Currently, I use a standard computer outlet strip (30$ 5yrs. old) for my 7 components, should I upgrade to a monster cable outlet strip? And with or without line conditioning? (or is line conditioning another one of those things, say, like.......isolation pads.)

What type of outlet strip do you use? (brand/model helpful)
And, is more joules the better? (need 8 outlets)

InTune

I don't give much credit to these things improving sound, but I do know that I want my gear protected from power surges, and the such. From my investigations that lead me to believe that you want a non-MOV based protection unit like this.

I'll be getting one myself soon.

I got a spikemaster sm-BB8S from Rat Shack in Canada for $20 on sale. It has 8 outlets, phone line, Video line, Surge protector indicator, and ground fault indicator. 1455 Joules capacity. Made by recoton I believe. Not expensive but good for the price I believe.

Tune, I don't use any on audio or video equpment. Computers are far more susceptible to harm from power surges, etc. Yes, line conditioning is like....isolation pads in regard to usefulness. Audio engineers are fully aware of the power that their designs will work with and the transformer, rectifiers and filter capacitors in the power supply section of the amplifiers of competently designed equipment "clean" the power so that no further "conditioning" of what comes through the power cord is necessary.

Audio equipment can also withstand surges of up to a thousand volts or so. Much larger overloads, say 5,000 volts or more which could possibly result from lightning will burn through the power cord and never reach the equipment(less protection would be available if a special "quality" power cord has been bought). There are possible situations in which a surge from a lightning strike which could damage the equipment would make it through and an inexpensive surge suppressor such as you have now might help. I've never had any problem and my view would be that if a lightning strike destroyed my equipment, that would just be God's way of telling me that it's time to upgrade.

In reply to:

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"...if a lightning strike destroyed my equipment, that would just be God's way of telling me that it's time to upgrade."

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I'm on the floor, John

Damn!!! I've already used the "God told me to upgrade" excuse!

Mark

Yeah Jack, I can't worry about stuff like that. Now whether we get Gallery, or Winslow, or Taylor. or..., that's what worries me.

Tell me you're a Browns fan????????????????????

I have a moderately priced RCA power strip I got at BB for about $40. It's supposed to have surge protection, but 99% of the rationale for getting it was simply needing to plug in lots of stuff at one location.

Mark

Jack, that's also confidential information, but I will say that when I cut my finger a while ago, I bled orange and brown. In addition, during my audience with the Pope he revealed that God was a big Browns fan.

Well there ya are! Not only do you give sage advice about audio, but you're wise, beyond belief, about sporting events! I knew there was some reason I liked you.

Personally I've got a 6 way power tap on the wall, no surge protection... lifetime I've lost one microwave and one internal modem to a lightning strike/surge/whatever I slept through.

Bren R.

One of Steven's great uncles from Ohio sent him a little something a couple months ago...

Alright Peter! Bring that boy up right! Too cool!

Deep apologies to INANE for hijacking your thread. Back on topic: I think JohnK is correct. One of these things is NOT a necessity. However, that being said, I have a Monster PowerCenter HTS 2600 which I picked up on ebay for a lot less than list price. I like it for three reasons. It gives me peace of mind; it has a time delay group of inputs which allows me to turn an equalizer, which I have hooked up between my receiver and my sub, on before the sub, and off after the sub, thus preventing a nasty "thump" to my subs driver; and it looks cool (lots of pretty lights). In addition, it has a lot of inputs so I can plug a lot of stuff into it.

A simple $30 surge protector is better than none at all.
Lightning does not always strike direct. That is to say, there is a fair amount of residual charge within a certain radius of the strike zone.
Anyone who has ever seen someone get knocked off their body within 15 feet of a strike knows ALL about this amazing feature of lightning.

you can always develop a nice case of OCD and unplug everything when you're not using it...ahh, peace of mind

I like Ray's "message from God" rationale.

Another choice to consider is sold by Home Depot. My main concern centered on power surges/lightning strikes. I'm not a big fan of Monster Price, but I did get their 1100 model because at a dirt cheap price. It iis configured to hang on the back of my HT stand and has connectors for phone/cable/antenna and lotsa plugs for components. High joules protection rating (around 2900).

HD has a Belden model with protection at about 2900 joules. It also has phone/cable/antenna connectors, but it runs around $45-$50. That shoild provide protection from a direct lightning strike. Cheap insurance.

The whole "clean power" thing falls into my bucket of "I fell off the back of the truck, but I didn't fall yesterday".