Power Conditioners Recommendations


Looking for some recommendations.
In your opinion / experience what would you say is a good deal / good value power conditioner for about $250 used?

I am looking at Adcom ACE-515 as the ceapest at about $70, Monster Power HTS 36000Mk2 for about $160 up to Furman PF Pro at $250.
Anything else?
I have a tube amp and CD player for a source

thanks!!
Ag insider logo xs@2xether
I wouldn't use them, as Tvad said. If it is possible have dedicated circuit run to your equipment. If worried about storms, voltage spikes, etc get something like a BrickWall for $250.
I see that you are new, and looking for advice. Don't let people throw you-off with unhelpful and false advice....(roll of eyes)

Which unit you get may depend on where you're going to use it and with what equipment. Filters are useful for keeping noise pollution out of your system, as well as giving you the extra plugs you need without resorting to a cheap power bar. (which can cause even more noise!)
Cheaper noise filters can be a problem when you have a big amp that draws a lot of power when it gets loud. Unless you have a really good filter that can handle the current without strangling your amp, plug the amp into the wall and everything else into the filter.

I happen to have two of those units right now. I wouldn't use them in my expensive high res Audio system, but they do have a place in my Home Theatre. The Adcom ACE 515 was the first filter I ever bought, and it does a decent job. A couple of years ago, I upgraded to the Monster 3600MkII for my main rack of equipment at the side of the room, where it does a fine job, and moved the Adcom over to where my TV and subwoofer are.
The TV looks noticeably better when used on the filter, and the subwoofer gets plenty of clean power. Everything else is plugged into the Monster, except the seven channel amp, which can draw a lot of power.

There are other options of course, but if budget is a problem you can't really go wrong with the ones you're looking-at.

When I look at my Monster, I kinda' pause and think about it, given their stupid pursuit to OWN the word "Monster" and their legal harassment of other companies that use it. I'm not buying Monster anymore, but I had this unit before that story really hit the news Big Time, and I'm not going to sell it just because of that. Just remember that there are a lot of people who bad mouth Monster because of this, or just because they mindlessly parrot the same propaganda because they heard it somewhere else. It is your decision to make and all that crap doesn't change the fact that the 3600 mkII does a good job...so buy a used one and be happy!
Here's the most helpful advice I can give (roll eyes).

Buy a used version of whichever of the three interests you most. Listen with it in the system and out of the system. Concentrate on not allowing your desire for the conditioner to work influence what you actually hear. Write down on a pad of paper the differences you discern, if any.

If after a week or so you decide the conditioner is worthwhile, then keep it.

If not, sell it for what you paid.
Chang Lightspeed. Its non-current limiting and there are several models and price ranges.
dedicated line for source and amp. Power conditioner or no power condioner, that's a good starting point. Your search for a power conditiner may just end at the outlet.

I also agree with tvad should you decide to go the PC route; that is, of course, after you installed your dedicated line. If you can only do one, I'd do the source.