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Power strips- too many choices

Out of necessity I need to use a power distributer/ strip.  I am impressed with how many options there are and how varied the reviews of the strips are; even some discussing degradation of the sound.   It seems surge protection would be valuable but cant figure out the other features.  Trying to decide between, Isotek vs Gigawatt vs PS audio.
Don't want to spend too much as there are other cabling needs pending. Further complicating the purchase; I have 7 cords and  at least per the Isotek website it seems that its best to use only one outlet lest resulting in "noise" from the outlier.  ( but isn't the idea of the strip to clean up that "noise") Any suggestions would be appreciated.
mpomerantz
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 
I use a power strip mainly  for surge protection  to protect my gear.   Also does some power conditioning. Then suitable wires  from there into gear. 
But not for power amps.   Only line level gear.  Preamp, DAC, step up xformer. Power amps or even integrated amps draw more power to deliver current and you have to be very careful about using strips or other conditioners that will bottleneck the power and current available.  
richmos
124 posts
 
millercarbon...you could not be more wrong about power strips with surge protection. Power surges are not limited to catastrophic burn your house down lightening strikes. 

About 2 1/2  years ago we lost power due to a winter storm. When power was restored we had a major power surge...blew the main breaker on my cb panel. Caused electrical damage to all my appliances... Refrigerator, dishwasher, clothes washer snd dryer... even the garage door opener.

I had Monster Cable power strips with surge protectors on my TV, AV receiver, computer, my high end audio system and a 2nd hifi system All were saved by the surge protection on cheap power strips.
captinmrgn's avatar
captinmrgn
5 posts
 
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_756ELT15PF/Furman-Elite-15-PFi.html


woodhart
21 posts
 
I use a ZeroSurge 8R15W-I on a couple of my rigs. I like having the isolation between the receptacles. Is it a vast improvement over a standard, high quality power strip? Probably not, but I like the way my system sounds so no complaints. 
68pete
1,001 posts
 
Power strips can add noise to the line pick a good one. I like High Fidelity power conditioner and distributors.

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