2. amps-preamps
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How to protect my amp without changing the sound?

My house has terrible power surges. One surge fried my former system with all Cary Audio electronics and speakers. Everything was fried from the amp, preamp, speakers to the speaker wires and interconnects.

Now I've replaced much of it with a Wadia Intuition amp/preamp/DAC unit. But for obvious reasons can't consider plugging it directly into the wall.

I started off with a Furman power strip/surge suppressor which really throttled the output. Made my $15K system sound like $3K.

Next I tried a Brickwall surge suppressor which really opened up the sound (getting more current through) but drained warmth and musicality from the sound.

I broke down and bought a Furman 16A power conditioner that is warmer sounding but still doesn't compare to plugging the amp directly in the wall.

What do I do? Keep moving up the Furman line?

Power conditioning isn't absolutely necessary, but strong surge protection is. And I'm no fan of MOV's. Any ideas?
larrybou
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Hi Kijanki, does the furman 20 pfi change the sound in any way?, you know furman is owned by Panamax, which is higher end than the Furman products, I need one for my digital, do you own this Siemens whole house surge protector?, if so, does it go on one breaker slot, or plug into two breaker slots?, how can this protect the entire house if it is on only one to two breaker slots in the breaker box?, and, what is the white wire for hanging from the bottom?, I do use siemens, an alternative to bryant breakers that use to be here in my house, I have a few Bryant breakers left, not on my system though, just on normal house uses.
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vernneal's avatar
vernneal
438 posts
 
Hire an electrician for a DEDICATED LINE. Get good HOSPITAL GRADE outlets. Use a common POWER STRIP with no VOO DOO included. Unplug when you leave. I have been thru all the POWER CONDITIONING MAGIC and the only thing they help is the manufacturer selling them.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Audiolabyrinth, Furman doesn't change the sound or at least I cannot detect it (i don't listen very loud)/ If anything, bass got more even/musical. Strange thing is that TV plugged into video outlet got better colors, cleaner and more saturated. It is strange since display is digital but perhaps noise induced jitter on video signal adds noise.

Siemens surge arrester plugs instead of double circuit breaker. White hanging wire connects to ground bar. I cut it shorter. It protects by shorting voltage spikes to ground. Protection (most likely MOVs) are installed on secondary side of the breaker. In case of MOVs failure (usually short) breaker will trip - otherwise it provides protection for all circuits. You have to get style that fits your panel. Each whole house protector has specified max size of the breaker (always on secondary side). There are stronger protectors but require some extra space and sometimes extra panel and most likely require an electrician. Lightning is not a big problem in my area but in Sarasota where my mother lived I would install strongest panel style protection and perhaps would even double it.
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