Power board required Australia

[JakovH]

Hey people, I have decided to do some cable management and part of this is tidying up my various cheap surge protectors bought from our Bunnings type retailers over the years.

 

i'm not willing to spend a lot here but up to 3-400aud all up. Goals are the tidy up, possible added protection and if possible, maybe clean up the power supplied by my various components.

 

The chain includes 2 active Focal monitors, preamp, DAC (atm a wadia with smps), CAPS styled server and a HDPlex lpsu. The plugs these units run off have various appliances plugged into in different rooms. I accept that I will not be changing anything there. No new feeds etc. Just to the best with what we have.

 

So what is available within the above parameters and my price range may improve my situation.

[JakovH]

Btw, we use type I plugs here and mains supply is 230v

[sandyk]

Hey people, I have decided to do some cable management and part of this is tidying up my various cheap surge protectors bought from our Bunnings type retailers over the years.

 

i'm not willing to spend a lot here but up to 3-400aud all up. Goals are the tidy up, possible added protection and if possible, maybe clean up the power supplied by my various components.

 

The chain includes 2 active Focal monitors, preamp, DAC (atm a wadia with smps), CAPS styled server and a HDPlex lpsu. The plugs these units run off have various appliances plugged into in different rooms. I accept that I will not be changing anything there. No new feeds etc. Just to the best with what we have.

 

So what is available within the above parameters and my price range may improve my situation.

 

Check out Jaycar and Altronics websites.

[JakovH]

Check out Jaycar and Altronics websites.

 

Okay. So the same stuff that Bunnings sell...

[sandyk]

Okay. So the same stuff that Bunnings sell...

 

I think that you are likely to find more specialised items at Jaycar

[completeluxury]

if its protection why not get a monster power board? should fall within the price range and at least gives you surge protection.

 

edit - have a look at this website

 

Premium Power Protection by Thor Technologies | Products

 

they got a lot of power board products in your price range

[One and a half]

If you can, try and find a power protector board like the Monster, which has a time delay in case of AC failure. Last thing you want is your gear energising again on a reclose which may not work. The time delay ensures the AC is stable before it switches the rest of the outlets on.

 

Also if tidying up is a task, look here for gear to make things neat. A roll of Velcro 1in wide will do wonders, it's reusable, gentle on the cables and keeps them in place very well. Cable ties are far too aggressive.

[JakovH]

Thank you for the suggestions. Any particular monster board with this time delay?

Many threads I've read suggest leaving active monitors or amps plugged directly into the p/point so I only need 4 - 6 plug board but I guess more give built in redundancy for future changes.

[odelay]

With the dearth of options here in Oz, I bought a simple distribution power board that has US sockets to feed my audio gear.

 

... just throwing that out there as anther option... You don't necessarily have to be limited to Aussie plugs... (Save one that goes into your wall... Furutech make an Aussie plug)

[completeluxury]

for 3 - 400 he then has to buy all US sockets for his gear too...

 

all my gear is on US plugs but thats for a shunyata triton. if i jsut wanted a cheap power board i wouldnt have bothered!

[One and a half]

So a nema 5-15 US plug is rated for 230V?

[odelay]

I know nuthink, I know nuthink!

Listen to One and a Half and co..

I'm a complete dunce on these things...

 

I wasn't suggesting anyone SHOULD use US power boards, only that it's something I'm doing here in Oz... (As options seem thin on the ground here.) But if there are indeed good reasons not to...

[JakovH]

For safety and insurance purposes, I'll keep to the type I plug we use here.

 

Quoting myself here But an answer from someone who has been down this path would be appreciated.

 

Any particular monster board (or others) with this time delay?

Many threads I've read suggest leaving active monitors or amps plugged directly into the p/point so I only need 4 - 6 plug board but I guess more give built in redundancy for future changes.

 

Simply, there are power boards out there with these features but who knows how well built they are and if they're really suitable for my situation.

 

Cheers

[completeluxury]

jakovh did you check out the thor page i posted? they are well priced products that do exactly what you want. plus its an aussie site.

[sandyk]

Other than the need for perhaps a couple of heavy duty filtered outlets with MOV protection, I have seen very little evidence, at least in Sydney, of the need for the use of balanced transformers and the other paraphernalia that our U.S.A. members need to go to, due their much larger current spikes and less easily ignored voltage drops due to typical consumer grade (after a period of use) mains hardware with their AC supply which is half the voltage of ours.

Most well designed gear should be capable of reducing what is left after filtering to levels that doesn't degrade performance.

A decent mains earth at the premises is of course essential though.

[JakovH]

jakovh did you check out the thor page i posted? they are well priced products that do exactly what you want. plus its an aussie site.

 

Yes I did. One thing I noticed at the Altronics website was an identical rack mounted board that looked identical to the Thor unit but was $120 cheaper. Both made in China. So are Thors products really just re-branded generic Chinese product with advertising spiel?

 

Other than the need for perhaps a couple of heavy duty filtered outlets with MOV protection, I have seen very little evidence, at least in Sydney, of the need for the use of balanced transformers and the other paraphernalia that our U.S.A. members need to go to, due their much larger current spikes and less easily ignored voltage drops due to typical consumer grade (after a period of use) mains hardware with their AC supply which is half the voltage of ours.

Most well designed gear should be capable of reducing what is left after filtering to levels that doesn't degrade performance.

A decent mains earth at the premises is of course essential though.

