Should Amps be plugged into a power conditioner?

The main reason I don't think amps should ever be plugged into a power conditioner is that I enjoy having them repaired after lightning strikes.

Packing up my 60 to 150 lb. beast, putting in the car, paying for shipping, waiting on the techs to diagnose and get me a repair estimate is something I really look forward to.

I especially look forward to getting a temporary amp, hauling it into my rack or it's place on the floor and then removing it and replacing it with the repaired unit.

Putting the repaired unit back into my rack makes me feel like I just got a brand new amplifier, and yet I only paid half that in repair and shipping bills!!

A total win in terms of money and effort for me.

The main reason I don't think amps should ever be plugged into a power conditioner is that I enjoy having them repaired after lightning strikes.

@erik_squires  , are you making a case for surge protection or for power conditioners?

I use a PS Audio P-12 PowerPlant on a dedicated circuit for my Pass Labs 150.8. There is a noticeable improvement in soundstage depth when in use. I tried a number of “conditioners” and all had a detrimental effect as compared to the PowerPlant and direct connection to the wall. 

It depends… it depends on the “conditioner” it depends on real world needs. I live in Colorado where lightning is very real, even in winter at times… (thunder snow) all of my gear is plugged into some sort of protected system. The big stuff a Shinyata Hydra AV and the rest into a Furman unit. Unlike @erik_squires  I don’t particularly enjoy cooked electronics! ;-)

I’ve done direct wall to power box comparisons and find zero SQ difference between the two. In a perfect world I create a dedicated circuit with whole house protection. That is on the list of things to do this summer. Even then though, I’d probably still use the Shunyata just to have the backup.

Hey @geof3 - I’ve researched and written on the subject of whole-house vs. point of use surge protectors.

TL;DR - Keep your point of use protectors even after getting a whole house unit, the main reason is the high (~ 600V) let-through voltages most whole house units have. Whole house makers and the NEC do not recommend substituting the whole house units for surge protectors for sensitive electronics, but in fact recommend you use both.

Whole house units are recommended in large part to protect things that can’t be protected otherwise like fire alarms, house automation, GFCI outlets, and major appliances but also the internal house wiring.

Living in South Carolina I have lost 1 laptop I left charging overnight without a surge strip.