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Do I need a line conditioner?


zandern

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I know allitle bit about what they do but are they necessary and do they help? I want to keep expanding my HT system so it sounds and looks awesome. I currently have: Denon 2820 receiver, Denon 270 CD Player, An Aiwa DVD Player (not recommended), 4 head VCR, 27" JVC AV-27D502 TV, Infinity HPS-250 powered sub, and very soon the Klipsch RF3 series speakers. How much should I pay for one? Could someone also please tell me more about them, and what I should look for?

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Well.... Purchased a Monster Cable Power Bar , I was told it was going to make my system sound better. I personally didn't notice any difference, but I do sleep better knowing that I am well proteced in the event the unlikely event of a major power spike. Or what have ya. Also I like the protection warrenty.

Quote from Monster's web site.

quote:

All of Monster's Home Theatre Reference POWERBARs come with $250,000 Monster guaranteed connected equipment protection warranty.

------------------

the m00n system

Should have my R3 system replaced with R7 this weekends>

FRONTS: RF-3II

CENTER: RC-3II

SURROUND: RS-3II

SUB: RSW-12

RECEIVER: Harman Kardon AVR 520

DVD: Toshiba SD 3205 (DD, DTS)

TV: Samsung 27" Flatscreen

COMPUTER: ProMedia 4.1

c>Microsoft XBOXc>

f>

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What I have done is run all of my Pre-amps, processor and other low power equipment off of a regular old computer UPS.

I do not remember the name, but I am using an old larger capacity line conditioner that came out of a old computer room.

IMHO - I use class A amps and Khorns and I do not hear any improvement using power conditioning. It is mainly for protection.

JM

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The idea of having a line conditioner is to remove any "noise" in the powerlines, which could cause the output from your amp/reciever to distort as well as the typical protections from power spikes and such. Whether the sound improvement bit is true or not, I don't know, but at the very least, you do want the protection from power surges and such.

I am still using a Radio Shack Optimus HT line conditioner (the highest-end line conditioner they had at the time) on my setup that I bought back at the time I bought my original HT gear. It works, but I'll eventually upgrade it to something a bit better such as that Monster Power Bar that was mentioned earlier in this thread.

As for the Wisconsin fellows - I am originally from Beloit, WI myself! Go Pack! (although my grandparents where die-hard Bear fans, but my parents - Packers all the way babeeee Smile.gif ).

------------------

Steven Konopa

Fredericksburg, VA

Denon AVR3802

RF-3II (Front)

RC-3II (Center)

RC-3II (Rear)

RS-3II (A surrounds)

Infinity RS2000.5 (B surrounds - recycled)

REL Storm III (Subwoofer 1)

Yamaha YST-SW40 (Subwoofer 2 - recycled)

32 inch Sharp (TV)

JVC XV-S65GD (DVD)

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Running your stereo off a UPS works, but I don't recommend it. CP protectors is such, as well as HT protectors. Depends on what stage 1-5, amount of joules, etc, you want. A lighting strike carries ALOT of wham.

I use the Monster HTPS7000, it does make a difference, regardless of your system, protection is "protection".

I have also noticed a sound change for the better, even upgraded my power cords to PS Audio.

PS. Read your "guarantee" carefully Smile.gif

Klipschorns(f)

Klipsch La Scala's®

Klipsch Hersey II's(boxed)

Klipsch KLFC7©(2nd is boxed)

Klipsch RSW15

Monster HTPS7000 Power Source

TEAC A-4300 Reel to Reel

Pioneer GR777 10 channel EQ

Musical Fidelity XPLS phono preamp

Marantz 6200 turntable

Marantz SR-18EX A\V Receiver

Marantz DV7100 Progressive Scan DVD

Marantz DR6000 CD Recorder

Marantz SD57 Casette

Marantz MV5100 S-VHS

Toshiba 34HF81

All Monster M1000 series for components,MC500 for rears, Kimber Cable 8TC for fronts and also digital(DV7100). PS Audio for power cords.

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One of the main purposes of all line conditioners is to set the voltage at a constant 117 volts ac.(or 120 vac depending upon the brand)

The power company says that 90 to 130 vac is "standard".

The first thing you need to do is put a meter on your ac outlets and see what your voltage is. If you have voltages high or low, I would highly recommend a line conditioner.

As for the "cleaning up the power"...well I can't hear any difference with my Monster Power HTS2500. But, I am sure there are situations where noise can get into ac lines....

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Minn

You are right. Temporary Low voltage (brown outs)are harder on equipment than temporary spikes. Line conditioners only have capasitors to maintain a momentary low. A UPS has a gellcell to maintain it for possibly hours depending on the draw.

I should revise my above post for clerity. I do not run my amps off of a computer UPS at this time, they are running off line conditioners. I do not have a UPS big enough to run my 2 800 Watt monoblocks. I only run my low power components like the preamp, DVD, CD player etc on a UPS.

Boomer - or anybody else. I would like to know why you do not think a computer UPS should be used. I was planning on buying some newer large APC UPS's to plug my amps into. So please enlighten me before I do so!!!

If you live in an older home, or next to an industrial park you will have a lot more spikes and lows than somebody who lives in the subburbs in a newer home with underground power feeds.

And of course - GO PACK.. This will be a good year for them.

JM

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