Power conditioning / surge protection

+2 Brickwall.

I agree with Stringreen that I have never heard a power conditioner that didn't do damage to the sound, especially analog. Perhaps I am lucky with the power in my area, though, as in my brother's area, a power conditioner results in a distinct improvement.

However, a surge protector is a must if you live in an area with frequent storms, as I do. I like the Monster ones, that basically don't do anything at all to the sound, yet protect the equipment. Basically, they fry themselves in the storm, protecting your equipment. This has happened twice to me, and both times it worked exactly as it was supposed to. You can get them very cheaply on Amazon.

By plugging a power amp directly into the wall you prevent possible current limiting, by a conditioner, to that specific piece of equipment. Many conditioners, including mine, claim not to limit current, though I still feel that is a small possibility and the power amp is what could be negatively affected. I originally plugged the amp into to the Audience conditioner prior to installing dedicated lines to my system and feel it is slightly improved as it is presently configured. Certainly worth trying both ways.

A $20 protector from Staples (similar to a $10 protector from WalMart; similar to a $30 or $90 protector from other sources) does not claim to protect from typically destructive surges.

Another completely different device (unfortunately also called a protector) does protect even from direct lightning strikes. A technology proven even 100 years ago.

Unfortunately, most consumers don't know the difference between so many different products using the same name. And don't know that direct lightning strikes cause no damage to facilities that use a superior and less expensive solution.

Many even fall for myths about 'no MOVs'. Forget what is relevant - how Ben Franklin made direct lightning strikes irrelevant. The same concepts are why your telco's $multi-million switching computer suffers maybe 100 surges with each storm. And no damage. How often is your town without phone service for four days after each thunderstorm? Never? Exactly. Because protection (that the $20 Staples product does not claim) means protection from typically destructive surges.

Protection means hundreds of thousands of joules dissipate harmlessly and distant from appliances.

An effective protector means no damage even to the protector. Costs about $1 per protected appliance. Is based in concepts that make Franklin's lightning rod so effective. And means nobody even knew a surge existed.

Protectors adjacent to appliances (ie $20 per appliance) do not claim that protection. If in doubt, then post manufacturer spec numbers from each recommended product that claims protection.

Doggydaddy,

I would first start with a whole house SPD, (Surge Protection Device.), installed at the main service electrical panel.

The closer the SPD is connected to the main breaker of the panel the better. Leads from SPD to mains should be as short as possible.

The best SPD in the world is useless if the electrical earth grounding electrode system of your electrical service has a high Soil Resistivity.

The lower the earth soil resistance, there in grounding electrode conductivity, (Ground rod/s, ect), the better the electrical service grounding system will be able to take a lightning strike to earth.

A low earth soil resistance should be 5 ohms or less per IEEE.

Deep earth grounding

SPD protection at your audio equipment is the last line of defense against power surges.
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