Good surge protector?

[davidxiphoid]

Sorry if I posted this in the wrong forum, Mods, please move to correct forum if this is the case.

Hi everyone, need some advice.

Just bought a new Marantz Receiver, recently purchased a Pioneer Kuro. SO now I am looking for a decent Surge protector to keep everything happy.

right now I have this:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Monster+...=1051384462054

but figure I need to upgrade? or do I? looking for advice onthis and anything else I might need. hopefully looking to keep it under $100


thanks in advance.

[bhampton]

I don't see why you would want to upgrade.

I would replace that one but only because it's ugly (what's with the pre-school color theme) and it's a Monster product.

All my Monster stuff is long gone and isn't coming back. It's not bad stuff but I guess I don't like their way of gauging people just for the heck of it.

-Brian

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I don't see why you would want to upgrade.

I would replace that one but only because it's ugly (what's with the pre-school color theme) and it's a Monster product.

All my Monster stuff is long gone and isn't coming back. It's not bad stuff but I guess I don't like their way of gauging people just for the heck of it.

-Brian

I agree. Would never buy Monster stuff now, at least not at retail, but this was purchased about 6 years ago when I was just starting to learn about Home Theater stuff in general. I just keep reading about how people should buy decent surge protectors and power conditioners just to be safe. My neighborhood does have a lot of power outages so Im starting to think It would be a good idea to upgrade.

[ZIPPO]

I would upgrade. The Monster unit you are currently using has a 420 joules rating . According to Monster's website, it retails for $19.95, Best Buy charges $34.99 . Plus it doesn't have Data Protection features .
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=596

These APC units from Vanns.com are a great deal.

753241548.jpg
$49.88

Comparison Specifications

Output Power Capacity: 15-Amp Rating
Main Operations Input Voltage: 92-140 Volts
Input Frequency: 40-70 Hz (Auto Sensing)
Maximum Input/Circuit Breaker Current: 15 Amps
Let-Through Voltage: < 40 V (Exceeds UL 1449 Standard)
Surge Energy Rating: 3060 Joules
Noise Filtering: EMI/RFI Isolated (55 dB Rejection 100 kHz-10 MHz)
Data Protection: Modem/Fax Protection (RJ-11), Cable Modem/Video, Coaxial Video/Cable

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...3241548/apc-c5


has 2 more outlets, a slightly higher surge rating & ethernet protection
753276004.jpg
$99.98

Comparison Specifications

Input power capacity: 15-amp rating
Main operations input voltage: 92-140 volts
Input frequency: 50/60 Hz
Maximum input/circuit breaker current: 15 amps
SurgeArrest instantaneous surge protection
Let-through voltage: < 40 V (exceeds UL 1449 Standard)
Surge Energy Rating: 3400 Joules
Noise filtering: EMI/RFI isolated (55 dB rejection 100kHz-10MHz)
Data protection: modem/fax (RJ-11), 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45), cable modem/video, coaxial video/cabl

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...276004/apc-c10

[bhampton]

Hey,

I actually believe in surge protection and even power conditioning.

I did a look around for something under $100 and didn't see anything yet. I saw stuff similar to what you have for ~$30 and so on.

I have something like what you have now but would like to get a power conditioning unit when I can.

Someone with better experience will likely give you better info soon. Edit -- I see someone already did. I went looking for APC stuff like shown above but didn't see it at first because I guess NewEgg doesn't sell it. That's the kind of stuff I want to get when I update my power protection.

Good Luck,

Brian

[cojake]

I have always trusted Panamax for my surge protection. I have been out of the industry for 5 years now, but when I used to work for Magnolia Hi Fi, we did an A/B comparrison at a training session between a Monster Cable, Panamax and some el cheapo. We tried all sorts of scenerios with over voltage, under voltage, etc and smoke poured out of the Monster and the no name protecter. The Panamax shut off the power output and went into protection until the problem went away every time. Seeing was believing and I was sold. The price point of protecter was about 99 bucks for both the Monster and the panamax. The el cheapo was a 20 dollar unit.

[My_Two_Cents]

I'd get something inexpensive (Panamax is a good choice) to tide you over until the APC AV H15 goes back on sale for $99 again. I bought one during the last sale, and love it.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

I'd get something inexpensive (Panamax is a good choice) to tide you over until the APC AV H15 goes back on sale for $99 again. I bought one during the last sale, and love it.

DITTO!
They only had the silver APC AV H15 on sale because it was being discontinued, sold out very quick.

[PurpleJesus74]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

DITTO!
They only had the silver APC AV H15 on sale because it was being discontinued, sold out very quick.

I got the H10 silver when it was being discontinued as well.I like having it for peace of mind,and to know when i'm getting power spikes or fluctuations,whatever it is when the red light comes on.

