Power strip w/surge protection

[Steven]

I'm looking into getting a power strip with surge protection, hopefully under $150. Right now I'm just using cheapo power strips, so anything would likely be an improvement. I plan to use a 70's Nikko Receiver (although I might be upgrading to a NAD Integrated Amp), Creek headphone amp, Sony CD/SACD/DVD player and a Fisher turntable on the strip.

I'm avoiding plugging directly into the wall becuase I think I need surge protection, there are frequently power fluxuations (and occasional outtages) in the house, especially during lightening storms. I've seen many power conditioners recommended, but I'd like to try something without conditioning first. I don't know if I need a conditioner. I've never noticed any noise or hums. Is there a plain power strip w/surge protection recommended for audio?

Thanks, Steven

[SamS]

Steven,

Look into the Panamax line. I own several of their products and have had good luck. You might be able to get into their MAX 4100 product for your price range.

Try www.panamax.com

[teaser5]

I have some Audioprism products in my set up and like them a lot. Their QuietLine filters are a gas. They make an entire line of the kind of thing you are looking for.
Check them out here (http://www.audioprism.com)
Best-
Norm

[Jim Ricketts]

Steven,

I understand if you absolutely need AC surge protection but I have always found they (conditioners, etc) do more harm sonically than good, especially in terms of tonality/purity and dynamics. Sonically, a quality wall outlet like a Hubbell 8300 ($25) or Acme Slver ($30) is much better. Add a good AC cord and the sonics improve significantly. You can always unplug your components during an electrical storm for protection. Just my 2 yen

[Dave]

Originally posted by Jim Ricketts
Steven,

I understand if you absolutely need AC surge protection but I have always found they (conditioners, etc) do more harm sonically than good, especially in terms of tonality/purity and dynamics. Sonically, a quality wall outlet like a Hubbell 8300 ($25) or Acme Slver ($30) is much better. Add a good AC cord and the sonics improve significantly. You can always unplug your components during an electrical storm for protection. Just my 2 yen
Dumb question time here Jim...what do you use when you have more than 2 items to plug in but only one receptacle?

[Jim Ricketts]

Dave,
Is another outlet is available in the room albeit at a great distance? Power cords can be made as long as required. DIY power cords are relatively inexpensive and quality connectors can be had for as low as $5 for the Pass & Seymour 5266 wall plug at Home Depot. Great connector and highly recommended! The metal connectors of the P&S 5266 can be removed and silver or gold plated if you desire.

If only 1 outlet available, than obviously an outlet is required. Keep it as simple as possible without filters, etc. "Ernie" (aka suburaguy) on Audiogon sells one that uses good copper wire and connectors.


Hope that helps...

[Dave]

Thanks Jim. That's kind of what I figured. :sigh: I only have the use of one outlet as every other one is used. Oh well, I can wait 5 years until we move. :)

[pigmode]

I have a PS Audio Juice Bar. Its a star-wired multi-outlet unit with an IEC socket. Got it from Jeff's Sound Values for a decent price.

[Cliff]

I read a few great reviews on the Monster HTS-2000, so I bought it, and it's been very good for me. I don't plug any power amps into it, but all other electronics including TV. Here's one of the reviews I read:

http://www.sunshinestereo.com/monsterts2000rev.htm

[sgraham]

Originally posted by Jim Ricketts
Dave,
Is another outlet is available in the room albeit at a great distance? Power cords can be made as long as required.

Well yes, but you really want everything to be powered from the same circuit, if possible, to minimize ground loop problems.

[Jim Ricketts]

I find it better to keep digital products on a separate line - ground loops are rather easy to address.

[teaser5]

Yeah, I have a big 2000 Monster Box too. Heavy bugger.

I understand the concerns about surge protection coloring your sound.
Seems like a trade off to me. I had a lightening strike once knock a phone off my ear. I don't want to take a multi thousand dollar hit from another one.

