{"product_id":"furman-elite-20-pfi-power-conditioner","title":"Furman Elite 20 PFi Power Conditioner","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat You Need to Know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy Furman, and why these models?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery high-end audio and video component depends on clean, stable AC power — but the outlet in your wall rarely delivers it. AC coming into your home carries noise from motors, LED drivers, switching power supplies, wireless routers, HVAC systems, appliance compressors, and every neighbor sharing your utility transformer. That noise rides the power line into your gear, where it masks low-level detail, softens transients, and adds a faint haze to the midrange.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurman has built AC-power products for professional audio, video, and broadcast use since 1974. The \u003cstrong\u003eElite\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eReference\u003c\/strong\u003e series you're looking at are Furman's home-theater and audiophile lines — the same engineering discipline found in studios and live-sound rigs, packaged for a rack at home. \u003cem\u003eIn our experience, a good power conditioner will almost always noticeably improve the sound of any high-end audio system.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat makes the Elite-20 PFi unique\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Elite-20 PFi is the \u003cstrong\u003etop of the Elite line\u003c\/strong\u003e, and three specifications explain the step up from the Elite-15 PFi:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull 20-amp service.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Elite-20 PFi is designed to be fed from a dedicated 20-amp wall circuit (NEMA 5-20R outlet and matching power cord). Reference systems with multiple high-current amplifiers, big powered subwoofers, and a stack of front-end components can easily exceed 15A on peaks; the Elite-20 PFi accommodates that without tripping breakers or running close to its current ceiling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBigger Power Factor Technology reserve.\u003c\/strong\u003e The four amplifier outlets are fed by a PFT reservoir with roughly 4.5 amps RMS reserve and over 55 amps of peak charge — up from ~3 amps and 45 amps on the 15A version. More headroom when your amp calls for a huge transient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWider-bandwidth ultra-linear filtering.\u003c\/strong\u003e The Elite-20 PFi's LiFT implementation starts its differential-mode attenuation curve at about 5 kHz, versus 10 kHz on the Elite-15 series — meaning it is cleaning more of the audio-band-adjacent RF and EMI that can muddy a high-resolution system. Every outlet benefits, not just the amp bank.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou also get two retractable front-panel LED work lights, a front-panel outlet, and the same SMP \/ EVS \/ zero-ground-contamination protection as every other model in the line. There are no meters — if you want metering plus PFT plus 20A service, you have to step up into the Reference series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBottom line: the Elite-20 PFi is for a reference two-channel or home-theater system whose owner wants Furman's top filtration and current-reservoir capability without crossing into isolation-transformer territory. If your dedicated circuit is already a 20A run, this is the Elite model to buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ THE POWELL LINEAGE ============ --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne footnote worth mentioning: the engineer who developed Furman's SMP, LiFT, and Power Factor Technology circuits is Garth Powell. Powell spent years refining Furman's AC designs before moving on to lead power-product engineering at AudioQuest, where his work on the Niagara line carries forward many of the same design principles you see in the Elite and Reference conditioners. When you buy a Furman from this era, you're buying into that engineering lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ THE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE ============ --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe technology inside the Elite-20 PFi\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSeries Multi-Stage Protection (SMP) — non-sacrificial surge protection\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost power strips and surge protectors rely on MOVs (metal-oxide varistors) that physically sacrifice themselves when they absorb a large spike. After a big surge, you don't know the protection is gone until your next spike takes your gear with it. \u003cstrong\u003eFurman's SMP circuit is non-sacrificial\u003c\/strong\u003e — it clamps surges without destroying itself, which means one unit keeps protecting after hit after hit. SMP also avoids sending voltage to circuit ground, a common MOV side effect that can actively damage digital components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLinear Filtering Technology (LiFT) with wider bandwidth — noise reduction without choking dynamics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurman's \u003cstrong\u003eLiFT\u003c\/strong\u003e circuit is a linear low-pass filter engineered to attenuate AC line noise smoothly across a wide frequency band, instead of the narrow notch-and-ring curve that typical filter circuits produce. On the Elite-20 PFi, the LiFT implementation starts its differential-mode attenuation curve around 5 kHz — extending the filtering deeper into the audio-adjacent RF range than the 15-amp Elite models. You get cleaner AC without the current-limiting that some \"filtered\" outlets impose on power amplifiers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExtreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS) — protection from sustained over- and under-voltage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEVS\u003c\/strong\u003e monitors the incoming line and cuts power to everything downstream if the voltage drifts outside a safe window — too low (below about 85V) or too high (above about 140V). Brownouts and sustained overvoltage events cause more damage to audio gear than most surges do, and EVS is specifically designed to stop them before your amplifier's power supply ever sees them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eZero ground contamination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOlder surge-protection designs shunt surge energy to circuit ground, which sounds reasonable until you realize that your preamp, DAC, and digital sources all reference signal to that same ground. \"Contaminated\" ground shows up as hum, noise, and digital hash in the listening chair. Furman's design deliberately avoids this — spikes are clamped without dumping anything to ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePower Factor Technology (PFT) — current reservoir for amplifier peaks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClass A\/B amplifiers draw current in huge momentary spikes on musical transients — a kick drum, a cymbal crash, a bass note. If the wall and the conditioner can't deliver that current fast enough, the amp's power supply sags, dynamics compress, and bass loses punch. \u003cstrong\u003ePower Factor Technology\u003c\/strong\u003e places a large energy reservoir upstream of the amplifier outlets that provides surplus instantaneous current on demand, while simultaneously lowering the AC input impedance seen by the amp. The amplifier \"sees\" a much stiffer power source than your wall provides on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ OUTLETS \u0026 FEATURES ============ --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOutlets and features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOutlet configuration\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 ultra-linearly filtered front-panel outlet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 ultra-linearly filtered outlets with additional bi-directional ultrasonic filtering for either video or audio components (4 switched via 12V trigger).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Power Factor Technology amplifier outlets with ~4.5 amps RMS reserve and over 55 amps peak charge (2 switched with a 5-second delay via 12V trigger).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotal 13 outlets across 3 isolated banks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRequires a dedicated 20-amp wall circuit (NEMA 5-20R outlet).