PS Power Plant or Alan Maher PE's?

If anyone wants to privately throw rocks at me, just send me an email, I don't mind ;-)

Elvick, if a pole transformer blows, it's more like a power outage (than a surge) and the main effect (if your system is actually playing something) is some loud pops out of your speakers as source(s) and preamp shut down (if they're solid state) before the amp does (definitely if it's tube; and sometimes ss also.) About the only thing you can do is put a fuse link on your tweeter/midrange if they're ribbons or delicate domes. The problem is, power outages (in most areas anyway) are usually a surprise, and a surge protector won't help with a sudden voltage DROP. Nor will it likely help when the power returns (big surge time!), so it's best to unplug, and turn stuff off before the power comes back on.

As for the T-storms (we're having one hell of one right now here in Tucson) I just shut down and unplug -- however, in my case it's easy because I have my balanced power unit and my regenerator both plugged into a 4-outlet box on a 10 AWG umbilical from a 20A dedicated circuit, so we're talking just one plug to unplug! My TV and computers can take their chances with surge protectors, but not my "gear", no, no!

BTW, as I posted elsewhere, on Aug. 13th, I'm meeting with Bob Schluter, Pres/CEO of Middle Atlantic Products (who bought Exactpower last year) about re-introducing the line which uses the brilliant (patented) feed-forward regeneration circuit. Hope my charm is working that day!

I'm a big fan of the PS Audio P300, their first regenerator, and have two of them PLUS a Tice Power Block III. Yeah, I have a lot of sources, etc. The P300s are power hogs but after listening extensively on a before/after basis, I wouldn't be without them. And the Tice does wonders for my SET monoblocks, designed and built by a friend, who was pretty much anti-conditioner until he heard them (1) into the wall, even via my dedicated lines and (2) into the Tice.

BTW, don't overlook the effects of power cords. I think they make more difference than ICs and speaker cables, and I used to think this was nonsense. Dave

Dopogue, I have not discounted PC's but I think I should probably start at the source. I have auditioned one big name PC and I couldn't hear any difference at all. That said, I'm still not a naysayer. I used to be until i was forced to put in a dedicated circuit. Then jus for the fun of it, i replaced the std recep with an Arrow Hart (they used to be popular) and whoa. I could hear a difference with each step. I quit making fun of PC's and am at the point where I try not to discount much in the audio realm.

Nsgarch, we regularly have power outages where the power will flash off and back on in a second. It is infuriating but i guess it is the price for living in the mountains. I don't remember this amount of power outage in the flat lands

Artemus_5, it sounds to me like the first thing you should install for your system's protection is an uninterruptable power supply http://www.apc.com/products/ before you worry about anything else.

Fast cycling of (on/off) power can be very destructive to many components. That's because many employ thermistors that prevent current inrush (at first, when cold) and as they warm up, they allow full current to the component. If you cut power (or turn the component off) and then right back on again, the thermistor is still warm and won't prevent possible damage to the component from overcurrent.
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Nsgarch Thanks for your info. I do have a few questions however. How will the apc power supply effect the sound? Would I be better to not leave my amp and sub woofer on? I can't turn off the preamp because it has no on/off switch so that presents a problem,
Nonetheless, I know these interruptions can't be good for equipment. I do have a surge protector (Monster) so maybe it is keeping the equipment safe.