[davidxiphoid]

The APC sounds awesome but how often do they go on sale?

How about the APC h10? I have seen some online for around $200.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

The APC sounds awesome but how often do they go on sale?

How about the APC h-10? I have seen some online for abround $200.

They probably won't go on sale again. The stock of the discontinued silver H10's & H15's is sold out. It was one of those deals you have to jump on at the moment . The black H10 & H15 weren't included in the sale, because they weren't being discontinued. I think I paid a $100 for my silver H15.

The APC C5 or the APC C10 are good deals under $100, especially the APC C5.

[davidxiphoid]

Talked to a vanns rep. heres what I am looking at..

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

or this one? This is the one the rep actually suggested as it is the same price as the H15.

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it..._c=site_search

Thinking I could get away with the h10, but for just under a hundred more, might be worth it to get the extra protection? or do you guys think the H10 is more than able?

[Johk]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Thinking I could get away with the h10, but for just under a hundred more, might be worth it to get the extra protection? or do you guys think the H10 is more than able?

I have the H10 but I'm currently only using it for my receiver (being used as a processor), sources and display. I used to have the sub and receiver (before the addition of the external amps and sub) plugged in the H10 but it would shut down if I played movies too loud (since I was exceeding the 1.0 KVA).

So getting the H15 might be worth it if you plan on plugging everything on the unit (depending on the power requirements of your equipment).

[ZIPPO]

I thought your budget was under $100?

The two APC units I recommended offer more protection than the Furman( 1815 joules ) & cost less.

[ZIPPO]

Here's a review for the APC H15: http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/p...st-impressions


This was the reviewer's only concern:
"The only issue I had with the H15 was its interaction with a subwoofer. Some amps are designed such that they will fool the H15 into thinking that it is in a low voltage situation. The H15 will naturally boost the voltage to accommodate. This can blow the fuses on the sub amps which have very tight operational tolerances (provided they have them). I had this happen twice before I discerned it was the H15/sub interaction. From the standpoint of blame - it's hard to find a culprit. The amp is doing what it is supposed to be doing and the H15 is doing its job. My suggestion is to connect the H15 to a subwoofer with caution. Under normal circumstances this shouldn’t be an issue, but if you find a similar experience when you plug your subwoofer into this unit, disconnect it and plug it into a standard surge protector (APC makes plenty of these as well). I would like to note that I had a number of receivers plugged into the H15 without a problem so my issue may be isolated specifically to the subwoofer I was using in this review."

APC's response:
Note from APC
"The problem Tom experienced is probably the sub-woofer drawing a large in-rush of current, causing the line to sag. Some types of AV equipment (Class-A amplifiers, sub-woofers, etc.) have extremely large capacitor banks. If the voltage increases suddenly on these capacitors (when the H15 makes a correction) they demand a large current pulse. Poorly designed equipment has a current limiter that acts only when the equipment is first turned on, or not at all. This is likely the case for this sub-woofer (which is why they designed it with replaceable fuses - any dramatic voltage change after initial turn-on will likely damage the fuse)."

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by ZIPPO

I thought your budget was under $100?

The two APC units I recommended offer more protection than the Furman( 1815 joules ) & cost less.

Originally it was $100 or under, but after research (and too many what if scenarios) I figure if I'm going to get surge protection and power conditioning, I might as well spend some extra coid and do it right once, as opposed to having to possibly upgrade later. so now my budget is $200-$300

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Originally it was $100 or under, but after research (and too many what if scenarios) I figure if I'm going to get surge protection and power conditioning, I might as well spend some extra coid and do it right once, as opposed to having to possibly upgrade later. so now my budget is $200-$300

The APC H15 gives you the best protection in that price range ( 5270 joules @ $280 )
491EE1C8-5056-9170-D3185F521B205C90_pr.jpg



This Tripp Lite unit is in the same spec( 5700 joules ) & price range( $263 ).
31nc5pw7ytL._SS500_.jpg
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000MOS8GW

[westom]

Originally Posted by davidxiphoid

Originally it was $100 or under, but after research (and too many what if scenarios) I figure if I'm going to get surge protection and power conditioning, I might as well spend some extra coid and do it right once, as opposed to having to possibly upgrade later. so now my budget is $200-$300

Why not learn how protection was done 100 years ago. Or why your telco (that suffers about 100 surges with each thunderstorm and no damage) would never spend so much money. Or simply read its numeric specifications. That Monster, Panamax, etc do not even claim protection in numeric specs. Why? Just three damning questions. I have plenty more.

