Power Conditioners: What do you use?

[Keyplayer]

I was wondering what kind of power conditioners you guys use (Equi-tech, Monster, Furman, etc.)? How do I judge the specs between the different models? What should I be looking for?

Also, can anyone tell me if I need an Isolation Transformer AND a Surge Protector (seperate devices) or does a really good IT come with sufficient surge protection?

In other words would I make out better with a Furman IT-1220 plus an AR-1215 or one Equi-tech 2RQ?

[Waylon]

I am a big Equitech fan, any applications that I have needed power conditioning their stuff has allwasy fared best for me.

[EngineEars]

Originally posted by Keyplayer
In other words would I make out better with a Furman IT-1220 plus an AR-1215 or one Equi-tech 2RQ?

As a user of the Furman combo you listed, I can say I've been happy with the improvement it's made to my studio depending on how bad the power was to start with. My studio has been in two different locations since I've purchased the Furman's and the worse the power the better the improvement.

The only negatives I've dealt with is I've blown up (rock show pyro style) two AR-1215's and the circuit on my IT-1220 trips about four times a year. That's not a huge deal considering my power is supplied in southern California and because I have a UPS as well. I wouldn't want to use the IT-1220 alone because it doesn't regulate the voltage at all.

I'm not sure how the Equi-tech stacks up to the Furman, but like you I also would like to know how the new Monster Pro Power units stack up (they also have a power sequencer built in.)

[Macaroni]

How did you blow up the AR-1215s?

I was thinking about getting the new Ar-15 (upgraded version of the AR-1215) for my studio here in LA (San Fernando Valley).


Ron...

[kbjazzman]

For me?...........FURMAN is the one.

[not_so_new]

Lots of threads on this here at Gearslutz so do a search.

For the record I have a Monster Pro Power and I really like it. My wiring is from the 60's and that is about the worst you can get. Older wiring installs in many cases have already been upgraded and newer wiring is much better, 60s wiring is on the edge. Anyway my Monster unit regulates the voltage quite nicely thank you, my converters sound more open and my computers are more stable. Without the Monster unit all my equipment sounds and behaves very poorly.

That said I also use a true always on battery backup unit (learned this from a fellow Gearslut here). There is a name for these types of units but it escapes me at the moment. The idea is a true backup runs on batteries all the time. You plug it into the wall and the wall charges the battery. You plug into the unit on the back side and you are running off the batteries at a constant voltage. This is very cool but the only thing you have to worry about here is some battery backups put out square wave power when on batteries and this can seriously mess with your converters.

I run my UPS and out of that into the Monster unit, nice up side of two surge suppressors and brown out protection. A little more expensive to do it this way but I notice a difference and I have piece of mind.

[GCL]

I've had so many failed Furman power regulation units over the years (with my studio in 3 different locations) that I've given up on the company. I'm also looking for another solution.

And, I have a hard time trusting a company like Monster for anything anymore, especially power regulation. IMO, Monster has hoodwinked the public into buying exorbitantly priced audio cables, and these cables do not match their hype. How do you really know what you are getting when your dealing with Monster products?

[cutyhoney]

ETA is better than Furman....

http://www.etasys.com/index.htm

[not_so_new]

Originally posted by GCL
I've had so many failed Furman power regulation units over the years (with my studio in 3 different locations) that I've given up on the company. I'm also looking for another solution.

And, I have a hard time trusting a company like Monster for anything anymore, especially power regulation. IMO, Monster has hoodwinked the public into buying exorbitantly priced audio cables, and these cables do not match their hype. How do you really know what you are getting when your dealing with Monster products?

I agree but I bought mine for a great price and it is working out very well for me. YMMV but I like mine. For the record I don't like many Monster products either but if something works, well it works, what more could I want. At least they are not Beringer…



As I said I am very happy with it and my UPS tandem, that might not work for other people.

[Macaroni]

ETA is better than Furman...

How so?

[Dr Gruv]

check out surgex! supposed to be the best - government issue - hardened - bullet proof - nuclear proof - studio proof

http://www.surgex.com

********************

[GuruInSpace]

Originally posted by not_so_new
I agree but I bought mine for a great price and it is working out very well for me. YMMV but I like mine. For the record I don't like many Monster products either but if something works, well it works, what more could I want. At least they are not Beringer…



As I said I am very happy with it and my UPS tandem, that might not work for other people.

yes Monster cables are all hype. i will say their power conditioners top anything from Furman.