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Line Condition /Pwr Protection on Mono Block amps?

Have a pair of PASS XA-160 amps.

I have a couple Shunyata Hydra 8 line conditioners /Surge protectors in my system. Have my preamp and a couple source plugged into line condition. And then a seperate one for my TT and CD player, tuner which is on a seperate line also.

Question ? I plugged PASS amps into two seperate line conditioners (2)- Shunyata Hydra 8 but sound was diminished in dynamics and detail. Almost a very muffled sound with increase distortion when listening.

When I plug PASS amps back directly back into wall , the sound was so much more open and clearer with great dyanmisc. But now I have no protection on PASS amps.
I usually don't get bad surges. Other an occasional black out during summer or storm.

Do I need protection on my PASS XA-160 amps ?
Would you leave plug into directly wall ?
I 've been told power amps are more hardy with standing surges .

Any help is most gracious.
syot2c08
thorman
1,262 posts
 
I would stick with direct wall plugs and remove power cords from wall when your not using the system.This way you have protection and you can sleep at night!
rtn1
535 posts
 
I'd be interested to hear other's opinion on amps with the Hydra. I have my Pass Labs x600s plugged into a Hydra-8 with Elrod Statement cords all around. I found the dynamics and detail to be improved overall, so I kept them that way. The sound was maybe 1 db lower through the Hydra, but the soundstage was more accurate, detailed, and realistic. I can do some more comparisons in the future, but I'm wondering if the type of cord on the Hydra makes a difference. I've never had another 20 amp cord to try on the Hydra, so the Statement is all I know.

Rob
bhouser
112 posts
 
Big power amps have less delicate components in them, far more power supply capacitance, large transformers and other 'bulky' electronics that can tolerate and absorb power surges better then most other audiophile hardware. So - Yes - they are inherently less vulnerable.

That said, ANY unprotected, plugged-in AC electronic device could be taken out by a bad lightning hit or surge. So, you always take a bit of a chance by assuming that any built-in surge/lightning protection (which may be just a simple fuse or fusable link) will be able to handle the type of surges that you encounter in your area.

I guess the bottomline is - If you feel that the amps sound enough better without protection to justify exposing them to a bit of risk, then I say go for it. They are the least likely of your devices to be affected by surges.

As for disconnecting the amps when not in use, I highly recommend against that except when you know that a storm is heading your way or you will be away for an extended period, as the Pass X- and XA-series amps are known to need about 3 full days of powered-on settle-in time to sound their best. That was a revelation that other X-series owners told me when I had one, and was easily proven in my own system. My X-250 and X-3 amps sounded cold and gritty when I shut them off after short periods of use. But after about 3 days of use or powered-on idling, it sounded much more relaxed, liquid and smooth. This was a very reproduceable condition for me. Of course, you may have a different situation, so try it yourself.

Personally, I never turned my X-250 off or unplugged it again... no surges, no problems, better sound...
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