value

none

This review is for the hts1000 (8 outlet version). The hts line eliminates noticeable hum and gives you better video quality. However, if you are willing to spend a bit more, I would highly recommend acme audio cryo treated outlets or bpt balanced power conditioner w/ hospital grade plugs. Also, use a dedicated wall plug for high current components such as amps.

Works, cheap

None

A great product for $200. I had a raggedy sound to my music before-now much fuller smoother. No real change to video but I have sattellite which was already very good

Didn't think it would work but the difference is huge on the music

Similar Products Used:

None

Soundstage, dynamics, increase in the "you are there factor"

none

In my twenty-something years as a music lover/hifi enthusiast, this unit has made the largest beneficial improvement of any single component that I have ever heard(with exception of the Audio Research 100.2 Amp). I was VERY skeptical at first. My mouth literally popped open in the first few seconds of use. All I can say is,that, for me, the $180.00 investment improved absolutely EVERYTHING in my system. If the price were double or triple, it would still be worth it. I believe that says it all.



Associated equipment;
Adcom GFP-750 preamp
Audio Research 100.2 amp
Rega Planet CD player
Magnepan 2.7QR speakers
PSB 3i subwoofer
Tara Labs, Audio quest opalx3 XLR, BEL "the wire"interconnects, Monster sub cables, and Kimber 4TC speaker cable

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Isobar

Good build quality; makes significant improvement in video and audio quality. If bought at discount through Global Mart, the HTS2000 and HTS1000 are provide high value.

No instruction manual to explain functions. At full retail price, the value decreases.

I must start this review by commenting that I initially bought a HTS3500 and disliked its effect on the audio quality of my system, which deteriorated markedly. On the other hand, the HTS3500 did a nice job of improving video quality in my system. I decided to buy a HTS2000, based on the experiences of several other people who have reviewed the HTS3500 in this forum. I was unprepared for what a HUGE improvement there was in the audio quality when I changed from the 3500 to the 2000. My wife is the one in our family who has the "golden ears", and when I asked her to do some serious listening after I installed the HTS2000, she commented that the improvement was dramatic. Specifically, she said the "lushness" was back in the system, plus a more transparent mid-range, and much better soundstaging and imaging. The sound quality using the HTS3500 sounded thinner and harsher, as if there was a lot of odd-order harmonic distortion taking place. I have no explanation for why there should be such a difference in the audio quality between these 2 models. The only two reasons that make sense to me are: the HTS3500 I have has some defective internal parts, or the 3500's additional filtration has a negative effect on the audio components. Whatever the reason, I strongly recommend that you try the HTS2000 (or HTS1000, which is the same unit but has 4 fewer outlets) before you buy the 3500. My system now has 2 of the HTS2000 units, one handling the regular 2-channel audio system and amp, and the other one handling the TV and surround-sound components. My current system is comprised of:

Adcom GTP750 Pre/Pro (to be replaced by Bryston SP-1)
Bryston 4B-ST power amp (for main speakers)
Bryston 5B-ST power amp (for center and rear surrounds)
VPI HW-19 Mark 4 turntable / Rega RB900 arm / various cartridges
Lehmann Audio Black Cube phono preamp
Rega Planet CD player
Sony S550D DVD player
JVC S-VHS VCR
Vandersteen 3A Signature main speakers
Vandersteen VCC-1 center channel speaker
Sony WEGA TV
B&W rear surround speakers
AudioQuest Ruby interconnects
Component video cables by BetterCables (see review)
Digital coax cable by BetterCables
KimberKable 8TC speaker wire (bi-wire sets)
Monster HTS2000 power conditioners (2)

Similar Products Used:

Monster HTS3500; various audio power strips.

Simply the best line conditioning for the money.

Casing is not thermally isolated.

This is one incredible product! There is absolutely no way you can go wrong with this one. I must point out that I am disappointed by the oversights of the previous reviewers with respect to their "perceptions."

Line conditioners simply filter out RF frequency that can degrade audio and video signals. By reducing this background noise, you hear or see more of what your system is outputting. There is another variable that adds distortion to a HI-FI system... that would be Digital Soundfield Processing. Equalizers and DSP's increase your total harmonic distortion. Line conditioners make less current available to critical points in the DSP algorithm. The more you adjust your DSP, the more you muddy your own sound!

