Power conditioners...how much of a difference?

[Eddie]

I was curious if anybody here uses power conditioners...if yes which one (make/model/cost) and how much of a difference do you hear with them?

I mean, is this comparable to people claiming to hear a big difference with exotic cables or is there more scientific substance behind it? Are there certain areas of the country, or certain types of housing/neighborhoods which have a greater need for a p-c?

Quinn mentioned hearing a difference using a cheap eBay one with his digital JVC receiver; I just have an analog Marantz (5400).

[curtis]

I have an older version of one of these:
http://www.tripplite.com/products/pr...?productID=228

I did not notice any change in audio...but video did seem to get nicer.

[Quinn]

I hear no difference now with the Audio Refinement Complete that I replaced the JVC with.

[Eddie]

I was looking at this one, but for that price I want to make sure it's going to make a significant difference:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...mp&dcaid=15890

Supposedly Belkin is known for good power-management type equipment...

If the p-c is unnecessary I'll just get this for surge protection and backup:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...mp&dcaid=15890

[Eddie]

I hear no difference now with the Audio Refinement Complete that I replaced the JVC with.

I imagine the ARC has such high-quality electrical components that it probably doesn't need a power conditioner...whew that must be a nice setup, though I quite enjoyed your old JVC.

Do you hear a big improvement over the JVC? I remember you said the JVC was a bit "dry and analytical."

[BillS]

Eddie,

I have a Monster HTPS-7000 Power Conditioner. I paid $800 for it and I am very happy so far. I run my Denon AVR-5700 Receiver and several pieces of audio and video gear through it and I must say, picture and audio was noticebly improved. As I live in Central Florida, surge supression is very important to me as we have frequent lightning strikes and storms. There is ongoing debate on the net about the value and necessity of Power Conditioners for Home Theater application. For me, I have piece of mind and enhanced audio and video to enjoy.....

Just my 2 cents, of course, your mileage may vary.

Bill

[Eddie]

$800, ouch!!! I was hesitating at spending 1/8th that much, LOL.

So you think specific climate conditions is one of the main reasons for getting a p-c? I don't think we get that many electrical storms here in the Houston area, maybe someone will correct me on that... But isn't that what a surge suppressor and battery backup is for?

[BillS]

This hobby is not for the faint of heart. Good HT equipment deserves to be protected if conditions warrant. That said, I could have opted for a much cheaper alternative but I believe I did the right thing for me and I have been happy every since. The Monster HTPS 7000 is built like a "Tank" (weighs 45 pounds) and I'm confident that I will be keeping it for decades to come. When I compute the amortization over such a prolonged period of time, this thing really costs next to nothing. If you can get past the initial purchase price, its down hill from there.

As a side note, I work for United Space Alliance, LLC. which is headquarted in Houston, infact, my immediate Manager is located there. I've traveled there on business many times and enjoy the area very much, but I personally prefer Central Florida (I've been offered to relocate to Houston on more than one occasion). Weather is almost exactly the same between the two locations (we often get your weather 1 to 2 days later).

[Eddie]

> Good HT equipment deserves to be protected if conditions warrant.

Huh? I thought the purpose of a power conditioner was to improve sound and video performance by "conditioning" the current, whereas a surge protector/backup is used to protect against power outages and lightning strikes? Though I suppose if you're forking out $800 it darn better do both things very well...

> I personally prefer Central Florida

I probably would too---I'm sure your Atlantic coast is a heck of a lot prettier than the rank mudhole we have here, otherwise known as Galveston.

[Quinn]

If you own your own home have an electrician install a whole house surge protector at the fuse box. Should be around $200.

Eddie- 288 south to Freeport and Surfside is much nicer than Galveston. Of course you'll still have the Texas brown water from the sand off the sand bars.