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Should I skip my power conditioner?

I have a Monster Powerbar 1100 power conditioner/surge protector. The main reason I bought it is to protect my equipment from any lightning strikes/electrical spikes and for convenience for all of my plugs (I have it mounted to the underside of my stand). I'm no Monster fan or hater but for about $125 shipped, it seemed like a lot of useful features plus surge protection. I've been doing some reading that it may actually be better soundwise to not use one though, especially with the amp (Arcam AVR300 in my case). I'm looking for any opinions on the subject of if I should continue to use it, or use it for everything but the receiver. If I don't use it, will just a good surge protector yield any negative results? The details of my system is in my system link.

Thanks for any input,

Scott
asahitoro
hpims
129 posts
 
Tripplite has an audio surge & noise surpressor that works GREAT. I got it at PartsExpress.com for 75. bucks a few years back.

Of course, I turn my stuff off when not using it, which is the ultimate surge protection.

Had a friend that lost an amp that was directly plugged into the wall while he was at work and a storm came through.

It only takes once, as they say....
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,693 posts
 
Hpims wrote: "Of course, I turn my stuff off when not using it, which is the ultimate surge protection. Had a friend that lost an amp that was directly plugged into the wall while he was at work and a storm came through."

Of course, that should tell you that simply turning the equipment off is not significant protection; you have to completely disconnect it from all lines, power, antenna, phone, etc.

Kal
distortion
571 posts
 
Kal is right. Ultimate protection = unplugged
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,693 posts
 
"Ultimate protection = unplugged"

Isn't that why one of the original surge protector companies was called Onan?

Kal
hpims
129 posts
 
Just to clarify: The amp was on when the storm came through. If just off, would it have fried?

My son had a TV get zapped during an electrical storm. It was off, but plugged in. Apparently, an arc jumped the gap in the "on-off" area. It was not hooked up to cable, either

No other items in the house were effected, including the McIntosh stuff!!!!! (all plugged into the TrippLite and it was turned off.)
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