UPS - Any one tried one?

[admin_exported]

We use lots of UPSs at work. Given all the talk about mains conditioning I would have thought that these would have been a perfect solution. The ones we use are made by APC. They de construct the mains and then output an allegedly perfect sine wave from their battery. Theoretically the electricity coming out of them isn't connected to the mains (you know what I mean) so surely this should be the perfect way to supply all my audio equipment - better still disconnect the mains and run it from the battery.

Thoughts?

Roy

 

[idc]

Sounds very interesting and there are loads on ebay and Amazon for reasonable prices. What output is needed as there are many types?

 

[Dave_]

idc: What output is needed as there are many types?That would depend on the current draw of the equipment being connected to the UPS.

 

[idc]

Would this one do for a MF X-CAN amp, Fubar DAC and a Sony Vaio laptop?

<<clicky>>

The theory of battery power is a good one for improved mains supply.

 

[Anonymous]

I've got a APC UPS protecting my projector and a few other bits and bobs in the garage. I've quite ofthen wondered whether it would be worth getting one for the lounge.

Anybody else using one?

 

[Anonymous]

I'm no expert on this but my understanding is that most of the affordable UPSes you see online are "standby" or "offline" UPSes, which normally pass the mains power directly through, but in the case of a power failure, switch to battery power within milliseconds. I have one of these for my computer, and mostly it just sits there silently, but when the power is cut it starts making a lot of noise.

There are also "continuous" or "online" UPSes, which constantly take energy from the mains to charge a battery, then use a power inverter to convert the DC from the battery into AC for whatever you plug in. I believe these are a lot more expensive (and probably a lot noisier too). But they do regenerate mains power as you describe.

If you're looking on the internet and seeing UPSes available for quite cheap, they're almost certainly offline UPSes, which would probably not be very useful for hifi. They might keep your hifi on for a few minutes during a power cut, but I imagine you'd need quite a hefty one to get more than a few minutes if you have all your kit plugged in. And the power they supply will be exactly the same as the mains, except during a power cut.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I use one for my projector in case of a power cut. Not sure how it affects the quality as I've never really looked to see if there's a difference because I bought it because where I'm situated, I'm are prone to power cuts.

 

[Anonymous]

I use ups's at work too, there would be no benefit for them on a hifi system (soundwise), they would just battery backup anything you plug in them.

I dont think any mains conditioning they might do would be anything special, as there main job is to provided backup power. I have wondered myself about bringing one home like !

Stick to a tacima...

 

[Anonymous]

The ones we have are typically 3000VA or 5KVA online UPS from APC, they cost upwards of a thousand pounds. Not sure whether that's be good value for money but they should be able to deliver plenty of current and in a perfectly formed wave. The question is would it actually make any difference. I've seen so audiophile power supplies for two grand that don't appear to be much difference in spec terms.

I might have to borrow one and see.

Roy