Power amps into surge protector/Conditioner or DIRECT to wall? Final verdict?

two things seem key here:
1 SQ
2 device protection

RE SQ

my EXP to date shows some changes will occur to sQ when amps are integrated into a PLC. I’ve only used passive units so far as these seem the least negatively influential on what ever amps sonic qualities.

I’ve used Shunyata, PSA and running Springs passive conds and all with similar but quite varying results. from this small sub section of the arena it does seem the more $$$$ spent on them the less they directly impact the sonics of the system’s components.

often the first noticeable item in how the sound will change revolves around leading edge definition. sometimes its a bit more blunted or eased off. this is not to say these results are unacceptable. they are merely different demonstrations of the musical content.

usually this is a very slight incursion and may well have more to do with the cord supplying the PLC itself as changes here will surely alter how much dynamics are softened or reduced.

albeit, I’ve yet to find a PLC supply PC which totally negates the sonic influence of a PLC.

one should take notice here too, everything plugged into the brand X PLC, active or passive, is being likewise affected. though until one inserts their amps into that fold, does the noticed alterations to the sound become abundantly visible.

on the more ‘plus’ side, the darkening of the back drop may be more desired and a compromise then made.

I can and do go either way on this tact for pre or amps. often choosing to plug only the lower voltage stuff and the pre into a ?? PLC, and not the amps.

that said, all low voltage items do get hooked up! DACs, Disc pllayers, CATV boxes. confusers. streaming units.

screw the phones I’ve got a cell. lol


2 RE protection
at least twice now I’ve had the displeasure of encountering energy surges from lightening. this was true even when the nearby weather was not in full on downpours and quite active.

in fact two of these events saw lightening strike power lines well down the block and it was ONLY the PS Audio passive cond which saved what ever had been occupying its outlets.

the first time ever was a near direct strike on a telephone/power pole near the road's edge and along my property line.

everything went out that time! thankfully, all of the major appliances managed to survive.

PS Audio once apprised of the situation promptly sent along (free of charge) new inserts for the Duets which had been killed.

a big screen tV, a very expensive pre amp line stage, a DAC, ?? were all saved undue near death experiences.

a Krell 250wpc stereo amp survived in spite of not being connected to any passive line cond oddly enough.

all low voltage electronics died. alarm clocks. phones. a Personal Confuser as well bit the bullet and went toes up.

lightening arrives in advance of any rain or douw pours, so when does one unplug everything?

as said in one case, waiting for the sound of thunder was just a tad to late.

yes. unplug it/them all! leaving it plugged in puts all your hopes on one set of contacts or relays to prevent immense electrical surges from crossing over them and sorely afflicting your gear..

what then will one do if they leave the house knowing or ignorant of possible bad weather encroaching the area?

always yank the PC from the wall or device?

what about those bits which their maker says to keep energized all the time?

life abounds with choices… make those which best suit your needs, and saves you aggravation, lost time, and money, when and where ever feasable..

Good luck!

whole house surge protection!

great idea. no question about it.

however, not a solution if one lives in an apartment or condo.

additionally in homes, installing an isolation T former would be a help.

Dedicated lines are a very good idea though these only reduce, and do not eliminate collateral noise. remember all the neutrals and grounds are connected at the service.

installing dedicated lines should then be on the same phase and if possible, a phase different from what is supplying most major appliances. as said, Micros, 'fridges, dish washers, washing machines, etc.

avoiding the lines ovens, dryers, and hot water heaters use is unavoidable as they are sucking off both phases periodically.

several problems solved!

... but then we're back to the reputed grunge living on the incoming power and a consequent need for filtering it out, or at least ameliorating it.

good thread!!

2009 - Duet Features(Courtesy of PS Audio) Real surge protection  Nano Crystalline filters  Common Mode filtering  Differential mode filtering  Unimpeded AC power flow Solid aluminum chassis  Over under voltage protection  Solid copper delivery system  Real
sonic improvements  Best filter performance  Complete surge and spike protection  Low resistance AC path  Superior noise reduction Duet Price: $295 in 2009 and I think ther was a sale that saved an added $50.

the Duet was near an entry level piece from PSA back then.

talk here of the Furman item shows perhaps a better value at itds reputed $180 cost.

i should think by now SOTA has ushered in better specs or developments in the tech being used by PSA and others, but even with what is stated herein these units saved my uh, ‘stuff’ 3 separate times from direct and near by lightening strike incidents.

as well, even an older PSA UPC 200 kept my office PC and associated hardware from going belly up.

perhaps its not any one item of tech (series mode) that saves gear from under or over power line issues and lightening, but an amalgamation of the tech being applied en masse.

