Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Last week the Best Buy sales rep was trying to push a Monster Power Center (things are like 200-300 bucks), which wasn't surprising, they really like to push the overpriced monster products.
I'm curious.. I would like to have a high quality surge protector with line conditioning once I get all my stuff, but I don't want to buy Monster brand unless there's a righteous sale. What brand/products do you axiom experts use for your A/V equipment for your surge/power needs?
I'm considering an APC UPS similar to the one I have setup on my home PC to avoid those nasty power outtages during storms (I live in kansas.. lots of wind and whatnot). Just wondering if there's an advantage to equipment tailored to AV equipment, or if there's some secret high value brand that not many know about (like axiom )
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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axiomite
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I'm partial to the Belkin PureAV power consoles. I own both the PF60 and the Home Theater Battery Backup with AVR Technology. Don't let the maufacturer's prices scare you. I've found the PF60 for around $240 shipped, and the Battery Backup for $180 shipped. A good search on the web may produce even better prices. You can find the same models in silver (like mine) instead of black, for even less. (Sorry about the crappy photo )
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 30
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Ooo, those look nice and match my Pure AV HDMI cables =D
I'll have to check out that product line. Thanks.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2005
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connoisseur
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I went with the Belkin also, you can get the PF40 here for 105.00 eCOST
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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GM, I've never had any surge needs and AV equipment with a power supply section already provides all the "conditioning" to the power coming out of the wall which the engineers found to be necessary. My view therefore is to spend your money on something more useful.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Sep 2002
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I was able to pick up a Monster HTS3500mk2 a while back for really cheap ($109) then about 6 months later the volt meter illumiation went out so I sent it back to monster and since it was a discontinued model they sent me a brand new HTS3600MK2 for free I have seen them on sale here and there. You may be able to pick up a 3500 off amazon or something. Then just remember to turn the volt meter up all the way all day long so you burn it out before its out of warranty (5yrs) worked for me
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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shareholder in the making
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I ordered the PF60 in black from ecost a couple of days ago for $266. I like the display showing the output and usage etc.
The have some recertified stuff for alot less.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2005
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John, there may not be a need for conditioning and the like, but it sure is nice to have something pretty with tons of outlets to plug your equipment into.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2002
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axiomite
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axiomite
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I've never had any surge needs Try moving to California. You will need more than surge needs. You will need power to start with.
"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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Oh, come now. We haven't had rolling black outs since the Texans stopped ripping us off and went out of business. I use a Belkin UPS (computer version). About $100 cheaper, and much uglier. It held up for around 2 hours running my (at the time) dual drive TiVo during the one black out we had earlier this year.
Last edited by kcarlile; 11/04/07 06:29 AM.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,488 Likes: 9
connoisseur
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Me too. This was going to be one of the next items on my shopping list. I was expecting something more expensive. That link is now in my "Next Thing To Buy" favorites sub-menu!
See Mojo's signature
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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GM, I've never had any surge needs and AV equipment with a power supply section already provides all the "conditioning" to the power coming out of the wall which the engineers found to be necessary. My view therefore is to spend your money on something more useful. I agree, in general, with what John has to say. I would never claim that my PureAV equipment makes my system sound better. (DISCLAIMER: I live in a suburban area of a large city, so my power's "condition" is likely just fine. Things might be different if you live in a more rural setting. Although, it was my power company (First Energy) who brought you the massive East coast blackout a few years ago , and who has more outages than a modern power company company should ) But, I also agree with Homedad who said " John, there may not be a need for conditioning and the like, but it sure is nice to have something pretty with tons of outlets to plug your equipment into. " I bought the PureAVs for the convenience they provide, and for their good looks while providing same. I've no idea if they actually would save my equipment in case of a massive surge (and hope I never find out), but the alleged surge protection and battery backup do provide a modicum of peace of mind. I am, however, very fond of one of JohnK's favorite sayings which goes something like "A destructive power surge is just God's way of telling you that it's time to upgrade."
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Jul 2004
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Thanks to Jack, I have the same combo he has sitting on my rack too! The UPS is for my projector and laptop, and everything else goes into the conditioner. I have brown and black outs quite regularly, so these things are needed. They make it nice for routing cables too.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Sep 2004
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Me have same too! But me have better pictures than Jack!
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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Founder, Axiom Upgrade Club shareholder in the making
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I like the upside-down ghost one on the bottom.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Sep 2004
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shareholder in the making
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It's the most transparent sounding.....