Another thing I have had done is run dedicated circuits for both my audio and surround systems. It's not battery power but it's an improvement IMO.
If your box is in a place where this is convenient I recommend it

Good luck
Norm

[RussKon]

Originally posted by Jim Ricketts
Steven,

I understand if you absolutely need AC surge protection but I have always found they (conditioners, etc) do more harm sonically than good, especially in terms of tonality/purity and dynamics. Sonically, a quality wall outlet like a Hubbell 8300 ($25) or Acme Slver ($30) is much better. Add a good AC cord and the sonics improve significantly. You can always unplug your components during an electrical storm for protection. Just my 2 yen


your "unplug during a storm" approach might work..... good luck with that!... personally, i use a series mode surge protector on all of my systems.... they neither add to or detract from the sound, yet provide the best protection available.....

three companies make them...

www.surgex.com
www.brickwall.com
www.zerosurge.com

there is a great deal of information on these sites...esp. the surgex site....

[Dave]

Originally posted by RussKon



your "unplug during a storm" approach might work..... good luck with that!... personally, i use a series mode surge protector on all of my systems.... they neither add to or detract from the sound, yet provide the best protection available.....

three companies make them...

www.surgex.com
www.brickwall.com
www.zerosurge.com

there is a great deal of information on these sites...esp. the surgex site....
You forgot to say "in my humble opinion" or IMHO. :)

[Richard Feirstein]

A surge protector should be one that protects all three legs of the line and is usually one with an equipment damage warranty. It does not have to be very expensive. It will not protect against a direct lightning strike to your power line! A surge protector installed in or on the circuit box is another line of defense to protect basic motors, etc., but it too is not going to be good enough to protect your electronics without a good strip protector.

Richard.

[RussKon]

"It will not protect against a direct lightning strike to your power line!"

actually, if you do some research you will find that a series mode surge protector will protect your equipment against a direct lightning hit on your power lines....

a direct lightning hit generates a very high voltage and very high current....anything over 6000 volts at 3000 amps will cross at your mains in your circuit breaker box or short right through your wires....

every surge-x, brickwall, and zerosurge unit will stop all surges up to 6000 volts at 3000 amps!!!!

you can do your own reading at the following websites:

www.surgex.com
www.brickwall.com
www.zerosurge.com

surge-x has NEVER had a unit fail from any surge in the 8 yearss the company has been in business!!!!!

[Henry Love]

I've got the Monster HTS 2000 and it also improved the TV picture.

[Steven]

Thanks all. I got the Monster HTS2000.

There's one thing I'm confused about. On one side is the Video Filter section, on the other is the Audio Filter. On the video side they have an outlet labeled DVD/CD, the audio side had no outlet labeled CD, but I'm sure a CD played could be used on any of the audio outlets. The manual cautions that you will not not get as good performance as possible by plugging audio equipment into the video outlets. However, also in the manual, Monster recommends plugging a DVD/CD or *CD player* into the DVD/CD outlet (video filter). I have a DVD/SACD/CD player which I prefer to use on the audio side (I'm not concerned with the DVD performance at this point, I'm using a tiny TV), but I'm puzzled as to why the manual says to put plain CD players into the video side.

[RussKon]

Originally posted by Steven
Thanks all. I got the Monster HTS2000.

but I'm puzzled as to why the manual says to put plain CD players into the video side.

monster power is a huge marketing company.... their units provide "o.k" surge protection.... and the "filtering" aspects are very debatable....

the manual is marketed towards home theatre owners.... there are not alot of two channel or stereo customers still out there...

personally, i would not trust my equipment to a monster power unit... if you look at my previous posts you will see what i recommend....

[BradOlson]

I use a stock power strip for 4 components plugged into a stock 6 plug adapter and everything else is plugged into the 6 plug adapter.

[RussKon]

Originally posted by cbsolson
I use a stock power strip for 4 components plugged into a stock 6 plug adapter and everything else is plugged into the 6 plug adapter.

please define "stock".....

do you mean "generic"? or something else??

additionally...as a company that sells audio/video/lighting equipment....what do you recommend to your customers for surge protection???

[BradOlson]

"Stock" in this case means just your mass market product and that's what we use all the time.

[RussKon]

do you even offer your customers an option for a better surge protector???

mass market products do not offer much in protection and generally are not much better than an outlet strip.....

[BradOlson]

Yes, we can offer an option for better surge protection and you can go to NorthernLightFX.com and click on the Contact Link and contact my employer

[RussKon]

i don't want to go to some corporate website for a "option"....

what do you recommend???

or are you just blowing smoke..???