Happy Holidays to everyone. I have a quick question about power conditioners. I have a Model 950, an Aragon 2004 amp, Acurus 100x3 amp, and a Pioneer DV-54a in an audio rack. I'm purchasing a Monster power conditioner of some sort this weekend and have narrowed my choices to the HTS-1000 and the HTS-2500 MK II.

Other than the HTS-2500 looking cooler (good) and taking up shelf space (bad), are there any real world performance difference between the two or should I just get the HTS-1000 and save the money?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Oops, I got dyslexic for a bit. I meant DV-45a.

From what I can tell of the HTS-1000's manual, only the "HTS-1000 CI" has a remote trigger input for switching outlets from a trigger output (the standard HTS-1000 does not have a trigger). If you can get the HTS-1000 CI, that would allow you to switch both amps on automatically. The HTS-1000 lacks "high current" outlets, however, which are specifically intended for use with a power amp. Monster does have an HTS-2000 CI that is slightly longer than the 1000, offers two high current outlets, and (with the CI option) includes a trigger input. The 2500 has a trigger input and two high current outlets (labeled "timed" because there is a power-up delay built in to them, similar to the delay on the high current outlets on the Panamax MAX5100 and its siblings). Of the three, I'd probably look most closely at the HTS-2000 - it is available with a trigger input, has two more outlets total than even the 2500, and looks to be about $70 cheaper than the 2500.

Excellent advice. Thanks, Gonk. I'll be looking for the HTS-2000 CI.

I own an HTS 3500 MK II and love it. The difference with this unit from the 2500 is +$100.00, a volt meter and 3 stage filtration over 2 stage filtration with the 2500 mk II, if you live in an area with dirty power,it may be worth it. I opted to spend the extra Ben for these features due to being in a dirty power area. You may also want to look at Panamax, they do get a lot of good press on this info board.

Thanks for the advice about 3 stage filtering. I don't think the power here is that bad but I'll try to find out more. I'm sure the salesmen will be completely truthful about it.

My experience with an Aragon 2004 power amp (I own one) is that the sound quality is compromised if you plug it into even a power strip. But try it in your situation to see if it makes a difference to you.

Interesting info about the 2004. I've always had it plugged into a Triplite surge protector. I'll listen for an improvement without the triplite tonight.