Dectet out, SurgeX in...

[tutomac]

Hello all.

I own a PS Audio PerfectWave P-10 and a P-5 Power Plants. These units are pretty awesome. The P-10 manages my MC205, MC452, and MC501. The P-5 manages an MC202, MX121, MCD500, D100 (x2), and BHA-1.

When I decided I didn't have the $$$$ for a third Power Plant, I opted to stay with PS Audio and go for their more economical solution, The Dectet Power Center. At $499 MSRP, it offered a great bang for your buck. It would be used to manage my digital components, namely: Cable DVR, Internet Router, Oppo 103, Mac Mini, Apple Time Capsule, Sonos Connect, and a Wyred4Sound Remedy. I really like the Dectet's form and feel, as well as its functionality.

Unfortunately, the Dectet did not work for me. The first unit kept "tripping", turning the power off, blinking its blue light, and not re-setting itself (as it is apparently supposed to do). I tried moving cables around within the unit, and I even had my electrician install an additional pair of wall outlets, thinking that maybe I was pulling too much. In the meantime, the unit kept failing.

So I removed the Dectet and packed it up and returned it to PS Audio. I replaced it with an old Belkin power strip/surge protector from the mid-90's I still carry around and had stored in the closet. PS Audio agreed to send me a replacement, no questions asked (kudos to them). In the meantime my Belkin strip performed flawlessly

Unfortunately, the second brand new unit did the same! By now I had read about a software problem with "earlier" Dectets that behave the same way as mine. Instead of pursuing this software glitch, and spending more valuable time on it, I replaced the second unit with a different product I was familiar with.

Enter the SurgeX SA-1810:





This unit has been eye opening. It has never failed, and it is just as solid, well built, and quiet as the Dectet (arguably, as I am starting to feel, it is better in all accounts).

(I already owned two SurgeX products, the SA-82's, which I use to manage each of my JL Audio subs. These SA-82's BTW are great if you have subs that are out of reach from your main Power Management units. You can hide them behind your subs and easily conceal their presence if so desired.)

Compared to the Dectet:

The SurgeX unit is cheaper (MSRP is $429)
The SurgeX is narrower, taller, and shorter, and overall more compact.
The SurgeX design is not as streamlined as the Dectet, being a little more boxy and spartan in looks and feel.
The Surgex has a non-detachable PC, which does not allow you to upgrade your PC

I will leave the specific quality of the circuitry, the materials, components, and layout used in each product for the evaluation of those of you who have the knowledge, and interest. I only care about the sound/image.

I was afraid the SurgeX, because it seems to be a less-often discussed brand among the hobby's blogs and clubs, would not be at the same level of performance as PS Audio. I was afraid I would detect (no pun intended) perhaps some noise in the sound or video background since all my sources all hooked up to it. Instead, I sense no difference whatsoever

I would have liked to be able to add my WW Silver Electra PC to it, but now that I have an extra cable, I am on my way to replacing my subs' 4 PS Audio AC-5 PC's with WW.

So if you're looking at more affordable ways of power conditioning/surge protecting, and you simply don't care much about looks, these boxes (they come in different sizes) are excellent.

Cheers!!

[Masterlu]

Hector... Very glad to know you are pleased with your new SurgeX unit.

[tutomac]

And I forgot to mention that IVAN is the man to hook you up with SurgeX

Thanks, Masterlu.

[jameslrock]

My Dectet works perfectly with my two MC275's in my office. When I get all the vintage gear from Terry once he refurbishes everything I will use the Dectet with that system. Hope all goes well.

[aclearspot]

Originally Posted by tutomac

Hello all.


Unfortunately, the Dectet did not work for me. The first unit kept "tripping", turning the power off, blinking its blue light, and not re-setting itself (as it is apparently supposed to do). I tried moving cables around within the unit, and I even had my electrician install an additional pair of wall outlets, thinking that maybe I was pulling too much. In the meantime, the unit kept failing.
Unfortunately, the second brand new unit did the same! By now I had read about a software problem with "earlier" Dectets that behave the same way as mine. Instead of pursuing this software glitch, and spending more valuable time on it, I replaced the second unit with a different product I was familiar with.
!

