Are Power Filters Really Necessary?

[Waiterguy]

I am not sure if I really need to spend the extra $100 - $200 on a Panamax or Monster power filter. Is it even neccessary? I have gotten conflicting info as to wether or not it makes a difference. I already have components hooked up to a high end power strip that turns off and stays off till you reset it manually after the slightest surge. I appreciate the help....thanks!

[poogie]

I really believe power filters is necessary. Imagine input power coming in without filter, those tiny electronics and microchips operating in dirty power (fluctuations) causing it to operate more and less efficient wearing down itself. Having power conditioner will give you also the peace of minds.

[bongzilla]

After getting new av equipment, I felt I had to invest couple hundred
to try and keep from getting fried, I live in a area where the power tends to go out during storming.

[Sammy]

I use one, but it didn't cost more than about $30.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by Waiterguy

I am not sure if I really need to spend the extra $100 - $200 on a Panamax or Monster power filter. Is it even neccessary? I have gotten conflicting info as to wether or not it makes a difference. I already have components hooked up to a high end power strip that turns off and stays off till you reset it manually after the slightest surge. I appreciate the help....thanks!

Originally Posted by poogie

I really believe power filters is necessary. Imagine input power coming in without filter, those tiny electronics and microchips operating in dirty power (fluctuations) causing it to operate more and less efficient wearing down itself. Having power conditioner will give you also the peace of minds.

Keep in mind virtually everything in your home theater setup is running the electronics on DC, the power supply in the unit converts the AC into a usable DC power source. Sounds like the OP has a good surge protector which may be all he needs. In my case I have had power surges, brownouts, short power flashes, etc. which really messed up a new TV once so I bought regular computer UPS units to allow the power to remain active even when there are minor power failures. The only big problem with that is during a power outage the clocks run on the UPS timing which is far from perfect and end up being off which affects my DVR programming; normally with a loss of power the DVR clock would run on battery backup and its own timing source which is more accurate than the UPS.

[DonRSD]

i use a regular surge protector

[kingofgrills]

I agree. I cannot blindly say that you would benefit from using a power conditioner vs just a surge surpressor, because I know nothing about your situation. If you have a stable electrical source, that's putting out a constant 120 without dips, spikes, surges, or noise, then you're probably adequately covered.

Unfortunately, my power grid isn't that ideal, and I have experienced all of the symptoms above. Adding the power conditioners to my system, in this case Monster power conditioners, I was able to eliminate noise from the video signal, while lowering the noise floor on the audio side of things.

For me, there was noticable improvement. That doesn't necessarily mean you will experience the same benefits.

[petenad]

I've said this before this coming from an electrician for 30plus years he says not to bother with them. Surge protector yes I have that. Most of the higher end stuff has protection built into their systems. They look fancy though

[Tempest]

Just don't touch the light dim switch if you have a Monster brand one.. we had a guy post a few days ago here that he just touched that and the unit blew up I guess based on that I wouldn't even buy a monster band one if you were in the market for one.

[Lucy Diamond]

Look man, everybody is going to have their own thing and their own experiences, but I can honestly tell you it is very difficult to "fry" solid state equipment. In 33 years, I have neither owned, nor have I ever met someone who owned a piece of consumer audio equipment that was fried after a power surge.

At the very least....buy it dead last.

Unless your rig is all tube or you live in a 3rd world country with ZERO voltage regulation you'll be set.

I have extremely DIRTY power in my home and I've never lost a piece of gear once.

Hell...the lady who lives downstairs from me still uses her stereo rig from the 60's.

[ObiTrentKenobi]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

Look man, everybody is going to have their own thing and their own experiences, but I can honestly tell you it is very difficult to "fry" solid state equipment. In 33 years, I have neither owned, nor have I ever met someone who owned a piece of consumer audio equipment that was fried after a power surge.

At the very least....buy it dead last.

Unless your rig is all tube or you live in a 3rd world country with ZERO voltage regulation you'll be set.

I have extremely DIRTY power in my home and I've never lost a piece of gear once.

Hell...the lady who lives downstairs from me still uses her stereo rig from the 60's.

Umm... i've had 2 tv's blow during a storm... (1 Westinghouse LCD and a Sony Trinitron tube)

the point is that no one is really going to have 120 throughout their house constantly enough to be able to say "i don't have to worry about it". Especially if you have a DLP, the fluctuations are what run down the bulbs the most.

You're best bet is to use a power filter, or unplug everything in your house/apartment when running the tv like microwaves, other tv's, your PC's etc...

