Tripp Lite makes good ones. Changing the subject, were you formerly a member of Devo?
Hospital / Industrial Grade Isolation Transformers for AC
Apparently using a hospital / industrial grade isolation transformer is considered by many to be the best *cost effective* device for your AC. For those in the know, what brand, specs, etc. are recommended?
I saw a big thread somewhere not long ago but I could never figure out what to buy
I saw a big thread somewhere not long ago but I could never figure out what to buy
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Mine is Audio Consulting https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 Looks more Spaceballs to me. Sorry, but this being an AC power thread it is bound to go lunatic so fast it will make your helmeted head spin, no point even trying to stop it. Go read one of my previous fact-laden posts I grow weary of repeating information when it is so swiftly swamped by inanities like Brickwall and Furman. |
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@greg7 - I was chasing a seriously annoying noise floor issue for the better part of a year and solved it just a couple weeks ago with a low capacitance isolation transformer. When I say my problem is solved, I mean it completely knocked out my noise issue, and I have a very near field arrangement with this system. First, a description of my system, then a description of the process I underwent to deal with the noise issue (with links): My system: Luxman CL-38u SE tube preamp > Atma-Sphere M60 tube monoblocks > Proac Studio 1 monitors situated in a near field arrangement with ~3.5 feet of separation (in this system I essentially listed to ’open air’ headphones, and it sounds amazing to me) My story: I had a relatively low volume noise floor that wouldn’t likely be all that bad to most people, but annoyed me to no end, perhaps because it was accompanied by a low volume buzz that was worse in one amp than the other. After reading some ground loop chasing tips..... -I found an online tone generator and matched the buzz (60hz sawtooth) -I found a rather lengthy forum thread that discussed the use of a low capacitance isolation transformer to solve issues brought about by bad AC supply (start here - I think I saw a thread perhaps started by you). It’s apparently essential to use a low capacitance transformer for for this type of application (the forum thread I read goes into the ’whys’ of this). -I purchased a cheap power monitor to confirm power needs, and luckily found my collective system only draws ~610va at idle, and rises to ~mid-700va at peak (one of the benefits of a near field system). -I took a chance with a few hundred dollars on a Topaz 1kva unit, which completely knocked out both my white noise and buzz issues. In truth, when I put my ear literally an inch from each driver (tweeter and midwoofer), I can hear a very low level of buz, but it’s VERY low and absolutely inaudible at listening position. For a tube system, it’s essentially dead silent. Here’s a link to another forum thread that talks of the Topaz unit, but it appears these are branded under different names. I purchased mine through the E-b auction site and it was a very smooth transaction. If you take this road, be sure to pay attention to what power your system demands at peak (here's the spec sheet for a 0.0005pf unit under the brand name 'Daitron'; I purchased a 0.005pf Topaz model and it does the job fine). I have all of my audio components set up via the transformer with isolation between the computer and DAC, but depending on your system and needs, you may not need to put everything on it. I might not either; I only recently set it up and still have some experimentation to do.... Good luck! |
Isolation transformers are a good idea especially if you have noisy AC lines. I would take it a step further and go with a Balanced isolation transformer, which thru CMR, will reduce the noise floor even further. Just be sure to size it with some headroom for peaks. I use an 1800 watt BPIT and only drawing about 300 watts which allows for headroom. they run cool and silent and don’t use snake oil.. just physics.. IME There is a magnetic power conditioner on Agon selling for $50K. $50,000 to plug into.. I’m trying to keep an open mind as I LOL. |