in regards to POWER CONDITIONING, has anyone tried the Isotek Aquarius? If so can you explain your experience....I have read lots of great things......It is one of few that does not limit quality....THX
Power conditioning / surge protection
I have some decent Rega stuff. It's currently plugged into one of those surge protectors you get for 20 bucks at Staples. The odds are against it (and I'm insured), but I want to be sure a surge doesn't wipe out my gear. Also, if I can get a better sound by "conditioning" the power, then great. Although I have no way of knowing if there's anything funky about the power I'm getting from the wall. One hears a lot of claims, and I could easily spend $400+ if I wanted to (which actually I don't). So I'm asking for general advice along these lines - thanks in advance.
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As far as I know, the only product I know of that protects against a direct lightning strike is a homeowners insurance policy.That is correct. If a company says their SPD will protect your audio equipment from a direct lightning strike I suggest reading the small fine print. Discovery Wonders of Weather Lightning Phenomena. |
Richard Grey, Shunyata, ESP, Marsh (Monster) and The Cable Company all told me that if your house is hit by lightning, it comes in through the ground and they have no way of stopping it. Add to that list Brickwall as well, based on first-hand experience. It did not prevent damage to component. (And scared the crap out of me when it hit!) |
"That is correct. If a company says their SPD will protect your audio equipment from a direct lightning strike I suggest reading the small fine print." Thats a good point too. Making a line conditioner that can't hold up to a lightning strike is not something that a company wants to admit. In defence, though, most of the good companies that offer a guarantee, have a policy in place to back it up. You do have to read the fine print, but its likely that you will be asked to to submit documents like the Dec page of your HO policy, pictures, sales receipts, etc. Basically, they are acting like an insurance company. They're willing to bet that the sale of their conditioners should easily offset any damage to components that they end up paying out. Its a model that does work for them. Personally, the only issue I have with the whole thing is that they should be more upfront about this. Customers may never read the fine print and most retailers will not bring this up during a sale (if they even know). Its very easy to see how a customer can overlook this. |
Hi Zd542. It has been observed that some products have protected against "direct hits". Don't forget that a now old trick is to lift the ground when making conditioning devices as a lot more noise comes in thru the ground than is generally appreciated. MIT did this almost 20 years ago. Cheeers. I think AC treatment will remain a investment for the foreseeable. |
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