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Surge protector

Hello all. Just need some advice on a surge protector for my amp and preamp. A few months ago we had a thunder and lightning storm. It blew out my ac condenser in my central ac conditioner. Now am worried about that happening to my ARC Ref 6 preamp and my Krell FPB 600 amp. Right now they are on a dedicated 20 amp line that both my amp and pre are using. I listen to my system practically everyday and leave my amp on stand by all the time. My amp and pre amp. I really do not want a surge protector with a power conditioner as I have read that the Krell FPB 600 sounds best the life expectancy lasts longer if plugged directly into electric receptacle. Would I loose any Sonics from a surge protector? Should I just unplug the amp and preamp when I see a storm brewing? But then what if I am not home to unplug? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks to all. Cheers. 
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erik_squires
16,060 posts
 
Whole house surge protectors are definitely worthwhile, but I still recommend high performance surge protection near any sensitive electronics.

Here is an article on my current thinking on the matter:
https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html

Best,
Erik
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Eric, I went with Furman Elite 20PFI.  One evening bulbs got brighter for a moment and Furman's circuit breaker tripped.  It automatically switched back after few seconds.  Furman also protects from under-voltage preventing operation outside of specified supply limits.

Furman tripped before whole house protector reacted since its protection is not MOV based and is set lower.  MOVs have wide tolerance making it impossible to set low accurate limit.  Most of my gear is "universal voltage" allowing safe operation to about 265VAC.
snapsc
675 posts
 
If you leave your system on all of the time, no matter what protection you have... lightning rods, panel protection and/or unit surge protection, you are taking a risk and therefore relying on insurance to cover your loss.  Even if they are just on idle.... they can be damaged with the wrong type of surge. 
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o_holter
975 posts
 
I used a Krell FPB600 for 12 years with no trouble. Day to day: on standby. On ca an hour before serious listening. Thunder storms, or going away for a period: unplug the amp. Great amp btw!
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,450 posts
 
Would a whole house surge protector diminish SQ?

You could look for a used Shunyata Hydra. I've used the second gen 4 & 6 for years on my entire system. They improve the sound and work like a charm during storms.
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