ACAUS Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 Hi there I am looking for a power strip, ideally with surge protection, for my integrated amp which is quite powerful at 200w into 8ohms. I have tried a couple but with the filtering there is a loss of dynamics, bass depth, and most importantly, midrange warmth. The sound goes noticeably leaner. the amp sounds great plugged into the wall, but I prefer it to be in some sort of strip with surge protection. I don’t see much point in spending say $4000 plus on a conditioner, at that point I may as well take the risk of a surge blowout. Can you recommend recommend anything worth trying? thanks 1
muon* Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 Surge protectors are over rated. Just my view. Best protection is to switch off and unplug from the wall. 7
ACAUS Posted February 12, 2023 Author Posted February 12, 2023 Thanks. Although I prefer to keep the amp in standby mode rather than mechanically switching it on and off. Which may lead to the switch breaking
rantan Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 I would just buy a decent quality "regular" power board and have proper surge protection installed by your electrician at the meter box They are many orders of magnitude more effective in protecting your equipment from storm black/brown outs and lightening strikes for example, which NO power board can ever manage. 4
muon* Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 As above, a whole-house surge protection/suppression device would not cost a lot to have installed in the power box.
MLXXX Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 On 12/02/2023 at 4:06 AM, ACAUS said: I have tried a couple but with the filtering there is a loss of dynamics, bass depth, and most importantly, midrange warmth. The sound goes noticeably leaner. Expand From a technical point of view it is unlikely the signal output by the amplifier changed significantly even though you experienced complex changes in the sound. (Unless the power strips you tried were of a bizarre, non-standard, design.) I'd suggest that you carry out some unsighted random trials [with someone else connecting the amp directly to the wall socket or indirectly through one of the power strips] to ascertain whether either of the filtered power strips your tried makes an audible difference if you don't actually know whether or not it is in use. As members of this forum are aware, it is all too easy to experience a changed sound if you know that something has changed in your system.
rockeater Posted February 12, 2023 Posted February 12, 2023 Mild filtering like Lampizator's Silk Filter should not do much damage to the sound, but if you are still experiencing it, then probably the simplest Bunnings power board will do. They have just a tranzorb across the mains which is not be activated until there is a surge, so they should not impact the sound.
MrBurns84 Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) I use one of these and it worked well for me until i got my switch board update with RCD's for each line installed. I still use it just in case. Like you @ACAUS most filtering boards just take more out of the sound. Edited February 13, 2023 by MrBurns84
muon* Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 On 12/02/2023 at 2:52 PM, MLXXX said: From a technical point of view it is unlikely the signal output by the amplifier changed significantly even though you experienced complex changes in the sound. (Unless the power strips you tried were of a bizarre, non-standard, design.) I'd suggest that you carry out some unsighted random trials [with someone else connecting the amp directly to the wall socket or indirectly through one of the power strips] to ascertain whether either of the filtered power strips your tried makes an audible difference if you don't actually know whether or not it is in use. As members of this forum are aware, it is all too easy to experience a changed sound if you know that something has changed in your system. Expand Yet near 100% of those here have reported similar when using integrated and power amplifiers into Thor Smart Filter Boards. 1
MLXXX Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 On 13/02/2023 at 5:51 AM, muon* said: Yet near 100% of those here have reported similar when using integrated and power amplifiers into Thor Smart Filter Boards. Expand Is that the type the OP used?
muon* Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 (edited) On 13/02/2023 at 5:57 AM, MLXXX said: Is that the type the OP used? Expand No idea, just that from peoples experience some do have a detrimental effect on amps, no doubt some makes may not have this impact. It's not unreasonable to believe that his experience is valid. Edited February 13, 2023 by muon* 1
rocky500 Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 There are the ones from Racklink that are built really well but are quite a bit to buy. I never had much luck plugging any of my Amps into any type of Filtered power board without loosing something to the sound, so have normally gone straight to the wall. A thread here. 1
MLXXX Posted February 13, 2023 Posted February 13, 2023 On 13/02/2023 at 6:00 AM, muon* said: It's not unreasonable to believe that his experience is valid. Expand It's more likely in my opinion that it would have arisen through the knowledge the system had changed. Easy enough to test though, before expending further funds.
