Monster "clean power"

[aj327]

I sort of half asked about this monster product in one of my last posts, but after using it for a few days, I think I might be sold on it...despite the 150 dollar price tag. I know a lot of people think that monster products are overpriced, but I think there might be something to this.

I bought the thing to correct an apparent electrical disturbance with my tv (didn't help so the tv is getting exchanged), but it had a strange effect on my receiver. Apparently receivers, or Onkyo receivers anyway, by their very nature suck up more power than a dvd player does for instance. What the monster clean power center does is step up the juice to those devices that need it, and stabillize the power so that the power is unwavering. One of the little perks of this is that you don't get static while running the vacuum cleaner. But what surprised me is that it made the remote to my reciever work again. Prior to the clean power center only the volume button worked...now all of the buttons work. I'm assuming it just didn't have enough power previously to allow full use of the remote.

Does anyone have experience with this product?

-aj327

[BadCamper]

Heck yeah, I am a strong believer in the Power Clean technology provided by Monster power conditioners.

You should also notice a BIG difference in your audio with the Onkyo receiver, especially when the volume levels are turned way up! You'll probably notice a much more dynamic and crisp sound with less hissing and popping noise in the background.

[billw]

I am a big Monster fan as well....and I know they are overpriced. I was sold when I put in the Monster speaker wire. Since that point it has been all Monster. The thing is if I dont spend it on Monster products, I am going to spend it on the wife so at least I have my priorities straight!

What model is your Power Center?

[Ratman]

Okay... here's the devil's advocate.

I have an old home (circa 1935). Knob and tube wiring.... nasty!

The good news is that I have a newer breaker box (no fuses) which is electrically sound and grounded properly (for today's standards).

I ran a 20 amp dedicated circuit with Romex to a new breaker (Approx. $15).
I have a $15 surge protector and all my A/V gear into the same circuit.

I do not have any 'electrical' artifacts. Nor do I use any Monster cables/wires.

IMO... the "Monster" products hide potential problems, they do not 'fix' them. When your 'stuff' gets fried, see how quickly they pay off a claim. It'll never happen...

The disclaimer is that the wiring/circuit must adhere to 'xx' standards. If you pay a licenced electrician to 'certify' the circuit, you may have a leg to stand on, but other than that... spend your $$ and enjoy.

If the circuitry for your A/V gear is electrically compliant, there should be no need get extravegant with 'conditioners'. You pay the utility for 'clean/stable' power. It's up to them to provide that to you since you pay for that service.

My stuff sounds just dandy.
Sorry...don't flame me! It's just my opinion.

[hdexpert]

although i am completely aware of the benefits of cleaner power and the like, my experience with monster (and i am in the business) is very bad..if you want good power conditioning look into:
richard grays power company
or to save a little dough:
panamax

[Camelspudus]

Panamax has great products and my Stereo guy says they stand behind products as well.
He said if theres a power spike, monster will fry, and you will need to buy a new one.
Panamax will take the spike and keep working.
AS always take info like this with a grain of salt!

[aj327]

i have the HTS1000 - stage 2.

Like I said I don't kow much about it - so maybe the panamax or Richard Grey products are better, but I think I'm going to keep it anyway. Power surges aren't my concern (I have renter's insurance) - I just like the better performance I'm getting out of my receiver, and the idea that it's gentler on my equipment than the wall outlet is.

[hdexpert]

i assure you that you would get the same results out of a similar priced pananmax..the max4300...also $150...with the added benefit of true surge protection

[HexDump]

the surge protection and line conditioning against a UPS like
an APC650 or similar.

Is there any advantage to also having the uninterruptable power as well as the protection ?

and thanks

[aj327]

I was wondering the same thing...but I think I can tell you that a UPS system does not do what a "clean power" system does. I actually had all my crap plugged into a UPS system - before I got the monster power center. I only noticed the cool changes in my receiver after the monster setup.

Plus I'm not sure what is meant by "true surge protection" with the panamax setup...is this just another "I don't like monsters so I'm going to slam them" type of thing, or is there really some sort of difference. I know that the monster power center is supposed to be a surge protector as well.

[hdexpert]

no definetely not i have never owned a monster so i wont say it is crap...when i was buying my line conditioner i researched alot on the web and their are many sites talking about the lack of surge protection with monster.....it could be all bunk....but everyone who has tried both seemed to like panamax so thats the way i went...i was just offering up what little i know on the subject hdexpert (definitely not lineconditionerexpert) that name would be too long anyway

[BadCamper]

Well I am in the opposite shoes as hdexpert...I have used a few of the monster surge protectors, though neither richard grays power company or panamax.

What I can say for the monster surge protectors is that I have yet to hear from any of my friends/family of having one get "fried," and that a good 9 out of 10 people can see/hear a difference in their A/V equipment when using one...including models that start in price as low as $80...I believe it's the CA700 or something.

Again, though, I have no personal experience of the other two reccomended manufacturers, I'm just going with what I've had success with!

[mikehbkwm]

I have a monster surge protector the one that costs like $100 and even though I dont really think their cabling is any better then AR's or RS gold ends id say their surge protectors are awesome.

[hdexpert]

just wanted to reiterate that i have never tried them i am just going on internet hearsay