Power conditioner

[leog2010]

I`m placing my order for one XPA-2 and one XPA-5.
Can you help me decide which power conditioner should I get?

[carlp336]

belkin pf60

[monkumonku]

Nov 1, 2010 14:55:43 GMT -5 leog2010 said:

I`m placing my order for one XPA-2 and one XPA-5.
Can you help me decide which power conditioner should I get?

Emotiva recommends you plug them directly into the wall.

I have my XPA-2 and XPA-3 plugged in directly and have not had any problems. For everything else I am using the TrippLite UPS units sold by Costco and they have worked fine.

[tjf120]

This probably falls into a pretty good debate area.....but here are my thoughts.....

Re Emotiva recommendation - I emailed Lonnie about it, basically, the XPA's have internal fuses, so if there is a surge, those will go. The issue with power conditioners, is that they may not provide the 'dynamics' required of say an XPA-5/2/1 requirement. Having said that, I bought 3 XPA-1's and wanted to know my current draw to know if I would overload my breaker. My power conditioner has an amp reading output, I watched a couple movies with the 3 XPA-1s plugged in, and noticed no 'lag' when going from quite to loud scenes. Never got above 10 amps. I'm not sure if that would be the same with music sources. I since direct plug the 3 XPA-1's into the wall after noting that I wasn't drawing more than 15 amps with everything plugged into the power conditioner. Haven't tripped a breaker yet.

Soooo, I own a Belkin and Monster Power conditioner. If you google Belkin, and 'faked reviews' you can find some shady things, ie, Belkin paying for positive reviews for equipment. I know Monster is overpriced, but if you can find it for say 50% off, its comparable to other products I've found.

news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10145399-92.html

So, I'd recommend this one
www.onecall.com/product/Monster-Cable/HTS-5100-MKII-Reference/Surge-Supressor/_/R-29473

[roadrunner]

This question has come up several times over the past two years. Each time Lonnie has posted that the Emotiva amps already have all the protection circuits built-in and that you do not gain anything from using a power conditioner with them. However, Lonnie say you can lose the dynamic response of the amplifier by using the power conditioners. Note that this has nothing to do with tripping your circuit breakers; and, it will not damage your amp by using the power conditioners.

Lonnie designed these amps and knows them intimately. He is simply telling you that you risk degrading the amps dynamic response. Why pay good money for high quality sound and then ignore the designer of the amp when he cautions you that using these devices can result in compromising its ability to reproduce quality sound. Lonnie always recommends that you connect directly to your wall outlets or a high current extension cord.

Using power conditioner with your other components is a good idea and is generally recommended. Having a clean, stable electrical signal to your source gear can help ensure they function at their optimal design level. Most power conditioners also come with good surge protection which most source components can benefit from. Just remember that the Emotiva amps do NOT need either of these as they are already part of their design.

[virtualpj]

Nov 1, 2010 16:14:21 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Why pay good money for high quality sound and then ignore the designer of the amp when he cautions you that using these devices can result in compromising its ability to reproduce quality sound.

Because not all of us have a bank of 6 or more 20-amp outlets conveniently positioned near our gear.

Yes, this has be discussed ad infinitum, but I'll reiterate my response again: I have both of mine plugged into my APC H15 and they sound pretty damn great. I've noticed no change compared to a previous residence when I had my (then) only amp plugged into the wall.

[roadrunner]

Nov 1, 2010 16:53:18 GMT -5 virtualpj said:

Nov 1, 2010 16:14:21 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Why pay good money for high quality sound and then ignore the designer of the amp when he cautions you that using these devices can result in compromising its ability to reproduce quality sound.

Because not all of us have a bank of 6 or more 20-amp outlets conveniently positioned near our gear. Yes, this has be discussed ad infinitum, but I'll reiterate my response again: I have both of mine plugged into my APC H15 and they sound pretty damn great. I've noticed no change compared to a previous residence when I had my (then) only amp plugged into the wall.

The reason I posted to "use wall outlets OR heavy duty extension cords" is for people such as you. There is no problem using multi-outlet extension cords if you don't have enough wall outlets by your gear. ;D

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2010 16:14:21 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Lonnie designed these amps and knows them intimately.

I'm not going to touch that with my 10" pole! ;D





I bought the Furman Elite 15 DMi for my other components (other than amps) because of its reported excellent quality and its blue lights are such a great match with my Emo blue lights. ;D (available for about $350 shipped at Advanced Lamps)

www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=02&id=ELITE-15DMi

[ajani]

Here's my thought on the question:

IF

1) You have the socket space to plug the amps directly into the wall

&

2) You are willing to replace the internal fuses when they blow

then YES you should avoid using a surge guard (power conditioner/ whatever)...

