I have gone down the rabbit hole as I need a new surge protector. I do plan to put in a Whole House Surge protector but for now I am bit lost as what to choose. Initially, I was just going to grab a Tripp-Lite or Belkin 2000+ Joules 1499 UL but then I ran into the ISOBar which I have seen mentioned on many forums. However, the feedback is, well, interesting. Some LOVE it, some say the RFI filtering negatively impacts the sound. Is it possible for a surge protector to impact sound quality?
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Surge Protector Recommendation (Impact SQ?) w/ 1449 UL
- Thread starter Rage3324
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Devnull
Senior Member
The only way it could impact the sound is if it was incapable of supplying the current needed for the amp. Just get one from a reputable manufacturer that has the UL symbol on it.
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Actually, it's possible! If your surge protector has a built-in audio alert triggered by bad grounding or degraded components (common in datacenters) then that annoying noise will surely interfere with whatever you're listening to.
- Thread Starter
- #4
So, posts stating the Tripplite Isobar impacts SQ are bogus? https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-P...ext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&gQT=2
I’m considering an Isobar by Tripp-Lite or a UPS True Sine Wave. I certainly can just buy something cheap with UL and enough joules.
I will be installing a whole house surge protector this summer.
I’m considering an Isobar by Tripp-Lite or a UPS True Sine Wave. I certainly can just buy something cheap with UL and enough joules.
I will be installing a whole house surge protector this summer.
DVDdoug
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It depends on what problem(s) you're trying to solve. Of course a UPS can protect against power loss, power dropouts, and brownouts.
As far as I know, nothing will protect against a direct lightening strike.
Somewhere, I heard about a "true sine wave" inverter (not a UPS) that was generating noise in an audio system, so it wasn't as clean as the normal AC power.
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Funnily enough, a long while back I sent a Tripp Lite Isobar in to Tom's Hardware for a teardown and testing. The final page with the testing is here:
www.tomshardware.com
While we can't know if the construction is the same nowadays, it seems likely it's similar. Long story short, you'd want to plug any noise sensitive devices into the first bank of plugs, where the isolation is effective. Other banks, particularly bank four, can actually have noise amplified to the point of seriously distorting the waveform, if you have something very noisy plugged in to the same strip.
Of course, to actually have any effect on electronics like an amp, you'd need a seriously messed up waveform and/or excess voltage. And you wouldn't likely be looking at subtle sound quality issues. Most likely, absent some very strange situation, the effect of using an Isobar (or any other surge protector) will be nil.
Tripp-Lite isobar Surge Protector Tear-Down
The iconic Tripp-Lite isobar falls under the knife in today's power strip tear-down. Is this unit as well-built as its heritage suggests?
While we can't know if the construction is the same nowadays, it seems likely it's similar. Long story short, you'd want to plug any noise sensitive devices into the first bank of plugs, where the isolation is effective. Other banks, particularly bank four, can actually have noise amplified to the point of seriously distorting the waveform, if you have something very noisy plugged in to the same strip.
Of course, to actually have any effect on electronics like an amp, you'd need a seriously messed up waveform and/or excess voltage. And you wouldn't likely be looking at subtle sound quality issues. Most likely, absent some very strange situation, the effect of using an Isobar (or any other surge protector) will be nil.
- Thread Starter
- #7
Funnily enough, a long while back I sent a Tripp Lite Isobar in to Tom's Hardware for a teardown and testing. The final page with the testing is here:
Tripp-Lite isobar Surge Protector Tear-Down
The iconic Tripp-Lite isobar falls under the knife in today's power strip tear-down. Is this unit as well-built as its heritage suggests?
While we can't know if the construction is the same nowadays, it seems likely it's similar. Long story short, you'd want to plug any noise sensitive devices into the first bank of plugs, where the isolation is effective. Other banks, particularly bank four, can actually have noise amplified to the point of seriously distorting the waveform, if you have something very noisy plugged in to the same strip.
Of course, to actually have any effect on electronics like an amp, you'd need a seriously messed up waveform and/or excess voltage. And you wouldn't likely be looking at subtle sound quality issues. Most likely, absent some very strange situation, the effect of using an Isobar (or any other surge protector) will be nil.
Funny. I did read that article and it led me to going down the rabbit hole of reading every post on ASR, Headfi, AudioaKarma, etc. that related to the IsoBar. I will be hooking up 2 Headphone Amps, DAC, and Receiver to the IsoBar.
I'm really just aiming to protect my audio equipment without sacrificing SQ. I am in the Chicago area and don't really experience brownouts. I guess what I can't determine is if it is worth spending the extra money on a IsoBar if a standard UL rated and 2000+ Joules Tripp Lite or Belkin Surge protector would be just fine?
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Ultimately I think the conclusion is that the Isobar is a well built surge suppressor. I think it's worth the extra for the built quality (including the non-flammable metal case), but it won't make any difference to your system. If you'd rather save the moolah and get a cheaper one, go for it. Just keep in mind that your average surge suppressor is not as well built in terms of components.
Everything I own plugs into Tripp Lites. I never noticed any difference in SQ / anything when I bought and installed them.
Then again, I also don't know anyone who has ever had electronics fried by a power surge. Just lucky, perhaps?
Then again, I also don't know anyone who has ever had electronics fried by a power surge. Just lucky, perhaps?
ShadowBoxer
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I've had unprotected control boards fried in refrigerator & washing machine. Audio & computers were unharmed (protected by Panamax). I subsequently put the appliances on either Panamax or Tripp-Lite.
- Thread Starter
- #11
Are you using the Tripp Lite IsoBar?
- Thread Starter
- #12
Funnily enough, a long while back I sent a Tripp Lite Isobar in to Tom's Hardware for a teardown and testing. The final page with the testing is here:
Tripp-Lite isobar Surge Protector Tear-Down
The iconic Tripp-Lite isobar falls under the knife in today's power strip tear-down. Is this unit as well-built as its heritage suggests?
While we can't know if the construction is the same nowadays, it seems likely it's similar. Long story short, you'd want to plug any noise sensitive devices into the first bank of plugs, where the isolation is effective. Other banks, particularly bank four, can actually have noise amplified to the point of seriously distorting the waveform, if you have something very noisy plugged in to the same strip.
Of course, to actually have any effect on electronics like an amp, you'd need a seriously messed up waveform and/or excess voltage. And you wouldn't likely be looking at subtle sound quality issues. Most likely, absent some very strange situation, the effect of using an Isobar (or any other surge protector) will be nil.
Do you think the same noisy bank issue applies to the IsoBar 4 bank version?
Yes. Both two- and six-outlet units.
It happens, but much depends on your location and the reliability of your utility.
DYgBbEqeqaEy
Member
Something to keep in mind. Although IsoBars are well made, if you are sensitive to coil whine, they will drive you nuts. I could hear mine from across the room at all times, now it lives in the garage.
- Thread Starter
- #16
interesting and good to know . I just received mine in the mail. I’ll have to test that out during the return period.
carolimagni
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Owner and user of an Eaton 9SX Online double conversion UPS. It might be the age of certain stages of the power filtering, but if I use single-ended RCA and sensitive speakers such as the Q Acoustic Concept 20s, the battery charger onboard the UPS actually introduces an annoying audible noise. If the batteries aren't charging, the noise goes away. The noise. I've since got around this by going purely balanced. Although I can also hear a really small noise induced in the coils of my power amp from the UPS battery charger.
All this is to say, be careful what you introduce with goal of SQ. I use this for its protection properties mainly, that should probably remain the goal. I cannot perceive an audible improvement or degradation of SQ outside that since resolved noise.
Cheers