Could someone recommend a Surge Protector/Line Conditioner ($200-$300 range) that's pretty decent, if price wasn't a consideration I would probably buy the Surge XS10 but since it is I'm going to have to go with a lesser quality MOV surge protector?

Would you recommend any of these (I believe the APC and Belkin models are a few years old) or feel free to recommend something else:

1. APC H15BLK http://www.amazon.com/APC-H15BLK-1-5kVA-Power-Conditioner/dp/B000FBF08Q/ref=pd_cp_e_2

2. Panamax M4300-PM http://www.amazon.com/Panamax-M4300-PM-9..._1_4?s=electron

3. Belkin PF60 http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-PureAV-Thea...lectronics&

Here's what I have to hook up:
A. DirecTV HR24
B. Direct Tivo
C. Oppo BDP-93
D. Outlaw 990
E. Samsung C8000 Plasma
F. Chiro C-300 (Kinergetics) 3-channel 140W amp
G. Bryston 4BST - 2-channel 250W amp (not sure if I would run this through the surge protector or not)
H. Linksys ethernet switchbox

I have several of the APC H15 models. Really good protection and voltage conditioning. They don't have UPS capability but have an excellent protection capacity. I live in South Florida and it is very lightning prone. I have had the protection circuit kick in many times and I am sure it has saved me more than I paid for it. I got mine on sale at Amazon two years ago for less than $100 each. They are both silver vice black but they are hidden behind cabinet doors so I don't see them. I have all of my gear plugged in to it. It allows me to monitor the power output so I know how much I am pumping out. It provides 1500 watts and it runs all of my gear for each of my systems. On the surface it seems that it won't power all the HT gear at once but very rarely does either of my systems approach max power usage. I have everything connected to it including my satellite inputs.

Thanks XenonMan so you do have your 7500 plugged into it with no problems would I have any trouble plugging both my amps into it?

Do you think the APC H15 model being 2 or 3 years old (along with Belkin PF60) still holds it's own with newer stuff now out there?

Is there anything you don't like about it?

I do have my 7500 plugged in to the APC with no challenges. I run two Magnepan QR-1.6s, a 990, a turntable and an Aperion S-12 sub off it with no problem. Monitoring it a high volume levels doesn't exceed more than 600 watts.

I wouldn't ever have considered doing this in the past but my 58" Samsung Plasma has such a short power cord would it be acceptable (or wise) to run a heavy gauge (12-14) extension cord from it to the APC H15 if I bought it?

If the Samsung's cord is captive, that would be fine. If the cord is detachable, it might be easier to simply get a longer cord for it from someplace like MonoPrice.

Just use an extension cord with equal or greater current carrying capacity. If you have to run it longer than 10 feet I would go one step up in gauge.

Thanks guys I wasn't sure if it was ok to use on a Plasma or not (cord is captive).

I'm also reading good things about the Belkin PF60 although I'm not sure if there's actually any difference between it and the APC H15 so I suppose I shouldn't completely rule it out. Since we have a lot of storms in the midwest just looking for something that can handle the power flickering off and on better.

Gotta watch for sales now on either the APC or Belkin and then pull the trigger!

I have an older Panamax 4300 which is still in use in our bedroom.No problems with it, with or without it I can not see or hear any difference. bascaly it is an exspensive surge protector.
I use a APC J15 UPS on our main system. Battery power kicks on every so often letting us continue to watch TV , or listen to music when we have power outages.This alone make me happy with it. http://www.amazon.com/APC-J15-Theater-Ba...5290&sr=1-1
Does it condition the power leading to better sound /vision ?
I have no idea.
It is worth a look at the APC S 15, it is the big brother of the APC J serries. Amazon has it very very cheap
http://www.amazon.com/APC-S15-900W-Power...5937&sr=1-1

Yeah that's a crazy price on the APC S15 although I'm not too crazy about silver but still worth considering since it has a battery backup.

One thing I don't like about the S15 though is it's rated at 900 watts (continuous) whereas the H15 is rated at 1440 watts (continuous) plus 2 year vs 5 year warranty.

I just tried to get ABT to price match the APC H15BLK from another retailer but they told me that since it was a 2-3 year old model they haven't carried it since 2008.

Is it actually considered a discontinued model even though it's still listed on their website? Why haven't they released a newer model to compete against newer competitor's models?

Because what it does is as good as it gets.

From looking at APC's site, I suspect the S15 and S10 were replaced with the J15 and J10 at some point. The folks still selling S15's and S10's could be selling leftover stock from the final production run or refurbs.

Well I went ahead and asked APC that same question and here's their response:

"hi

i checked with the product manager for this product and i can report the following to you:

The H Type is definitely not being discontinued at this time.

It is a couple years old, but it still outperforms anything we've seen from the competition.

If you look at APC's competition, at the price point of an H Type, you generally get surge protection and EMI/RFI filtering. Nothing more. We offer far greater value as we include surge, EMI/RFI filtering, and Automatic Voltage Regulation. That was true when we introduced the product and is still true today.

In terms of performance, our H15BLK is backed up by a $750,000 Equipment Protection Policy so you can be sure that we stand behind its performance.

Thanks"


Sounds like the 2-year old H15 is still relevant today good deal!

Anybody have experience using a UPS with sine wave output on their audio system? I've been looking at the Cyberpower CP1000PFCLCD or the Tripplite SMART500RT1U. Both advertise real sine wave output, both protect against sag and surge; sounds like either would do. This is for a smallish audio only system, a cd player, tube pre-amp, and a 150 watt per channel amp. Has anybody heard what these might do for this application?
The H15 discussed above looks great, and the Amazon price is nice, but the UPS seems to add some functionality at a lower price. That might be good, if the sound is improved over just a standard surge protector.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

Tom

Recently, and with an APC power strip with coax (cable antenna) in/out, I had a eureka moment. For whatever reason, I've always conveyed a buzz through the speakers with this certain amp (not an Outlaw). The ground loop type buzz occurs only when the Cable service is connected to the TV in which the stereo is also connected. Two houses in two states had the same ground buzz problem and the cable company(s) can't fix it. It's my big amp not shunting this noise. Long ago I found a certain 75 > 300 ohm adapter that contained a resister inside that stopped the buzz. I had the 75 > 300 > 75 ohm adapter(s) in the cable co. box outside the house for best affect. One day I observed my stereo was buzzing and went out to the box... my adapter rig was missing! I went to the Shack and got another but it didn't work... I found the cable company had come to the house, saw my adapter in the chain and took it off. Fortunatly, I was able to get the cable tech to bring it back to me, and that's when I discovered the special nature of the one adapter with a built-in resister. I actually havn't found another like it... until now.

Normally, I keep the signal path a short / clean as possible, but I tried the new APC power strip's coax in/out in the cable TV chain and it stops the buzz even more cleanly than my 300 ohm adapter. Plus I don't have to go from 75 to 300 ohm and back so the TV picture may look better, but that might just be imagining. Apparently, there is a simular resistor inside the APC (eleven outlet) power strip coax section. I have a few different model APC power strips. The white one labeled "Professional" does have the best outlet feel. I use one with the highest joules rating at the power amp and another (previously described) around the TV/AV gear. All have never failed and the Pro one is 14 years old, lights still don't flicker like other brands I've had.

My brother has a PS Audio power strip/line conditioner that is the most substantial block of aluminum I've ever touched. That is one sexy power strip. If $ wern't a factor, I'd be having one of those... as long as it stops the buzz.