I had my XPA-2 plugged directly into the wall and a thunderstorm killed 2 of the 3 fuses... Since I live in Jamaica, it meant ordering them from overseas (luckily they were cheap so I bought a pack of 25)... Also just unscrewing the trap door under the amp, to access the fuses, was a major pain in the @$$ (2 of the 8 screws wouldn't budge + moving the amp from the rack and turning it on its side is a real workout)...

So for now I have the XPA-2 plugged into a surge guard, and I'm not sure I'll plug it back into the wall anytime soon...

[monkumonku]

Nov 1, 2010 17:41:31 GMT -5 @chuckienut said:

Nov 1, 2010 16:14:21 GMT -5 roadrunner said:

Lonnie designed these amps and knows them intimately.

I'm not going to touch that with my 10" pole! ;D

Why not? Maybe you could use a firmware upgrade... ;D

[Deleted]

I'd recommend the Belkin FP60. It does the job in my case. but I also got it for a great deal. I wouldn't pay full price.

[Deleted]

Thanks, but my thingee's working just fine right now and I have excellent dimensionality.

[thepcguy]

ABS (PCV?) pipe and...

What is this thingee? ;D

Actually, "cutting back on the cosmetics" is a bit of an understatement. These components are housed in sections of black ABS pipe, and most of their internal parts are held in place in a solid matrix of silicone. On the outside are a couple of stickers: the Blue Circle logo and the serial and model numbers, the latter two handwritten. That’s it.

[garret3037s]

leog2010, if you believe there are power line noise from your wall outlet, you should try some power products...
I've been using PureAV power conditioner for many years...honestly, I don't hear any difference. But, I think it saved my gears for few times when i got lighting hit and power lost.
I switch to use Psaudio Duet Power Center about a year ago. I'm really happy I switch to this product.
Go try something yourself. At the end of the day, you are the one to make the final decision.

[Deleted]

Nov 1, 2010 18:46:17 GMT -5 @n8dogg said:

I'd recommend the Belkin FP60. It does the job in my case. but I also got it for a great deal. I wouldn't pay full price.

I should also note, I do not plug my amps into it. I have 20A plugs for them, I did try them plugged into it though and there was no noticeable difference in sound.

[hemster]

I've tried my amps plugged directly into the wall as well as into my APC H-15. Couldn't tell the difference in SQ.

As we have wild swings in the power here in FL I've left the amps connected into the APC. So far, no issues.

[Vermont99]

I have my XPA-5 plugged directly into the wall as per Lonnie; I also will be plugging my new XPA-1’s directly into the wall. I also have installed whole house serge protectors on my main 200Amp Panels they are very easy to install and add protection to the whole house. I picked them up a Home Depot years ago they work great. I have not lost and electronic or heating and cooling circuit boards since I started using them (I would recommend these when I would install HVAC equipment with electronic controls). I also use separate serge protectors where needed.

[garret3037s]

thanks wbedford, this is a great post.

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2010 12:52:18 GMT -5 wbedford said:

Power conditioning is a hot topic on many audio forums. Without a doubt the best series of threads I have ever read about power line noise are here:

www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71333

AC line cleansing, power cords and outlets do impart audible effects in A/V systems. The author of the above thread proves it with visuals and real world test scenarios. Whether you believe in these types of benefits or not, I'm sure you will find the thread an interesting read.

For me, going from a very respectable conditioning unit like the Belikin PF60 to the PLC Thingee FX2 was equivalent of upgrading SD to HD TV.

I dunno man, that's a REALLY lofty claim....... I've used this for a week on loan from my brother in law :http://www.richardgrayspowercompany.com/products.aspx?type=parallel and there was not a spec of difference between that and the monster hts1600 I was using at the time. Richard Gray is one of the higher end power conditioner companys out there. I just can't seeing this making any difference what so ever. The only reason I run these conditioners is for the serge protection and a good place to plug everything in.

I just can buy into it, sorry. I does look kinda neat though

[cavchameleon]

Interesting thread. I use a Belkin PF60. Not really for filtering, but for surges which we get a LOT here (lots of thunder storms and brownouts). I even have whole house surge on the service end to take the first his. I have to admit though, one of the benefits of the unit that I like the most is sequential turn on. Max amps of all my equipment used so far has only been 10 amps, so I don't feel that I'm 'choking' the amps ability, at least not yet. Sounds awesome IMO.