Monster Power Conditioner vs Voltage Stabilizer?

frstrm747 · 03-07-2007, 01:52 PM

I have just recently purchased new home theatre stereo equipment and would like to ensure it is receiving the best power possible. I was pretty much set on going with a HTS Monster MKII power center acting as a surge protector and to filter the power going to each unit.

However after coming across the voltage stabilizer AVS 2000, it seems that this would be of more benefit to the overall performance of my system. (I am running a denon 7 x 120W receiver with a paradigm PW2200 500watt sub).

My budget only allows me to go with one or the other.

Any good advice to help me decide would be greatly appreciated.

Greg Gable · 03-07-2007, 01:57 PM

Unless you have an issue with a lot of current swings I would save my money. I believe most people just use a good surge protector.

John Brill · 03-07-2007, 02:06 PM

We discuss this from time to time (do a simple search of the forum). Bottom line, unless your home is suseptible to huge power swings, power conditioners and voltage stabilizers are unnecessary. As Greg mentioned, a decent power bar/surge protector is more than adequate.

chinnboy · 03-09-2007, 06:31 PM

I'm a newbie here and by no means an expert. But I had a bad experience with a 37" LCD HDTV that I connected to a fairly high end APC sutrge protector which boasted A/V capability. We had a 1 second power outage and it fried the TV. When I called APC, they said they didn't recommend such units for LCD Tvs. A bit of crash research sensitized me to the fact that many LCD Tvs are susceptible to brownouts and outages and its really a good idea to have them behind something with UPS capability as well as voltage stabilization. I went with a TrippLite OMNI900 something or other which I got for less than $100 from buy.com.

Kevin C Brown · 03-09-2007, 07:17 PM

I think that the AVS 2000 is overkill. I have an A/C conditioner with a voltage readout. I have never seen it outside of about 116V - 121V. I also say: save your money and use it for a good conditioner/surge supressor.

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Kevin. W · 03-09-2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frstrm747

I have just recently purchased new home theatre stereo equipment and would like to ensure it is receiving the best power possible. I was pretty much set on going with a HTS Monster MKII power center acting as a surge protector and to filter the power going to each unit.

However after coming across the voltage stabilizer AVS 2000, it seems that this would be of more benefit to the overall performance of my system. (I am running a denon 7 x 120W receiver with a paradigm PW2200 500watt sub).

My budget only allows me to go with one or the other.

Any good advice to help me decide would be greatly appreciated.

Instead off the AVS2000 or power centers take a look over at www.psaudio.com Much better gear.

frstrm747 · 03-09-2007, 09:48 PM

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will save my money and just go with a good power bar for now. Consider a condtioner down the road if I have problems.

Kevin. W · 03-10-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin C Brown

I think that the AVS 2000 is overkill. I have an A/C conditioner with a voltage readout. I have never seen it outside of about 116V - 121V. I also say: save your money and use it for a good conditioner/surge supressor.

I've seen my voltage readout hit 108v during the summer due to AC and 5% drop on the grid to keep things stable. At the time I had my AVS2000 to compensate.

Kevin. W · 03-10-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frstrm747

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will save my money and just go with a good power bar for now. Consider a condtioner down the road if I have problems.

How many outlets would you need? For the price you'll pay on a Monster HTS look into the PSaudio Duet or Quintet.

Nick:G · 03-13-2007, 05:39 PM

Voltage stabilizers are a huge waste of money, especially for power amps and receivers. They limit current to keep the voltage stable. Most electronics will run fine within the 105-120V range and even older houses don't have a lot of problems with that.

What you really want is a good surge supressor and if you want, perhaps a conditioner for the source components and display device.