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Power Conditioners

I have about $5,000 invested in  a 2 channel stereo setup. Marantz PM7000N integrated receiver, Canton Chrono SL596 speakers, Rega P6 table, blue jeans Canare 4S11 cables. Is it worth it to buy a cheap power conditioner/protector like this  https://www.musicdirect.com/power/furman-pst-8-d-digital-power-station or this  https://upscaleaudio.com/collections/power-conditioners/products/pangea-quattro-power-center

Will I be able to hear a difference/is my equipment sensitive enough to notice a difference; or will a typical surge protector suffice? Otherwise, will it be a waste of money to spend money on a low priced conditioner?

Thanks!
ecrotty
tuberist
951 posts
 
I recommend an Audioquest Powerquest 2....short money and it's designed to protect your gear from surges etc. It's a piece that "financially" fits  your current rig. It offers protection. As others have said, you'll have to spend pretty substantial dough if you want "better sound" from a conditioner and there are many approaches to this. IMO spend your money on room acoustics first but put in something to protect your gear. A whole house surge protector mounted in the service box is a great first step.
rettrussell's avatar
rettrussell
188 posts
 
Unless you want to roll the dice concerning system destruction via a lightning strike, you should at the minimum immediately install a guaranteed surge protector.
Anecdote: A friend of mine in Tampa who sells/installs commercial grade computer systems has seen the destruction of an installation in a high-rise office building where a bolt of lightning struck the glass curtain wall and arced directly to the system...bypassing the surge protector!
An "act of God" if there ever was one. 
audiosaurusrex's avatar
audiosaurusrex
320 posts
 
I was using a Furman Elite 15i and just did a demo of the Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 UEF SE. it is night and day! The dynamics and holographic imaging are amazing. I’m actually going with a combination of SR power cords/interconnects and speaker cables along with fuses and HFTs. Just amazed at what this company brings to the table. Purchasing through Alfred at HighendElectronics. Super! Super! Seller! Oh yes dedicated circuit is a huge benefit!
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@audiosaurus

I was using a Furman Elite 15i and just did a demo of the Synergistic Research PowerCell 8 UEF SE. it is night and day!

As I’d expect! The SR PowerCell is $2,000 and the Furman is $450. +1 on working with Alfred on SR products. But your example wasn’t a "fair fight"....ha.
audiosaurusrex's avatar
audiosaurusrex
320 posts
 
@three
Yes I concede. I guess my point was to emphasize how important power is in the mix and I never used to think so but I’m a believer!
I have wondered about the PS Audio Regenerators if anyone has any experience with those. Probably keep the SR stuff though. Alfred has been awesome to work with.
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