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Whole House Surge Protection

I have tried a vast array of surge protectors and power conditioners in my system ranging from belkin to monster to ps audio and richard gray and have found them all to detract in some way from the sound of my system. Or, to put it differently--I really like the sound of my system as it is now--feeding directly from the wall.

However, running all this expensive gear without surge protection makes me very nervous. I am considering installing WHOLE HOUSE SURGE PROTECTION along with dedicated lines, but am really scared it will change the sound. Please note, I am very, very particular and can hear every subtle change introduced by cabling etc. My question is this--have you installed WHOLE HOUSE SURGE PROTECTION and if so, were there any audible differences? If so, how would you describe them? Are there any particular brands and models I should look for?

Please help. I would hate to have all this installed only to turn around and have to pay to have it removed.
glnagrom
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uru975
684 posts
 
Tpreaves, good advice but what about those times when one is not at home, either away, on vacation, whatever?
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tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
Simple,unplug your equipment when you leave for vacation or if there is a chance of lightning.I work out of town and my equipment gets unplugged when I walk out the door.
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cipherjuris
145 posts
 
Unplugging when you leave the house for an extended period or when you know that thunderstorms are likely is the best and wisest protection.

But there are other types of surges in the mains that are random and unpredictable, such as when a transformer blows or when a generator is taken off line or when power is simply interrupted and then comes back on. These surges, especially an accumulation of them over time, will damage your system. Extremely fast, high quality surge protectors are a defense against damage caused by these surges.
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tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
I agree Cipherjuris.A word of caution,if your equipment is damaged by any surge related incident,be prepared for a fight from your insurance carrier and the mfg. of your surge protector.Also be prepared to take a big dollar loss,when they finally settle. It will be well below what your equipment is worth.
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cipherjuris
145 posts
 
Tpreaves,

I agree with you. Still, I believe my equipment will will last longer on spec with the surge protectors than without them. I do unplug when lightning is anywhere nearby, so except for the odd "bolt out of the blue" as it were, my equipment is not at very great risk to lightning. I'm more concerned about the normal surges on the mains, which are death to the equipment by thousands of cuts.

Ed
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