Really clears up audio, particularly highs

No VCR-specific outlet

This is a follow up to my previous comments regarding the buzzing problem with my first unit. After 24 hours, my replacement unit also started buzzing. I was more than a little disappointed, and I considered returning the unit. I had a chance to speak with Tony Wu, a Monster Power engineer, at this past weekend's CES show in Las Vegas and he explained the cause of the buzzing sound. Apparently, epoxy used to seal/sound dampen the power transformer was not properly absorbed during the manufacturing process, resulting in a loose fit, and leading to the buzzing sound. It is not supposed to affect the unit's performance, though. Their current fix is to basically put a tie wrap around the whole transformer structure, silencing the buzzing.

Similar Products Used:

MP HTS-2000

build quality nice for monster

price a bit steep

i wasn't sure what to expect from this product as it has been the first line conditioner i have test driven. my current
set-up includes the use of a variac, running the four tube amplifiers in order to lower my 127V line voltage. this has always produced a slight audible hum from the speakers at idle. i would also occasionally get a "thump" when powering the system up. i am pleased to report that both the hum and
"thumps" have disappeared from my listening sessions.


build quality and asthetics are nice but pricey. no regrets
from this purchase.

associated equipment:

mcintosh mc60-pair
fisher 80az-pair
audio research sp3-slightly modified
cal alpha/delta
rega planar 3
mcintosh mr67
b&w 805 nautilus
biwired with kimber 8tc+4tc

12 outlets, all can be controlled to be switched or unswitched..... large voltage meter with pretty "BLUE HUE", phone and coax in/out

none that I can find

what a wonderful piece of equipment!!! i used to own the HTS-3500, but in all honesty, i bought the HTS-5000 because the meter on the front was bigger and looked soooo much cooler!!! i wasn't expecting a huge difference, but i got one! my picture from satellie and DVD became much sharper, and my cable feed (we all know how bad cable can be) was much better too!!! but the most staggering improvement was in my audio... i got a 3dB gain in volume from my system, and i noticed that the music became more spacious and the bass was fuller and much more prominent.

Similar Products Used:

HTS-3500

12 outlets all are switchable/unswitchable with delays of 6 or 20 seconds, 2 outlets on front, remote trigger delay, 4 outlets w/digital filtering, 2 w/video and 2 for analog. Also has filtering for cable TV, satellite and an antenna. Protects against surges on anything that has been hooked up to it, even 2 phone lines. Its rated at 2775 joules. Warranted to be replaced if used according to manual for the life of the buyer. Rack mountable and has a nice looking Volt Meter which measures the incoming fluctuations in your AC power.

none so and its lived up to what I needed it for

Has lived up to its billing. Very solid and well built power center. Had a bad power surge last year that killed my VCR. Living on the Gulf Coast in Florida we get more than our share of thunder and lightning storms so this power center should give me a piece of mind having my equipment hooked up to it.

Similar Products Used:

Panamax Max1500 and Max2000

Cleans up Video, especially cable TV and protects equipment from surges(I hope) 12 total outlets. Many features

Bright LEDs that really aren't necessary

For HT it can't be beat. I'm using the HTS 3500 and the HTS 5000 in a large HT system. Both do a great job. The HTS 5000 offers an extra filtering stage, two extra outlets on the front,is slightly bigger in depth, and a better voltage meter. The slight buzz from the meters really doesn't bother me. Monster claims this is caused by getting banged around during shipping. They did offer to change it for me. Why bother, it'll just get knocked around during shipping again.The units also look nice and do everything they're supposed to. Good investment. The very best prices on these seem to be at Global Mart wwwGlobe-mart.com

Similar Products Used:

HTS 3500 Chang Lightspeed 6400iso

Excellent customer support. Works as stated.

A little expensive

I'm not sure why KARLOS had such a difficult time with customer support.

I had a 3500 which I bought before I moved. After I moved, the thing wouldn't power on at all. I called customer support and they arranged it so that I could trade the unit in at a local dealer, same day, no charge. I couldn't have asked for a better, more pleasant experience.

I then received a letter from them about 1 month later appologing and making sure the new unit was working correct.

I'm going to give this unit 5 stars to make up for some of the bad reviews...I mean, comeon...1 star? Geeesh...

Obviously it's either black or white to some people. This unit is at least 2-3 stars compared to other products out there. Personally it works great, cleaned up my video AND a smidgen of noise.

Great warranty...what more could you ask?

Similar Products Used:

3500

Does the job

Very audible buzz emitting from the transformer

I bought two of these for my system and they are both emitting a very audible buzz. I am going to return them.

equipments protection, appearance, peace of mind, convience outlets in the front is great for camcorder, etc.

