Will a Power Conditioner Help?


I am setting up a new home theatre system and need some advice. When I was remodeling my apartment I ran a heavy power line under the hardwood and put an outlet in the floor (don't ask - my TV works as a room divider), and have been using this outlet for: TV, DVD player, computer, and the A/V receiver. This may seem like a lot, but now I think I may be having a real problem - I decided to go to separates, so will have a pre/pro and a 200W*7 amp instead of the receiver. Something makes me think that one power outlet to run all these devices is not enough. Will a power conditioner help? Thanks!
ctacbka
Stupid question. I understand why an amp shouldn't be plugged into line conditioner, but how do you protect it from storms. Don't say unplug, I'm not home 24/7. Thanks.
Serus,

Just one correction: unless Tripplite redesigned the LC-1800 since I bought mine over 10 years ago, the tranny is NOT toroidal. It is a true transformer, with separate primary and secondary windings, though, not an autoformer (a single winding and no isolation).
Alrau1, thanks for adding details about mode of operation of the LC-1800. What I like about it (and many similar units) is the noise rejection by means of a toroidal transformer. It works wonders for digital!
You'll also notice that I specifically said to NOT connect a power amplifier through this gadget. It does limit current which is an issue with high power units.
I guess I don't encounter large voltage fluctuations, so I haven't noticed erratic behavior. Like I said, there are other units and i'm sure that some of these do not switch taps but just filter the noise through a magnetic circuit. These are much more effective than some pathetic implementations with lots of LEDs and a digital display on the front panel...
the big furman units ref 15 or 20IT are great for all --least expensive for front end stuff is powervar
Serus,

As a former LC-1800 owner, I have to vote against it. The voltage regulation is accomplished by switching transformer taps in 12 volt steps. What this meant was that, for example, if my line voltage of 120 volts went up to 122 volts, the LC-1800 put out 110 volts. I vote no on this one, especially if (like me) you own tube amps without regulated power supplies.
Not only is it a poor design in that regard, but it also doesn't sound very good in my opinion.
Ctacbka

If you are in the building stage, by all means add another ckt at least. Two if possible. Run the TV off the existing line.

Get the PC off the same ckt supplying the pre/pro and/or amp for sure. If it were me I'd place the PC and any digital source on a PLC. In fact, I have done just that.

Wether or not dedicated ckts are in play, PLC do substaintially add to the event. Which one? that's a whole other thread (s) and much is said here in that regard. Active, passive, regenerating and so forth.

But your short answer from me is yep. Add another ckt. first. Good power line filters like a PS Audio Duet (I have 2 of them), or their previous itteration, the UPC 200, or Hydra 2, 4, etc start at about $200 - $250> and actually do help.

If you run a 20A ckt. then on paper ONE conditioner can do the whole deal. Personally I prefer from experience, to employ added ckts and varied plc's, instead of the one size fits all approach. Strickly from a "unrestrained power" point of view.
It may but the only way you can tell is to try one. What you are connecting sounds pretty modest - I would not worry about the load but an APC H15 may do the trick and tell you want current it is drawing.
In what way? Obviously it won't give you more power, in some cases it will give you less. The above response works assuming you had outlets to plug the conditioners into. Alternatively a more expensive PC can do the isolating in one box, but as noted won't up your power. What size outlet did you put in anyway (15? 20? 30? amp)? I'd move the computer somewhere else.
I'm going to create yet another stir in the market... It sure would help. Get yourself several dedicated Tripplite or Powevar line conditioner/filter units, such as the Tripplite LC1200 and LC1800.
Use one for digital sources only. Use a second one for TV only. Personally I'd run the computer on another unit and the preamp on yet another unit. Power amps should go directly to the outlet.
This structure isolates noise in specific areas of the system(s) in the same room. Resist the temptation to use all 6 outlets on any of these units... They're cheap and probably a best buy for most systems!