if you own your living quarters, look into running a dedicated circuit... its not as difficult as you'd think. I've got my wires run, I just need to have my friend come over and do all of the dangerous stuff.
This is the best advice. To hook up the "dagerous part" is not that difficult. All you need to do is connect the ground wire and cold to the panel and run the hot (black) into the breaker and slide into place. Just grow a pair
Take a look on Agon for used conditioners. I've been waiting and waiting on an Audio Magic Stealth XXX, but am also looking at the old PS Audio P500. There are a few ways to go (balanced, regeneration, passive) and hearing good things about the new PS Audio stuff, BPT, and Equi-Tech.