Does power conditioning really matter?

I too use a very inexpensive Monster strip, which is an excellent surge protector and my gear sounds better with it than with the power conditioner I have tried.

I started with a MOnster AVS 2000 which I got for a "song" (since they are ridiculously overpriced) and it was adequate untilmy system got better. Though frequent experimentation and demos, I ended up with a BPT 3.5 Signature Plus about 4 years ago. Huge improvement over the Monster in every area - my system really "opened up" tremendously. I hadn't realized how much information and dynamics I was missing until I made the change.

I have also worked my way through lots of cabling over the years as my system has improved with interesting results. I began to realize, at least in my system, that the more resolving my system became, the more of a difference cabling made. I liken this to the prior example of video differences being more easily discernible on an 8' projection TV than a 30" TV. There certainly is no right or wrong here - its all about your particular perception. System synergy is also very important - a conditioner that sounds great in 1 system might not work for another at all.

Personally, I now have all SR Tesla cabling, and will be trying their new Powercell 10-SE next week. Notice I said trying, not necessarily buying. IMO it is critical to try something in your system before committing to purchase, for all the reasons stated - you might not even hear a difference and have just purchased a boat anchor!!

So, IMO, power conditioning definitely "matters". Each person's decision as to what works best for them can only be discovered by demoing in your own system. I think these forums are very helpful to get some jumping-off points for the audition process.

Ozzy, did you get one of those PowerCells? They did it right. The acrylic casing was very smart too. However, a little over the poster's budget. Tripp Lite hospital grade isolation transformer is very affordable and effective as well.

Jp1208, yes, I did get one. Very happy I did. Such a smooth Analog sound.I am running all my Audio and all my Video equipment on it plugged into one outlet. Soundstage and dynamics are outstanding!
Amazing

The AVS2000 Monster voltage regulator and power station is a completely different animal than the basic monster strips, for the record. You simply need to compare anything, and it's all relative, and "in context" that things must be judged...on their own merits, in YOUR own system, really. I've read reviews on the AVS2000, and the reviewers had mixed experiences, depending on system/application - but none had bad things to say, that I can recall.
I would say that you'll likely get favorable results simply trying some budget, and bellow, (yes, $300 is a budget piece, compared to what's out there) $sub $300 conditioners, and compare, if it were me. You can do it at your leisure and end up with whatever works best.
I once had a system next to a power transformer from the electric company, which came out at the wall with VERY HIGH voltage at night time. My system was running on 132+ volts some times - while at other times it was lower down to 123. I noticed that my systems sounded rather dull and dead when it was high at night, but sounded pretty darn good in the mornings/days, when voltage was low. In this case, I think some sort of power supply/regulator would have made my system work better.
My buddy lived in an area where his power was always on the low side - like around 118 or lower, voltage.
For whatever reason, my simple crossover design speakers were really picky about the power you gave them. Dunno why.
Again, I think you need to take into context all the variables, and simply experiment for truest results. The rest is just speculation.
Remember, "The crowd is always wrong"...so consider that when you are really looking for a correct answer.