KeithH
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2000
- Messages
- 9,413
I am thinking of trying out a power conditioner with my main stereo system and home theater, which are in the same room. For $500, I could get the Monster HTS 3600 or the Panamax MAX 5300. Although I have done limited research at this point, I am a bit biased towards Panamax. For one thing, and I know that this should not influence my decision ultimately, the high-end dealer in my area sells Panamax, while I could get the Monster unit at Tweeter. Along the same lines, I guess I have a bit of a general bias against Monster. Still, which one would you recommend?
The Panamax unit looks good from the standpoint of warranty coverage. Panamax guarantees up to $5,000,000 worth of equipment (I'll get there someday ) and offers a three-year warranty. Monster guarantees up to $500,000 worth of equipment, but I am not sure of the warranty coverage (number of years). The $5,000,000 coverage from Panamax isn't a big deal, obviously, but the three-year warranty is. I am also quite sure that the Panamax MAX 5300 has a detachable power cord, which allows upgrading. Anyway, the Monster unit has a fixed power cord.
As for joule rating, the Monster unit seems to look better. Monster states the following on its web site regarding the HTS 3600:
"2960 joule rating provides highest level of surge absorption."
Panamax says the following about the MAX 5300:
"Single Pulse Energy Dissipation 1790 Joules"
I suppose that favors the Monster unit.
Overall, I feel better about the Panamax MAX 5300. I like the fact that Panamax has far more information on its web site (e.g., specs.) than does Monster. From an aesthetic standpoint, the Panamax model has a backlit analog meter, while the Monster unit has a digital display.
Again, which would you go with, the Monster or Panamax unit? Also, are there any major retailers that discount Panamax products? I found Link Removed , but I don't know if they are legit. J&R sells Monster power conditioners, but they don't have the HTS 3600 yet (new model). I'm sure I could get the HTS 3600 from J&R for less than $500 (standard price), but I'm not sure about getting a discount on the MAX 5300.
Thanks for reading!
The Panamax unit looks good from the standpoint of warranty coverage. Panamax guarantees up to $5,000,000 worth of equipment (I'll get there someday ) and offers a three-year warranty. Monster guarantees up to $500,000 worth of equipment, but I am not sure of the warranty coverage (number of years). The $5,000,000 coverage from Panamax isn't a big deal, obviously, but the three-year warranty is. I am also quite sure that the Panamax MAX 5300 has a detachable power cord, which allows upgrading. Anyway, the Monster unit has a fixed power cord.
As for joule rating, the Monster unit seems to look better. Monster states the following on its web site regarding the HTS 3600:
"2960 joule rating provides highest level of surge absorption."
Panamax says the following about the MAX 5300:
"Single Pulse Energy Dissipation 1790 Joules"
I suppose that favors the Monster unit.
Overall, I feel better about the Panamax MAX 5300. I like the fact that Panamax has far more information on its web site (e.g., specs.) than does Monster. From an aesthetic standpoint, the Panamax model has a backlit analog meter, while the Monster unit has a digital display.
Again, which would you go with, the Monster or Panamax unit? Also, are there any major retailers that discount Panamax products? I found Link Removed , but I don't know if they are legit. J&R sells Monster power conditioners, but they don't have the HTS 3600 yet (new model). I'm sure I could get the HTS 3600 from J&R for less than $500 (standard price), but I'm not sure about getting a discount on the MAX 5300.
Thanks for reading!