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Steve,
That’s a very good question that looks beyond what’s on the shelf to what may really be needed.
I think there’s no question that our power supply in the U.S. is a well-regulated constant. And I think the inherent position that we have “dirty power” is bogus. But like lightning, surges can pop up anytime (or never).
Modern consumer electronics – amps and receivers anyway – today are robust with power supplies capable of a voltage tolerance up to 10%, and transformers plus heat-protection and other devices to withstand smaller surges and overloads. That’s why Bryston, Anthem, Krell et al recommend just plugging into the wall outlet.
In the past 20 years, electrical engineers’ study of Transient Voltage Surge Suppression has advanced from industrial/commercial to computer server/network to home computer and now HT aps where there’s a growing market of newbies.
So Mr. Lee of MonsterCable has become a millionaire some times over in cleverly selling consumers on the idea they are buying “power conditioners” and not just surge protectors. However, you will note that nearly every consumer surge protector comes with RF/EMI filters for radiated radiofreq. interference or generated electromagnetic interference that can be picked up in poorly-shielded interconnect cables. To a degree, RF/EMI filtering is good (we really cant measure and don’t know what we’re getting) and it lowers the noise floor somewhat. The next step wud be a $$$ balanced or isolated power transformer to really knock down the noise floor; this is primarily an audio application to offer a dark, hiss-free background for music.
Engineers tell us that more and more EMI is working its way into home electrical grids as well as the outside power grid – switching supply computer transformers et al. So the idea of throwing some filtering at this is good. I imagine the $200 device you see at BB is MonstePower 1100, really an entry-level unit and costly when matched against say the Panamax MAX8 Series.
Course, one can look a $350-$550 rack mount power centers depending on the need to watch voltage/ammeters; use delayed on/off outlets for separate amp(s) and digital/analog component plug isolation to reduce crosstalk.
Homeowners are well-advised to check into a whole-house surge suppressor, generally $200 or less by an electrician. It sits at the MainService panel and is most effective for “outside” surge anomalies by being 10 feet or so from the primary house ground (stake). This works 24/7 and protects all appliances in the home. It’s still advisable to use a point-of-use power center/surge protector at the entertainment center for any internal wiring surging/EMI.
My brother-in-law in VB at Birdneck Point has lived there a dozen years without surge protection for his big ProScan tv and ent. system without getting a “hit.” I wish him well but no longer bug him about it!
bill
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