ACAUS Posted February 13, 2023 Author Posted February 13, 2023 one of them was the brand mentioned above. I was using the no filter socket. Although that strip still did a better job than another brand’s $900 strip which sounded obviously lean. I will do a final test though at the same time of day and the amp warmed up for the same duration. Never know what that can do. And my friend is visiting later in the week so can verify my findings…I do agree that we expect things to occur when we change things, although it’s generally quite obvious when the music loses its fullness and starts to sound very analytical. 1
soundaudio Posted February 21, 2023 Posted February 21, 2023 You may consider https://www.furutech.com/2020/12/24/20272/
MattyW Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 Have you considered getting the protection on your power circuit upgraded instead with an audio grade switch and Thor DRM95/20 filter? I've found such upgrades worthwhile though I find filtering doesn't hurt my current system. I suspect it's due to a constant power draw with class A amplification vs variable power draw with class AB or D.
Weka Posted February 22, 2023 Posted February 22, 2023 (edited) On 21/02/2023 at 11:20 AM, Godot said: This would work, under $4,000. Expand What a rip-off - those look to be Clipsal/PDL panel sockets that can be bought at the local electrical wholesaler for less than $25.00 each. Certainly not audiophile grade. Is it even certified for sale in Australia? Edited February 22, 2023 by Weka
Triangle Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) You can contact Aaron at Audiophile Store Melbourne . Ask about this one . No loss of dynamics and he has great knowledge of power cables . https://audiophileshop.com.au/collections/advanced-ac-power-managment/products/a-l-a-advanced-audiophile-ac-power-filter-board-black?lshst=collection Edited March 24, 2023 by Triangle
Weka Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 Those power boards shown in the link you provided are chinese made items available from Aliexpress for about $100 - $150 each and are not certified or legal for sale in Australia. The "universal socket" versions especially, are Banned items and illegal to sell or use as the live phase is reversed between AU vs US plugs. I doubt that the options available with "Pure-Copper Deep Cryo Treated Australian 3 pin mains socket's" are indeed so, and would advise proof of such before paying $400 for one. I would also ask for the Certificate of Compliance number which the supplier is legally required to provide when requested. 2
Triangle Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) Thanks Weika for the info. Edited March 24, 2023 by Triangle
Triangle Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) Info from Audiophile Store website Custom proprietary internal circuitry designed and manufactured in Australia. Authorised Australian Dealer! All products offered for sale are imported directly from manufacturer or sourced from an appointed Australian distributor. This means that all products we stock meet Australian standards and are covered by our own 14 day replacement warranty as well as an official manufacturer's warranty. Edited March 15, 2023 by Triangle extra info 1
rocky500 Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) On 15/03/2023 at 11:32 AM, Triangle said: Info from Audiophile Store website Custom proprietary internal circuitry designed and manufactured in Australia. Authorised Australian Dealer! All products offered for sale are imported directly from manufacturer or sourced from an appointed Australian distributor. This means that all products we stock meet Australian standards and are covered by our own 14 day replacement warranty as well as an official manufacturer's warranty. Expand It looks like they get the whole unit in from overseas as it has AC220V printed on it. Looking inside, there is nothing I can see that they would change except maybe the polarity plus of coarse the plugs to Australian ones. Then they have a "option 2" with silver wires for an extra $300. Do not think I would buy one. Edited March 15, 2023 by rocky500
rockeater Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) And this is a vintage Made in Australia product based on Clipsal modules. Manufactured by CoDesign. Sadly, only 3 outlets and a veeery long lead plus all the approval you need. Vintage 1987. When they still did things in Australia and when the guy who made it, signed the QC sticker with his name. Reasonable condition for the age. No filtering, just a reset button which obviously, even then was mandatory. I only opened it, because this thread is getting long and I became curious what's in this power board sitting in the cupboard for years. Should I fit Lampizator's Silk filter inside of it or not? Edited March 15, 2023 by rockeater approvals bit
Weka Posted March 15, 2023 Posted March 15, 2023 (edited) On 15/03/2023 at 11:32 AM, Triangle said: Info from Audiophile Store website Custom proprietary internal circuitry designed and manufactured in Australia. Authorised Australian Dealer! All products offered for sale are imported directly from manufacturer or sourced from an appointed Australian distributor. This means that all products we stock meet Australian standards and are covered by our own 14 day replacement warranty as well as an official manufacturer's warranty. Expand If these electrical products comply with Australian Standards then they will have a Regulatory Compliance Mark (C-tick) or the Compliance/Approval Certificate number embossed or labelled on them. Even the cheapest "Bunnings" power strip has this. Certificate of Compliance/Approval numbers can be verified at: https://equipment.erac.gov.au/Public/ If they do not have the above, then the items are illegal to use or sell in Australia and New Zealand. Edited March 15, 2023 by Weka
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