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2002
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axiomite
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axiomite
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I like the watt meter. Very neat. Definitely some nifty audio jewelry. That is one big brooch.
Last edited by chesseroo; 11/04/07 09:32 PM.
"Those who preach the myths of audio are ignorant of truth."
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,331
axiomite
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axiomite
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Me have same too! But me have better pictures than Jack! And a better camera. Really nice photo. Mark
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I am now very anxious for mine to get here. The display should really stand out with the case being black.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2002
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shareholder in the making
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Jack, a little more specifically, my philosphy in the matter is that if a lightning strike should destroy my audio equipment I would view it as simply being God's way of telling me that it's time to upgrade.
Thanks for the opportunity to use this line again, and how 'bout them Browns!
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Jun 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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I hate the Browns.
I need a UPS for my TV/DVR/PC but I don't have room in the rack for something pretty. I need something I can just mount on the back of the console. Any suggestions for models or vendors?
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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Got a picture of the location?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Jun 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Not handy. Just think "spaghetti behind a wooden TV cabinet"
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2003
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Hmm. So do you want a slim ups that you can mount vertically, or a fat, stubby UPS? You don't have many choices other than those form factors, because there's got to be space for the big honking batteries.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Me have same too! But me have better pictures than Jack! *image snipped* Holy smokes, are these things really 7.5 inches tall and 22 inches wide? Also curious on how you run your power cables with this setup.. I'm assuming you plug all your equipment into the Battery Backup, then plug your battery backup into the Power Console which then plugs into the wall. If that's the case, it seems like a waste of money paying for all those extra outlets on the power console (except for the very nice eye candy factor).
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I think you have it backwards, You plug them all into the Power console then the Power console in to the Battery back up, other wise you loose the filtering ability of the power console for each specific component.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: May 2003
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shareholder in the making
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I'm not sure why you wouldn't trust the battery backup for filtering.
I suspect that what they're doing is running the high draw stuff off of the power conditioner and the lower draw stuff off of the battery backup. I mean, you don't really need the battery backup except for things writing data, right?
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Actually, Belkin will not honor the warranties if you plug either one into the other. Each unit must be directly plugged into a wall outlet. I have my TV, my cable box, and a few other things plugged into the battery backup, and everything else plugged into the PF60.
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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axiomite
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axiomite
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Apologies, Tom. A tough game to lose, I know.
Jack
"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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axiomite
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Well, Jack, at least you feel bad about it.
I need help figuring out how much squatty-box UPS I need.
I want to plug in the following: -DirecTV HR-20 HD DVR -JVC 61FNC97 TV (for the bulb, Ken) -PC (Athlon 64, one modest HD, a couple USB devices for keyboard and sound)
What voltage measurements am I looking for and where do I find them?
I want the Belkin one, but I just can't find a place to put it until I rip about another 500 CD's.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Oct 2003
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I bought my PF60 from eCost about 9 months ago from eCost when they had them for like $140. Heck of a deal. Does it improve the sound? Absolutely, but not in an 'audiophile' way. I used to get a crackle or slightly pop from my system when the neighbors A/C would fire up (we connect to the same transformer), or my wife would start the clothes dryer, and now I get neither. Never a crackle or hiss. In my home, my PF60 claims the voltage regularly runs between 125 and 135 volts. I'm not an electical enginner, but that can't be good for the equipment. A buddy in town reports the same. I take some solace that the PF60 is helping to provide 'cleaner' power to the electronics. Not that it makes them sound any better, but that it might be helping the longevity. It's also interesting to monitor how much power your compenents draw when on or in standby. I also like the fact that it made a great improvement to the rats-nest of power cables behind my AV Rack, and it just looks cool.
M80v2 | VP150v2 | QS8v2 SVS Pci+ 20-39 Emotiva UMC-1 & LPA-1 M22ti + T-Amp, in the Office
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Nov 2007
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old hand
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old hand
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those sure are pretty! what is the main point of having battery backup? thanks.
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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I use the battery unit for: - my DLP (so if I lose power the fan still can run to cool the unit down) - My TiVo and Comcast DVRs so if I lose power for a few minutes, they can still record Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Oh Buffy....... when will you realize that I would be a better boyfriend to you than Spike????
::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
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Re: Monster (or equivelant) power centers..
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 82
old hand
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old hand
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well, it's a no brainer then, and i got one my list. there is no way i am missing any episodes of gilmore girls. later.
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