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What is the best non-conditioning surge protector

Currently, I have an AudioQuest Niagara 1200 power conditioner with surge protection. I thought I loved it until I decided to unplug my Atoll IN300 from it and plug it into the wall (just so you know, I don’t have an audiophile duplex in the wall). I was expecting the sound to be brighter with a little more coloration. To my surprise, the Atoll sounded so much better than it did connected to the Niagara. I could actually hear my components and how amazing they really are. So next, I decided to unplug my Pontus ii and Hermes from the Niagara, and the sound improved even more. I’ve had the Pontus for a month and liked it (the soundstage is gigantic) but thought the Qutest had more detail and was wondering why I bought the Pontus. Removing all three from the Niagra, I have fallen in love with the sound of the Pontus and my setup. I think the Niagara’s conditioning completely changed the sound of my system resulting in loss of detail. I have a Furman and hooked up the Pontus and Hermes to it and it sounded the same as when they were connected to the socket. I want to protect my setup so my question is, what is the best non-conditioning surge protector on the market?  

128x128stevebohnii
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
980 posts
 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Siemens-FirstSurge-Power-60kA-Whole-House-Surge-Protection-Device-FS060/206512344

dpop
293 posts
 

>>>what is the best non-conditioning surge protector on the market?<<<

I guess you would have to try one for yourself, and see how much of an effect they have in/on your system, but my favorite is the very budget priced Tripp Lite Isobar Ultra. 

https://www.tripplite.com/isobar-4-outlet-surge-protector-6-ft-cord-3300-joules-diagnostic-leds~ISOBAR4ULTRA

I make this recommendation, because I have been a Radio Broadcast Engineer for over 25 years. It is common for lightning to strike broadcast towers, and these surges and strikes sometimes find their way into radio station studio and office buildings and equipment, and transmitter sites and equipment in them. I am now retired from broadcast engineering, but I had these surge protectors all over my broadcast facilities, and feel they did the exact job they were designed to do - protect equipment plugged into them. Lightning strike after lightning strike, I never had one blow up. This includes power outages, and switch-overs from utility power, to UPS power, to generator power, and back to utility power. I use them all over my house too. But here's the thing I most love about them; when placed on inductive devices (like my refrigerator, my furnace, or any other device with a motor in it), they prevent pops and clicks from taking place in my audio system, mainly because they filter the AC feeding the devices I mentioned, and control the surge when the inductive devices turn ON and OFF. 

tablejockey
3,911 posts
 

"I could actually hear my components and how amazing they really are. "

Let me guess... you thought the same thing when you initially purchased the Niagara.

We audiophools can’t save our self from ourselves.

With all the glowing reviews, it seemed better than sliced bread.

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