up. I've had lots of stuff in the past 30 years or so. I maintain that I personally have never heard a protection device that bettered the sound of my system...always did something to make it worse. Yes...changed the sound, but.... I never did this, but during an electrical storm, or before going away on a trip, you could always pull the plugs for safekeeping..
magfan
1,583 posts
 
Man, if I was born RICH instead of just GOOD LOOKING!!!

I'd no more run my system, compromised or not, without some form of protection than I would start on a cross country car trip without a good spare!
On Balance, I'd say I am in plus territory.
Minus: Soloist outlet with amp / sub plugged in may not instantly pass enough current at highest volume levels. This on its own 20amp circuit.
Plus: Digital / lowlevel stuff is plugged in thru an isolation transformer. TV and rest thru the rest of the conditioner. It's a Panamax 5510, which cost me just shy of the 4 digit mark. This on a regular house circuit.

I'd further say that if I lived back in ......Florida, I'd have a whole-house lightning thing in the box along with whatever protection devices I ran.

Unplug? Yep. I also would unplug the small dish RG cables to the DirectTV or DishNetwork box. I think my conditioner has I/O space for these and will handle the voltage to the (insert correct name here).
prophos OP
9 posts
 
Thank you everyone for helpful suggestions. After some thoughts, I decided to go with the PS Audio Duet. It has 4 receptacles in 2 isolated banks so I can plug in my amp + something else later (a turntable) in one of them and the CD player into another one.
tholt
551 posts
 
Good to go
blindjim
3,092 posts
 

congrats!

I found using a pair of Duets a better way to go. One for front end, and one for power. Past that a Halley for power is yet a better path.

Having one however is better than having nothing. trying out different PCs for it will really help too.

What it is placed upon does matter some as well. Check it out.
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