Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems.

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  #1   Report Post  
Dave M.
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

As many of us know in the electrical/electronics world, all home
electronics equipment has a form of filtering associated with the a.c.
line and/or the filtered d.c. down the path. Series noise filtering can
be a line transformer as you would find on better equipment or an rc
network as found on direct line connected equipment.

I see these "line conditioners" in the stereo/tv stores selling for as
much as $500.00 to $1500.00. These units clean-up noise as well as
stabilize the 120 volt line voltage.

As I have come to understand, the need for these units is grossly
exaggerated by salesmen to unsuspecting customers, as the line noise
levels are already reduced to acceptable levels in the tvs/stereos in
general.





--
Dave M.



  #2   Report Post  
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

I am inclined to agree, unless you're doing hi-fi recording, in which
case you might spend 200 bucks on a furman power conditioner if there's
something especially noisy in your neighborhood. But usually if
something is making noise on the power line, something isn't working
right, and the power company can be talked into at least looking at
it.I can't imagine what might be in the $1500 one that would make it
that much better.

I once saw triple shielded optical digital audio cable made by monster
in a fancy stereo shop.

  #3   Report Post  
James Sweet
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?


"Dave M." wrote in message
...
As many of us know in the electrical/electronics world, all home
electronics equipment has a form of filtering associated with the a.c.
line and/or the filtered d.c. down the path. Series noise filtering can
be a line transformer as you would find on better equipment or an rc
network as found on direct line connected equipment.

I see these "line conditioners" in the stereo/tv stores selling for as
much as $500.00 to $1500.00. These units clean-up noise as well as
stabilize the 120 volt line voltage.

As I have come to understand, the need for these units is grossly
exaggerated by salesmen to unsuspecting customers, as the line noise
levels are already reduced to acceptable levels in the tvs/stereos in
general.




Yes they're mostly snake oil, since just about any equipment steps down the
line voltage with a transformer, rectifies it and filters it interally you'd
have to have a LOT of noise on the line to cause any problems, especially
for better equipment with well regulated supplies.


  #4   Report Post  
Ralph Mowery
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?


wrote in message
oups.com...
I am inclined to agree, unless you're doing hi-fi recording, in which
case you might spend 200 bucks on a furman power conditioner if there's
something especially noisy in your neighborhood. But usually if
something is making noise on the power line, something isn't working
right, and the power company can be talked into at least looking at
it.I can't imagine what might be in the $1500 one that would make it
that much better.

I once saw triple shielded optical digital audio cable made by monster
in a fancy stereo shop.


Unless you are into the very high end stuff it is a waste of money.

Speaking of the monster stuff, it gets me that they (or someone like them)
sell a special replacement 120 v cord that replaces the one that comes on
equipment for about $ 100. What good would that do when you have about 50
feet or more going to the breaker box and alot of aluminum cable going to
the power pole ?



  #5   Report Post  
DaveM
 
Posts: n/a
Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am inclined to agree, unless you're doing hi-fi recording, in which
case you might spend 200 bucks on a furman power conditioner if there's
something especially noisy in your neighborhood. But usually if
something is making noise on the power line, something isn't working
right, and the power company can be talked into at least looking at
it.I can't imagine what might be in the $1500 one that would make it
that much better.

I once saw triple shielded optical digital audio cable made by monster
in a fancy stereo shop.


Unless you are into the very high end stuff it is a waste of money.

Speaking of the monster stuff, it gets me that they (or someone like them)
sell a special replacement 120 v cord that replaces the one that comes on
equipment for about $ 100. What good would that do when you have about 50
feet or more going to the breaker box and alot of aluminum cable going to
the power pole ?




HAW!!!!! You think a $100 power cord is bad.. get a load of the duplex
receptacle at
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=110-439
--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in
the address)

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!




  #6   Report Post  
 
Posts: n/a
Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

PCB-free snake oil, I hope.