I felt bad about AudioVision getting burgled I ran over and bought a dectet from them . Its been turning off sporadically now for 2 weeks and not resetting. The Quintet it replaced never had an issue. I guess I'm on the phone to PS Audio tomorrow.

[tutomac]

I hope you get a good one... We all know sometimes product lines contain a bad batch... It never occurred to me to check serial numbers. You may want to check that before you open the second unit?
If this had been a multiK $ unit, I would have pursuit resolution to the very end, but I just didn't have the time or energy for $500... Not saying $500 is nothing, but sometimes one's time and sanity are worth way more that that😁

Cheers!

[aclearspot]

I called PS Audio today about the Dectet. They told me that sometimes there is something with the incoming power that triggers the Dectet. Since I bought it from a dealer they said return it. That getting a new unit will not solve the problem. I hate returning stuff. Im going to hook the Dectet in to a Soloist or High Current outlet to see if that helps. At that point point I will decide on returning the unit or unplugging and resetting the unit when it trips.

[tutomac]

Originally Posted by aclearspot

I called PS Audio today about the Dectet. They told me that sometimes there is something with the incoming power that triggers the Dectet. Since I bought it from a dealer they said return it. That getting a new unit will not solve the problem. I hate returning stuff. Im going to hook the Dectet in to a Soloist or High Current outlet to see if that helps. At that point point I will decide on returning the unit or unplugging and resetting the unit when it trips.

Kinda funny explanation (not yours, but theirs). I have their other products P-10 and P-5 PowerPlants and none has shown any evidence of failure, and those two units are arguably better performers (they sure cost up to 10x as much!). They are all connected to outlets on the same wall, and the P-5 and P-10 have not shut off power, ever...

I hope you resolve your situation with your Dectet.

No issues with my new Surgex unit. Its yellow outlets are growing on me, kinda like them now

Cheers!

[jdandy]

Hector.......The PS Audio P-5 and P-10 power conditioning AC regenerators are not designed to shut the power off like the Dectet. The Dectet is designed to turn off the power to the outlets in the event of an under or over-voltage condition. My Dectet has occasionally tripped and left the blue power button flashing. It does not auto reset. I have to push and hold the power button until I hear the relay click then press it again. The few instances when my Dectet has triggered the outlets to turn off have been when I have had momentary power interruptions, most recently during a thunderstorm. The momentary power loss and surge when it came back on caused the Dectet to shut off. It was doing its job. When I went down to the studio later that evening to listen to the system I noticed my C1000P red light was off. I looked behind the rack and saw the Dectet power switch flashing. Once reset all was well.

I think that some owners don't realize how much voltage fluctuation exists in the power company electrical service or even within their home's electrical circuits. A momentary voltage drop on a circuit from the air conditioner coming on or the electric heat, water heater, refrigerator compressor or an oven coming on can often cause a short voltage drop in your home's electrical system. If this voltage sag is within the tripping perimeters programmed into the Dectet set points it will shut off as it is designed to do. Not fully understanding or being aware of your home's electrical power performance can have you blaming the Dectet for malfunctioning when in fact it is performing as designed to protect your sound system from voltage drops or surges. If you reset the power on the Dectet and it stays energized it was most likely just doing its job. Comparing the auto off feature of the Dectet to another device that doesn't monitor and react to over or under voltage situations is not a legitimate comparison. Just something to consider.

[tutomac]

Dan, thank you so much for your explanation. It's so cool to have someone knowledgeable on these matter clarify things.

I guess bottom line for me is that even when the Dectet is not at fault by actually being good at what it's supposed to do, perhaps I'm better off with a less sensitive device that hopefully will protect just as well. You see, it was tripping too often for our enjoyment. Every time it did I had to restart things here and there, specially Internet access for the house... My wife and kids were mad at me!

So kudos to PS Audio and the Dectet. Like I said I really liked the unit... Solid, and attractive as well. Just did not fit our lifestyle at our home (and I guess our Power Co.'s performance). I never wanted to write negatively about PS Audio's product, but rather express my experience, which can be shared with others and help them better sort out their situation, should they be in the same position...

Cheers!