Furman Introduces AR-20 II Power Conditioner

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New from Furman Sound is a 20-amp regulator that delivers a stable 120 volts of AC power to protect equipment from problems caused by AC line voltage irregularities. The AR-20 II filters and purifies AC power, assuring that electronic equipment performs at optimum levels while also providing full protection from spikes and surges with Furman's exclusive SMP+ technology.

Furman's AR-20 II accepts any input voltage from 97 volts to 141 volts and transforms it to a constant 120 volts. Voltages beyond that range may also be converted to usable levels, depending on the range variance. Many voltage regulators use motorized transformer-based technology and switch taps at uncontrolled times, which can create voltage spikes and clicks that leak into the audio. The AR-20 II, on the other hand, compares the incoming line voltage to an extremely precise voltage reference and switches taps electronically at the zero-crossing to avoid distorting the AC waveform.

The regulator is also outfitted with Furman's proprietary Series Multi-Stage Protection Plus (SMP+) technology, which combines three filtering and protection circuits. Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT) suppresses noise dramatically and consistently across the entire dynamic range, a vast improvement over typical AC filters with nonlinear circuits that reduce noise unevenly and can even add noise according to the company. Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) clamps and dissipates damaging transient voltages at the highest degree available without sacrificing itself. As a result, the AR-20 II can continue to do its job again and again without repair or replacement. And Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) circuitry protects against prolonged overvoltages, such as those caused by accidental connections to 208 or 240 VAC, by shutting off the incoming power until the overvoltage condition is corrected.

The AR-20 II is housed in a compact dual-space, rack-mount chassis with 12 outlets on the rear panel and two convenience outlets on the front panel. All 14 outlets are regulated, spike-suppressed, and filtered against radio frequency and electromagnetic interference. The unit is easy to use, with a digital meter that indicates input voltage, an LED that indicates the output voltage is within regulation, and only one control, an on/off switch. It is protected by a limited three-year warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.