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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: Patrick on September 05, 2006, 06:50:04 PM

Title: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: Patrick on September 05, 2006, 06:50:04 PM

I live in a dorm.   ;D

My dorm has very unreliable power, for example, whenever someone turns the lights on/off in my suite, my monitors (speakers) make a clicking noise.  I have all my computer/desk power running through 2 separate wall outlets, and I have a dedicated outlet for my monitors.  I've tried switching plugs and stuff but it looks like nothing works.

Is there anything I can purchase that will isolate the power going to my monitors?  I'm not afraid of them getting damaged, it is just beyond annoying when trying to transfer a tape and hearing pops and clicks all over the place. 

Thanks for the help in advance.

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: BC on September 05, 2006, 07:08:33 PM

On a related note, the power in my house kinda sucks too. For example, the lights dim when the refrigerator kicks on, is this detrimental to playback equipment?

Wondering what sort of devices there are that are designed to help this problem. I have seen those "power conditioner" boxes by Richard Gray, and the like in audiophile circles, is this the problem that these "conditioners" are designed for?

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 05, 2006, 07:10:06 PM

yes, and yes.

i'm VERY pleased w/the performance of my Monster HTS3500.
look around online, you can find them fairly cheap.  they are impressive.

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: it-goes-to-eleven on September 05, 2006, 07:21:42 PM

In a dorm, I think you'll have to follow Nick's advice...

But if it is your own house, inspect the wiring.  How much load is on the breakers, how heavy is the wire, etc.

If the wire is crap or the circuits overloaded then it would be a very good investment to fix those.  That will be way cheaper than after market bandaids that won't fix the root problem. You shouldn't have any dimming or anything like that if your wiring is decent.

If your breaker box is full you could install double breakers in place of the existing.  That will provide new circuits.

As for damage..  Dimming lights is a sign that the circuit cannot handle the load. The voltage drop could damage some gear depending on the severity.

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: BC on September 05, 2006, 07:23:42 PM

thanks freelunch, good advice! It is just a house I am renting, and will probably not be there too much longer. But definitely some good points to keep in mind when I do end up having my own place.

+t

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: Nick's Picks on September 05, 2006, 07:34:23 PM

i have fairly clean power in my house, and the monster conditioner really improved things none the less.

Title: Re: "Dirty" AC Power?
Post by: jpschust on September 06, 2006, 12:38:40 AM

well you cant do dedicated circuits in a dorm, but a decent supply in the middle will help- the problem is wherever your weakest point is what you will hear.