Surge protector

@dweller  , I actually turn the dedicated circuit breaker off for my system because it is easier to access than my outlets, but something nasty could always sneak up when one was out of the house or asleep.

Hi OP: I meant to say that I use a Trip Lite everywhere except my PC because I have an Uninterruptable Power Supply.

Because Furman makes so many products it’s important to note whether they have SMP (Series Mode Protection) and LiFT (Linear Filtering). These are the two features to look out for surge protection but there are more expensive models with features like switched outlets, voltage regulation and power factor correction.

The PST-8 is around $200 and has both SMP and LiFT.

According to the latest Wirecutter testing they provide the lowest let-through voltage of any surge protector they tested, which included ZeroSurge.

@dweller ’s approach is good but here in SC I’m not always home when thunder rolls by. I absolutely turn the breaker off when the thunder gets close, but that’s probably only about 30% of the time there have been storms around my home.

@erik_squires  , so to clarify from this quote below:

Hi OP: I meant to say that I use a Trip Lite everywhere except my PC because I have an Uninterruptable Power Supply.

Because Furman makes so many products it’s important to note whether they have SMP (Series Mode Protection) and LiFT (Linear Filtering). These are the two features to look out for surge protection but there are more expensive models with features like switched outlets, voltage regulation and power factor correction.

The PST-8 is around $200 and has both SMP and LiFT.

you suggest the PST-8 for audio if one does NOT have UPS?  (Sorry if I am beating you over the head with this question, but I will just have to defer to my previous comment regarding my diminishing reading comprehension skills.)

@immatthewj - I was speaking to how I protect all the different devices in my home that are considered sensitive. Not all have the same needs.

For my stereo and home theater I use Furman. In terms of just surge protection and AC noise filtering I trust Furman more than anything else in my home, that’s why the most expensive gear I own is on Furman protectors. I also trust Tripp Lite for some things and for my PC I trust APC as being reliable enough.  My subwoofer is an exception because it's not located in a place convenient to the Furman. The sub is on a Tripp Lite.

For most other devices I use Tripp Lite except in the case of my Wifi router and PC when I use a UPS and rely on it’s built in surge protection. I use a UPS on my wifi router to keep my internet up even when the power goes out.

The only devices I have on a UPS are those I need to keep working even when the power goes out. I often work remotely, and power does go out here multiple times a year so my PC and my Internet have to last me at least through a video conference call. On the other hand, I really don’t need my stereo to be guaranteed to stay up through a typical blackout.

PS - I also have a whole house surge protector which protects the dozens of directly attached devices like my fire alarms, wifi enabled light switches, and GFCI outlets. They all have a rather high clamping voltage (~ 400 V/leg or higher) so they are no substitute when it comes to PC’s and stereo gear.  Furman clamps around 160V.  See the Wirecutter reviews for more specifics.

As I type this we have a strong but narrow thunderstorm moving through the area and yes, I’ve turned off the stereo and HT but I’m still online, allegedly working and studying. 😀 

Besides lightning we've lost 3 transformers nearby over the last two years for non weather related issues.  So, sure tell me all you want  to about how macho it is to run your amps straight into the wall, I don't care.  😀