...so, one of my clients claims to be a "know it all"... well, at least he acts like he knows everything... but I have to admit... he is some kind of inventor... in electronic products... (don't ask me what he's designed or invented, cause he's a 6am client... and it's usually too early for me for small talk), anyway... he thinks that surge protectors are a complete waste of money, and that they don't give your system a clearer sound or picture... what do you guys think? or if you guys know of any articles/links that favor his opinion.... please post.

 

I'm a big fan of TrippLite surge protectors. Mainly because my good buddy works there and gets them for pennys...

 

I'm going to get a basic APC UPS with power trim. My house gets power fluctuations and I suspect it may have helped freak out my HK AVR. I want one that is big enough to run my entire setup (including plasma) for about 5 minutes. I don't need long run time. I just want something that will handle the fluctuations and spikes.

The one I want is about $250. It's the Back-UPS RS 1500VA.

They sell special AV stuff for a lot more money but I don't see the advantage that they offer.

 

The more expensive ones are proven to clean sound and picture.

Personally, I have a Panamax 5510.

 

Honestly I've been using pretty standard cheapo surge protectors, and so far so good. I will be upgrading to some decent ones... but nothing crazy (around $50 or so).

Last summer we had some wicked storms. During one of them... two different neighbors had TVs get fried b/c they did not have any surge protection. My little $10 surge protector saved all of my TVs... so I'd fall into the category that I do think they are worth it...

 

...I've always thought they do something, but for most part... (honestly?) I just think they look cool with the rest of the components LOL!

 

I use moderately priced ones for both my home theater and office, seems to be working well.

 

I'm with doopstr.. I use the APC stuff throughout the house/office and have never had any problems. I'm about as far from an expert on this stuff, so I'll leave it at that.

One of those things that makes me feel better and worry less. Kind of like using Mobil 1 in my car and still changing it every 4k miles.

 

I was doing some research on the UPS option today. The audio geeks on the web seem to not like the idea. This is because lower end UPS systems don't make a pure sine wave. However, I couldn't find anybody that claimed one of these UPS systems trashed their equipment either. There were suggestions to go with APC SmartUPS systems as they create a pure sine wave. SmartUPS systems cost twice as much though.

 

I got a 'Monster Reference PowerCenter HTS 3500 MKII' about a month ago.



Haven't noticed any better quality in anything, but it looks cool

 

FWI, I'm pretty sure this is the one my parents got... and they got it on-sale for $29.99.... so far so good...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3910296

 

I have that exact same one... and yeah, like I mentioned before, it does look cool with the rest of the system, especially the little blue light

 

This is a highly debated theory in high end audio, some swear by them other's swear them off. I am not against trying them but anyone I have ever had in my system has altered the sound in a way I didn't feel was acceptable, no matter what the benefits. I've tried more then a few brands, including BPT, Shunyata, Accuphase, PS audio, Richard Grays, Jena Labs, Running Springs audio, Tice, Panamax, Audio Magic and Sound Application. Having tried all of those brands in my system or a friends system that I know well I still preffer going direct using a high quality powercord. Some of them did amazing things, the PS audo powerplants give the BLACKEST back grounds I have ever heard but don't produce enough juice for most amplifiers and compress the digital so much that it isn't worth the benefit. The best were the Sound Application CF X(retails for $5700) and Jena Labs "washing machine"($6k retail) and a close runner up is the Shunyata Hydra 8(new version retails for $2k) - and even then the results are system and listener/viewer dependent. In addition to the need of yet another power cord.

I've found the best results are to run dedicated lines to each component using cryo treated romex, breakers and hubbel hospital grade outlets - when I move into my new place I would seriously consider having a sub-panel with the whole thing recieving cryo treatment.

I wouldn't worry about surge protection as much as brown outs, they kill more gear from my experience then surges - most surge protectors /line conditioners protect against both. In either case most all home owners policies cover it, if they don't and you have more then a few thousand dollars of gear, look into it, it will also cover theft. If you don't have a few thousand dollars plus of gear why worry buying surge "insurance" that's worth 20% of your system.