  #7   Report Post  
Pszemol
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

"DaveM" wrote in message ...
HAW!!!!! You think a $100 power cord is bad.. get a load of the duplex
receptacle at
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=110-439


You dont get it, do you ? Gold-plated rivets make the sound better!!! ;-)
  #8   Report Post  
DaveM
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

"Pszemol" wrote in message
...
"DaveM" wrote in message
...
HAW!!!!! You think a $100 power cord is bad.. get a load of the
duplex receptacle at
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=110-439


You dont get it, do you ? Gold-plated rivets make the sound better!!! ;-)



LMAO!!! For that price, they ought to be solid gold!!!!

--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net (Just substitute the appropriate characters in
the address)

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!


  #9   Report Post  
James Sweet
 
Posts: n/a
Default Average Joe need line conditioner?


"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am inclined to agree, unless you're doing hi-fi recording, in which
case you might spend 200 bucks on a furman power conditioner if there's
something especially noisy in your neighborhood. But usually if
something is making noise on the power line, something isn't working
right, and the power company can be talked into at least looking at
it.I can't imagine what might be in the $1500 one that would make it
that much better.

I once saw triple shielded optical digital audio cable made by monster
in a fancy stereo shop.


Unless you are into the very high end stuff it is a waste of money.



I would add that *if* you're into the very high end stuff it's all a waste
of money IMO. There's good equipment, there's very good professional grade
equipment, then there's audiophool grade equipment which differs from the
former two mostly in price and marketing.


  #10   Report Post  
James Sweet
 
Posts: n/a
Default Average Joe need line conditioner?


"DaveM" wrote in message
...
"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
ink.net...

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am inclined to agree, unless you're doing hi-fi recording, in which
case you might spend 200 bucks on a furman power conditioner if there's
something especially noisy in your neighborhood. But usually if
something is making noise on the power line, something isn't working
right, and the power company can be talked into at least looking at
it.I can't imagine what might be in the $1500 one that would make it
that much better.

I once saw triple shielded optical digital audio cable made by monster
in a fancy stereo shop.


Unless you are into the very high end stuff it is a waste of money.

Speaking of the monster stuff, it gets me that they (or someone like

them)
sell a special replacement 120 v cord that replaces the one that comes

on
equipment for about $ 100. What good would that do when you have about

50
feet or more going to the breaker box and alot of aluminum cable going

to
the power pole ?




HAW!!!!! You think a $100 power cord is bad.. get a load of the

duplex
receptacle at
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=110-439
--


LOL I thought I'd seen it all. Where's the audio grade circuit breakers and
romex cable?




  #11   Report Post  
Jumpster Jiver
 
Posts: n/a
Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

Dave M. wrote:
As many of us know in the electrical/electronics world, all home
electronics equipment has a form of filtering associated with the a.c.
line and/or the filtered d.c. down the path. Series noise filtering can
be a line transformer as you would find on better equipment or an rc
network as found on direct line connected equipment.

I see these "line conditioners" in the stereo/tv stores selling for as
much as $500.00 to $1500.00. These units clean-up noise as well as
stabilize the 120 volt line voltage.

As I have come to understand, the need for these units is grossly
exaggerated by salesmen to unsuspecting customers, as the line noise
levels are already reduced to acceptable levels in the tvs/stereos in
general.





I can't even miagine a million dollar recording studio plugging their
equipment into a $100+ outlet.
It's true that the cheapest $0.79 outlets are not reliable and after
several cycles of inserting and removing plugs, they loosen or break.
So when I change an outlet in my house or for someone else I reccomend a
more expensive outlet - about $3.00 - $4.00 each.
  #12   Report Post  
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

I'm surprised it's not touted as an alternative to wiring your amp
directly into the breaker.

Does anyone sell oxygen-free THHN wire?

  #13   Report Post  
clifto
 
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Default Average Joe need line conditioner?

Jumpster Jiver wrote:
It's true that the cheapest $0.79 outlets are not reliable and after
several cycles of inserting and removing plugs, they loosen or break.
So when I change an outlet in my house or for someone else I reccomend a
more expensive outlet - about $3.00 - $4.00 each.


I get Leviton for around a buck and have never worn one out or broken one.

--
If John McCain gets the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination,
my vote for President will be a write-in for Jiang Zemin.
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