Power amps into surge protector/Conditioner or DIRECT to wall? Final verdict?

A point some may wish to consider is that it is possible for potentially harmful voltage transients to be introduced not only from outside the house, but from inside as well.

For example, the only time I’ve ever had the power supply of a desktop computer fail was the day after a plumber had been using a large hand-held electric drill or saw (I forget which) in my basement. The next day a high quality Corsair power supply in a desktop computer I had built, which was in that basement, failed. My suspicion is that it was damaged by a high voltage transient resulting from “inductive kickback” (that term can be Googled for additional explanation) occurring when current to the motor of the tool was shut off.

The computer was “protected” by a cheap power strip/surge suppressor. The computer was turned off when the work was being performed, but as usual the AC switch on the power supply at the rear of the computer was on, so that standby power could be supplied to the motherboard.

Regards,

--Al

Low wattage gear should be plugged into one surge protector (common ground) Big amps (over 100 watts/ch) should have their own dedicated 15-20 amp circuit. No surge protector or power conditioner particularly if the amp has a regulated power supply and is run in balanced mode. If a big amp's power supply is not capable of cleaning things up on its own and handling the occasional surge don't buy it. Line level and phono gear is obviously more sensitive and should be on a surge protector. I lost a preamp to a lightening strike along with all my computers, the garage door ops, the telephones and the burglar alarm. The amps just blew it off.
Frankly, I have never had a power conditioner in my system that improved my sound. I am a bit lucky in that I have my very own lawn wart (transformer.) So, this may not be saying much.

My whole house is protected by surge protection from the power company.   I pay around $5 a month for this.  Not sure how it affects my sound?

I did this because we had 80000 volt wires go down onto 40000 volt wires and our house was one of the first houses to take the hit.  KCPL power wires went down over Aquila Power wires.  It blew light bulbs in my house, blackened some receptacles, blew my tv set and some other things.  KCPL paid for an electrician, all repairs and all devices at new cost; hence me purchasing surge protection for the entire house.   Not sure if it covers a direct hit from lightning. 

Seems to me the best, foolproof protection is to unplug your gear whenever you are away from home or a storm is approaching. Who listens to their systems during a thunderstorm anyway? Cost = $0, Protection = 100%.

J.Chip