[mix4fix]

Any thoughts on budget power strips/conditioners/protectors?

[rollo]

  Save your money. Just change out receptacles at wall with better ones. If you require more outlets then make your own with same receptacles and plug that box into the wall. Make sure the one outlet you use has enough amperage to handle ALL your components. If all fails Pangea again.

charles

[Emil]

Is this within your budget?

Supra makes nice stuff at a fair price IMHO


https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159465.msg1702844;topicseen#new

[mg8]

Not greatly inexpensive but great value: Blue Circle FX-2

https://www.tlp-audio.com/powerConditioners.php

[mick wolfe]

Is this within your budget?

Supra makes nice stuff at a fair price IMHO


https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=159465.msg1702844;topicseen#new

I have to agree. Very nice power strip for the money.

[Letitroll98]

Not greatly inexpensive but great value: Blue Circle FX-2

https://www.tlp-audio.com/powerConditioners.php

Not quite C&C, even the Thingy is way over what would be allowed for accessories.  But I have heard good things about them, the op can certainly just buy one.  Posting guidelines forbid anything but diy unless something is really bargain basement with cables, so I've kinda gone with that for any cable related accessories.  A soft number might be $100 or less for something like this, as usual we don't care much about small violations that make sense.

Separately, although used seems attractive, at this level surge protectors use MOVs that lose effectiveness with every surge.  Either buy new or follow the advice of members here and simply use good outlets.  If you need protection something like this would be sufficient:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Furman/SS-6B-Surge-Block-1273888004990.gc?pfm=item_page.rrt1|CategorySiloedViewCP

[Speedskater]

Use metal outlet strips from large commercial manufactures. Cheap plastic ones can get exciting when something bad happens.
Make sure that they have been 'UL' tested.

The problems with MOVs are highly exaggerated. If you are really worried, just replace the strips every decade.

[Doublej]

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=144678.msg1573459#msg1573459


You could build your own using less exotic materials than this design.

https://www.vhaudio.com/hotbox.html

Or you can just buy a commercial power strip and swap out the outlets to something of your liking and/or remove the power switch as interested.

https://www.tripplite.com/waber-by-tripp-lite-6-outlet-75.9mm-center-spacing-industrial-power-strip-6-ft-cord~6NX6

[Speedskater]

Yes a brand like Tripplite (Waber) is an excellent choice.
For a DIY box:



That's not the correct cable clamp.

[pinkfloyd4ever]

I've had good luck with the iFi AC iPurifier in conjunction with a relatively cheap power strip. Look for a used one to be even more C&C, and a nice power strip like a Tripp-Lite Isobar may be better than an el cheapo one like I have

[Johnny2Bad]

https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=144678.msg1573459#msg1573459


You could build your own using less exotic materials than this design.

https://www.vhaudio.com/hotbox.html

Or you can just buy a commercial power strip and swap out the outlets to something of your liking and/or remove the power switch as interested.

https://www.tripplite.com/waber-by-tripp-lite-6-outlet-75.9mm-center-spacing-industrial-power-strip-6-ft-cord~6NX6

Just curious, have you ever popped the cover of those outlet strips? The reason I ask is because I have done so with the Tripp-Lite Iso-Bar products (which I think are excellent and for a 2-outlet unit, is about $40, 6 and 8-outlet types are still under $100) and they use outlets that don't have screw terminals, but instead straight wire ones that are difficult to remove.* Basically the associated parts for the outlet bar are mated to the outlets in such a way that you cannot remove the outlet to make a swap or upgrade to the outlet due to no way to "get in there" to disconnect the OEM outlets (the connections to the outlet are almost in the middle of the back of the outlet). Although they are not soldered directly to a PCB, they are effectively "equivalent to soldered" directly to the PCB.

Maybe those outlet strips just use plain wire, which might make it easier. But it's a bear to try it with the Iso-Bar suppressors (which have noise filtering along with surge suppression).

One other issue with that approach, if it's doable, is you have to insure you get something with conventional "oval" outlet profiles; many are "decora" type or snap-on, and you won't find suitable upgrade outlets in the non-oval form factor, or at least not many and not as inexpensive as typical "hospital grade" outlets like an 8200 series. Not impossible to deal with, but the old style shaped outlets are becoming less common on commercial power strips and seem slated to be discontinued going forward.

If you do decide to try an Iso-Bar unit, note that new ones are decora (square) types, you have to search for used ones to find the old-style oval outlets.

* You can't blame them, this type of outlet is less expensive than one incorporating screw terminals (or both, which is quite common these days), and easier to deal with in manufacturing.

[ohenry]

Emotiva makes a decent power strip and isn't crazy money for what you receive.  I watch for specials and grab one or two when a sale happens.

[walkern]

Madisound has the above mentioned Supra Cables strip on sale for $79 (retail is $260).  At that price it may be tough to beat.

https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/power-cables/supra-mains-power-distribution-block-md06-us/

Best of luck.

Neil

[sturgus]

Not bad for under a C-note. I used one for all my sources and Pre-amps for many years. A very good buy.
https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-12-Outlet-Rack-Mount-ISOBAR12ULTRA/dp/B0000512D3/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1535876342&sr=1-17&keywords=tripp+lite+isobar+ultra

For my amps I use a Topaz isolation transformer, somewhat like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/i/292703016487?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Da69531c4bb4549a28670c2d926097ed3%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D311661692480%26itm%3D292703016487

[Letitroll98]

For my amps I use a Topaz isolation transformer, somewhat like this one.
https://www.ebay.com/i/292703016487?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Da69531c4bb4549a28670c2d926097ed3%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D6%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D311661692480%26itm%3D292703016487

I use one of these for my digital components, I understood the best use of an iso transformer was for that.  I suppose there's no hard and fast rule.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I needed another surge suppressor and just ordered a 6 outlet Tripp lite Isobar Ultra.  Seems decent for the price and has a$50K equipment protection, although I bet it would be hard to collect if something did happen.

[Wayner]

I also have several Tripp-Lite boxes here. However, I'm more then happy with low cost strips that you can get at ACE or Menards. Just make sure the cord is 14 ga.

[Goosepond]

I'm thinking about buying a tube amp that has no ON/OFF switch. So all I need is something simple that also has a switch. I think the Tripp-Lite 2 outlet on Amazon will do nicely.

Gene

[sturgus]

I use one of these for my digital components, I understood the best use of an iso transformer was for that.  I suppose there's no hard and fast rule.

I used to plug my amps into the wall. When I plugged them into the Topaz there was a drop in the noise floor. As far as Digital I also have all my sources plugged into Balanced Power Technology unit. This was another reduction in noise.

[mix4fix]

https://www.tripplite.com/isolator-series-120v-1000w-isolation-transformer-based-power-conditioner-4-outlets~IS1000/

Got the hookup on this.