ELAC Protek 8 Outlet Surge Protector/Power Conditioner with Dual USB

I purchased the ELAC Protek surge protector to eliminate background noise from the satellite speakers of my soundbar. Previously, this noise was noticeable in standby mode and quite irritating, but after connecting the filter, it almost disappeared — now it’s only audible if you put your ear right up to the speakers. The EMI/RFI filtering built into this device genuinely works. In addition, the device provides reliable surge protection and is convenient to use. The eight outlets are well-spaced, and the sturdy construction feels dependable. One minor point to note is that the grounding and power indicators are quite bright, though not so much that they interfere with watching a movie in the dark. Ultimately, I don't consider this a drawback since, if they ever become too distracting, I can simply cover them with a piece of tape. For the price, this is an outstanding solution. Regular surge protectors without EMI/RFI filtering often cost the same or even more, making the ELAC Protek a fantastic value. If you’re dealing with noise issues or need reliable protection for your electronics, I recommend this product.

I bought this because I was encountering a really weird issue with my Sony STR-DH190 stereo receiver. That issue was that it could not connect or tune to 98.9FM with the digital tuner. Don’t know why. It tuned to any other Austin area radio station just fine, and I live on the north edge of the city. All I would get was electronic noise and static. I had heard from a few sources that providing “clean power” to the affected unit would help. I just thought that was dumb, but for a little over $20 it seemed an alright try, since I can always use another surge protector. I’m pretty sure this is a real thing because not only did the tuner immediately grab the frequency needed but it sounds really clean and clear. Sometimes it’s your power source! And, this is made by Elac which make a series of speakers I’d like to try one day, so I guess they know what they’re doing.

This is well designed with the ground holes facing out so the larger plugs aren’t overlapping. Power is pretty clean at my place, but it’s an added benefit to know its filtered again prior to reaching my computer and sound system as well as protecting my gear from possible surges. The USB ports are very useful for charging my iPad and powering a digital/audio converter that would otherwise need to be plugged into an outlet.

It works and looks nice. The price is right and you get some emi/rfi filtering. There are much better options out there but they also cost a lot more and you may not even notice the benefit. The item I received looks like a returned item but is in like new condition and it still works. I almost returned it myself thinking it didn’t work but noticed there is a hidden on/off switch that was set to off. I turn it on and all is good. I kept it anyway due to the price and quality; this is my 2nd one of these.

I live in a 50’s era apartment. The electricity is old and fluctuates often. This bar noticeable reduces line noise in my stereo system. Everything sounds cleaner.