Surge protectors--how many $ make sense?

Thanks, Eric. Good point that i should check out whether the power conditioner is also a surge protector. I want both.

David

I think I am really talking about power conditioners with surge protection. I am curious at what level of price (quality) I would notice the difference in my systerm. My local dealer carries Shunyata and says I would hear a big difference, but Shynyata power conditioners with six or more outlets range from $1,200 to $9,000. When I go in for a demo, I have no idea at what cost level I should begin. Is $1,200 just a fancy surge protector? There is one for $2,900 that supposedly maintains a steady flow of clean current to all six outlets. Truthfully, I have always thought power conditioners were a hoax, but I've read too many reviews that tell me otherwise.

Thanks lalitk, I will ask my dealer about an in-home demo. 

Thanks, Bob. I will check out the Audioquest, which I know is sold by Music Direct who has sold me a whole bunch of things. I have read many audio reviews where the reviewer is using an Audioquest conditioner. They do get expensive, however. In my mind, $3K is as high as I want to go.

David

lalitk, I hear you on the box surge protector. I'm not sure that will come soon, though. I have to work my budget out with my wife, and I've spent $18K on new speakers, $4K on a Moon streamer, and $3K on a surge protector/power conditioner, if I like the Shunyata. I have never spent that kind of money all in one fell swoop before. I don't know how the rest of you married follk deal with spouses, but if I were left to my own devices, without a budget, I would spend so much money that in the end even I would think it was foolish. But I will look into the power boxes surge protectors. I have three boxes now, but one I think is the main one. I'd have to ask an electrician. But again, there is a lot of diplomacy to being a married audiophile.

I have talked to my local dealer about trying out a Shunyata - Venom V16 Power Conditioner. If I don't think it makes my systerm sound $3K (including power cord) better, I can return it. But it's on order and I'll have to wait a while.

I haven't received the Shunyata Venom 16 yet. It's on backorder. I think a lot of people in LA, with the Santa Ana Winds, are looking for protection for their audio equipment. It's also used in hospitals, according to the literature.

I have a $3K budget, and that was already stretching it. I have a wife, remember.

I thought I'd try a power conditioner with surge protection this time. I keep reading and hearing from audiophiles how much good power condtioners make a difference in the sound. Mine arrives mid next week. I'll report back. My dealer (grain of salt) tells me there will be no question how much better the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 5s he sold me will sound. It will not be a sublte thing, he says. We shall see.

Shunyata Venom 16 Power Conditioner:  

Electromagnetic Breaker

Over-current protection is a requirement for today’s high current audio power distributors. The vast majority of manufacturers use an inexpensive thermal fuse or breaker. Both are specifically designed to heat up as the current level rises. This causes voltage drops, increased contact impedance, thermal noise, excessive heat generation and current limiting effects. There is a better solution — the hydraulic electromagnetic breaker that utilizes low-impedance relays and a sensing coil that reads the current level without heating up or limiting current. They can operate right up the to the maximum current level without heating up or limiting instantaneous current. They are rarely used in competitive products since they cost 10-20 times that of a common fuse or thermal breaker.

It sounds like for a number of you there is no $ limit. Your budget is maximum protection. I am an average audio guy who is constantly pushing at the end of my budget. I'll let you know if the $3K makes sense for me. It's as high as I can go. Real world budget, I probably should have said.