Panamax versus Belkin

[solidus28]

Anyone have an opinion on a Belkin PureAV PF60 versus Panamax MAX 5300-EX. The Belkin seems to have a few more bells and whistles around the same price and has a much higher joules rating. It also has a couple extra outlets. As far as quality goes, though, does anyone that's used either have any opinions? Thanks!

[venomclan]

I have had the Belkin PF60 for 2 years and I really like it. I run all my gear and tv through it with no problems. I like the Belkin over the other brands because it has a lifetime warranty, while the Panny was only 3 years. That did it for me.
Venom

[Marty913]

I agree with venomclan. I've used a lot of Belkin products over the years including their power conditioners and they offer a lot of value for the money. Basically speaking, when it comes to surge protection, clamping speed and joules rule.

[engtaz]

Welocome Marty913. How is the Mall and Target by PJC?

Woodham HS Grad.

engtaz

[Lasareath]

I have two Panamax's, One I bought 7 years ago, a 1000+, and I just bought a 5500EX, And they have both served me very well.

I would reccomend the Panamax over the Belkin because Panamax makes Power Conditioners. Belkin makes KVM's, Switch's, Wireless Cards, Toaster Ovens, etc...

Welcome to the Club!!!!

Lasareath

[I-SIG]

I haven't played with the Panamax gear, but I've been quite pleased with my PureAV PF31d. I just got it on Tuesday. It has been interesting to watch the changes in voltage over the course of a day and with the system quiet versus cranked. I work for the power company, so it may not interest y'all any! :)

I swear it has sharpened and brightened up my plasma a bit, HD and SD. Now if Comcast would get a HD box with a decent decoder....

I also think I noticed a little fatter bass, enough so that I may adjust down my SVS just a hair.

Since it is much smaller than the HCA-2200 (mids), I decided to plug in my HCA-1000 (tweeters) into the unit. I haven't decided yet if it helped the highs, but I know it hasn't hurt the highs.

Just remember that if you take a direct hit from lightning, nothing short of a nuclear reactor is safe. The PureAV unit certainly seems to provide more protection than the Panamax for your normal, day-to-day transients and substation breaker or recloser operations.

Wes

[Face]

I have 2 Pure A/V PF60's and a Pure A/V UPS in use here, no complaints.

[schwarcw]

Personally, I like the PS Audio products. I'm not saying the Panamax or the Belkin isn't good. I just like the build quality and customer service. They are an audio company.

[Lasareath]

Personally, I like the PS Audio products. I'm not saying the Panamax or the Belkin isn't good. I just like the build quality and customer service. They are an audio company.

Carl,

I like the PS Audio Products as well, I just have not reached that level yet.

I'd like to try the following Power Conditioners:

http://www.equitech.com/products/rack/modelqpro.html

http://www.furmansound.com/product.p...=02&id=SPR-20i

http://www.richardgrayspowercompany.com/powerhouse.htm#


An additional thing that my Panamax does is it stores energy in its toroidal transformer so that it can make sure that my system gets 120V constant power output.

It can do this constantly just as long as my system does not draw more that 4 amps.

The really good part is that I have never seen it go beyond 3.8 amps yet ;)

Sal

[phuz]

I have two Panamax's, One I bought 7 years ago, a 1000+, and I just bought a 5500EX, And they have both served me very well.

I would reccomend the Panamax over the Belkin because Panamax makes Power Conditioners. Belkin makes KVM's, Switch's, Wireless Cards, Toaster Ovens, etc...

Welcome to the Club!!!!

Lasareath

I'll second this. It's not that Belkin is bad, but it's another "me too" product for them.

Panamax has always made good power products. It's what they do.

[I-SIG]

An additional thing that my Panamax does is it stores energy in its toroidal transformer so that it can make sure that my system gets 120V constant power output.

It can do this constantly just as long as my system does not draw more that 4 amps.

The really good part is that I have never seen it go beyond 3.8 amps yet ;)

Sal

Actually, transformers have absolutely ZERO capacity to store energy. They transformer current or voltage. Pull the plug and the transformer will only get you a few bucks at the recycling center for the copper.

Transformers are key in voltage regulation however hence their use in a product like these power conditioning devices. Just remember that rectifiers in just about all of our equipment transforms the AC coming in into nearly flat DC. A difference of a few volts coming in turns into a few hundreths of a volt in your equipment.

Obviously I'm not saying that we should protect and take care of our equipment, I just feel that clean power will make a bigger difference than a perfectly constant voltage.

Wes

[I-SIG]

I have two Panamax's, One I bought 7 years ago, a 1000+, and I just bought a 5500EX, And they have both served me very well.

I would reccomend the Panamax over the Belkin because Panamax makes Power Conditioners. Belkin makes KVM's, Switch's, Wireless Cards, Toaster Ovens, etc...

Welcome to the Club!!!!

