[Geoff S]

Looking to spend up to $50, (more if neccesary) for a good Home Theater Surge Supressor with RFI and EMI filtering. Most of what I see at my Home Theater stores are usually all Monster Cable Power Centers that exceed $100 or $200.

Looking for suggestions from other users on what to buy. I've heard of a few good models, but I'm still looking around. A "So what is everyone using, and does everyone else agree it's good" response is what I'm looking for. Thanks!

[Bill Kane]

Good question, Geoff, and you’re on then right track, since the big HT stores don’t carry the more economical surge protectors in the Tripp-Lite, Belkin and companies such as Panamax.

Nearly EVERY surge protector for audio-video today comes with RF/EMI filters. Look for it on product specification sheets you can pull up online.

Products worth looking at include –

Tripp-Lite ISOBAR 6 DBS
Panamax Max8 Cable
Belkin SurgeMasterII with cable terminal

Some Belkins are going in the $30-$39 range from online retailers.

www.partsexpress.com has affordable prices for surge units, too.

www.powersystemsdirect.com has several lines, mostly Panamax and Monster, at discount prices.

[Geoff S]

Thanks. I think I'm going to go with this Belkin: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProdu...duct_Id=130739

It is $120, but worth it to have a long time investment that is top quality that I can use for years on out with peace of mind.

[Kevin. W]

Checkout the AR Master series surge protectors. Here is a couple of links to it.



http://www.araccessories.com/surge/tech.asp

Kevin

[Bill Kane]

Geoff,

No arguement against this new-design Belkin. It ought to last a while, but after a few Texas lightning storms, dont forget to check the PROTECTION OK LED lite still glows. At some undefined point, these surge protectors can give up their life for you and might need to be replaced. However, this unit has a higher spike energy-catching Joules Rating than any others I have seen in this class, likely indicating a heavier array of MOV coils.

[Larry Schmitz]

If you like the Belkin Pure AV looks like Tech Depot.com has it for 68.95 If it is the same model might be a steal.

[Lee Scoggins]

If you can step up to a Monster Power Center designed by Richard Marsh, I can recommend it - the results in my system have transformed the sound.

[Geoff S]

Lee,

Which model Monster Power Center are you refering to?
How much was it?

Just wondering, cause I'm still looking around till I do finally get one, which will be next week, hopefully. Thanks.

[Matt_Doug]

For $50 don't expect anything more than mov's with sub nanosecond response times (VERY IMPORTANT) to instaneously shunt to ground voltage spikes above the let through voltage(VERY IMPORTANT; 330 volts is required for certification but the smaller the better) above that you're paying for added circuitry to automatically disconnect the power when a sustained abnormal voltage condition is detected, audio grade capacitors that filter noise causing currents from the line, voltage monitoring (window dressing) and properly sized isolation transformers(what all other conditioners aspire to) If you do a search for mov's or surge supressors on this forum you will find more than enough info to help you decide. but specs (response time, let through voltage and noise reduction within the audible range 20hz to 20 khz) is king. good luck

[John Walker]

Bill

Do you have a Tripp-Lite ISOBAR 6 DBS? If so can you comment on it?

I have some "snow" issues with other small motor loads (fans) on the same branch and I am trying to avoid ripping into the walls for a dedicated circuit.

Tripp-Lite have been in the business forever. They don't get the same attention in HT circles as other brands. For example the monster 200HT is about $200 CAN locally. Its a tiny unit that sits over your existing wall outlet. Its probably quite good but its twice as much as the Tripp-Lite which I have a healthy respect for (CAD background).

I notice APC doesn't get mentioned in HT circles. (I've had two of these fry in the last couple of years). Excluding the high end UPS stuff, they seem to be marketed towards home office consummers.

Anyway can anyone comment on their Tripp-Lite?

Thanks in advance

John

[Bill Kane]

John,

I see where you’re headed here, and I am reluctant to “recommend” a TL Isobar 6 as any cure to your somewhat undefined problem. As Chu Gai notes here, sometimes throwing these black boxes at our system is like putting basins under leaks, instead of trying to fix the roof.

In the absence of other motor-driven appliances and such uses on our HT home circuit, mainstream surge units as mentioned are usually sufficient. They don’t seem to make any audible “improvements” but some report a slightly crisper and black level uptick in video from the RF/EMI filtering. However, the main function is standby surge suppression along with inline AC noise filtering.

People ask about using a TrippLite “line conditioner” such as LC1200, 1800 or 2400, and APC SMART UPS units all the time. In my opinion, these are useful for SPECIFIC conditions and are not necessarily cheaper versions of more costly AV “power conditioners.” Good thinking, tho.

By Specific Conditions, I mean serious voltage fluctuation more than 5 percent plus/minus from 120VAC; and periodic loss of power delivery from stormy weather coupled with owning set-top boxes like Replay/Tivo and maybe a VCR, all keeping program assignments, and use of projectors with cooling fans.

bill