[drummermitchell]

James  or anybody know how much amperage a regular(nothin fancy)computer would like.
I would think not much,but maybe a 5a Torus would be fine for TWO computers(Wifey+mine).

I picked up a BX-10,I found a place for it  ,my other sub.
Really I Think the computers should have a Torus on them as a couple of years ago my computer got fried(Summerstorm) using a monster conditioner and the music system wasn't touched as she was thank christ,she was all plugged into a Torus(s).
Just would like to know what amperage an average computer would like.(maybe it's not even an amp.Thanks guys.

[Phil A]

I would think a computer and a monitor would consume around 150-175 Watts

[drummermitchell]

Thanks Phil,but as I have only grade 8 ,any idea what that would be in amperage,Thanks.
Wait a minute,isn't a 100w equivelant to an amp.
 ,120=1amp ,man I'm good. So I'll get a small Torus(5a) for the computers .

[Stu Pitt]

I don't mean this the wrong way, but...

Isn't a Torus a bit overkill for a computer?  Unless we're talking the WOPR and a breakdown will put us at Defcon 5.



If you have a very expensive computer and rely on it for your work, sorry for the sarcasm.  Wouldn't a batter backup unit be better?

[drummermitchell]

Hey Stu,not taken,considering what the Monster couldn't do and what the Torus did for my gear,for me, 1000 or a weee bit more for a Torus is worth it considering(at least my computer )cost me 800
Haven't thought of battery back up or use for power.I actually only use my computer for audiocircle,
Cam,audiogon,e-mails,and doing up quotes for contracts(should have put that first) ,I see where my priorities lye.A small torus would almost be the same amount as my basic computer.
To me it's worth it,nothing worse than not being able to use the computer when you want to.
I will check into those battery PS,hmm I'm already getting negative ,changing batteries.
thanks for the heads up on the battery PS.

[JohnnyB]

An APC Battery Backup unit is sufficient for your needs. 

[gerald porzio]

Torus is overkill for your app. Tripplite Isobars will work nicely @ a small fraction of the cost.

[95Dyna]

Hi Drummer,

I'm with Johnny B on this one.  Been using an APC mini UPS for years with the computers and not so much as a blip in the screen the entire time.  I hate to see you waste your money when there is a new Bryston music player coming out that is a must have .

Bill

[drummermitchell]

Hi Bill,a must have,then I must and will have her to .
i did pick up that BX-10 on Audiogon for a Gnote,so I saved 8-900.I suppose fo a sub she's overkill,
but I know she'll be protected.If a 5a comes up,I should be able to pick her up for maybe 4-600.
I guess I'm stuck on the Torus,especially since she saved my system once and that they come up for
about 1/2 price or a 1/3 less.
Overkill(perhaps),but then NO WORRIES+cheap,we'll cheaper.
BX-10 sometime today,now how to hide it from the wife.
So  another 3 paydays before the Bryston player comes out .

[Stu Pitt]

I have two APC UPSs.  One for my computer - if/when the power goes out, it operates on battery power long enough for me to save what I'm doing and shut down everything properly.

This may sound like heresey - but I use one for my stereo - B60, Rega Apollo, Pro-Ject 1Xpression, and Apple TV and DAC.

I live in the Metro NYC area.  Thunderstorms are very common.  My power quality sucks - turn on a Forman grill and the kitchen light dims for a second.  Seriously.  My landlord has had the power company and a few independant electricians access the situation.  Bottom line is the power company is awful.  Everything is safe from a fire hazard standpoint though.

The APC UPS cleans up the signal a bit.  It was better than the Monster unit I tried and returned.  It also does voltage regulation.  The voltage drops every now and again, and the unit beeps once or twice.  Nothing connected has had any electrical damage.

The units each cost me about $150.  I've tried some other audiophile units, and nothing was worth keeping over the APC for the money.  I haven't tried a Torus, nor does it make financial sense at the time (my money would be better spent on a new DAC).  I haven't tried any other product in this price range. 

A lot of people haven't had good experience with computer power conditioners/surge protectors with hifi equipment.  Maybe I got luck and stumbled across the right one.  Maybe I'm deaf.  Who knows?  The only thing I can say is it works very well in my system.

When I buy a house, I'll definitely get a dedicated line for my stereo.  They're cheap enough, and its been a very big improvement in every system I've heard them in.  There's a lot worse ways to spend $200 or so in audio.

It should be noted that my B60 and Apollo are both being repaired as I type this.  To the best of my knowledge, neither has anything to do with electrical quality.  If that changes, I'll update. 

[Phoenix]

The best protection is to plug off any electrical device during a thunderstorm. 

Anyway, if a thunderbolt strucks directly into your house or say within 500 metres, I think even a Torus can't protect your gear. Imagine 20000 - 300000 A and a slew rate of 7000 A/ms ...

[James Tanner]

Anyway, if a thunderbolt strucks directly into your house or say within 500 metres, I think even a Torus can't protect your gear. Imagine 20000 - 300000 A and a slew rate of 7000 A/ms ...

That sounds like the new specs for our 56B power amp

james

[drummermitchell]

James,i'll preorder two,then the termites holding hands will be stressed to their limit .
Guys thanks for turning me on to other alternatives,but just looking at APC,that's not for me.
Just like Bryston is over built as is Torus,that's what I like,built right and is gonna last.
I guess I'm into heavy duty,industrial built ect.Thanks guys for all for the input .

[werd]

The best protection is to plug off any electrical device during a thunderstorm. 

Anyway, if a thunderbolt strucks directly into your house or say within 500 metres, I think even a Torus can't protect your gear. Imagine 20000 - 300000 A and a slew rate of 7000 A/ms ...

It has to ground out through your electrical, but yah. It will fry everything and even toss a couple of components around possibly.

Damage happens far more often when the power is turned back and the power surges. This is where surge protection is useful.

[Phil A]

I have battery back-up UPS' on the main computer and my main back-up computer.  I also will plug a cordless phone into it in the event of a power failure (I do have one corded phone on each level but it's there as there is an open plug for it).  I have a Tripp Lite unit on the main computer and it has a voltage regulator as well.

[Stu Pitt]

The best protection is to plug off any electrical device during a thunderstorm. 

Thanks for that, I wasn't aware 

But seriously, where I live there's little if any warning.  It can be a clear day, then lightning out of no where.  When I'm home its no big deal.  What about while I'm at work?

Now that I think about it...

If stuff is plugged in but not on, can lightning damage it?  I believe it can, but I'd rather have it confirmed by someone like James or anyone else that has some techincal electric knowledge.

James - Is damage caused by lightning covered under your warranty?  Not that I'll stop protecting my gear.

[Phoenix]

Lightning can damage your equipment even when turned off but left plugged in. The bolt "travels" about 1 km from cloud to ground through isolating air - do you think it stops at the few millimetres of air in the on/off switch?

My own experience:

Lightning struck the house of one of our neighbours and really almost everything that was plugged in was destroyed or at least damaged . Not only in my house - the whole street was more or less affected.