ADA Depot - A Forum To Support Users of ADA Amplification Gear

Non ADA Gear => Rack Gear => Topic started by: El Chiguete on February 19, 2014, 02:16:32 PM

Title: rack power conditioners
Post by: El Chiguete on February 19, 2014, 02:16:32 PM
Hi all, so what power conditioner do you guys use and can recomendme to get? I'm not a pro musician so expensive gear is out of the question... just one of good quality on a fair price (not one that is just a glorified powered strip).
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: MarshallJMP on February 19, 2014, 02:38:43 PM
I have the furmann pl-plus II series.Really good in filtering noise and spikes.Also protects your gear from overvoltage.All my gear is hooked up trough this furmann.The II series are alot better then the older I series,alot more protection.These shut down when the voltage goes above 250V (in Europe the max grid voltage is 253V).And at start up they first check the voltage,if it's too high it won't start and will give an error.It also has a volt meter on the front,and 2 tubes you can retract  with leds in them (so no more bulbs) and you can dim them.Great for dark stages.On the back is a BNC connector so you can hook a light (like on mixing consoles) which can be switched on or off.Very handy.

It's not the cheapest,but it will give you max protection,usually the rest are glorified power strips.Usually with a cheap net filter and if you're lucky it will have some VDR's that will blow as soon as the voltage is too high.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: El Chiguete on February 19, 2014, 08:58:16 PM
They don't make those anymore yes?
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: rnolan on February 20, 2014, 12:00:33 AM
I took a slightly different approach (partly cost and partly because we usually rehearse with a generator).  I found a decent (Ritmo (re-badged chinese)) 1 kva UPS (uninterrupteble power supply), it was ~$160 AUD.  Although with domestic UPS rule of thumb is don't load it past 60% of it's specified power (so in my case 600va).  This has worked well for me so far.

Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: MarshallJMP on February 20, 2014, 02:28:09 PM
They don't make those anymore yes?

No they don't but i guess you can find them second hand.

A UPS is also good,downside is that the battery's will wear out after a while.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: rnolan on February 20, 2014, 09:23:00 PM
Another downside of an UPS is they are quite heavy (battery).  There are rack versions of UPS but they tend to be much more expensive (and heavy).

On the plus side, given the proliferation of PCs, home office, small office etc small cheap UPS units are becoming quite common.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: El Chiguete on February 21, 2014, 12:54:04 PM
MarshallJMP,

What would be the equivalent of the Series II in the products availeble from Furman now?

Also, what do you think of this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARATHON-MA-MD800-DELUXE-POWER-CONDITIONER-W-15-AMP-/191027041955?pt=US_Power_Conditioners&hash=item2c7a1956a3
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: MarshallJMP on February 21, 2014, 01:58:42 PM
Well the replacement is a PL-PLUS C  http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=PL-PLUSC

I think this will be a better deal  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Furman-Series-II-PL-Plus-Power-Conditioner-/281266617280?pt=US_Power_Conditioners&hash=item417ccbfbc0

The Marathon is again a glorified power strip.

This is the one i have http://www.ebay.com/itm/FURMAN-PL-PRO-SERIES-II-POWER-CONDITIONER-PL-PRO-ARMENS-/310877404297?pt=US_Power_Conditioners&hash=item4861bcbc89

The same with digital readout  http://www.ebay.com/itm/FURMAN-PL-PROD-SERIES-II-POWER-CONDITIONER-PL-PROD-ARMENS-/310877387566?pt=US_Power_Conditioners&hash=item4861bc7b2e

Or do a search on ebay for the furmann pl series II (the series II are the ones to look for)

Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: El Chiguete on February 21, 2014, 02:13:37 PM
Yeha thats what I thought of the Marathon, just needed comfirmation because someone was selling me one locally.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: chester_the_jester on March 13, 2014, 01:11:54 PM
Take a look for one of these:

http://www.long-mcquade.com/products/1252/Pro_Audio_Recording/Accessories/ART_Pro_Audio/SP4x4_Pro_-_Power_Distribution_System.htm

Long and McQuade is a local store but you can get these units all over the internet.

I use the model shown in the link.

ctj
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: MarshallJMP on March 13, 2014, 02:49:11 PM
Just checked out the ART and IMHO the furmann is better.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: GuitarBuilder on March 13, 2014, 09:03:38 PM
........Another vote for Furman
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: kawai2g4b on April 11, 2014, 12:19:43 AM
Okay, a little late to this thread party but here goes.  I live in an older apartment with horrific ground hum.  Are there any affordable options out there that would help combat against that?
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: GuitarBuilder on April 11, 2014, 09:50:06 PM
Okay, a little late to this thread party but here goes.  I live in an older apartment with horrific ground hum.  Are there any affordable options out there that would help combat against that?

You could try a ground wire connected to the metal water pipe.  It's a long shot, but it might help.
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: Duke of Metal on May 05, 2014, 12:43:00 PM
I've tried many Power Conditioners/Power strips over the years of playing.. and honestly, nothing beats a voltage regulator.  I know they're more expensive than the standard/average Power Conditioner. but with a voltage regulator, you're guaranteed to always get the proper voltage/power to your equipment.  Which means always a consistent sound, specially with Tube amps/preamps.

But if you want to stick with Standard power conditioner, you cant go wrong with any of the Furman stuff.  High quality stuff.

Good luck 
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: El Chiguete on May 16, 2014, 12:32:04 PM
What voltage regulator do you use or recommend?
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: Duke of Metal on May 16, 2014, 07:21:17 PM
What voltage regulator do you use or recommend?
I used the Furman AR-1215 AC LINE VOLTAGE REGULATOR.  Works like a charm.
http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?id=AR-1215
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: finstah on May 23, 2014, 12:48:38 PM
Just checked out the ART and IMHO the furmann is better.

I owned one piece of ART gear in my life, sent it back for warranty repairs 5 TIMES and it still didn't work. Never bought ART products again.

Welcome back Matt  :thumb-up:
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: Duke of Metal on May 28, 2014, 09:38:30 PM
IMHO the furmann is better.
This doctor knows his stuff.  :banana-rock:
Title: Re: rack power conditioners
Post by: Damn-Danny on June 16, 2020, 07:47:30 AM
Own a Samson Powerbrite pro 10.
Works ok