Power Conditioners?

look at the furman stuff--esp the ref series--rich

If you get something that doesn't use MOVs like Brickwall or Surgex it shouldn't wear out. I use Brickwall with my analog system and APC H10 (voltage regulation) with my HT system. I've had them both for a while without any problems.

check out sound applications
a used X-12 with twelve outlets six analog and six digital tend to come up every so ofter, average $1,000 to $1,500

I use an APC for my system located in Mexico - the worst possible scenario for steady power! It has never failed me. I do, however, turn off the dedicated breakers at night. Why take chances!!

I use the Belkin PureAV Silver Series Home Theater Power Console PF6. It has worked excellent thus far and is a real steal online,it can be had for under 300 and retailed for like 700 originally. I got mine for like 215 shipped, and like I said am very happy. I also actually use a APC unit for my DLP tv, because of the safe shutdown required.

Remember that power conditioning consists of three things -- RF filtation to eliminate hash, surge protection to suppress voltage spikes, and also battery backup to eliminate voltage dips. However, most battery backups cannot be used with amplifiers or other high current/high wattage devices.

Any UPS at your local electronics retailer will do those things (excluding backing up your amplifier) for less than US$100. I use an old Adcom ACE 515 and a Monster Power HTS850 (neither of which I recommend), both plugged into a CyberPower UPS, giving me three layers of surge protection and hash filtration, and one layer of battery backup. Eventually I will get rid of the first two products and just use the UPS, with my amplifiers plugged into the filtered-but-not-battery-backup outlets.

I use the PurePower as it not only protects from surges but also power outages with it's battery back up, not cheap but it also is a power regenerator, best power conditioner I've found.

There are not many conditioners that can withstand a continuous assault of spikes and surges without breaking down. The isolation transformer is an exception. Although the large-sized unit (up to 5 KVA) you need for a complete system is heavy and expensive at retail, they can be found on eBay at prices which make them competitive with commercial audio gear. As a bonus, they do a great job on sound, with improvement pretty much across-the-board.

I have APC is does what they claim.

You need surge protection more than conditioning.
Not all conditioners have surge protection.

If your problem is that bad, look into whole house surge protection. They cost $200 to $250. Protect everything in your house with one device. It goes with the AC panel where the power comes into the house. APC, Leviton, and many others make them. Then get the conditioner that makes your system sound the best regardless.

Do anyone know where Furman Sound products are made? I am aware that BrickWall is made in USA! Torus Power is way out of my price league and I don't even know where they are made....

Furman, I believe, is based in Petaluma, California. I'm not sure if their products are made there or elsewhere.

I've purchased a few of their products from sweetwater.com and haven't had any problems.

Furman are designed in USA, however, they are assembled in China. SurgeX and Brickwall are designed and built in USA - I ordered the SA-1810 and the SA-82 for my set up, was looking at the SX-1115RT, but that is more geared for Professional/Broadcasting/Music Studio - my is simply a small home theatre set up - CHeers,

Wader

I am most impressed by the many thoughtful reply's to my thread regarding power conditioning. Since, I have learned quite a bit from the informative leads that other members provided. I ended up with a solid protection unit that the local electrical labour union recommended, so I'm feeling like I have as adequate a barrier one could put in place, plus a lightening stake for good measure.

Inside the house is something altogether different; I have had a trying period of fooling about with the power conditioners. I started with everything I could borrow from the local shops, and from a few of my mates in our listening group. We performed some pretty exhausting comparisons between the Richard Grey substation, and a bigger model, the RGPC 400 MK II. We went so far as buying a Belkin piece we found online so cheap that we bought it just so we could test it, plus we tried several (different) APC units. After all of that, we tried a new Furutec and finally a PS Audio power plant (which seemed to be overheating). We found that they all sounded different, but not necessarily better. I'm not going to name the stinker of the lot, but suffice to say, money won't buy you everything! Then, right at the end of the second week, my neighbour (an audiophile of the first order) discovered what we had bee up to from the local HI FI shop owner. The other night he dropped over for a chat. I filled him in on our findings and after, he went home directly and brought back his MIT Z Center (from 1994) and said I might want to "give it a go". When its right, its right. Too bad they don't make this product anymore! I just found one in Germany for 750 euros, (about $1500.00 NZD) and I'm having it shipped to the MIT factory for a check up and a possible conversion. I got on to the MIT site and using the distributor locator, I contacted MIT dealers in countries with 230V. During my search, I also found some at the MIT Distibutor in Italy, but his were new and a bit more money. If anyone else is considering a power conditioner, buy the MIT Z-Center. Thanks again for the thoughtful direction! I now have "bang on" protection, and (soon) a fantastic sounding system!

Hi Jim,

There are a lot of options on the market from the likes of Furman, Panamax, APC, AudioQuest, Shunyata, etc., so it really just depends on what your budget is and how demanding your system requirements are. It sounds like you are already in the process of purchasing a unit that you have settled on, but if that doesn't end up working out for you, let me know and I'd be happy to discuss some suitable options with you.

Take care,

-David