I have several pieces of audio gear that cannot be turned on and off remotely (older Linn equipment -- Kairn, Mimik, Kudos, LK280). I have a remote control. I'd like to find a way to switch them on and off with the remote control.

Is there a power strip or something out there that I could plug the Linn gear into and turn the strip (or those outlets) on and off with the remote?

Thanks!

It sounds like you need to read up on X-10. Check the forum here. I don't know of an IR controlled power bar.

If just one of them has a remote function, you could use some old "black box" stuff to trigger something like the Russound ACT-1.

Dosn't Niles still make some of those oddball things?

Radio Shack has an IR controlled antenna A - B switch for 30 or 40 bucks. It has two discrete codes and it stays where it was if the power is removed.

I recently opened up one of these and used its guts to turn 12 volts on and off going to a speaker switcher...thus making an IR speaker A-B switch. You could do the same with a Niles or whosoever's power box that is switched by 12 volts DC.

Hmm. I suppose I could plug a three-prong X10 appliance module into the wall, and then plug the surge protector into that. That would let me turn everything on that surge protector on and off. I don't think the surge protector would eat the X10 signal if I did it in that order. I'll have to experiment with that.

Monster Power has some power conditioners that are switchable by 12v DC. Unfortunately, I don't have the skills to modify an IR switch to do what you describe.

how about using a xantech ac 2 in front of a power strip?

[Link: sears.com]

Right! That is just like what I did, but it comes with its own ability to respond to IR.

Can you turn this on with a remote?

I like the Xantech AC2, but I would think that $200+ is a bit extreme for this project.

That said, jmsaul, You're going to need additional equipment for an X-10 setup to make it work with a standard learning remote. An IR-543 will convert IR signals to X-10.

If you had a switched outlet on the back of your cable box or receiver, you could accomplish the same thing.

This might be controllable by a remote, or not, but it reminded me of a Sears product that I tink is in the garage door area of the store. I think Larry Fine (look him up) submitted that one as an idea once, too. It is an IR controlled remote power switch and it is something like $60! (Actually, I think it was $40 but I don't want to make rash promises.)

I'm currently thinking that the X10 setup is the way to go. I was planning to get an IR-X10 box anyway so I can control lights with the remote, so that will be a cheaper option than the Xantech. Thanks all!

Ernie, that doesn't ring a bell, but there are a couple of devices that are RF-controlled remotes for triggering wood-shop dust-collection systems:

[Link: amazon.com]

[Link: amazon.com]

I've also used the Sears current-sensing unit, but I found it requires a fairly heavy load to trigger it (as it's made for power tools), and a preamp alone isn't enough.

Ah. That is what you had mentioned and I got confuzzed again. One could always plug their spa heater into the preamp's switched power output.

I have used these products. They are rock solid

[Link: furmansound.com]