I just hooked up my Panamax 5100 line conditioner $230 shipped from www.2baudio.com  it really does all that is advertised. There is a used 5100 on Audiogon seller says he'll take $150 plus shipping,but he was away on vacation last week,he just emailed me  and I couldn't wait so I bought one from TAD.

Cheers,
Robert

Got one and she's just doing fine.  Still trying to learn what she's capable of.  I think you had a great deal on yours.  Mine is no where near that price, although it's a different model.

Panamax uses MOVs that wear out. The joule rating is low for the cost. As the MOVs wear out, the sound quality of your system is gradually degraded. After a total failure of the Panamax, you get a new unit and are amazed at the improvement in sound quality.

At Lowe's, they have $32 surge supressors that have double the joule rating. I replace the cheapie annually before there is sound degradation.

How do I know this? I've owned Panamaxes for the last 10 years that have failed (and saved my equipment). In my view an MOV is an MOV. It is largely about the joule rating per dollar IMO.

Bill

PS: Many amp manufacturers recommend that no surge supressor be used because they limit current and are not needed by the amp. Bryston give a transferrable 20 year warranty and recommends you plug their amps directly into a wall outlet. B

How long do you think the Panamax should last?
You mention that some amp companies recommend not using conditioners. The guy who did the mod on my SACD player (SACDMODS.com) also recommends plugging the unit directly into the wall.

Brickwall doesn't use MOV's.  Nothing to wear out.  It's not a line conditioner per se, but a good surge suppressor.

MOV based surge supressors have variable lives depending on the quality of your power supply. Once they have taken too many hits (surges), they die.
I had a 20 amp Panamax die in 18 months. Others lasted longer.

Series type supressors last indefinitely, but usually lack any conditioning.

Bill

That's what I just said.

MrMcGoo wrote:

Panamax uses MOVs that wear out. The joule rating is low for the cost. As the MOVs wear out, the sound quality of your system is gradually degraded. After a total failure of the Panamax, you get a new unit and are amazed at the improvement in sound quality. At Lowe's, they have $32 surge supressors that have double the joule rating. I replace the cheapie annually before there is sound degradation. How do I know this? I've owned Panamaxes for the last 10 years that have failed (and saved my equipment). In my view an MOV is an MOV. It is largely about the joule rating per dollar IMO. Bill PS: Many amp manufacturers recommend that no surge supressor be used because they limit current and are not needed by the amp. Bryston give a transferrable 20 year warranty and recommends you plug their amps directly into a wall outlet. B

Let's see if i understand this correctly.  I just got a Panamax 5510 July of this year for 1k usd--So July of next year I'll go to Lowes and get a new surge supressor to replace the cheapie inside my 5510??

Great,another product that has planned obsolescence!

Good thing I still have my $40 Belkin power strip!

Cheers,
Robert

Raptorman,

Your Panamax 5510 has a 2100 joule rating. My $32 supressor has a rating of 3750 joules. It takes the hit before my HTS 5100 power center takes the hit. The supressor on the whole house takes the hit before the $32 unit.

I had a Panamax 4410 (?) 20 amp unit that I ran all other units through. Its joule rating was just over 1900 juoles and died in a wind storm about 18 months from date of purchase. My first surge supressor unit in my HT system always dies first. Hence, the use of the cheapie. (The whole house unit has a much higher clamping voltage and therefore does not prevent the lower voltage hits.)

The series type units allegedly last indefinitely, but cost more than 10x my cheapie.

Bill

Mine crapped out. Won't power up. They don't seem to last more than 4 or 5 years.

DM

I have a Brickwall. Could I run a Panamax 5510 after the Brickwall?

 

DC 

What about the Richard Gray Power Co. power conditioner, it is a parallel conditioner?

Jay