Considering Rotel RLC 1040 Power Conditioner

[redwords]

Please help. I am considering Rotels RLC 1040 to help manage the power
cables, clean up power plus surge protection. It is missing a power outlet
on the face of unit but this isn't a deal breaker. By the way the price of this unit is approx. $500. US. My componets are RSX 1057, RCC 1055 and Pioneer
Elite DVD. Upcoming purchase will be HD LCD 40". Any Comments.

Thank You Ron E.

[Club1820]

I swear by my 1040. See my post:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=26717

[Pookie007]

I don't think Rotel conditions do anything more impressive than any of the other mainstream power conditioner companies. I would compare prices and aesthetics of APC, the dreaded Monster Power, Richard Gray, PS Audio, etc. Unlike audio components, clean power is clean power. You don't have to worry about coloration or any of that stuff. I haven't looked into the Rotel stuff, do you know if they regulate voltage? Most conditioners will give you a readout of the voltage but don't allow you to adjust it.

[redwords]

Thankyou Club1820 and Pookie007.

[Dmantis]

I have used a few different power centers and found myself liking the Panamox series the best. I ue the Panamax M5500ex . I has a front outlet which comes in handy.

Dan

[Armbender]

my votes for APC

[Andrew M Ward]

I don't think Rotel conditions do anything more impressive than any of the other mainstream power conditioner companies. I would compare prices and aesthetics of APC, the dreaded Monster Power, Richard Gray, PS Audio, etc. Unlike audio components, clean power is clean power. You don't have to worry about coloration or any of that stuff. I haven't looked into the Rotel stuff, do you know if they regulate voltage? Most conditioners will give you a readout of the voltage but don't allow you to adjust it.

The Rotel unit (RLC-1040) has real-time voltage correction at $499 along with all the other filtering and is UL and CE rated...

(Unlike the other big names)

UL & CE are kinda important...

[Kevin D]

True, we've found that under-voltages and slight over-voltages kills (and confuses) most of our equipment rather then surges. There are several components that 'clean' the power and even more that protect you from surges. Very few keep the voltage where it needs to be.

If the voltage coming in sags to 90 volts, other products might give you a clean 90 volts but the 1040 will still give you a clean 110 volts. If it's low for so long that the 1040 runs out of capacity, it will just shut-down rather then let low voltage damage equipment. That's where the RLC-1080 comes in..

You would be surprised how often the voltage can sag in some places. WE had one house where the 1040 kicked in every time the central-vac kicked on, and it was on a separate circuit as well.

Kevin D.

[Andrew M Ward]

True, we've found that under-voltages and slight over-voltages kills (and confuses) most of our equipment rather then surges. There are several components that 'clean' the power and even more that protect you from surges. Very few keep the voltage where it needs to be.

If the voltage coming in sags to 90 volts, other products might give you a clean 90 volts but the 1040 will still give you a clean 110 volts. If it's low for so long that the 1040 runs out of capacity, it will just shut-down rather then let low voltage damage equipment. That's where the RLC-1080 comes in..

You would be surprised how often the voltage can sag in some places. WE had one house where the 1040 kicked in every time the central-vac kicked on, and it was on a separate circuit as well.

Kevin D.

More valuable field research from Kevin..!!! 8)

[Pookie007]

I looked at the Rotel page and found the product data for the conditioner. They have partnered with APC. It looks like it will regulate an input voltage from 92V- 144V to a steady 120V. The back of the Rotel unit looks identical to the APC AV 1kVA. It has the voltage regulation also. I would compare prices between the two. With APCs larger distribution, you might get a little better pricing.

[Pookie007]

Further research on the APC uncovered APC AV H. If is a little smaller than the other unit, but has voltage regulation at a little under $300.

[David L.]

Further research on the APC uncovered APC AV H. If is a little smaller than the other unit, but has voltage regulation at a little under $300.

It's the same (except the faceplate) as the APC H15. The best price I found is $259 plus shipping from a company that also advertises on Audiogon. Here's the link:

http://www.amsound2.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=420

[joetama]

I think the APC H15 is the same as the Rotel IIRC...

Too slow...

[redwords]

Thankyou Rotel Nation, This all helps.

Ron E.

[Russ L]

Further research on the APC uncovered APC AV H. If is a little smaller than the other unit, but has voltage regulation at a little under $300.

Beware! I almost bought the H10 over the H15 but the cheaper APC unit doesn't filter the noise as well as the H15. Check the specs. Thats the reason for the price difference. The Rotel RLC-1040 only cost me $50 more (after retail discount) than ordering the H15 from APC so I went with the better looking Rotel unit. You also get 300 joules more surge protection with the Rotel , an extra input and a better looking face plate. -Russ

[Pookie007]

I looked at the two sets of specs and if the smaller version had adequate capacity for the intended load, I don't think you will realize the benefit in the final sound quality to justify the extra $200. They have the same noise rejection performance. The H15 does have a nicer display I agree. I prefer the APC silver appearance over the Rotel heat sink look. But then again if you have Rotel amps, it would match the components.

[Russ L]

I looked at the two sets of specs and if the smaller version had adequate capacity for the intended load, I don't think you will realize the benefit in the final sound quality to justify the extra $200. They have the same noise rejection performance. The H15 does have a nicer display I agree. I prefer the APC silver appearance over the Rotel heat sink look. But then again if you have Rotel amps, it would match the components.

Thanks for pointing out my mistake. I meant to say: Beware! The Rotel RLC-1040 has superior noise rejection than both the APC H10 and the APC H15. Thats the reason for the Rotel costing more. Also, 300 more joules of surge protection and IMO the Rotel looks better.

EMI/RFI Attenuation

APC H10 and H15: 50dB at 100kHz to 10MHz

Rotel RLC-1040: 40-100dB at 100KHz to 30MHz

I may be wrong as I'm no expert but these specs are the reason I chose the Rotel over the cheaper APC units.

Regards, Russ