PS Power Plant or Alan Maher PE's?

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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If you already have dedicated circuits, you are 80 -90% 'there'. Next, check your AC power at the wall with a cheap volt/ohm meter. If it stays between 120 VAC and 123 VAC throughout the day/evening, you really don't need a regenerator, and you definitely don't want a dynamics-killing filter (power 'conditioner') in front of your amplifier.

If you MUST spend some money, get a balanced power unit for your front end stuff ;-)

And don't fall for the 'surge-protection' scare. All the stuff in your system (I checked ;-) have built-in surge protection for ordinary conditions. If you see thunderstorms headed your way, or you're going on vacation, UNPLUG EVERYTHING FROM THE WALL! That's the only protection you can trust ;-)

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!

Artemus, it's not a great situation you're in, but what can you do? ;-) You have an all solid state system, so in theory, it shouldn't hurt anything to leave it "always on"; all of it, unless it's drawing too much current at idle, but I bet it's roughly two 100W lightbulb's worth for the whole system.

I never got that much into the details of UPS's, not even with my computers, because frankly I haven't had to. So your best source for information is the manufacturer. The trick is knowing what questions to ask;-)

I would first explain that you have an expensive audio system which you'd prefer to leave "always on." That you'd like protection from ordinary surges, but that your real problem is from momentary power outages; specifically the damage that quick power turn on can cause to equipment which hasn't had a chance to fully shut down before restart. And do they have units which address that issue; meaning units which inject full power INSTANTLY so your equipment remains on, whether idling or in use, as if nothing happened? And of course, would there be any affect on sonics, especially when the unit was just in 'standby'?

I wish I could say more, but life is all about asking the right questions, so maybe that will get you started . . .

Neil
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Elvick, I don'tknow what UPS equipment you were using, though I certainly am aware they had (past tense;-) certain shortcomings with respect to AV systems. But times have changed. APC (and probably others) have entered the AV market with products like these http://www.apc.com/products/apcav/index.cfm