Power conditioning

What's a good way of protecting your gear, or having enough outlets, without getting a power conditioner or strip, besides getting a dedicated circuit?

Good power conditioners do make a difference, but most high quality units with 4+ outlets start in the $500-$1,000 range (used). A $200-$300 power conditioner probably won't provide much more benefit than a power strip as far as 2 channel music is concerned.

One exception is Shunyata's Hydra-2 that will give you upper tier performance, but it only has 2 outlets. They can be had used for $200-$300 (I believe you can find them new for $400).

I think your best bang-for-the-buck in that price range would be an Audience Adept Response Ar1, used for about $300. I use it in my BR system and it made a noticeable improvement in clarity, speed and transparency. I also use the AR6 in my main system and it is a near-transformative product.

I have used the PS Audio UPC and it is gopod, but will not make near the difference the AR1 will, IMHO.

Neal

I see I'll need a little more cash for a conditioner then. How about opinions on PS Audio Quintet? Or Furman Elite PF 15?

I've heard nothing positive, ever, about Furman. Sometimes you get what you pay for.