Lasareath

So based on this we need to get rid of all of our Polk speakers since Polk now makes iPod docks, XM tuners, amplifiers, and clock radios?

Give me a break.

Wes

[phuz]

So based on this we need to get rid of all of our Polk speakers since Polk now makes iPod docks, XM tuners, amplifiers, and clock radios?

Give me a break.

Wes

No, because Polk made speakers first. It's probably the best thing they've ever done, and will ever do.

Now if Polk started making diapers, would you buy them? Or would you go with one of the companies that have been doing it from the start?

[Lasareath]

So based on this we need to get rid of all of our Polk speakers since Polk now makes iPod docks, XM tuners, amplifiers, and clock radios?

Give me a break.

Wes

Wes, you can do whatever you want. My Polks were made in 1987. In 1987 Polk made Speakers only.

Wait, Polk still makes speakers. I never seen a Polk KVM Switch, or a Polk usb Wireless adaptor or a Polk Audio Power Conditioner.

Everything that Polk Audio makes has at least one speaker in it. To me they are a speaker company.

Sal

[Lasareath]

I just feel that clean power will make a bigger difference than a perfectly constant voltage.

Wes

Well then Wes, you need to buy a Panamax as well. Because it not only provides constant power it also provides clean power.


Below taken from my Owners manual:

Improves Picture and Sound Quality:

Power Cleaning and Filtration eliminates common symptoms
of contaminated power (including loss of detail, pops, hisses, hums and
visual artifacts) and allows your A/V equipment to perform up to its full
capability. AC Regeneration feeds pure clean power to 4 isolated
outlets for video displays and source components.

Monitors Incoming Line Voltage and Provides a Visual
Indication of Power Level

Panamax’s patent pending AVM™ circuitry continuously monitors the
incoming power and amperage draw of connected equipment as displayed
on the digital meters. A red lightning bolt below the voltmeter will
flash to indicate an under or over voltage condition. Power to the connected
equipment is automatically turned off if either of these conditions
is detected. When voltage returns to a safe level, power to the equipment
is automatically reconnected.

Reduces Cross-Contamination Between Components

The M5500-EX is designed to provide noise isolation between 5 isolated
outlet banks including 2 high current outlets so that any noise created by
an A/V component cannot contaminate the power going to equipment
plugged into the other outlet banks.

[Face]

Taken from: http://catalog.belkin.com/PureAV_det...duct_Id=178925
The Power Console PF60 delivers the ultimate power conditioning for serious audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts. With 13 programmable outlets and Phase 6 PureFilter Circuitry, the PF60 offers six isolated filters to provide clean and clear power to all of your valuable components. The LCD status display allows users to monitor input voltage and output current on each individual bank of outlets.
Each PureAV Power Console is loaded with innovative features, such as Multiphase PureFilter™ Circuitry, designed to remove electrical noise. Our advanced design isolates audio, video, and digital components, and prevents noise created by one connected component from contaminating the entire system.
Built-in Advanced Overvoltage Protection automatically disconnects power from your equipment when the input voltage reaches a dangerous level, and restores power automatically when the voltage returns to a safe level. To deal with threats from sources other than your AC lines, all PureAV Power Consoles come with coaxial cable, pay-per view/phone, and broadband Ethernet line protection.
They don't appear very different. The only thing I'm annoyed about is that they're now available in black!

[okiepolkie]

I use Panamax in most installations, but if there really needs to be clean power, Shunyata is preferred choice. Panamax, Belkin, PS(at least some models), Furman, Monster.....all add "some" noise to the system in one way or another.

[I-SIG]

Wes, you can do whatever you want. My Polks were made in 1987. In 1987 Polk made Speakers only.

Wait, Polk still makes speakers. I never seen a Polk KVM Switch, or a Polk usb Wireless adaptor or a Polk Audio Power Conditioner.

Everything that Polk Audio makes has at least one speaker in it. To me they are a speaker company.

Sal

No worries, Sal, I'll do as I damn well please, but I was just going to the conclusion of your line of thinking (companies that make more than one type of product must not do a good job at it making any of the products) and applied it to Polk, that's all.

Also, please show me the amp that has a speaker in it. I'm curious how that works. I know Polk has some kewl innovations, but that would be pretty interesting. ;)

Wes

[I-SIG]

Well then Wes, you need to buy a Panamax as well. Because it not only provides constant power it also provides clean power.


Below taken from my Owners manual:<snip>

That's good and all, but as pointed out by Face, the Belkin does the same thing, with more protection and more speed.

Also, please read my post again. I want clean power (which my PureAV PF31d does) over perfect, dirty voltage.

Wes

[Willow]

I use a Panamax 1000+ and I'm very happy with it. Think I'll stick with them.

[Face]

I'll second this. It's not that Belkin is bad, but it's another "me too" product for them.

Panamax has always made good power products. It's what they do.

I guess I should stay away from Yamaha since they also make boat engines. :D :p