So please, if you invest in a line conditioner, and want to get the most out of it... switch to pure analog or digital in. Bypass the DSP and Equalizer settings completely. Also, due to the voltage regulation, you'll find that you have to switch the phase setting on your subwoofer if you've never added a line conditioner before. If it was set to 0 before the line conditioner, switch to 180 after you install Monster 2000.

With all this said, I experienced a 6dB gain in a middle C test tone (more midrange). Bass tightened up, and the highes are considerably less bright. Finally, my DirecTV dish picture was enhanced very satisfactorily.

Test System:

Panasonic PT-42PD2-P plasma TV
Onkyo TX-DS989 THX Surround EX, THX Ultra
Monster digital interconnects
Component Video hookups
Toslink Optical hookups
Sony SCD-777ES Super Audio CD
Dony DVP-S7700 Reference DVD
Custom NHT Time Correct Speakers Front
Custom NHT Time Correct Speakers Rear Surround
Custom NHT Time Correct Center Front
Custom NHT Time Cirrect Center Rear Surround
2 Polk PSW 1200 Subs

Similar Products Used:

Isobar Metric, dMax 3200, isocharge 400, Monster 1000

versatile, well made, well laid out

for $100? not many

I purchased this product after so many favorable reviews and because it seemed like a reasonable measure of insurance against power spikes and surges. My expecatations for sound or video improvement were quite low.

That being said, I did A/B test it against a simple power surge protector and did find some, though I would say minor, soundstage improvment and overall slightly increased clarity of the sound. I would say about $150 worth!

There was absolutely no change in my cable video signal.

The protection of the equipment and the versatility of the layout and build construction make this a good buy. The sonic improvment is icing, in my book.

Kef 104.2s
VdH "the second"s cable
Audible Illusions Mod 3
Hafler DH500
adcom gcd700
sony XBR2 tv
sony cdp530 dvd

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none

Well built, clearly labeled

Might not be for all systems...

I purchased this after reading all the "raves" both here and from audio magazines (just what restaurant did Monster take Robert Harley to ?! - must have been pretty darn good.)

While it certainly gives you protection against various spikes and other line-surge nasties, I found - at least in my system - a degradation in sound quality. This was especially true (and most noticable) with my amplifier.

Whether this is due to the power supply in my amp being "fully regulated" and over-built, obviating the need for any further filtering, I'm not sure, but it definately muddied the bass, shrank the soundstage, and gave the sound an overall "grainy" character - compared to running straight-in-the-wall.

But hey, what do you expect for chump change? I was expecting a King's castle at a pauper's price, and it just ain't so.

Still, for medium priced systems or a modest home theater system, the added "insurance" and piece of mind is worth the price and is better than nothing at all.

System;

Clase CA301
Martin-Logan ReQuest
Mark Levinson No. 39
Synergistic interconnect & speaker cable
PS Audio P300 (the REAL deal)
Balanced Audio Technology P5
Reference Line Preeminence 1B
Alpha Core interconnects
Sennheiser HD600
Musical Design X-Cans
Well Tempered Classic V

Similar Products Used:

P.A.C. IDOS, various surge protectors/enhancers.

A power device that actually worked for me

none really

I would have paid $100 just to have enough outlets for my system, but the extra features made it a great deal.

The improvement to video quality, both DVD and Satellite were immediately noticable. Cartoon network always looks excellent, but it now looks phenominal (as long as everything at echostar is working well)

As far as music, I didn't notice any real difference worth mentioning.

But overall, for all those outlets, in a sturdy chassis, with surge protection (this feature saved me lots of aggrivation a couple of times), plus the noticible improvement in video quality, it was well worth the $130 bucks from globe mart

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you name it

price, size (unobtrusive), number of outlets, cable grounding

none that I can tell

I actually have the HTS 1000. The only difference between
this and the 2000 is that the 2000 has 2 high current
outlets on it and this one doesn't. I don't have 2
monoblock amps or anything that would realistically demand
that feature.

