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.
doggydaddy
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.
Ptss,

I have attended several Power Quality and Surge Protection seminars over the years. Proper grounding was always mentioned as being the most important. Not once was lifting the ground said to be good for power quality or surge protection. Especially not good for surges caused by near by lightning strikes.

Food for thought.... The electrical service neutral conductor is intentionally connected to earth at the main service. ( The Grounded Conductor)
So much for lifting the ground.

Poor earth grounding and or improper earth grounding is the biggest cause of electronic equipment damage from surges due to near by lightning strikes.
if you shield your equipment with your azz, you will protect it from direct lightning strike.
I've had an Adcom ACE515 since it was new (it's by far the oldest thing in my rig)...my systems have always sounded better with it than without it (I've tested this from time to time...my power amps, one main and one for rarely used outdoor speakers are both in a PS Audio Humbuster III), and I unplug things during thunderstorms when possible (during vacations also of course). The 515 refuses to die...sequencial power up works great, etc. Who knew?
Ptss,

"Hi Zd542. It has been observed that some products have protected against "direct hits"."

Maybe. The question I have, though, is how do you really know is its a direct hit or not? Is there some way to tell?