I have used the APC Backup 1500 units for all of my gear for quite a few years now.

One of my houses is where there are frequent lightning storms in the summer, and nasty surges and frequent outages.

I have one for my computer, one on my stereo system, and one for my video system. They will give me from 10 to 25 minutes of power backup to keep things running for a while. Usually, the power is back up in a couple of minutes anyway, so my gear operates off of the backup battery with no interruption.

They run about $200 or so, but they will prevent power loss and equipment damage when a CD or record or TV is playing and give you time to shut things down in an orderly fashion.

I am sure that they have saved my gear from damage many times over the years, and easily paid for themselves.Power "conditioners" are pure bullshit, and usually cost over $500.

They have 3 or 4 outlets for full power backup, and more for surge protection only (VERY high-quality protection). I plug a couple of power strips into the backup outlets and have about 10 things backed up; There are seldom more than 4 or 5 actually on at a given time, and nothing takes a lot of power.

I plug everything into them except my big power amp, which draws too much current and should not be real sensitive anyway.

If you want cheap, you won't get any meaningful degree of protection. There's an old saying: "penny-wise...dollar foolish". You figure it out,

Cheap surge protector...expensive repair bills.

The only way for YOU to figure out what is bullshit or not. 

His 'opinion' on power conditioners is completely, totally wrong.  Audition and hear for yourself. 

Don't want to?  Get a Monster Cable surge protector for cheap and be done with it. 

I found one on clearance from $400 to $200 that does the job with surge, and no, it doesn't do much in the way of conditioning.  I don't expect Monster to do that. 

Audience, Shunyata, PS Audio and many others DO make conditioners that make a HUGE difference, no question, to my ears, and many thousands of others. They are very expensive, and require better equipment in the first place to hear substantial differences.  I am saving for a respectable unit this year. 

Don't bother with conditioning Power Amps on a tight budget. Current-limiting is the culprit 9 times out of 10. 

Again, listening to a few reputable makers at a real audio dealer is the best way to find out.  Just don't expect to find a great deal under retail.  There is a price for expertise.