[Stu Pedaso]

I'm frightened to ask this, but I'm starting the planning stages here, and want to come up with some counter-proposals for our HT guy. At the lower level, we have Monster (i know they don't have a good rep around here) and I've heard about buzzing issues with those? Panamax was the next tier up. Are those solid? What are you guys using? I'm just looking for some good spots to budget-shift. I've already nixed the Berklines (at least from them @ list price) in favor of some equipment upgrades.


You guys are fussy, yet generally logical, so I'm curious as to the choices you have made and satisfaction. Thanks.

 

[Dizzman]

Furman. www.furmansound.com


Look no further

 

[Dennis Erskine]

Equi-tech and Richard Gray (250V/30A) balanced power units

 

[DanFrancis]

Eliminate the need for a band-aid power conditioner:


Contact Art Kelm at Ground One, for the money you'd spend on some of these "boxes" you can fix the issues with the whole house.

www.ground1.com


It's a worthwhile endeavor to get proper electrical grounding. If nothing else, it's worthwhile to see what your issues REALLY are.


Dan


P.S. - if you're dead-set on a "box" solution, the balanced power transformers are the way to go (like Dennis said). For the money, I haven't seen one with a better value than the Purity Power Base ( http://www.digitalaudiovideo.com/ind...reviewID=13397 ) but I'm not sure if they're even around anymore. Bryston is marketing a new brand as well ( www.bryston.com ).

 

[markrubin]

Furman reference series

 

[Greg_R]

Berklines: take a look at http://www.leather-direct.com/ I got my seating from them and was completely satisfied (it was also more than %50 cheaper than the local furniture outlet).


Why do you think you need a power conditioner? What are you hoping to solve (noise floor? hum? lightning strikes?)? Your answers will dictate the solution...

 

[Murat]

What's your budget?


For me the best power conditioners are from Audio Magic. http://www.audio-magic.com/Prod-PowerConditioners.html

 

[Stu Pedaso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_R Berklines: take a look at http://www.leather-direct.com/ I got my seating from them and was completely satisfied (it was also more than %50 cheaper than the local furniture outlet). Why do you think you need a power conditioner? What are you hoping to solve (noise floor? hum? lightning strikes?)? Your answers will dictate the solution...

Thanks for the tip on the Berklines.


As far as the power conditioner, I'm more or less looking to avoid any issues. Our lights dim when the A/C kicks on, we have a lot of storms during the summer. I just want to go with a good enough one from the get go. I don't want to be wondering "Is this as good as it's supposed to be?" So my roundabout answer is: I want to solve everything that a reasonable power conditioner can be expected to solve.


Murat: Budget - I don't have a concrete budget, just within reason on a cost-benefit analysis. Reason is obviously subjective. I'll spend for good stuff, but I won't throw it around.

 

[Privateer]

Quote:

Murat: Budget - I don't have a concrete budget, just within reason on a cost-benefit analysis. Reason is obviously subjective. I'll spend for good stuff, but I won't throw it around.

Are you looking for an improvment in sound or just serge protection with stable 120 volts at 60Hz?

 

[Stu Pedaso]

I'd say the latter. I want to give the equipment a stable platform from which to perform their designed functions properly.

 

[Dennis Erskine]

A power conditioner will do nothing for the issue mentioned when the A/C is turned on. That's a sign of either (a) a soon to fail compressor; or, (b) undersized service to the house. A power conditioner will do nothing for a lightning strike...that's what homeowner's insurance is for.

 

[Stu Pedaso]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Erskine A power conditioner will do nothing for the issue mentioned when the A/C is turned on. That's a sign of either (a) a soon to fail compressor; or, (b) undersized service to the house.

Ugh. Good news is my cousin is an electrician.

 

[Dizzman]

All questions about power conditioners etc, must be asked after any money required is spent on dropping a new technical ground for the theatre.


After that, but one if you need it. THe new tech ground is the best money that can be spent on power.

 

[Privateer]

Quote:

I'd say the latter. I want to give the equipment a stable platform from which to perform their designed functions properly.

You should stick with the commercial/pro side of things because allot of "audiophile" AC products do nothing.

 

[SweetSpot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Privateer You should stick with the commercial/pro side of things because allot of "audiophile" AC products do nothing.

I agree. We generally stick with APC's Symmetra line for UPS backup and when dealing with power sag and frequent brownout issues:

http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=189


It's a double-conversion online UPS system, which means the power backup is constantly online, i.e. zero response time. The Symmetra units also feature power conditioning and spike/surge suppression, frequency and voltage regulation, and are easily scalable.


This may seem like overkill to some, but we swear by them and utilize them in all of our larger projects. In the past we'd spec Richard Gray, Panamax, Monster--you name it--but now all we use is APC.


-Sean

 

[SweetSpot]

Let me also say that APC's Audio Video Power Conditioner UPS unit is a line-interactive UPS, which means that there is a slight (though likely less than 1ms) response time when switching between line power and the battery. This is really only an issue when you're running equipment that relies heavily on microprocessors.


-Sean

 

[QQQ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Erskine A power conditioner will do nothing for the issue mentioned when the A/C is turned on. That's a sign of either (a) a soon to fail compressor; or, (b) undersized service to the house. A power conditioner will do nothing for a lightning strike...that's what homeowner's insurance is for.

Define "power conditioner", "nothing" and "lightning strike". An online UPS or a product such as the Exact Power EP15A designed by Bill Whitlock could indeed do "something" for the issue mentioned when the A/C is turned on *as it relates to any running A/V equipment*. And a good surge protector can do a great deal to protect from a lighting strike, if ones definition of "lightning strike" includes more than a direct strike.

 

[dollarman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg_R Why do you think you need a power conditioner? What are you hoping to solve (noise floor? hum? lightning strikes?)? Your answers will dictate the solution...

I am also thinking about introducing one in my system but for the sole purpose of reducing noise floor. Would a power conditioner be of any help in this case?


I don't have any hum issues and for natural disasters like lightning etc I am insured.

 

[Dennis Erskine]

We'll use 240V balanced power distribution transformers to lower the noise floor in studios.

 

[ddean]

The only units I've used that have done anything (for me) are based on isolation and/or balanced power transformers. I'm presently using the Exact Power SP15Ax4 -- 4 x 500W balancing transformers in one box -- powering everything except the power amps and subwoofer.


The biggest difference I've seen has been my HDTV tuner -- both the current and previous (MIT Iso Duo isolation transformers) transformer based units reduced dropouts/pixelation by 10x, compared to an Adcom, that I really bought for good (series mode) surge suppression when CA was having its electric power crisis.


Unfortunately, my housing situation doesn't have an easy way to run a dedicated circuit.


Good luck,

Drew Dean