Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Power Conditioner or Amplifier ?

Hemp, isn't that what they used to make rope out of in the pre- twentieth century? Where in the heck would you find something that old these days??

I agree with the predominant opinion on this one - a "good" quality surge protector that has enough capacity to meet the needs of your HT is a good investment. I, and I'm sure many others, have experienced what a power surge can do to un-protected electronics. I'm sure the OP's $100+ SP is up to the task. From the price, it almost certainly has to be a "good" one. Unless it's a Monster-branded SP, in which case it's a known fact that Monster products pollute the laminar positron flow going into your amps. That will ultimately lead to a general feeling of uneasiness, nausea, and depression.

But I will offer up an anecdote...

Up until about a year ago, I had always just used a couple of standard 5/6 outlet surge protectors for my sensitive AV gear. Absolutely nothing fancy. Stuff rated to handle the capacity that I needed, but nothing more than that.

Ever since moving into our current home, 7 years ago, every so often when my system was on but not playing anything I would hear a very slight tiny little snap/pop/tick through the speakers when various power 'events' would happen in the house. My wife firing up the the clothes dryer, or sometimes when someone would turn on the microwave, and even when our neighbor's central air would spool up in the summer (our power lines run to the same transformer). I didn't really care, because it was rare and small enough to mostly ignore. Totally ignorable, but audible if my system was on but idling. Bottom line though, it was *something* that was being introduced to my system. I did ask an electrician about it and he just sort of said it was line noise and there wasn't anything he could do about it.

Then one day last year I found a refurb Belkin PF60 on super clearance for like ~$120. Not exactly cheap, but cheap-enough that I went ahead and bought one, mainly because I liked the idea of consolidating my plugs (AC, telephone, RG6) into one surge protector and the volt and amp display sounded like it'd be interesting to have.

I will not say that it had any affect on the "musical" SQ of my system. No increased soundstage, tighter bass, or lowered noise floor. But it *did* entirely eliminate that little snap/pop that I used to get from time to time. So that is something of a SQ improvement in my book. I don't know if it has to do with how it's grounding my equipment or if it's something in the PF60's circuitry itself, but it does make a difference. No more little snaps.

So from that, it was money well spent. And its nice to know that my Dish DVR pulls 1.1 amps even when it's "off" . And that my new "Energy Star" certified DLP HDTV actually does use less power than my old tube TV.

Sure, if you've got stuff like that going on, it makes sense. But a UPS would do the same thing. Buying a $600-1000 power conditioner makes no sense whatsoever.

So I wonder what percentage of the folks on these forums use either:
1) a universal power supply.
2) a (relatively) high end surge suppressor like Peter's or better.

I'm trying to figure where my Belkin 4,000 Jule surge suppressor falls in the range of risk coverage, say on a range of 1 - 10. (1 being least and 10 being maximum protection)

Belkin BE112234-10
- AC RATING 15A/125V/1875W
- CIRCUIT TOTAL JOULES (8X20 US) 3996J
- CLAMPING VOLTAGE 330V
- MAX. SPIKE CURRENT (TOTAL) H-N 120000A, H-G 48000A, N-G 48000A
- MAX. SPIKE VOLTAGE 6000V

I use a Belkin PF60 more because I like the look, pure eye candy, and can monitor the voltage fluctuations in my area than any benefits I have seen or heard.

I also use the Belkin PF60 although I found it for $149 (nowhere near that $599 MSRP). I bought it because we frequently have electrical storms and I thought that it might protect my AV equipment a little better than your average surge protector. One thing that is nice is that when there is a power surge the Belkin cuts off the power to my equipment until I reset it. It has done its job at least 3 times in the last two weeks.

I AM a sucker for things that 'measure', especially with a digital display! Think Homer: "Oooooooh, number on display..." (drool)

I checked the PF60 out. Very cool. But at $600, not so cool. At $120, oooh, maybe. ;o)

Peter and Jay, What amps do your respective AVR's draw at max levels? What is the maximum total amp draw with AVR and all other units that would be on at the same time?

Many have said we should have one or two dedicated 20 amp circuits to run our HT off of. But if this and most SP's have 15amp breakers, What is the use of a 20 amp circuit? Also, to use a second dedicated circuit, you'd need two SP's. Are they saying you spring for two high end SP's or relegate some equipment to a cheaper SP? Hmmmmn. Me wonders.

Seems with your amp draw readouts for individual banks and all banks, you could put this question to rest.

EDIT: I see PF60's are about +/- $225 w/ shipping (new) buy it now price on Ebay.

I have never seen the display show any more than 5-6 amps with my PB13, 3808, DVD, Wii, VHS and 5 disc cd changer all on at the same time, and the 3808 pushing the speakers about 95db, but I have a small room so I do not tax the system very much at all.

Jay,
I assume your display was on also, right?

This would seem to say that a dedicated 15 amp circuit is more than plenty.

Does the PF60 show any result of other things on that (non dedicated) circuit being on at the same time? Do you have any single (or all together) draws on that circuit that would create anywhere near the 15 amp circuit's limit? Is that house circuit 15 amp?

Thanks

This was the exact episode and moment that my wife started calling me Homer.