System assembled; only a final decision about speakers remains

Yes, David, the main reason for selecting that approach was simply that alternatives I found to be appealing were much more expensive. Also, since my living room is my listening room it would have been problematical to fit some physically large alternatives into the available space in the setup, in a manner that would be aesthetically acceptable.

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks, @almarg  A good solution to varied requirements.

One final question -- because I'm really tempted to just copy your solution:

Do you think that you lose any benefits by attaching a $71 dollar power strip to a high quality filtering unit like the Audience? I realize that you've economized, but I know you must have confidence that that power strip is not compromising the Audience unit. That $71 strip passes muster?

Do you think that you lose any benefits by attaching a $71 dollar power strip to a high quality filtering unit like the Audience?

Hi David,

Well, what I can say is the following:

1) As you realize, that power strip is purely an outlet multiplier, containing nothing more than wiring and outlets.

2) It appears to be well made.

3) For many years prior to acquiring it and the other pieces I mentioned I was using this BrickWall eight outlet surge suppressor/conditioner, which provided comparable functionality in a single unit, at a much lower price than the combined prices of the three pieces I described.  I was pleased with the results it provided during those years.  I made a number of other changes to the system at around the same time as I made the change from the BrickWall to the Audience/Wiremold/Venom Defender combination, so while I noticed substantial improvements I can't say to what degree, if any, the improvements resulted from the change in power conditioning/distribution.  But I certainly was not disappointed with the results.

Now, might a much more expensive audiophile-oriented power strip have provided even better results?  Perhaps, but my technical instincts combined with the results I have been getting cause me to be uninterested in pursuing that possibility.

Best regards,
-- Al
  

Thanks to you both. Good accounts which give me enough confidence for a modest investment.

Two further questions:
1. Would my Panamax 1500 "surge suppressor/line conditioner" be able to simple serve as the power strip? If so, then all I’d need is the Audience?
2. Also -- how old is too old for these Audience units? I see one for sale for $345 but it’s date of mfr is indeterminate.