Clean design and layout

Size makes placement an issue

I've been using this for about two weeks now. I didn't notice any video improvement using the cable filter, so I bypassed that to avoid the possibility of signal loss.

On the audio side, however, slight background noise that used to be there now seems absent, imaging is improved and bass is cleaner and better defined.

I got it for $124.95 from http://www.globe-mart.com/computer/surge/monstercable/index.htm, and I'd say it was worth every penny.

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Regular computer power strip

Decent filtering on audio and video, enough connections for future expansion

Color-coded plugs may not fit well with some decors ;-)

After reading the reviews here, I also took the plunge -- $133 from global-mart.com including shipping.

In my system, the audio lost some top end grain. There seems to be a small decrease in background noise across the spectrum. On my TV, some flaky looking cable stations now come in very cleanly. Oddly, the audio on my TV speakers improved. Now THAT was totally unexpected, not that I use them much.

Overall, this was a decent price on a modest improvement in video and sound quality.

does what its supposed to do

some confusion as to which outlets to use-video vs. audio

I live in an apartment in the city, so let me start off with that.
I have a Marantz cd5000 connected to a first monarchy dip, connected in series to a second monarchy super dip, an msb link dac, a Carver integrated and Infinity qe bookshelf speakers.

The HTS1000 made a huge improvement. I think the horrible outlets in my apartment with all the rf interference of the city coupled with the flourescent lights and halogen lamps most all apartments have (I'm talking me as well as everyone else in the building) was really keeping me from appreciating my DAC and transport.

My soundstage was still muddy, even after adding the link dac. In a/b tests when I first bought the dac, I could discern a better soundstage and more air in the instruments, but everything was still bunched together.
The hts1000 really spread out each instrument so it could be heard clearly. Everything had more focus, the soundstage focused in to a smaller area instead of being hazy as it was before. The biggest improvement however was the increase of dynamics which really made the sound more lifelike. I also easily noticed a more refined mid-range, more accurate bass and a slight reduction in upper brightness.

I first listened to Money Jungle (Duke Ellington) because of the piano's midrange and the bass which I thought would easily exhibit any of the improvements the unit was
supposed to make. The piano was much clearer and when Duke banged on the keys, due to the dynamics, it was much more evident than before as the notes just jumped out at you. The bass was much clearer and less hazy, which I appreciated as well. I've since listened to about 15 other albums, some pop, some jazz and continue to be impressed.

I could write a longer review, but much has been said about the unit already. To Summarize, it focused the
sounstage, increased dynamic range, midrange and bass clarity and removed some upper brightness while still increasing the frequency range slightly. I would recommend it to anyone who lives in an apartment, or the city, especially those with a DAC and cd player. It really helped my system attain its full potential.

I give it a 5 for value and I'm going to have to give it a 5 overall just because it offered the biggest improvement in my system so far... which I attribute to the horrible power supply coming into my apartment that was seriously degrading my dac and tranport's performance. The point is, you don't know if the power outlets are affecting the sound or not, unless you try something like this out. In my case, I consider it a necessity. There are some other great products out there that I'm sure offer much better performance, but I really can't afford them.

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none

Improves video performance.

Degrades overall audio performance

I don't know if I'm using the same power conditioner everybody has been raving about or I got defective HTS- 2000, but this thing was a disappointment. First, It produced a slight audio buzz that I could hear a few inches away from my speakers. Second, and most importantly, It sucked the life out my system. It smoothed the highs but decreased high end detail. It did tighten up bass as everyone says, but it put a lid on the soundstage and restricted the dynamics of my modestly powered(Audiosource 150/w ch)system. I used the monster for a week and it didn't change.
The one positive thing it did was increase picture contrast very nicely. Blacks looked more solid on both regular cable and DVD.
I would only use this thing for video if you don't want your system sound like it's underwater.

Components used: Kloss speakers(they're kind of aquatic to begin with), Audiosource separates, marantz 67 cd, and monster Z-series cables and interconnects

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panamax

I must admit,,I thought this was one purchase I would be standing at the return counter with. But my saleman insisted that I atleast try it,,If I diddent like it, I could simply return it. Well now I can say that the promises made were kept. This conditioner actually makes a diffrence. If you are like me and have BIG dollars tied up and audio/video equipment this is a must have,not only for the protection, but also for the audio and video improvement.

Did exactly what I asked of it.

Lacks widely spaced outlets for transformers

Having recently moved, I've been very unhappy with the quality of my cable feed--bleeding colors, excessive snow. I knew it wasn't my system, so it had to be something coming in from the outside. Although most of the review on this site tout the audio side of the equation, I decided to give it a try.

Wowsers.

Inky dark blacks, zero bleed. Very impressive. And the audio is better, too. It's very easy to comparison test this baby. Just try it with and without, holding your ear a couple inches away from the tweeter-- a clearly lowered noise floor. For general listening, everything things seems tighter, better imaging, slightly constrained vocals, but I'm hoping it'll burn in.

In short, I'm a big deal cynic with rich audiophile freinds who spend thousands chasing ghosts, and I'm impressed with this product. If you don't have the problems I've mentioned, don't bother. If you do, give this puppy a try.

For reference, my sooper-kool, sub-$1000, all auction and close-out system:

HK AV35 receiver
Pioneer 300 mega-changer as transport
Crystal outboard dac
Toshiba 32" tv
optimus lx-8 mains
optimus lx-5 surrounds (with the drinking straw mod)
optimus cs-5 center
audioquest 4+ speaker cable

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regular old surge protectors

Easy to install, apparant build quality. Easy wall mounting. Delivers on its promise!

Cost

This product works exactly as advertised!! Cleared up my DVD, DirecTV, and TiVo outputs to our Sony Wega XBR400. We saw an instant and immediate difference in clarity of picture. Can't say much about audio improvements yet. Get this product! I'm impressed!!

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Junkyard power strips

quieter background, better focus, more detail with more smoothness in the sound

none noted so far

The TAS review by R. Hartley says it all. The best upgrade value I can think of

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naim power strip

Great Video, clean lay out

Chassis a bit thin

Purchased the 2500. Had similar positive experience with the video. Much clearer!! I like the component style of the 2500, much cleaner layout (plugs all in the back. I didn not notice much of a difference in sound quality, however, virtually eliminated transformer hum from my Parasound HCA 1203 and 750 Power Amplifiers. Reduced ground a lot but not totally. I will try grounding amplifiers' chassis directly to external gronding screw on the Monster 2500.

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Tripp-Lite Isobar 6

Great performance at a great price!

None

Had read that these units would improve picture and sound and WOW! Excellent! Biggest improvement was the picture on all channels of cable TV.