AC Power: Conditioners versus Synthesizers

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:47 pm

January 28 2003

I would like to take a minute to change the topic about HDTV issues and discuss power conditioners.

I am in the process of looking for a good power conditioner for my home theater system. I have been comparing performance and price between the Panamax Max 5100 to the Monster HTS 3600 and comparing the Panamax Max 5300 to the Monster HTS 5100.

I have not been able to find a great deal of reviews on the web about these products.

I would appreciate some feedback on any of these product models or recommendations on other brands of power conditioners. I would also like to get some feedback from people on how well the audio and video signal has improved in their home theater system by using a power conditioner, or if buying this product is a waste of money.

Anonymous

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:48 pm

A "power conditioner" will filter out any appliance RF noise that arrives at your TV via the power cord. If you have no noisy appliances then you will see no improvement. However you will be protected should any appliance become a problem in the future, and you might not lose reception when you wife runs the can opener.

Most good AV equipment has good filtering built into it. But given the way that RF can jump from wire to wire, additional filtering a few feet from the equipment can yield a small additional improvement.

PP&L

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:49 pm

I agree that is true in the majority of cases. But I felt compelled to buy one since, even though I am an engineer, I have no way of telling if all my equipment is perfectly filtered. Anyone who calls power conditioners a racket is largely justified.

Ken - KQ6QV

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:49 pm

I just returned a new Panamax that was connected to my new Pioneer PRO-530HD RPTV.The line conditioner magnified the signal(its bad parts) rather than cleaning it up or conditioning it.I also now considering a Monster unit.

HDTVRAY

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:50 pm

I had/have a moire problem and Ultimate Electronics, (bless their little sales oriented hearts) actually loaned me a low end, $130.00, Monster line conditioner.

It didn't help the moire but it DID improve the clarity of the picture. So, yes it worked. Not only could I see an improvement, but my wife could it as well.

I returned it the next day. If I'm going to get a power conditioner, I'll get one of those nicer bigger ones, (like the Monster 2600) So I don't want to spend any extra money yet.

I'm not saying that all the hype is all for real, but I did see improvement. I doubt that I would be persuaded by some of the higher level units with timing this and that, and isolated digital from analog, etc, so on, and so forth. Simply cleaning up our dirty power is all I need.

Once I have the money budgeted, I'll investigate the issue again.

Fred

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:50 pm

Ken,

Check out the AC synthesizer from PS Audio - the real McCoy!

Richard Fisher

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:51 pm

Is it possible to describe what types of problems would be solved with a power conditioner? Or is it to broad a topic? In other words, can anybody give a list of issues to look for that could be solved this way? Specific PQ defects? Sound defects? ...Smoke?

Grumpy Bob

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:51 pm

Ps Audio makes some good stuff, as far as my opinion, basic filtering is served well for Video applications, but i wouldn't recommend it for Audio applications. in audio, it can limit the dynamics of your sound. if you have seperate power cord connectors (IEC) for your audio equipment, i would recommend just upgrading to a decent power cord and go directly into the wall. but all in all power conditioners can do you some justice for video applications....

Brian

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:52 pm

Any of the PS Audio AC synthesizers such as the PS300 or other models will give you the truth and a reference. I guarantee the power from your electric company will never be this good. For reference systems they provide a standard that allows me to recreate the same thing in your home using your AC power in some other state. It is awesome!

in audio, it can limit the dynamics of your sound.

Then the dynamics of your sound is limited unless you are referring to high powered amplifiers. But even then PS Audio does make a 1200 watt version so if you can afford it you are covered.

Richard F. Fisher

HDTV Forum · Post by **HDTV Forum** » Sun May 23, 2004 6:52 pm

richard.. you are right i was talking about it with high powered amps... cause as we all know the large PS Audio is out of budget for most of us....

Brian