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront-panel controls and displays\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2 retractable LED work lamps with dimmer; power switch; front-panel outlet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ SPECS ============ --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily: Elite Series\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLine voltage: 120V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaximum current rating: 20-amp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNumber of outlets: 13\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRack-mountable: Yes — rack ears included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChassis height: 2U\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions (H x W x D): 4\" H x 17\" W x 14.75\" D\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 18 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtection: Series Multi-Stage Protection (SMP), Extreme Voltage Shutdown (EVS), non-sacrificial with zero ground contamination\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnder-voltage shutoff: 85V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOver-voltage shutoff: 140V ±3V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFiltration: LiFT Linear Filtering Technology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower Factor Technology amplifier bank: ~4.5 amps RMS reserve, over 55 amps peak charge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInitial clamping level: 188 VAC peak at 3,000 amps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSignal-line protection: 1 telco, 3 cable\/satellite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompliance: NRTL-C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty: 3-year limited\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ FAQ ============ --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-faq gsbp-ab3b28d\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo I really need a power conditioner?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe short answer: yes, almost certainly. Modern AC power is noisier than it has ever been, and that noise ends up in your listening chair as reduced detail and a flatter soundstage. The longer answer is in the \"Why Furman\" section above — the engineering case for AC conditioning is straightforward once you understand what's riding on the line. \u003cem\u003eIn our experience, a good power conditioner will almost always noticeably improve the sound of any high-end audio system.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill a conditioner limit the current my amplifier needs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can, if the conditioner is badly designed. Cheap \"filtered\" power strips use series chokes that do restrict current — which is why audiophiles rightly worry about plugging big amps into them. Furman's LiFT filter is engineered specifically to avoid that trade-off, and the PFi and IT-Reference models go further by adding a dedicated high-current amplifier bank with Power Factor Technology that actively supplies surplus current on musical peaks. In practice, a well-designed Furman improves amp dynamics rather than limiting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is Power Factor Technology actually doing?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour power amplifier draws current in large instantaneous bursts on musical transients — not a steady draw. Wall wiring has real impedance, and when the amp calls for 30+ amps in a millisecond, the wall simply can't deliver that fast. Power Factor Technology places a large energy reservoir upstream of the amplifier outlets, sized specifically to fill in those instantaneous peaks. The amp \"sees\" a far stiffer power source than the wall provides on its own. The audible result is tighter bass, faster transients, and less dynamic compression on loud passages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat happens to the Furman after a big surge?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrdinary surge protectors sacrifice their MOVs on a major hit — after one significant event, the protection is used up even though the unit looks fine and the power LED still glows. Furman's SMP circuit is non-sacrificial; it clamps surges without destroying itself and keeps protecting afterward. Multiple large hits do not void the protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich outlets should I use for what?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlug your power amplifier(s) and any powered subwoofer into the four Power Factor Technology outlets — those are the high-current bank with the energy reservoir behind them. The linearly filtered outlets with ultrasonic filtering are tuned for digital and video components (DAC, streamer, disc player, display). The standard linearly filtered outlets handle everything else — preamp, phono stage, tuner, and similar analog source gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat power cord should I use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYour wall-to-conditioner power cord is the only one that sees raw, unconditioned mains — so this is where a better cable has the biggest audible impact. A high-quality shielded cord rated for the conditioner's input current (15A or 20A depending on model) is a sensible pairing. The captive cord on the Furman is fine out of the box, but aftermarket cords from AudioQuest, Shunyata, or similar can make a meaningful difference once the conditioner is broken in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat's the warranty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFurman backs the Elite series with a 3-year limited warranty. Important note: Furman's warranty is only valid on units purchased from authorized dealers. Audio Advisor is an authorized Furman dealer, so your warranty is in place when you buy from us. Purchases from unauthorized internet dealers or auction sites do not qualify.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ WHY BUY FROM AUDIO ADVISOR ============ --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ec-titlebox-text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f3b5.svg\" alt=\"music note emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e40+ Years of Expertise\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— Since 1981, we’ve helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f504.svg\" alt=\"repeat emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it’s right for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f4de.svg\" alt=\"phone emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReal Experts, Real Help\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— Our team is here to answer your questions at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"tel:8009420220\"\u003e800-942-0220\u003c\/a\u003e, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f69a.svg\" alt=\"truck emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f4b3.svg\" alt=\"credit card emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e \u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlexible Payment Options\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e— Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- ============ LEARNING CENTER ============ --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to learn more about power conditioning? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice on AC power quality and system setup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Furman","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45983397675181,"sku":"NEW-FUEL20PFI","price":1304.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Demo","offer_id":45983397707949,"sku":"DEMO-FUEL20PFI","price":899.37,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Open Box","offer_id":45983397740717,"sku":"OPEN-FUEL20PFI","price":1240.29,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cosmetically Blemished","offer_id":45983397773485,"sku":"BLEM-FUEL20PFI","price":1739.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Factory Refreshed","offer_id":45983397806253,"sku":"RFRB-FUEL20PFI","price":899.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/FUEL20PFI_01_2024__70315.1711636465.1280.1280_6a8579fe-c27a-4708-bcc1-0d065ef70f1d.jpg?v=1778113968","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/furman-elite-20-pfi-power-conditioner","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}