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Best Power Conditioner (new) under $400?

In the Absolute Sound issue 118, Robert Harley highly recommends the Monster HTS2000 power center. It is $200 new. I wonder if there are better options under $400 that improve the sound quality in a wide range of systems. Has anyone compared this power conditioner with its bigger brothers HTS2500 and HTS3500 or with the Adcoms? or with others? Thank you for your comments.
jorge_err
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Chang Lightspeed 3200 Mk2 $320; or Audio Power Pack II at $235; Tice Solo at $349 or Tice Solo AV at $400 are all very good. All of these units have segregated filtered plugs for digital equipment. Makes a big difference keeping the digital noise away from the rest of your system.
rwa0585
1 posts
 
I bought an HTS 2000 for my second system and was pleasantly surprised at how good it is. Sonically it is as good as my API Power Pack V. Paid $125 at Global Mart.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Where a better power conditioner helps is in lowering the noise floor and quieter background. You may not notice the difference sonically until you get use to the sound with the better conditioner and then take it away. I think we all tend to focus on the treble and then midrange at first. If you already have a decent quality conditioner/surge protector, I highly recommend those Blue Cirle BC-86 Noise Hounds auction here on AudiogoN as a way to improve the sound.
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