Suggestions for a conditioner/surge protector?

Vman, I can't debate your results. However, technically speaking, all a conditioner can do is filter out certain kinds of noise. It can also smooth out voltage spikes or, if they're too big, try and clamp them before they destroy your equipment (ha ha!)

They can't fix truncated sine waves, hold up sagging voltage, or lock the AC at 60 Hz, only regenerators can do that. And conditioners do what they do at the expense of fastest energy transfer from wall to equipment. Since energy transfer is more important to amp performance than noise filtration, that's why most folks with ded. cts. just plug their amps into the wall using big 10 AWG power cords.

I'll say this: if you believe a power conditioner made that big a difference, then you owe it to yourself to try a balanced power unit on the front end stuff, instead of a conditioner -- that'll really blow you away!
.

Nsgarch,

I wanted to try the ExactPower-15A like you have but my one opportunity to get it for a good price slipped by me. When the custom tweaked Audio Magic came up for sale, I had to try it, as that was the other brand that I was considering.

I think it will be a long time before I ever consider replacing this Audio Magic power conditioner. I would, if the opportunity presents itself, try a balanced power unit.

BTW- Since I love tweaked/modified gear, I will eventually insert my PS Ultimate Outlet with two large Bybee filters inside, between my amp and the other dedicated circuit.

Nsgarch,

I think I'm set for quite some time. Words cannot express how happy I am right now with the way things are sounding.

Mike

I use to be a cynic when it came to conditioners too - but let me tell you this.

When I plugged in my Audio-Magic Stealth conditioner (in place of my panamax 1000+) - the changes were far from subtle... for about $400 used It's easily the cheapest "REAL" upgrade I have done.