 

I agree with you. I'm city fringe/rural but bar odd fluctuations, it seems relatively stable. This is why I was really working towards a decent power board (or two) for the smps on the same circuit down one side of the house. It allows me to hopefully tame some noise and tidy the tangle.

 

Would it be wise to plug the Focal SM's into such a board or take the punt and go directly into the wall socket? At the moment they're into the cheap generic for no other reason than I didn't have long enough leads. I've just completed two new 4 metre leads to resolve that issue.

[sandyk]

Would it be wise to plug the Focal SM's into such a board or take the punt and go directly into the wall socket?

I would take the punt and go directly into the wall socket.

With my PC, I have 2 power boards with just VDR protection. One is used for the analogue components such as DAC and Headphone Amplifier Linear power supplies ,and the other for the PC itself, and SMPS plugpacks for Printer, Broadband Modem and Monitor . They both plug into the same dual outlet wall sockets.

In my main listening room I have 2 DIY heavy duty mains filters in the same case with separate mains outlet sockets . One is used solely for the 40" LED backlighted LCD TV, and the other feeds a power board for an Oppo 103, DAC, Class A Preamp, Class A power amp. and a +5V Linear low noise PSU for use with the main USB input of the Oppo 103 when a USB memory stick is plugged in.as the source. The Oppo 103 is used solely as a Transport for Coax SPDIF Out to the DAC.

The TV is connected via Toslink to the DAC as well, for normal TV viewing via the system.

 

Regards

Alex

[One and a half]

Other than the need for perhaps a couple of heavy duty filtered outlets with MOV protection, I have seen very little evidence, at least in Sydney, of the need for the use of balanced transformers and the other paraphernalia that our U.S.A. members need to go to, due their much larger current spikes and less easily ignored voltage drops due to typical consumer grade (after a period of use) mains hardware with their AC supply which is half the voltage of ours.

Most well designed gear should be capable of reducing what is left after filtering to levels that doesn't degrade performance.

A decent mains earth at the premises is of course essential though.

 

My impression of equipment's ratings are that there's a nominal given voltage, whether 230V or 120V and a tolerance given +/- % as a deviation from the nominal voltage. I don't see what 120V compared to a 230V system has to do with anything, other than one is nearly double the other, much less to fall?? If the voltage falls out of tolerance, the equipment won't work any more.

 

As for balanced power, I can happily live with a substantial reduction in lower frequency harmonics that propagate to and from audio components on the same system on 120V or 230V.

[sandyk]

My impression of equipment's ratings are that there's a nominal given voltage, whether 230V or 120V and a tolerance given +/- % as a deviation from the nominal voltage.

 

Many older powerboards etc. , even well used equipment mains sockets can go high resistance, ( I had to replace one on my DAC) which is part of the reason many overseas use Hospital Grade plugs and sockets for reliability and higher performance (supposedly) . A little resistance in the mains power plugs and sockets will affect devices such as higher powered amplifiers. Our 230VAC mains plugs are very flimsy compared with those from the U.K. especially, and readily tarnish , and many power board outlets here can become unreliable after repeated insertions. I have had to take a couple apart to re-tension the sockets.

[JakovH]

The next answer needs to be what brand and model power board

 

Easy is always nice. Knowing others are having no issues with particular units helps one buy with confidence.

[sandyk]

The next answer needs to be what brand and model power board

 

Easy is always nice. Knowing others are having no issues with particular units helps one buy with confidence.

 

Seeing that many marketed as their own product appear to be rebadged units made in Asia, it may be worthwhile paying a little more for a big brand name type, which is possibly made in the same Asian factory too ?

At least the warranty should be better !

[Abee_V]

Not sure if I'm helping in any way - I've recently purchased a Furman unit from Turramurra Music store. Seems to give me 'consistent' power whilst providing protection.

Good luck with your search.

[One and a half]

Many older powerboards etc. , even well used equipment mains sockets can go high resistance, ( I had to replace one on my DAC) which is part of the reason many overseas use Hospital Grade plugs and sockets for reliability and higher performance (supposedly) . A little resistance in the mains power plugs and sockets will affect devices such as higher powered amplifiers. Our 230VAC mains plugs are very flimsy compared with those from the U.K. especially, and readily tarnish , and many power board outlets here can become unreliable after repeated insertions. I have had to take a couple apart to re-tension the sockets.

 

Then a replacement of the AU connector is warranted. For 230V that leaves the UK or Schuko patterns to choose from, Furutech and Oyaide provide quite a variety of different connectors at different price points perhaps within the OP's budget. Jaycar for example stock EU and UK power cords with an IEC320 connector to suit nearly all hi fi components. These cables are unshielded.

[Nikhil]

The next answer needs to be what brand and model power board

 

Easy is always nice. Knowing others are having no issues with particular units helps one buy with confidence.

 

I can recommend this company from Hong Kong. Very well made.

http://www.sineworld.com/index.html

[sandyk]

Then a replacement of the AU connector is warranted. For 230V that leaves the UK or Schuko patterns to choose from, Furutech and Oyaide provide quite a variety of different connectors at different price points perhaps within the OP's budget. Jaycar for example stock EU and UK power cords with an IEC320 connector to suit nearly all hi fi components. These cables are unshielded.

 

Agreed. Our connectors leave a lot to be desired. The plugs are easily damaged too, with bent pins if you accidentally step on them. Some IEC320 sockets are poor quality too. The one that I replaced in my DAC due to going high resistance, had a thin pressed metal outer over a solid interior.