Power conditioner shootout.

[Skynut]

So I have a Panamax 5510 (http://www.panamax.com/products.cfm?sec=detail&id=117&ly=h)I have been using and I bought a Belkin PureAV PF-60 (http://www.thetwistergroup.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=AP41300-12%20D21914&source=fr) on sale and decided to compare them.

I hooked them up to my system for the electronics only. IE: DVD player, DLP, Pro, Sat, and XM rcvr.
The amps for my subs and my Sherbourn 7 channel all go through a pair of PSAudio upc 200's (http://www.psaudio.com/products/upc200.asp). (F1nuts recomendation, thanks)

They sounded the same to me, but I do not have a golden ear.
I like the weight and build quality of the Panamax better than the PF-60, but the PF-60 has a much beefier power cord.
I like the looks of the Panamax better also, it is black like all my other equipment and I like the analog meters.
The PF-60 has the digital display on the front but it can not be turned off, just down and up.

I noticed with the PF-60 that the voltage display is always changing, it ranged from 121.5 to 124.9 during the few days it was in place, I took this to mean it did no voltage regulating.
My Panamax is pretty steady at 120 on the meter.
The Panamax also claims to have Balanced power which is how I use it.

I can not really say if one did it's job better than the other but I decided to use the Panamax in the main rig and the PF-60 will go to the bedroom.

I just like the Panamax build quality and appearance better than the PF-60.

As for the PSAudio UPC-200's are well built units that are no frills.
Just a power cord going in and four comming out with a little light in front to let you know it is plugged in.
I figure my ears will not hear a difference between the Panamax and the PSAudio UPC-200 so it is really not worth it to try and switch them out.

On a final note:
At one point I had everything plugged into my Panamax and noticed it robbed the bass from my powered subs. It robbed them so much it caused me to go to the trouble of trying different approaches to power protection.
Now I have the PSAudio's on my amps and the system sounds great.

I am going to try and create a system showcase tonight so you all can see how my system is set up.

Hope this is/was informative for someone.

[zombie boy 2000]

Excellent write-up Sky.....

I think the PureAv looks spiffy btw

[Skynut]

Thanks zombie.

I realized I should mention that the PureAV allows the user to select any of outlets to be switched and or delayed turn on. This is a nice feature for configuring your system the way you like.
The Panamax has four switched outlets (if I remember) and they can be set for switched/delayed.
Both the Panamax and the PF-60 are 12v triggered if you want but the PSAudio's are just on.

[F1nut]

You're welcome!

[audiobliss]

Yes, that was beneficial. Power conditioning/protection is something that has been on my mind for a while. It seems as the the PSAudio units really are the only thing to have on your amps. Do you have your sub connected to the PSAudio units, too? If so, has their output level returned to their previous level/authority?

I agree that the Panamax looks a little more professional, but just by a little bit. I see the Belkin cost just under $200; what does the Panamax run? Do you think I would be satisfied running my CDP, Pre, and later a tuner and cassette player off the Belkin?

Thanks!

[crazy]

Skynut - thank you for the write-up. Extremely helpful. The Panamax 5510 seems to cost over $1K. Is that right?

I checked out the Belkin at Best Buy - its a beast!

It would be great to get a comparision between the Belkin and Monster power conditioners.

The Monster HTS 3600 is highly rated but is also a little more expensive at around $400.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AYDQB6/sr=8-3/qid=1150414155/ref=pd_bbs_3/002-9784805-6504065?%5Fencoding=UTF8

The Monster HTS 3500 on the other hand is only $150, cheaper than the Belkin and seems to do the job. I wonder how this compares to the Belkin.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Y2ZF/sr=8-1/qid=1150414155/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9784805-6504065?%5Fencoding=UTF8

It has an awesome blue light on the dial - makes it look almost like a MacIntosh gear :)

[dbournival]

I have found that power conditioning products seem to rob the subwoofer(s) of power, has anyone else noticed this? With my basement system I have the sub(s) directly into the wall now and they sound better, even my 12 year old could tell the difference without me prompting her.