BTW… two of these Duets are still in operation ten years later.

maybe too a companies ‘reputation’ says something about its products durability and performance.

if better is abailable and likely there is now, from PSA and others, then certainly investigate it/them as is your opportunity.

I’m sure the next more recent passive PLC I will look at first will be the devices made by PSA based solely on my EXP with them which matters a lot to me.

this is not to say that PSA will end up being the one I buy… but from their service and performance I’ve gotta keep them high on the list, if not first overall.
RE Passive vs Active PLC/filter

I’ve auditioned a number of passive and active power line ‘treatment’ units from the likes of Equitech, Isotech, sahnling, PSA, and Running springs.

not one active/regenerating power cond. did I feel aided the audio presentation. I felt they bleached the sound. removed the wettness, dehydrated the luster of the tones.

only in an all tube arrangement with a tube cDP, line stage and mono amps being all tube formulated did the sQ come off resembling anything close to reality. that unit as I recall was a Chang light speed piece supplying SET monos.

certainly taste plays a part in anything one will keep in their audio system, and this says something more about my tastes perhaps in sonics than what another might percieve from an active regenerating power line cond.

just looking for one partivular bit of tech may be shortsighted, and it may well be a better tact to look at the overall, view like the maker’s rep, especially when attempting to gain both protection and improved audio quality.

why makers use different means to market their devices and not adhere to more common means is exactly that… marketing tactics.

this maker or that one decided quoting their own measurements in one capacity or another ‘sounds’ better… at leasst to them so that is why they account things in proprietary means.

power ratings used to have this same perplexity until RMS came along and makers began quoting watts as RMS instead of Peak, or other fashions.

looks like one will have to reach out to the brand X maker and ask specifically if they will warranty lightening, over and under current/voltage issues, etc., before making a final choice, as the sonic concerns will be plainly evident once it is installed and run in.

Have fun!

@eric>

series mode

it should be obvious SM is not the only and likely not even the primary ‘protector’ tech inside some dual ‘surge and SQ enhancing devices.

as such I’m wondering why it is such an obvious note you feel is of dire importance for any one to acquire in such equipment, lest they be at risk?

albeit in and of itslef it may well be a barrier or defender for high energy issues, its certainly not the ONLY bit of tech keeping higher energy issues from destroying our gear and consequently it is not a MUST HAVE item in the ‘what ever’  chosen device.

sorry,. just saying….

RE Zap Cap for the Sunburn State via Fla Power & light

my local energy resource has the same gizmo. its a one off, once hit it is gone approach. naturally replacing it is the duty of the provider and at no cost to the  consumer.

they afix it to the service pole at the weatherhead or inside the meter box.

for the belt and suspenders tact, why not? however, input here says there are better solutions for those who have private domiciles and the dough to invest into these auxilliary choices.

additionally, it does nothing for instances wherein lightening comes in on Sattelite or CATV COAX cabling.

or for those still enjoying copper line telephones it is no benefit.

 

I chose not to add one onto my service and opted for as I’ve said, an alternative  solution aimed solely at improving SQ…. because it also aided me protection from a few unstable natural weather incidents was purely an Oh, By the Way happy event..

Thankfully.-

FWIW

another quite intriguing idea I’ve not seen mentioned here is the option of getting off the grid entirely via ‘whole house’ Lithium battery power.

this is a trend in new housing developments in Australia, as of course, an option for the prospective owners/buyers of homes in these developments.

it is available now in the U.S. as a refit for existing homes.

apart from the duty cycle to recharge the batteries, homes exist only off the converted DC. likely there is a full wave bridge rectification going on so the DC emmulates AC, just more precisely as outside issues will not influence such a power resource.

BTW… Yikes!  these ain’t cheap but prices annually are decreasing. 

add on solar or wind mills  or goats and treadmills, or water wheels, or a whole bunch of trained squirrels on itty bitty treadmills in parallel of course,

…and one could end up making money off the local power co. especially if some or much of the install is a DIY project, which is as well offered fully or in part due to its overall modularity.

of course the end result here is contained precise steady state voltage when on the batteries, and natural disasters are not being addressed, nor are interior prevailing  electrical annomolies, it serves only to serve up cleaner volts and lower third party provider energy consumption., which for some might be inducement enough.