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
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?
Jea. No argument here. I guess I was talking about 2 issues, sorry .
Zd542 I believe Sound Application has had clients comment and thank them for this. Mind you they have a apparently have a serious mix for protection.
Anyone with experience with the RLS-1?
I just purchased a Torus avr 20. Finally in 20 years of this hobby I have an extreme improvement in sound.
I have owned furutech,hydras ,monster, tice and a few more that were a total waste of money. Torus made me a first time believer in power correction.