Power amps into surge protector/Conditioner or DIRECT to wall? Final verdict?

I am a bit confused as how to compare devices for their surge protection. 

The Furman PST-8, using series mode surge protection, rates their product at 135VAC for the "over voltage shutoff."

Shunyata, using a hydraulic electromagnetic breaker, rates their Venom
Amp-1 for 40,000A @ 8/50 microseconds for the "transient protection."

The two companies rate their products using different units of measurement. It's like comparing apples to oranges. Which of these devices provides better protection for surge protection? It seems like there should be a standard for reporting so the general public can compare.

To add to the confusion, PS Audio rates their DirectStream Power Plant 12 (a power regenerator) using 3 sets of units; (1) an "over voltage limit" of continuous 5% of setting along with (2) a "peak surge current" of 90,000A and finally (3) a "maximum surge voltage" of 6,000V with a clamp level 340V.

How do I reconcile this to pick the best protection for my stereo? Thanks so much for any insight you can provide.

Bruce

The wheels of progress

I think I'm going to go for the Isotek EVO 3 Polaris

http://www.tonepublications.com/review/isotek-evo-3-sirius/

@aberyclark 
I don't see any surge protection.

good thread!!

2009 - Duet Features(Courtesy of PS Audio) Real surge protection  Nano Crystalline filters  Common Mode filtering  Differential mode filtering  Unimpeded AC power flow Solid aluminum chassis  Over under voltage protection  Solid copper delivery system  Real
sonic improvements  Best filter performance  Complete surge and spike protection  Low resistance AC path  Superior noise reduction Duet Price: $295 in 2009 and I think ther was a sale that saved an added $50.

the Duet was near an entry level piece from PSA back then.

talk here of the Furman item shows perhaps a better value at itds reputed $180 cost.

i should think by now SOTA has ushered in better specs or developments in the tech being used by PSA and others, but even with what is stated herein these units saved my uh, ‘stuff’ 3 separate times from direct and near by lightening strike incidents.

as well, even an older PSA UPC 200 kept my office PC and associated hardware from going belly up.

perhaps its not any one item of tech (series mode) that saves gear from under or over power line issues and lightening, but an amalgamation of the tech being applied en masse.

BTW… two of these Duets are still in operation ten years later.

maybe too a companies ‘reputation’ says something about its products durability and performance.

if better is abailable and likely there is now, from PSA and others, then certainly investigate it/them as is your opportunity.

I’m sure the next more recent passive PLC I will look at first will be the devices made by PSA based solely on my EXP with them which matters a lot to me.

this is not to say that PSA will end up being the one I buy… but from their service and performance I’ve gotta keep them high on the list, if not first overall.
RE Passive vs Active PLC/filter

I’ve auditioned a number of passive and active power line ‘treatment’ units from the likes of Equitech, Isotech, sahnling, PSA, and Running springs.

not one active/regenerating power cond. did I feel aided the audio presentation. I felt they bleached the sound. removed the wettness, dehydrated the luster of the tones.

only in an all tube arrangement with a tube cDP, line stage and mono amps being all tube formulated did the sQ come off resembling anything close to reality. that unit as I recall was a Chang light speed piece supplying SET monos.

certainly taste plays a part in anything one will keep in their audio system, and this says something more about my tastes perhaps in sonics than what another might percieve from an active regenerating power line cond.

just looking for one partivular bit of tech may be shortsighted, and it may well be a better tact to look at the overall, view like the maker’s rep, especially when attempting to gain both protection and improved audio quality.

why makers use different means to market their devices and not adhere to more common means is exactly that… marketing tactics.

this maker or that one decided quoting their own measurements in one capacity or another ‘sounds’ better… at leasst to them so that is why they account things in proprietary means.

power ratings used to have this same perplexity until RMS came along and makers began quoting watts as RMS instead of Peak, or other fashions.

looks like one will have to reach out to the brand X maker and ask specifically if they will warranty lightening, over and under current/voltage issues, etc., before making a final choice, as the sonic concerns will be plainly evident once it is installed and run in.

Have fun!