Importance of power conditions, do I need one?

[digitalvideo]

How important is power conditioners and should they be part of every home theater setup with multiple speakers and do they really save your epuipment and improve the sound at all? I'm pretty ignorant on power conditioners. I've spent quite a bit putting together my current 7.1 setup and I have no room under my tv, the entertainment center is full on every shelf, it's just cluttered.
My friend has a 'Chang Lightspeed Powerline Filter CLS 3200' and he swears by it. How is Chang Lightspeed for conditioners and do they make an affordable affective model?

My 7.1 setup:

Pioneer Elite Kuro Pro-111fd plasma
Pioneer Elite SC-05 reciever
Oppo BDP-83
Sunfire Cineman Grand Signature 400 7 channel

Polk RTi A9's L/R floor tower speakers
Polk CSi A6 center
Polk FXi A6 sides
Polk FX i A4 rears
SVS PB12 Ultra sub

[comfortablycurt]

I wouldn't say that they're essential, but they're by no means a bad thing.

They protect all of that gear that you've spent so much money on, and ensure that they run with the proper input voltage.

I just integrated an APC H10 into my rig earlier today. I haven't really noticed any audible improvements...everything is perhaps a bit crisper/cleaner overall. I didn't really get it with the intention of getting better sound. I just want to protect all of my gear.

Tiger Direct has the H10 on sale for $99.99 right now. I'd snag up one of them while they're still on sale.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1&Sku=A75-2071

[SolidSqual]

Power conditioning is damn worth it if you have dirty power. Results will vary depending on how dirty your power is and what kind of conditioner you get. I live in an apartment in the city, so my power sucks. I highly recommend a power regenerator over a conditioner. A regenerator offers all the sonic benefits of a conditioner without any of the sonic losses associated with many conditioners. Audiophile APS is the best consumer regenerator on the market followed by the PS Audio Premier. For excellent conditioners, check out Balanced Power Technology. Underwood Hifi sells both brands mentioned above. Talk to Walter Liederman for more info and good deals below MSRP. Also, see Audiogon if BPT is selling any other their products on sale.

[SolidSqual]

http://www.purepoweraps.com/comparison.htm

This link is good for some perspective.