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anonymous 21 July 2005

Okay, let's see what you think:

Does power supply really matter?

I mean, I know that surge protection is good, but I see as many guys using $100.00 Furman [sic?] power conditioners as I see anything else.

What do ya'll use and does it really make that much of a difference?

Thanks!

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Cucco Thu, 07/21/2005 - 11:21

Hmmm... in a word - YEAH!

Clean power is happy power. Now, I'm that much of a technical guru - for that you'll have to go to fellows like Kev or Zilla. However, I can tell you that there is a significant difference between regulated, filtered power vs the stuff you get out of the $10 Wal-Mart surge-strip special.

Just think - when your refrigerator kicks on, your lights dim (not always, so let's use a better example - when you flick on your power amp, the lights flicker.) Now, imagine that that's what is happening to your preamps when there's a surge (either "+" or "-"). Don't you think that would have a profound impact on your sound?

Personally, I use UPS systems on all my critical gear and Furman rack conditioners on everything else.

By critical, I mean:
- Computers/LCDs
- A/D & D/A
- Mic Pres and Console
- Compressors/Limiters/EQ/other effects

By "everything else" I mean:
- Monitor/Power Amps
- Monitor control systems
- Auxillary lighting
- Studio Accessories
- Playback systems and back up recorders

Trust me, the first time you notice a failure or an issue due to your electrical system, you'll wish you hadn't dropped the $1000 on the mediocre TLM103* and spent that dough on some power conditioning.

(* Just an example... :D )

J.

moonbaby Fri, 07/22/2005 - 13:28

Stay away from the really cheap power conditioners out there. Many are no better than a "surge strip". TRIPPLITE makes all sorts of UPS and protection devices, and I have found that ETA products are very well designed and built. They are manufacturers of medical industry power supplies as well as pro lighting gear, so they are well-versed with the needs of music gear. The Furman stuff runs the entire range, from good to, well, pretty skimpy.
There are some companies that tend to prey on the music industry and try to market half-assed gear to it as "trendy" (can you say "mon_ter"?).Not really the best bang for the buck, IMHO. PEACE.

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