Power Conditioners (esp. Furman Merit Series)

[MotherSea]

I can hardly believe the price disparity between Furman's new Merit series and their "higher end" power conditioners. Are any of the features of a higher end conditioner really worth it?


They all (expensive and not) seem to say the same thing: reduce noise and prevent power spikes. I assume the more expensive ones just do this better. But is the performance of the Merit series really questionable?

 

[Tybalt]

Hmmm, I feel like I just posted about power conditioners just a few threads down.

Yeah, the Merit series for Furman are pretty much glorified power-strips. They supposedly have the least amount of filtration/conditioning, uses sacrificial movs so they've only got a capacity for 1 or 2 big hits before they're kaput, no emergency-voltage shutdown, etc.

I wouldn't even bother with the Merit series unless you're just looking for a power-strip in rack mount form with maybe some rack lights:

http://www.furmansound.com/product.php?div=01&id=M-8Dx

At the very least I'd go the Classic Series route, they have most of the newer surge suppression "technology" you'd probably be looking for:

http://www.furmansound.com/product.php? ... Series_15A

 

[MotherSea]

I'm kind of disappointed they don't make one with no lights or indicators besides the Merit series (didn't they use to?)


And sorry, I probably didn't look hard enough for your post.

 

[Tybalt]

I'm kind of disappointed they don't make one with no lights or indicators besides the Merit series (didn't they use to?)

I guess if you really don't want lights or indicators yet still want something better than the Merit series, then this is probably the closest you'll get for still relatively cheap:

http://www.furmansound.com/product.php? ... =P-8PRO_II

I dunno, I love all the lights and extra bells and whistles and doo-dads that they can jam into my unit. :mrgreen:

 

[MotherSea]

Yep, that's definitely the one I'm considering upgrading to.


One more specific question: is the M-8x2 a step down from the RP-8, and why? I don't understand why each of their specifications are relevant... they just kind of throw big words and generalizations at you and expect you to buy whichever one you're looking at.

 

[Tybalt]

Yep, that's definitely the one I'm considering upgrading to.


One more specific question: is the M-8x2 a step down from the RP-8, and why? I don't understand why each of their specifications are relevant... they just kind of throw big words and generalizations at you and expect you to buy whichever one you're looking at.

The RP-8 is a discontinued model and I think the M-8 is probably either equal or a step down. I believe the RP-8 had a bit more conditioning but not sure on this.

Yeah there's a lot of technical mumbo jumbo that gets thrown around, but generally in terms of Furman products imo you want the stuff that at least has the "L.I.F.T., EVP" and "S.M.P".