Can this equipment be remote controlled. All other equipment I have is remote controlled but I have to walk over to turn this one on, though not a big deal.

The picture appears to be cleaner and the sound appears to be more solid.

I record alot of stuff with my vcr. Prior to my using the 5000, the picture and sound fades and dims sporadiacally during playback. It has not happened since I use the 5000. I don't know if there is a direct cause and effect with the use of the 5000. Maybe someone can explain this.

During a thunder storm while I was watching dvd, My whole system was zapped THREE TIMES in one night! The 5000 provided the protection and no damage to my system.

If you already spent few thousand dollars or more on equipment, can you really trust a two dollar surge protector from kmart.

I don't think this machine is meant to improve your system's performance (if you want that, go buy a Lexicon surround). The 5000 is meant mainly for protection.

Appearance, Flexibility, inhances video signal quality. Somewhat lower noise floor.

none that I can tell. unit never takes away or adds any real sonic characteristics.

This unit seems to be built fairly well. It is also somewhat idiot proof in it's layout and design although most high end "line purifiers" do not have color coordinated outlets. Once installed I noticed a big improvement in my video signal on both my DSS and DVD components. Dot crawl vanished and color and contrast seemed to sharpen. As far as audio is concerned I noticed a small improvement in the overall noise floor. The unit seemed not to add nor take away any sonic characteristics of my system. I was reading some of the other posts on this site and I chuckled as I read one post that said this unit actually filtered out his midrange! While I'm electrical engineer, I must have missed the section of class explaining how is it even remotely possible that a power conditioner filters out an audio frequency before the signal is even produced???? Granted I would concur that the power cable it is a wee bit small for demanding loads, but I can honestly say the my Krell KMA 100 monoblock amps have never vapor-locked using this component. I also have a Procced Amp 3 connected to this thing which has 3 seperate power supplies and even running home theater with the Krells this thing has never burped one time. According to another review this unit did not have adequate power to run an Aragon 8008B? Hmmm the law of physics must be different at my house. Overall this is a good component and will enhance some video qualities, however if you are looking for some kind of magical change in your audio gear you might try upgrading your preamp, amp, dac/transport or cables. I a/b this unit with a Richard Gray Power Station and could hear virtually no difference. The Power Station did however have somewhat more low level resolution in the bass but nothing that was earth shattering. The only unit I have heard to date that truly "improves" the sound was a Bybee Pro which retails for 2500.00 For 2500.00 it better improve something!!
Equipment used:
Krell KRC-3 preamp
Procced PAV Processor
Krell KMA 100 amps
Proceed Amp 3 amp
Theta Generation V dac
Theta Data III transport
Sony DVP S-7700 DVD
NBS Signiture II speaker cables
NBS Monitor I Balanced Interconnects
NBS Master II Digital
Sony KWP-65HD1 Monitor
Eggleston Andra (mains)
Eggleston Andra Center
Eggleston Isabel (surrounds)
Monster HTS-5000 power conditioner

Happy Listening!!

Similar Products Used:

panamax, tice

John,
It's not that I didn't believe you, I just found it rather strange that this unit didn't have ample power to run your Aragon. It is not uncommon to see a differential in a/c power voltages in large metropollotan cities, although normally this occurs in the morning instead of the night. Being that you live in an older house, I would be somewhat skeptical as to the wiring in the house. In most cases with older houses aluminum wiring was used which is not known for it's induction properties and could be a real fire hazard under heavy loads. I would suggest if you own the house to have a certified electrician to check your wiring or run some copper romax from a dedicated circut in your fuse box to the outlet you are using for your stereo gear. A 20 amp circut should be sufficent although 30 would not hurt.
As far as this product being overrated, I would say that it is true for most electronics or at least overpriced. Compared to other a/c conditioners on the market this is not a bad product for the features it includes, however as stated previously, if you are looking for some magical transformation into ultra high end with this product, you will be sadly disappointed as with any a/c line conditioner.
I will say that this unit does offer a modest decrease in noise floor and has an added benefit of improving video signals especially in heavily populated areas. Also if you take into consideration the surge protection it offers it's really not a bad deal. Most electronics are fried via, either a phone line or coax cable and not through a wall outlet so if you have a satelite dish or cable tv you are more likely to get burnt. Lightning as with electricity in general will always seek the path of least resistance like a 75 ohm cable. Ok enough on electronics 101. Overall I would say that this product is a wee bit over priced but is worth auditioning. Incidentally, there is a guy on ebay selling these for 379.00 new in the box.

Happy listening

Doug