When i worked in retail selling computers and home theater, a guy was having bad issues with his LCD flickering... not a lot but noticeable enough to be really annoying, no matter what source he was on. he came in to try out different cables which didn't work, but when he added a power filter was when the flickering stopped. so there ya go.

you may be fine without it... but you might never get into a car accident either, do you not want the insurance for a little extra? 50$ would get you a good enough filter even.

the filters make your components last longer too...they take strain and wear/tear off the processors and etc.

[DBlackGT]

I would say yes, but I do live in an apartment complex and the power is not always the cleanest and most reliable.

[crazyBLUE]

I have peace of mind knowing no matter what happens with the power , The 8G in my HT is SAFE !!!! That is why I have A POWER CONDITIONER !!

[walmat]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

I agree. I cannot blindly say that you would benefit from using a power conditioner vs just a surge surpressor, because I know nothing about your situation. If you have a stable electrical source, that's putting out a constant 120 without dips, spikes, surges, or noise, then you're probably adequately covered.

Unfortunately, my power grid isn't that ideal, and I have experienced all of the symptoms above. Adding the power conditioners to my system, in this case Monster power conditioners, I was able to eliminate noise from the video signal, while lowering the noise floor on the audio side of things.

For me, there was noticable improvement. That doesn't necessarily mean you will experience the same benefits.

To the poster... the above response is absolutely correct. Speaking as an electrician and electrical instructor if your gear is plugged into a dedicated circuit receptacle preferably with an isolated ground and your house/condo etc. has a properly grounded panel AND your electrical service is consistent/clean then filtering is not required. That being said I wired my HT as mentioned and properly bonded my panel to ground and I use only a surge protector. At the least I would recommend a good surge protector and if you've experienced brown outs or power disruptions in the past whether internally caused (vacuum cleaner etc) or externally caused (peak hours on the grid) I would a power conditioner.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

I agree. I cannot blindly say that you would benefit from using a power conditioner vs just a surge surpressor, because I know nothing about your situation. If you have a stable electrical source, that's putting out a constant 120 without dips, spikes, surges, or noise, then you're probably adequately covered.

Unfortunately, my power grid isn't that ideal, and I have experienced all of the symptoms above. Adding the power conditioners to my system, in this case Monster power conditioners, I was able to eliminate noise from the video signal, while lowering the noise floor on the audio side of things.

For me, there was noticable improvement. That doesn't necessarily mean you will experience the same benefits.

I'm in the exact same boat. I live in an old rented house so the wiring is less than perfect. Whenever the heating comes on or the washer switches a cycle the H15 has to boost the signal. Usually it drops by as much as 3 volts. Also the weather around here sucks so that is also a factor. You can buy the H15, which is a very well regarded power conditioner, for right over 100 dollars now.

[Clark Kent]

Anyone interested in power filtration should check out this review of the Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Conditioner, which retails for $3500! The reviewer has some interesting things to say about it.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power...rence-20i.html

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

Anyone interested in power filtration should check out this review of the Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Conditioner, which retails for $3500! The reviewer has some interesting things to say about it.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/power...rence-20i.html

Wow ~ A power conditioner that's 83 lbs. That's 10 lbs. more than my amp !
Sounds like it improved his sound system too..

[naturephoto1]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Wow ~ A power conditioner that's 83 lbs. That's 10 lbs. more than my amp !
Sounds like it improved his sound system too..

Like many things in this hobby, you frequently have to have the right equipment to benefit, see, or hear the improvements offered by adding an expensive or high end component to a system.

Rich

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Just don't touch the light dim switch if you have a Monster brand one.. we had a guy post a few days ago here that he just touched that and the unit blew up I guess based on that I wouldn't even buy a monster band one if you were in the market for one.

Please give me a break. I realize that most members do not like Monster and believe their cables are overpriced. I am not a fan of Monster or any other company, but I hate misinformation.

I bought a Monster Reference Power HTS 5000 in mid or late 1990's for $400+ (I don't remember the exact date & price). It has been on continuously for more than 10 years. I have dimmer switches in my home theater room that I use almost every night. I haven't had any problems with the Power conditioner or the quality of the sound or video.

I am not advocating that you should spend a lot of money to buy Monster or any other power conditioner, but use a reasonable one that you can afford for added protection.

[Travis]

Power conditioner vs. surge protector?

They both provide protection by making sure your stuff doesn't get fried, right?


Conditioner will regulate a steady flow of current with no fluctuatons, right?

Is a conitioner worth it? Or is power in most places stable enough? What about buying new power cords?