Sosa Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 Hello, another newbie question from me Picking up my speakers tomorrow and wondering if I will need to buy a new power strip for everything? Is a normal one good or do I need one of those heavy duty ones? Also why would you run coax cables through that then to the receiver or tv etc? I can't see spending 100+ on a power strip unless I absolutely need it. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_L Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 It's probably much more important to the profit margin of your local dealer, than it is to the sound and video of your home theater. They are good for some power cable management and a bit of isolation and protection from spikes and noise, but I doubt you'll see or hear a difference at all. My opinion. I'm not a big believer in high priced interconnect cable either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epsilon Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 You can pick up an inexpensive power conditioner that also provides surge suppression and EMI/RFI filtering for under $50. If you're talking about video switching, you only need to run through your receiver if your TV runs out of inputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 the best bang for the buck in low cost surge protectors / power conditioners are the tripplite isobars.... they give you the best filtering for under a $100.... you can usually get them brand new for under $60... depending upon the number of outlets you need.... http://www.tripplite.com/products/suppressors/index.cfm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 3, 2005 Share Posted February 3, 2005 tripplite is great i havea tripplite voltage regulator and filter and its awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sosa Posted February 3, 2005 Author Share Posted February 3, 2005 so should I not plug everything into a couple of normal ones? Not a good idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 ok well first lets cover a few basics about surge protectors 1. The amount of joules - that is the amount of "surge" that a given protector can handle. The higher the number the better, but here is the kicker... The amount of clamping voltage is really the number to look at and that number is often not advertised. That number is much more accurate as to how many joules it can really handle. For all simplicity we will say there are 2 types of "clamps" that can be used, ones that absorb and surpress and those that will allow the power to pass. Basically the cheap ones will let it pass because cheaper clamps cna only surpress power when it is moving "slower" and nicer ones can handle "faster" moving current and will surpress the power more. Also after any surge the clamps in the protector become weakened and therefore the cheap ones won't be able to handle long term surges. (if i have the time i will find some literature to post that can explain this all better than i can) 2. AC regulation - this will keep your power at a "perfect" 120 volts AC at 60 hz, but it will not filter it 3. Power filtration - i'll get back to this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meuge Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 There are 3 important characteristics of good power for audio equipment: 1. Protection from surges 2. Capability to let the entire 15 or 20 amps through 3. Cleaning and filtering of the power The first 2 are critical, and the 3rd is optional, but better. Cheap power bars don't do any of the 3. Tripplite isobars are great for the 1 and 2, and do a little bit of the 3 -> they are very good at isolating components from each other. More expensive stuff, like Furman or (eww) Monster HTS2500 or above do all 3 to various degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 do a search on this forum for "surge" and "power conditioning".... there have been some excellent discussions on the subject! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodger Posted February 4, 2005 Share Posted February 4, 2005 If you don't have, or don't want to spend the money for A power Conditioner, buy two Tripp-Lite Isobars. If you are in an are of the country that has frequent lightning or brown-out, the line conditioner is best. In either case save your receipt and receipts for any Component purchase. Good Luck and Welcome. dodger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksdad Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 well you have thousands of dollars of audio equipment, ask yourself a question? does it make sense to protect it with 10 dollars worth of wallmart no working power strip, a good power strip couls save you mmany many problems in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksdad Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 i just reread a few of the posts in this thread, and i am surprised that a person can think they can get get good protection for 50 bucks, especially when power conditioning is included, spikes and poor power from your local power company will eat up your equipment, so if a false illusion of budget over quality gets you going than you go boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverSport Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 I picked up a Panamax MAXX 5100 for about $220 delivered...retail is $345 so I thought this was pretty good...I was wary about spending this kind of money but agreed with the "thousands dollars in equipment and you wanna protect it with something better than a $12 strip...) Just my .02 Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sosa Posted February 5, 2005 Author Share Posted February 5, 2005 Thanks for all the replies, I will def be picking something up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Istari Posted February 5, 2005 Share Posted February 5, 2005 Silversport, Where did you pick up the Panamax 5100? I have a 1000 that I have had since 97. I'd like to get something a bit better and for a new system. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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