Ivor Darcy
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Power surge protection/conditioning
commsysman
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Ivor Darcy wrote:

Hi,
tried to do a search on this but couldn't really find anything.

I am looking for opinions on a good surge protector/power conditioner that doesn't cost an arm and leg. I don't want to plug my components straight into the wall outlet but neither do I want to plug them into a cheap Walmart power strip.
I am not really sure if a " conditioner " really works so I am looking more for surge protection to protect my equipment.
Anything out there of decent quality and affordability???

Thanks

David

I have used APC 1500 VA Surge Protection/ Battery backup units for many (20+) years for each of my audio systems and also my computer.

While these units are specified for computer protection, they also provide extremely robust protection from lightning and other powerline surges and power shutdowns and interruptions. I usually keep my TV and audio systems on for 10 minutes or so on battery backup, and if power is still off I do an orderly shutdown then.

In all of the years I have used them, I have never had any equipment failures, despite living for many years in an area where power interruptions and lightning were very frequent. This is in contrast to many of my friends and neighbors, who seem to constantly be having failures of the electronics in their gear; every year or two it seems.

I can't prove that my gear has been saved by the backup units, but I do feel that it is true.

The Backup UPS units from APC cost around $200 or in the 1500VA model, and I think it is cheap protection for my rather expensive gear. You also need to figure on $60 or so every five years for a new backup battery.

commsysman
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The BR1500G PRO lists for $239.95 on the APC website under Computers/Peripherals protection.

commsysman
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Best Buy lists the same BR1500G unit for $180.99.

mtymous1
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Ivor Darcy wrote:

Hi,
tried to do a search on this but couldn't really find anything.

I am looking for opinions on a good surge protector/power conditioner that doesn't cost an arm and leg. I don't want to plug my components straight into the wall outlet but neither do I want to plug them into a cheap Walmart power strip.
I am not really sure if a " conditioner " really works so I am looking more for surge protection to protect my equipment.
Anything out there of decent quality and affordability???

Thanks

David

Electrical surges and dirty power are very real impairments. If you don't want to spend the money on a unit with surge protection and/or line conditioning, you could always install a higher amp outlet that has surge protection built-in. (Just remember to never plug in a surge protector to something that already has surge protection. Feel free to use your favorite search engine to understand why.)

As for my personal experience, once upon a time when Sony CRTs and DVD players ruled the earth, I bought a simple Monster Power Center HTS 800. Even though I was skeptical, there was a very noticeable difference in picture quality after plugging everything in.

Today, I use a Monster HTPS 7000 MKII for my main system, and a much smaller Monster HTS 1600 in the home office. All three of the Monster units I have/had offer equipment protection up to some dollar value, so I consider it a no-brainer insurance policy for my components.

As an awareness comment, I have noticed that Monoprice has an inexpensive solution, that I have not personally tried:
http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=604830

Plenty of options here that don't cost a limb:
http://www.crutchfield.com/g_24000/Power-Protection.html?tp=568&pg=1

Ivor Darcy
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Thanks guys.

@mtymous1...like the looks of the monster unit but not that price!!!

@commsysman... I like the look of the APC and the price is more in line with what I can afford. I have found it as low as $175 which isn't too bad. I would be using it solely for my components ( and my laptop I guess ). My TV can go boom all it wants if I have a power surge. I just need my HiFi ( is it still called HiFi these days? ) protected. TV is easily replaced but I would find it difficult to find the money again to replace my components.

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated once again.

David

commsysman
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The TV doesn't use a lot of power, and it would be good to protect it too.

If it is in a different room, APC has smaller less expensive units also. The 1300VA model is a bit cheaper than the 1500VA, and probably just as good for the stereo system.

Ivor Darcy
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Thanks commsysman.

My TV is in the same room but it is going to be sitting a good distance away from the stereo system and I would rather not have cables running all over the place. The TV is plugged into a cheap power strip with basic surge protection. It should be adequate to protect it ( as I said in my last post, I am really not worried if it goes boom...not a huge TV watcher anyway ).

I will check out the other APC unit you suggest though. I have a little time as the components I ordered are not all here yet. Still waiting on the CD transport and Network Streamer which was out of stock when I ordered.

Thanks again commsysman...it is much appreciated.

David

Ivor Darcy
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Just ordered the APC Back UPS Pro 1500 from BHPhotovideo and it was only $140 shipped.

Thanks guys.

David

JohnMichael
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I am using the Wiremold L10320 as recommended by Art Dudley. I had been using a surge protector, filtering and an off and on switch. After reading Art's article I removed the plug from my SACD player and plugged it into an outlet on the other side of the room. Once hearing that improvement I ordered the Wiremold. I am unable to tell you why it sounds so good.

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