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Just installed my new Emotiva CMX-6 line conditioner. I was using a regular old plastic box 4 outlet plug strip. I've always had the feeling that strip wasn't helping my system sound its best. On the other hand, spending big bucks for a line conditioner/surge protector just isn't in keeping with my philosophy of max bang-for-the-buck audio. The new CMX-6 seems very well constructed, with six outlets and a heavy duty detachable power cord. I don't think my electric service is filled with gremlins, but having a quality line filter makes me feel all warm and runny inside, without that nagging feeling I had with my old plug strip.
Follow Ups:
Since I'm a panamax fan.....i just looked at a representitive piece.
Over/Under voltage protection and coax/phone connectors for enough less $$ to make this a 'winner' in this category.
surge suppression still not specified as an energy number.....
Too much is never enough
Reading the specs, it's like a computer watching over your line voltage. Audio-wise, I could discern some benefit, maybe, for some components, but definitely not always. I would insist on this level or protection if I were in a susceptible region though.I am still trying to figure out that if I get a power cord that I like, and distribute it with one of the strips with detachable cord, such as this one, do I still get the same benefit? Or, is it all in my head anyway?
Edits: 05/05/12
I see NO mention of surge suppression on the Emo product.
I'd insist on that feature.
If I lived in Florida or anywhere else in the 'Lightning Belt', I'd have a whole-house surge suppression system installed. Couple hundred bucks and CHEAP at 2x the price, if only for the peace of mind.
I use a Panamax. High surge capacity with replaceable MOV devices and a 400va Iso transformer for the low-current and digital equipment.
My amp an sub are plugged into an exclusive circuit with a PSAudio Soloist outlet.
Go Bears!
Too much is never enough
Q. "Does the CMX-6 also provide for surge protection?
A. To a degree. All of our gear has surge protection built in, so if we added additional MOVs to the blocks it could limit the peak rise time of the current. Instead of using MOVs the Common mode chokes and caps (which are used to filter out the noise) will resist the change in voltage which will act as a surge suppressor should it get really high without limiting the dynamic characteristics needed to give the amps what they need."
Fortunately, the kinds of weather phenomena you describe are rare here in SoCal. I think we've had lightening twice in the last three or four years.
In the interior photo, I thought I saw some MOV devices...but not in sufficient number to take 'the really big hit'.
It should be pointed out that MOV devices have a limited lifetime and each surge cycle eats into the capacity.
So, what is the energy rating of the surge suppression feature in the Emo?
If I lived in Florida I would have a whole house surge system....as I already noted, but STILL have point of use surge suppressors.
The Panamax i noted? Not inexpensive at around 1000$....I have NO idea what the retail price was.
In addition to the Iso transformer, it has volt and amp meters, along with provision for 'f' connectors (cable) and Rj-45 (telephone) and even an XLR on both front and rear, to be used for a setup light.(provided) VERY well though out.
Too much is never enough
It is your house that is most likely filled with gremlins.
Do you have any of the following?
Cordless phones
Cell phones
Computers
Routers
Access Points
Cable boxes
HDTVs
CD/DVD/Blu Ray Players
Music streamers (Squeezebox, Sonus, etc)
Other modern appliance with computer control (switching power supply)
Each of those happily dumps RFI noise into your AC or generates local radio energy that can be picked up and amplified by audio components.
I don't think I've ever heard any anomalies generated by the electronic devices you mentioned.
Most of these devices put out low level electronic pollution. This can be easily proven by using a portable AM radio. The EMI is not just limited to the power wires, as the power wiring acts like an antenna In addition to devices listed there are light dimmers and (probably) LED lights, as these have a power supply built in to the base. Soon there will be smart meters, a wireless device one can't shut off. The interference will depend on the equipment, wiring, distance, etc. In some cases it may not be subtle. In the case of cell phone near low level sources such as tape machines there may be loud breakthrough.
If you are not hearing these effects and if your system sounds consistent from day to day except when your mood or health changes, consider yourself lucky.
Tony Lauck
"Diversity is the law of nature; no two entities in this universe are uniform." - P.R. Sarkar
After listening this afternoon for a couple of hours, I noticed a few changes. More inner detail, blacker background, noticeably lower level of sibilance and mid-range "peakiness" to vocals passages that previously could get edgy at times. Everything is much smoother than before. All in all, I'm very pleased with the line conditioner. It's made more of a difference than I thought it could.
I didn't think I had gremlins in my current either but when I added a conditioner the improvement was neither subtle nor gradual. Not all tweaks are as easy to say wow, that really helped. For most a conditioner is one of those no doubt improvements. If you are not sure, take the conditioner back out and return to the power strip. If you are not stunned by the drop in sound quality, maybe this model isn't that effective. A good test: Listening to CDs between cuts should be dead quiet. Try this at night when ambient noise has dropped off. Sometimes you don't notice you had any line noise present until you remove it.
I hope you meant the opposite:-D
I don't need to waste time doing that. The improvement has been worthwhile. No sense going back to the old days.
This is what I'm saying!
Congrats.
I've noticed basically the same changes after having it one day in my system.
What you would typically hear is a false brightness added to the signal which obscures low level resolution. Some folks like the "added detail".
What is really cool about this $120 item is that they actually show you what is inside before you buy it! Looks well worth the $$$.
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