[Early B.]

I owned an UberBUSS several years ago, and it was awesome. The only reason I traded it out is that I needed surge protection since my area often has brownouts.

Question: What sort of surge protection device can be added in front of the UberBuss that does no harm? 

NOTE: I plan to install a whole-house surge protector soon. Is that sufficient, or do I still need surge protection on my audio equipment?

I'm asking these questions because I'd like to reserve another seat on the UberBUSS.

[jmimac351]

I don't mean to be curt, but I would just ask Dave Elledge that question - and then let me know what he says. 

I'll also share this... as I've had / have some expensive stuff plugged in, and we live in Central Florida - the lightning capital of the world, supposedly.  I'm a native Floridian.  Lightning hitting, literally across the street, with instant FLASH and BANG! is "normal".  During the summer, that's about once a summer... a REALLY CLOSE STRIKE that sometimes is usually followed reflexive, fear-based-profanity.   

So, I did some digging and think I learned a few things about "surge protection", which maybe are good, maybe bad...

#1.  The power strips... even the "Belden"... junk.  Pick up your a power strip and shake it.  Hear the rattle?  That's it telling you... "the stuff inside to stop the surge, which sucked to begin with, have now officially done blowed up and it's useless now, time for a new one - You're Welcome".  As I understand it, those are the "MOVs" getting blown up. 

#2... Lookup "ZeroSurge" and "SurgeX".  Read about that tech.  I believe ZeroSurge licensed the tech to "SurgeX", then SurgeX added something that makes it more costly, and thought to not be necessary.  Supposedly, the units can handle 6,000volts and they LOCK DOWN the surge, do not destroy themselves, and are ready for the next one.  I think the 6,000 volt thing comes down the amount of current that can potentially get thru the wire in the home, to the equipment. 

#3... a lot of surge / droop / power issues come from large electric motors on the same line starting up.  They shock the line. People are worried about lightning when they may need to be more concerned about the dryer, fridge compressor, etc. 

#4... "What about CURRENT DELIVERY?".  I have a pair of XA200.5 amps.  160lbs each.  200w Class A.  Mega monsters.  I have them both plugged into an Equi-Tech Model 1.5Q Balanced Power unit.  (I know it's not big enough, but let's see what happens).  That is a 70lbs unit with a HUGE transformer.  It is an expensive unit.  Without getting into "Balanced Power" (because I also can't explain it), when I plugging both of those amps into that Equi-Tech... the nice LED gauge on the front would go from reading ~125V to around 116V.  So, what to even do about that to deliver enough power to them, with surge protection, etc? 

Well, another outlet will be going in, and the issue will eventually be moot anyway as I am going to sell those amps (someone should contact me, if interested).

Also, I bought a used SurgeX that the Equi-Tech is plugged into.  Buy them on eBay or FakeBook marketplace for a fraction of new.  They will last forever and were common in commercial use, so liquidators dump them for pennies on the dollar.

And... I also did this, "talk to people who know more than you."  I called Kent English at Pass Labs and told him what happened and he told me this...

"Just plug the amps into the wall... if one gets hit, we will just fix it.  Stop worrying about it.  In all the years I've been here (decades), that is just not a thing we see problems with". 

Now, that doesn't address the issue of the noise and the benefit from UberBuss, but that was one perspective on "surge", and that's what I've learned about it. 

Unfortunately, dealing with "Surge" and "Clean Power"... not sure how easy it is to do both, the best, at the same time.  Many think ANY surge suppression at all will harm the sound. 

I am currently cycling out of some things, because I have found some other things I like, but one of these UberBUSS and / or something from Shunyata for power conditioning / delivery will absolutely be part of the system.  The guys at Shunyata are extremely technical and high caliber. 

So is Dave Elledge... and there is a really good chance one of his units will have to get bought.

[sonicxtc]

Hey Early B.,

I own three UberBUSSes. Great units.
I'm not an expert, but I believe the Puritan Labs units, e.g. the 156 model will handle what you're seeking. I use one in my home office.

[Early B.]

Hey Early B.,

I own three UberBUSSes. Great units.
I'm not an expert, but I believe the Puritan Labs units, e.g. the 156 model will handle what you're seeking. I use one in my home office.

Yeah, that's exactly what I have now. I replaced the UberBUSS with a Zenwave Audio modded SurgeX, followed by the Puritan Labs 156. All three appeared to be equally good sonically. I prefer the form factor of the Uber, though.   

[Early B.]

I called Kent English at Pass Labs and told him what happened and he told me this...

"Just plug the amps into the wall... if one gets hit, we will just fix it.  Stop worrying about it.  In all the years I've been here (decades), that is just not a thing we see problems with".

That's not a chance I'm willing to take. And I certainly don't agree with plugging amps into the wall if you have a good filter like an UberBUSS to clean the power before it gets amplified without diminishing the dynamics. 

[jmimac351]

Yeah, that's exactly what I have now. I replaced the UberBUSS with a Zenwave Audio modded SurgeX, followed by the Puritan Labs 156. All three appeared to be equally good sonically. I prefer the form factor of the Uber, though.

Interesting you had SurgeX as well.  I think I recall seeing Zenwave Audio modding them as well. 

I dug into that stuff quite a bit and as best I could tell, ZeroSurge and SurgeX were the best options for "surge".  At least in terms of what I was willing to spend on that issue. 

I'll spend more on a lower noise floor. 

I spoke to Dave about this earlier this year (I think), and when I visited Danny, I knew a new unit was coming.  I think Danny mentioned his unit(s) he's had for a long time are very early versions, and this is some 3rd, 4th... it's more advanced than what Danny has used. 

When I spoke to Dave, this was still off in the distance a bit and he briefly said something to the effect... "you just do not know how much noise you have until you hear something that takes it away". 

It can only be experienced.  I completely understand that, and it's not "BS"... I can't really with discuss people what it's like being in a Cup Car with warmed slicks... if they're never experienced it. 

Words just cannot paint the picture well enough.  So... "30 Days..."

[NXSTUDIO-DRUMMER]

Hopefully everyone has good insurance coverage for all your audio equipment.

Multi-layers of protections certainly helps, as some of you have mentioned. A good electrician is beneficial assisting with this type of project too. Most homes can benefit, by having multiple grounding points, to dissappate such extreme energy as lightening strikes.

I had seven tree's in one strike get taken out. Lightening went horizontal across the yard. Burned up the fence. One tree had a 10 foot root ball. It also took out my entire 6 foot stockade fence. The crazy thing, I had my electronics unplugged, yet, I had a arc go between two audio components still. Didn't damage them electronically, but left a burn mark on them. Needless to say, it was a very bad evening.