I have only used the block style (as opposed to rack) from AR, Monster and RCA however.

[Skynut]

Yes, that was beneficial. Power conditioning/protection is something that has been on my mind for a while. It seems as the the PSAudio units really are the only thing to have on your amps. Do you have your sub connected to the PSAudio units, too? If so, has their output level returned to their previous level/authority?

I agree that the Panamax looks a little more professional, but just by a little bit. I see the Belkin cost just under $200; what does the Panamax run? Do you think I would be satisfied running my CDP, Pre, and later a tuner and cassette player off the Belkin?

Thanks!

WHen I went from the wall to the PSAudio units I did not notice any loss of power.
The PSAudios power all the speaker amps as well as the sub and Sherbourn.

I bought the Panamax from a gray vendor for a little over $800.00.


And yes I think the Belkin would do good for everything low amperage.
I am going to open it up and look inside to see how well the circuits are seperated, I did this with the Panamax and was happy with the internal build quality.

[audiobliss]

Skynut, thanks for your thoughts.

[Sweeeezle]

I have found that power conditioning products seem to rob the subwoofer(s) of power, has anyone else noticed this? With my basement system I have the sub(s) directly into the wall now and they sound better, even my 12 year old could tell the difference without me prompting her.

I have only used the block style (as opposed to rack) from AR, Monster and RCA however.



Hmmmmmm I have the 3500 mkII I havent done any testing on that theory but when my new SVSPB10 arrives on the 21st I may see if I can tell a difference. Which subs specifically are you referring to?

[audiobliss]

Hmmmmmm I have the 3500 mkII I havent done any testing on that theory but when my new SVSPB10 arrives on the 21st I may see if I can tell a difference. Which subs specifically are you referring to?
I would really appreciate it if you did test that out and reported back what you found! I'm currently looking at the HTS3500.

[dbournival]

Hmmmmmm I have the 3500 mkII I havent done any testing on that theory but when my new SVSPB10 arrives on the 21st I may see if I can tell a difference. Which subs specifically are you referring to?

In my second setup, it has RT1000i's with built in "subs" and a PSW 404, that is the one that made the difference, I haven't tried it in my other setup (Boston) as I do not have a free outlet near the sub.

[venomclan]

And yes I think the Belkin would do good for everything low amperage.
I am going to open it up and look inside to see how well the circuits are seperated, I did this with the Panamax and was happy with the internal build quality.

Hi Sky,
I have to disagree with you on the Belkin PF60 good for only low amperage. It has a bank for high current amps and does fine with my Krell 250x2 and Outlaw M200 plugged into it. Not sure if those classify as low amperage. All in all with my tv on and my whole system of amps, 2 preamps and sources on, it pulls about 3.5 amps from the wall. Though I would not plug 5 400 watt monoblocks into it. I think it will do fine with most systems.
Venom

[PolkThug]

Hmmmmmm I have the 3500 mkII I havent done any testing on that theory but when my new SVSPB10 arrives on the 21st I may see if I can tell a difference. Which subs specifically are you referring to?

I've got two PB10's plugged into mine with no problems.

[thehaens@cox.net]

I have found that power conditioning products seem to rob the subwoofer(s) of power, has anyone else noticed this? With my basement system I have the sub(s) directly into the wall now and they sound better, even my 12 year old could tell the difference without me prompting her.

I have only used the block style (as opposed to rack) from AR, Monster and RCA however.

Yep, I noticed this little phenom a while back, not really sure why this happens. I even had them plugged into the "high current" amp section on my HTS-5100. Since then I plugged them (subs) directly in the wall. And to make sure I remembered correctly I did the test again last night, with a DVD looping throughout a scene, and YES, the bass is more defined when the subs are plugged directly in the wall outlet.

subs are "vintage" PSW-150's :D
Scott

[steveinaz]

Me too, I now run my power amp into the wall directly. The lower wattage equipment is plugged into my panamax.