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Power conditioners- really necessary?

Robin Ruscio

Robin Ruscio

Supporting Member
Dec 15, 2003
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Denver, CO, USA
robinruscio.com
#1
I got talked into buying a Furman power conditioner when buying a new rack, and after using it for 6 weeks, I can’t really say for sure I think it’s necessary. I was hoping it would clean up hum that I sometimes pickup from lights but I doesn’t seem to make any difference. I’ve never heard of anybody having an amp blown by a power surge, and after playing 1200 gig or so I’ve never had it happen to me. I usually use a surge protector/extension cord anyway. Those of you that use them, why do you think they’re necessary? Anyone really had equipment damaged?

I think i'd rather go back to a smaller rack and save my back some actual "surges".
 
#2
Coming from a computer/networking background I'll tell you they are a necessity. You may not need it for years on end, but that one time you do, it could save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. As far as the hum goes... your conditioner, depending on the make and/or model, may or may not really be equiped to help.

Good luck, but I personally wouldn't be without one.
 
#3
I use the Furman PL Plus. It has the built in Volt Meter and
the twin pull out lights with dimmer.I like the fact everything
in my rack and my amp plugs into it,so I only have one line
to plug in. This makes set-up & tear down faster.I also like
the pull out lights,they do come in handy sometimes.The Volt
meter is a good thing to have also.I have lost more gear
over the years from Low Voltage.
 
#4
Any "power-strip" type surge suppressor will do the job much more cheaply than a standard $120 Furman, just make sure it has RF filtering. The one time I took mine out of my rack, I picked up LOUD CB radios coming through the powerline, as well as static when someone behind the bar ran a blender. Terrible power there, and the Furman could have filtered out those headaches. When it does its job, is when you don't notice that its doing its job . . .

If you REALLY want good "conditioning", get the Furman power REGULATOR, which is more expensive at around $300+ or so. AR1215, I believe. It actually gives you steady perfect power whether the line is a bit too hot, or is a bit "brown"/too low. Those are worth their weight in gold if you run off of power generators at outside festivals . . .
 
#7
Robin Ruscio said:
does the ar1225 do a better job of cleaning up hum as well? I use a mic/pu combo on my URB that tends to get noisy easily.
Click to expand...

It might or it might not. Hum doesn't necessarily come through the power line. If the hum is originating from the power line, then yes, the AR1225 will do a much better job of eliminating the hum.

You could pick one up from Guitar Center. Then carefully use it for one gig and see how it works. If you save the packaging and are careful not to scratch it, then you can return it for a refund if it doesn't do the job.
 
#8
Jon R said:
Coming from a computer/networking background I'll tell you they are a necessity. You may not need it for years on end, but that one time you do, it could save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. As far as the hum goes... your conditioner, depending on the make and/or model, may or may not really be equiped to help.

Good luck, but I personally wouldn't be without one.
Click to expand...

I agree and for the same reasons.
 
#9
whats wrong with getting a regular surge protector? most of them seem good to me, thats what i use. especially the ones you can get at like staples or office max or something they provide coverage under there warrenties usually for any equipment damgaed by a power surge that there product failed to protect you from. usually you can get em for like 50 bucks. i use them on my computers at home as well.
 
#14
jnightmare said:
whats wrong with getting a regular surge protector? most of them seem good to me, thats what i use. especially the ones you can get at like staples or office max or something they provide coverage under there warrenties usually for any equipment damgaed by a power surge that there product failed to protect you from. usually you can get em for like 50 bucks. i use them on my computers at home as well.
Click to expand...

The main reason with Furman's newer models is SMP.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you read up on this feature, you'll see it's advantages over a $20 RadioShack surge protector.
 
#15
For power amps, in general, you don't need power conditioning. For well-engineered preamps or processing gear, you generally don't either.

The cheap MOV-type surge suppressors may make the system noiser because they often shunt noise onto the ground of the equipment; if the equipment has what's called a "pin 1 problem," that will tend to increase buzz in the system.

The best type of surge suppressor is the series-type, as made by Invalid Link Removed.
 

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