power strip recommendations

lcrim · « **on:** 1 Nov 2005, 02:10 pm »

I've run out of places to plug in devices. I have Signal Cables Magic Boxes but I need more connections. I use a Transcendant Sound balanced power transformer but the inexpensive surge protector furnished with it is probably not that acoustically transparent. Does anyone have knowledge of a low cost strip that is benign sound wise. Not looking for surge protection but not averse to it either. A DIY project w/ Bybees doesn't really strike me as cost effective. Any recommendations?
I come up w/ the VansEvers-The Companion which seems cheap enough, anyone familiar w/ this or others?

Doublej · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 04:23 pm »

This one is easy. You want the Wiremold power strip. It's nothing but 9 outlets.

See the second strip in this link.

http://www.naimusa.com/html/faq_articles/faq_2.html

It's available from Gene Rubin audio or Allied Electronics. Allied was about $20 cheaper ($35) when I bought mine.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 04:50 pm »

DoubleJ,

Do you know if there's any difference between the Wiremold L10320 and the L10316 (asides from the fact that one is 9 outlets and the other is 4)? Oddly enough, on Allied, the 4-outlet one is more expensive...

rbrb · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 05:13 pm »

Another good one is this, uses hospital grade plugs and cord...
http://www.hammondmfg.com/1584h.htm

It would be easy to install an IEC connector so you can use the cord of your choice.

Blue Circle makes a conditioner based on this model that is really effective.

Doublej · « **Reply #4 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 05:40 pm »

From the picture on the Allied site it appears that the L10316 has an on off switch. I can't tell if it has a light and I couldn't find it on the Wiremold site to get a different look at it. The L10320 has no lights no switches, just outlets.

BTW since the outlets are not star wired back to the cord there is a recommended order for plugging in your components. According to NAIM, the power amplifier should go into outlet clostest to the cord.

I forgot about the Hammond. The advantage to it is that if you want to swap out the outlets and replace them with different ones you should be able to do it beacuse it's made of duplex outlets whereas the outlets on the Wiremold appear to be the square integrated kind.

dlowman · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 05:41 pm »

Do you guys worrry about power surges or lightning strikes running these power outlets with out protection?

lcrim · « **Reply #6 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 06:42 pm »

dlowman:
The Transcendent Sound balanced power supply, has no MOVs in its circuitry. There is lots of capacitance but nothing to really deal w/ a surge. Transients on the power lines where I live has never been a problem, probably too many transformers between me and the generators.
I don't think that short of unplugging all devices that there is any protection against a direct lightning strike.
So in answer to your question, no.

dlowman · « **Reply #7 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 06:46 pm »

So educate me here a little guys. I know monster makes crap lol .. but what is the difference with going with one of these strips versus the monter cable surge protectors etc you can buy on the market?

Dan

ctviggen · « **Reply #8 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 06:49 pm »

here's another option:

http://vhaudio.com/hotbox.html

Levi · « **Reply #9 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 07:00 pm »

Quote from: dlowman

Do you guys worrry about power surges or lightning strikes running these power outlets with out protection?

Yes. It's a good idea to have a form of protection somewhere down the line.

Phil, I use BlueCircle powerstrip. It has no MOVs that deteriorate overtime. How much are they now?

rbrb · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 07:15 pm »

Quote from: dlowman

So educate me here a little guys. I know monster makes crap lol .. but what is the difference with going with one of these strips versus the monter cable surge protectors etc you can buy on the market?

Dan

A couple of years ago I was on my way home one evening and we had a brown out. The street lights went out for a brief second. I looked over to my buddy that was in the car with me and said to him "luckily I'm protected by Monster Power", I had a HTS5100 at the time.

Moments later when I arrived home I was greeted by my wife who was freaked out. The surge passed through the 5100 to my digital pre/pro and caused it to send out a buzz at full volume. It blew all five of my tweeters. Your never completely safe. Might aswell use something that does not degrade the sound in any way.

PhilNYC · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 07:20 pm »

Quote from: dlowman

Do you guys worrry about power surges or lightning strikes running these power outlets with out protection?

I unplug my gear during lightning storms. As far as power surges, I'm not that worried about them; I've had a fuse blow in my transport because of a surge once, but I just replaced the fuse and everything was fine...

PhilNYC · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 07:21 pm »

Quote from: Doublej

BTW since the outlets are not star wired back to the cord there is a recommended order for plugging in your components. According to NAIM, the power amplifier should go into outlet clostest to the cord. ...

Yep. I actually have the L10320, and I found using the NAIM recommended order for plugging in gear to make a difference (they say to put the most power-drawing component closest to the cord, and the least power-drawing component furthest).

PhilNYC · « **Reply #13 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 07:27 pm »

Quote from: Levi

Phil, I use BlueCircle powerstrip. It has no MOVs that deteriorate overtime. How much are they now?

The base Blue Circle Music Bar retails for $299. It uses a Neutrik 20A Powercon connector for the power cord, and you can upgrade the standard 14awg power cord to a BC61 (additional $100) or a BC62 (additional $200)...

More info here: http://www.bluecircle.com/index.php?menu_id=2722

Doublej · « **Reply #14 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 08:54 pm »

I notice VHAudio also sells the Eichmann power strip which looks remarkablly like the low end Wireworld power strip.

$50 but you'll need to add your own power cord.

electricbear · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Nov 2005, 10:33 pm »

I believe that most of the monstercable products do not really protect from undervoltage. There are a lot of surge protection devices that leave you sol when it comes to brown outs. Most monster products also will not protect you from surges either. If you check the instruction manuals with their products you will find that you are advised to unplug them in the event of electrical storms. I have seen a monster protector burst in to flames when hit with only 220v. Imagine what lightning would do .