power cords/surge protector-conditioner


New to all this, but recently bought a system and a Monster HTS 2000 power/surge conditioner. My question is whether or not power cords are needed or would make a difference or just duplicate what the HTS 2000 does? My system consists of Sim Moon I-5 integrated amp, Musical Fidelity A3cd player, and Gershman Acoustic Avante Garde speakers. I am using Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cable, as well as their oval interconnect. Any advice would be appreciated as I would like to optimize my system but do not want to spend the $ on power cords if there is not a need if Monster HTS 2000 does same thing. Thanks.
kiduismine115e
Liguy: Do you mean, using one (not in series) for the DAC and player and the other for the amp? If so, yes, it will be very easy to try. Thanks.
Sorry Dekay, I meant to say plug both into one outlet box. When you do this the conditioners are in parrallel. In my origional post I should have pluralized the HTS2000. Sorry for any confusion I may have caused. Let me know if you tried it and if it made any difference? Thank you in advance.
I'm curious if anyone has a technical reason for why the HTS2000 will sound better than the HTS3500? I thought the 3500 has even more filters in it than the 2000. Just wondering. I'm not likely to change out my MonsterPower centers, as I own two of them. They will both be moved into the home theater room once I get my next amplifier. I will then start looking for a new line conditioner for the audio room.
I have not seen a schematic of either conditioner so I am just speculating or taking a WAG. Sometimes in the world of audio less is more. I am not a big fan of adding equipment into a system unless there is a need for it. The purpose of a line conditioner is to filter EMI/RFI and protect your equipment from those little nasties called surges and spikes. Why add an EMI/RFI filter if you do not have an EMI or RFI problem? If there is no problem the conditioner will certainly do nothing to enhance the sound. Equipment protection though is a valid concearn. There are other ways to protect our equipment besides using a power conditioner. I personally do not use surge supression because I do not want to trust my equipment to anything but myself. I simply unplug my equipment during a thunderstorm and during the summer where we may experience a power outage and surge when power comes back, I use a high power relay to control all power to my system. If I lose power I need to reset the relay when power comes back so my system can get power again. Anyway. It is possible that the extra filtering etc. is having an effect on your system and adding coloration.
Thanks for letting me hop up on my soap box.
I own both a simaudio 4070SE amp and a monster 2000 contidioner. Jean Polin at simaudio told me his amps should be run directly into the wall, not into the monster. I've tried it both ways and he is correct. I would suggest you try a better power cord on the moon l-5...a honey of an integrated. Changing the stock cord on the 4070 for a cheap $39 absolute power cord made the amp sing like a moon3 which I've also heard and like very much....You could still plug everything else into the monster but do elevate the monster off the floor and the power cords and any wires, for that matter, especailly if you have[like me] wooden floors. For the most fun try each change, one at a time, then sit back and listen. Put it back the way it was and listen again...One way will sound more right to you than the other. That way you can hear what is,or isn't happening and go from there...have fun and enjoy the moon 1-5...regards, Bluenose