Panamax Power Conditioner: Keep or Upgrade

I have a Panamax M5100 myself - have had it for 18 years now. It supports a 9.2 channel 3-zone Network AV Receiver based system. No noise, no problems. Don't remember original cost. Got a Panamax MR4300 about 2 years ago for a second system that is strictly 2-channel audio. Got it for something like $225 on line. It supports a flat panel TV, CD Transport, CD Player, Power Amp, and 3 Integrated Amps, with still two A/C outlets available. Also has a front face USB for smart phone charging.  No noise, no problems. Panamaxes are easily lowest cost pieces in my systems.  See no reason to spend more. Happy listening.

I worked at a store near the NE coastline when our buyers brought in Panamax, and later, Monster Power, with incentives (carrots and sticks) to “attach” these profitable items to our sales, and to serve the best interests of our customers. Anecdotally, over years of observation I saw little change in the frequency of customers coming in with damaged gear after T-storms, Panamax or not.  Where I work now we offer SurgeX, Audioquest, and Transparent. I think there is a real difference between the MOV based products and these and other brands that are “non-sacrificial”.  

Anyone who thinks anything will handle a direct lightning strike is dreaming..

If you can, Unplug when a thunderstorm is close and getting closer.

IMO, sources and preamps can be filtered, power amps should not. If sources & pre's have 3 pin power cords, this can cause loop issues. Balanced gear may solve loop issues as will 2 in power devices.

Did you guys know, that Panamax bought Furman in 2006 and it seems that now there are Nortek Security & Control, so hard to tell which one between these two are better

Hello,
I second the Puritan PSM 156 or 136. Puritan outdid themselves on these two products. They take about 12 days to fully break in. I call it the 12 days of Christmas. This store in the Chicagoland area lets you try in your home before you buy.they have them already broken in for demoing. You will notice instantly. Twelve hours after all your caps fully charge you will want to listen to your entire music collection. What else do you have to do. 
https://holmaudio.com/
 And you will buy. Each of the plugs is isolated from one another unlike the Audio Quest line that has banks of four. So instead of three banks on the AQ line you have six separate banks. No crosstalk between outlets. If you can afford it you will not be disappointed. It also comes with a power cord to go from the wall to the Puritan. AQ does not come with a power cord. You can upgrade that power cord to a better Puritan model called the Ultimate XX. It is a thicker gauge, more filtering, and even better dissipation due to the carbon fiber and thicker outer cover. I have had Monster, Panamax, and Furman. They did not hold a candle to the Puritan and the models I had of those other brands were in the same price range. I think every audiophile should have a Puritan in their system.