Power Strip vs. Line Conditioner

I use power conditioners and factory power cords. As long as you use a quality power conditioner, dynamics should not be a problem with small signal components. When power amplifiers (and possibly some preamps) are plugged into conditioners with transformer isolation, loss of dynamics is very possible.

Following my experience with a highly regarded isolating conditioner, I have stuck with transformerless units and am very pleased with my results. The quality of your results is highly dependent on conditioner quality, and care in determining which component plugs into which outlet. As a general rule, the greater the isolation between digital components and analog components, the better. Power amplifier conditioning may or may not be preferable to a direct wall connection. As has been pointed out, you have to experiment in order to get the best results.

-- Trevor

Cool, Jim

I recently tried a used HTS2000 in my system. I plugged it into one of my main conditioners for additional isolation, and then plugged most of my video and digital equipment into it. The improvement with the video monitor, LD player, and DVD/CD player was VERY noticable (I previously used power strips plugged into same main conditioner). That daisy chained HTS2000 is now an invaluable part of my audio/home theater system.

Hello, MSW26 (strange name!)

Whether you live in the city or the suburbs or wherever isn't a deciding factor as to whether or not a good power conditioner will make a difference. I live in the suburbs and the impact of power conditioning is tremendous for both audio and video. I don't go for subtle tweaks because it's easy to spend a lot of money and never be certain you REALLY heard a difference. If I install an "improvement", listen to it for a few hours or longer, and don't seriously miss it upon removal, I don't bother with it. A decent power conditioners can easily pass that test. The only way to find out whether your setup will benefit is to try it.