This thing is perfect for my applications. I power a
105w x 5 Denon AVR-3300, an 80w Infinity sub, and a
Mitsubishi 46" HD TV with it, and it has performed well.
The TV picture has, dramaticly, become sharper and
clearer, the audio has definitely become more alive and crisp (no hum to speak of). Just to clear up something:
This thing merely grounds cable ... it doesn't clean it as
other's have posted. I'm glad for this grounding, since I
don't trust how well the cable was grounded in my
apartement.

Without the high power terminals, this thing performs
perfectly through all kinds of transients introduced in
music or dvd recordings. The receiver and sub have never
been starved for power through all kinds of listening
conditions. (Inductive line cleaners are apparently
notorious for constricting power flow during heavy load
moments)

I got it for $110 from a local stereo shop and I believe
it to be worth more than the $400+ worth of cabling that I
purchased.

I wouldn't want the module units (3500, etc.) Why does a
line cleaner have to be a visible component? I know I
wouldn't feel good about buying one for $200+ more just
so everyone can see I have nice little blue voltage meter??

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$15 surge protector powerstrip from Walmart (That's not similar!)

Improves audio & video performance

not pretty

At 20 inches in length, the Monster HTS2000 is one big honkin’ power strip/surge protector. It sports 12 AC outlets, 3 gold plated coaxial I/O and telephone I/O. There’s plenty of room for several wallwart power supplies if needed. Supposedly, each outlet has filter circuits optimized for a particular component type, e.g., high current amp, video, audio, switched, unswitched, etc., and bears a color coded label for each port. The body consists of black painted metal with black plastic trim and appears well built for home use, especially considering the low price ($135 at globalmart.com). The strip also features pretty green ground and protection lights and a red glowing rocker switch for the switched outlets. The plastic end trim can be removed to allow for mounting in a 19 inch rack. You’d have to leave a couple of rack spaces open above and below it in order to plug your gear in. However, I wouldn’t want a bunch of power cords sticking out the front of a rack.

It didn’t do well during the wife test as she immediately noticed it laying behind a speaker and remarked that it was big and ugly and full of wires! I immediately placed a small fake plant in front of it. The component style HTS2500 probably would fare better in this area but I though the rear positioned AC outlets would be a pain in the butt as I often move my gear around.

Did it make a difference in my system? Yes, there was a significant improvement in the audio and, to a lesser extent, to cable reception. Foremostly, the bass and midrange took on better focus and clarity, i.e., the mud was gone. I didn’t realize there was mud down there until I plugged this puppy in. When comparing, it took me 45 seconds to switch off my system, pull the plug, power on and clue the same track. I repeated this ritual numerous times with different recordings over the course of 2 months. I’m still not sure about some small details I seemed to hear: 45 seconds proved to be too long a period to be absolutely certain about them. I though perhaps there were small improvements in sound staging, but maybe the increased midrange clarity made separation and placement seem clearer. Anyway, the bass and midrange improvements were obvious and unquestionable. The treble seemed about the same with or without the HTS.

Although I could detect no significant improvement in the video output from my VCR or DVD players (they were very good to begin with), my cable reception cleaned up noticeably. This improvement was solely due to plugging the TV's power cord into the HTS2000. At first, I ran my CATV into the HTS but noticed a small amount of signal loss, i.e., the picture looked less grainy but darker, so I reconnected the cable directly to my TV. Maybe the darkening was due to the additional cable required or maybe the HTS filters did it? I don’t know. My CATV signal has always been weak and prone to RFI. Even if I run the CATV into my VCR first and then into the TV there is a loss of picture quality (I bought Monster M1000S video cables and it helped some). I live on the 31st story of a condo in downtown Honolulu near a transmitting tower. Perhaps after 31 floors of signal amplifiers and splitters there’s not much juice left!

I have heard numerous comments about this device: most say it improved things while some felt that it did nothing or degraded performance. My guess is that ultra high end components have power supplies with as good or better filter circuits than the HTS and thus reap little benefit. Some have complained that their 500 watt power amp choked when exacting a sforzando at eardrum bustin’ volume due to insufficient current draw. However, budget ‘audiophile and mid-fi gear may stand to gain significant improvements. For only $135 this has proved to be the cheapest and one of the most significant upgrades to my humble system.

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panamax