Surge protector question

[banned for life]

Just a quick comment -- your uncertain worry may be affecting the perceived sound quality far more than any actual physical change. Our subconscious dramatically affects our perception no matter whether the subject is audio or something else.

You didn't say what equipment was powered by the surge protector, but as a practical matter, there's only 2 or 3 broad areas where it could affect the sound. The first is the surge protector is unable to deliver enough power to supply what's needed by your gear. The second issue would be if it is screwing with the AC waveform or otherwise adding noise to the system. The third is rather a variation of the second, in the sense that having multiple components on the same surge protector is affecting the ground or transmitting interference from one component to another.

Keep in mind that sometimes less noise in a system can be perceived as duller sounding (i.e., reduced highs). In the old days of tone controls (when I sold stereos for a living), probably 99% of customers would always notch up the treble and bass to 1 or 2 o'clock and prefer that to a flat setting. Very few components have tone controls these days, so people often gravitate toward gear with a built-in brighter sound.

I just threw the last item out there as a possible explanation as to why your new surge protector could actually be working better (i.e., greater fidelity, not less) than the old one even though your perception is a reduction in highs.

+1

You would be better concerned with the capacity of the circuit your stereo is attached-to. While surge protectors vary with price and efficacy (avoid any "Monster" product,) changes in fidelity are likely more changed when your amplifier(s) cannot obtain current.

bfl

[Ikabob]

Why avoid Monster?

[Ikabob]

+1

You would be better concerned with the capacity of the circuit your stereo is attached-to. While surge protectors vary with price and efficacy (avoid any "Monster" product,) changes in fidelity are likely more changed when your amplifier(s) cannot obtain current.

bfl

I understand what you are saying. It may be imagination but I think the higher priced surge protector does attenuate the amplifier's current. The result is a dulling of the sound quality, IMHO. So, I have now decided to try the lower priced sp.

Is there a simple SP strip that is made out of very high quality materials?

[toby10]

After several recommendations from several electricians I adopted the "two tier" approach to surge protection as is outlined in this article:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/arti...387874,00.html

1. Whole House Surge Suppression: at the main electric panel (usually $60 to $200 installed depending on which model & type used)
---- 1(a) including a proper 8 foot grounding spike grounding the electric panel itself (you'ld be surprised how many homes have inadequate panel grounding)

2. Device Surge Suppression: basically what is being discussed here, power strips with surge suppression at the location of the electric appliances

The basic idea being that the (properly grounded) panel unit takes the major hits allowing the power strip units to do their job better and last longer.
Using one or the other is better than nothing. Using both is recommended and offers an extra layer of protection.

[toby10]

Monster brand anything is generally considered over hyped & over priced. Certainly with their cables one can buy equal (if not better) build quality cables elsewhere at a fraction of the price, sometimes 1/20th the price. I can only assume the same is true with their surge suppressors, though I have no experience with them myself.

[aubuti]

Monster brand anything is generally considered over hyped & over priced.

+1
Monster also has a history of overly-aggressive and anti-competitive business practices, such as this attempt to intimidate Blue Jeans Cable (which I happen to think is a very respectable brand, unlike Monster): http://www.audioholics.com/news/indu...s-strikes-back

[Mnyb]

+1
Monster also has a history of overly-aggressive and anti-competitive business practices, such as this attempt to intimidate Blue Jeans Cable (which I happen to think is a very respectable brand, unlike Monster): http://www.audioholics.com/news/indu...s-strikes-back

+1 never buy from monster , there is also the monster mini golf case as another example .
They are basically thugs but not a long shot if you already are in the cable scam bussiness .

[Ikabob]

Thank you for the information.



Is there a simple SP strip that is made out of very high quality materials?

[Apesbrain]

Is there a simple SP strip that is made out of very high quality materials?

Two brands I've used for years without issue: Tripp Lite and Panamax.

[guidof]

As an extra layer of protection, when possible unplug everything at the first sign of a storm.

Guido F.