Your telco's switching computer is connected to overheads wires all over town. How often is your town without phone service for four days while they replace their computer? Never? Because they use the solution proven for over 100 years. And not found in any of the protectors others have recommended.

How do hundred of joules inside the protector absorb surges that are hundreds of thousands of joules? How does that little 2 cm part stop what three miles of sky could not? Five damning questions.

Monster Cable has a long reputation selling scams. For example, Monster sold speaker wire with polarity for $70. After all, if you connect the wire backwards, the sound is inferior. Amazing how many people could tell the difference - because so many will believe what they are told to believe. Forget to ask some damning questions.

An effective solution costs about $1 per protected appliance. Only provided by more responsible companies - many of whom you should recognize as such. One 'whole house' protector for everything (including furnace, dishwasher, bathroom GFCIs and smoke detector) does what no plug-in protector even claims. Responsible companies include Intermatic, Leviton, Siemens, Square D, Keison, and General Electric. The Cutler-Hammer solution sells in Lowes for less than $50.

Why does the grocery store sell at $7 the same protector circuit sold by APC, Belkin, or Monster? Why does Monster sell that same protector circuit for $150. Apparently the Monster Cable fancy paint is expensive.

Or we deal with reality. A majority never learn facts. Only believe what they are told to believe. "Surge protector" sound like "surge protection". Therefore it must be same? Of course not. Which is why reliable facilities never waste money on scams - those plug-in protectors.

Did you finally figure out how that protector's few hundred joules absorb hundreds of thousand of joules? When selling a magic box for 25 or 150 times more money, well, don't let you ask such questions.

Effective protection means direct lightning strikes do not even damage the protector (obvious if reading spec numbers provided by those more responsible companies). Effective protection means nobody even knew a surge exists. Nothing new. This has been the well proven solution even 100 years ago. This is required even in munitions dumps - because direct lightning strikes must not cause damage.

After asking five damning question, now learn what the effective solution does. Protection is always about where energy dissipates - which is why more responsible companies sell the effective solution. Learn the well proven science rather than waste $hundreds on a scam. That APC and Monster Cable protetors (same circuit) are scams easily promoted to the naive. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.

[ZIPPO]

I'm not an electrician or an Electrical Engineer, but it makes sense.
Learn something everyday on this site.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by westom

Why not learn how protection was done 100 years ago. Or why your telco (that suffers about 100 surges with each thunderstorm and no damage) would never spend so much money. Or simply read its numeric specifications. That Monster, Panamax, etc do not even claim protection in numeric specs. Why? Just three damning questions. I have plenty more.

Your telco's switching computer is connected to overheads wires all over town. How often is your town without phone service for four days while they replace their computer? Never? Because they use the solution proven for over 100 years. And not found in any of the protectors others have recommended.

How do hundred of joules inside the protector absorb surges that are hundreds of thousands of joules? How does that little 2 cm part stop what three miles of sky could not? Five damning questions.

Monster Cable has a long reputation selling scams. For example, Monster sold speaker wire with polarity for $70. After all, if you connect the wire backwards, the sound is inferior. Amazing how many people could tell the difference - because so many will believe what they are told to believe. Forget to ask some damning questions.

An effective solution costs about $1 per protected appliance. Only provided by more responsible companies - many of whom you should recognize as such. One 'whole house' protector for everything (including furnace, dishwasher, bathroom GFCIs and smoke detector) does what no plug-in protector even claims. Responsible companies include Intermatic, Leviton, Siemens, Square D, Keison, and General Electric. The Cutler-Hammer solution sells in Lowes for less than $50.

Why does the grocery store sell at $7 the same protector circuit sold by APC, Belkin, or Monster? Why does Monster sell that same protector circuit for $150. Apparently the Monster Cable fancy paint is expensive.

Or we deal with reality. A majority never learn facts. Only believe what they are told to believe. "Surge protector" sound like "surge protection". Therefore it must be same? Of course not. Which is why reliable facilities never waste money on scams - those plug-in protectors.

Did you finally figure out how that protector's few hundred joules absorb hundreds of thousand of joules? When selling a magic box for 25 or 150 times more money, well, don't let you ask such questions.

Effective protection means direct lightning strikes do not even damage the protector (obvious if reading spec numbers provided by those more responsible companies). Effective protection means nobody even knew a surge exists. Nothing new. This has been the well proven solution even 100 years ago. This is required even in munitions dumps - because direct lightning strikes must not cause damage.

After asking five damning question, now learn what the effective solution does. Protection is always about where energy dissipates - which is why more responsible companies sell the effective solution. Learn the well proven science rather than waste $hundreds on a scam. That APC and Monster Cable protetors (same circuit) are scams easily promoted to the naive. A protector is only as effective as its earth ground.

So which ones do you recommend?