Surge Suppressor or Not?


I have an entry-level system (Cambridge 640 cd player, Parasound amp and pre-amp) which I can't really afford to replace if dead so am thinking about surge protection. Monster Power HTS2000 is about $200; Brick Wall PW8R15AUD is about $250. Are these good choices that wouldn't degrade sound unduly? Is there a better option?

I've been told that because amps have large transformers they don't need surge protection. Is that true?
kencalgary
Bob_reynolds from 12-15-08 is incorrect in his statement. BrickWall, Torus Power, and ZeroSurge are licensees of SurgeX not the other way around. SurgeX is the only one with 21st century 3-wire zero let through technology while the other 3 licensees are only allowed to use mid-nineties 2-wire technology.
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Yes. a surge protector is a good idea when lightning strikes. They do not affect the sound. They are easily made with a couple of varistors. Add an EMI filter and you have what most "power protectors" have for about 1/10 of the cost. There have been several articles in the electronics press about building one. A good isolation transformer with balance output is another good idea but not cheap. Plitron transformer site has an article on building one of these.
Er, Fuelie, Bob Reynolds did not say anything wrong. Being a "licensee of" Zero Surge technology (meaning ZS is the licensor) and licensing the technology "from" Zero Surge (meaning ZS is the licensor)is the same thing.
3 wire protection probably means HOT / GROUND / NEUTRAL

The ZS technology is available for 'whole house' protection, which if I lived in a place like Florida would be installed as soon as possible.