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Isolation transformers - where do I start?

Trying to get into power isolation. This idea seems to have merit because there seems to be less irritating high frequency distortion late at night than in the daytime.
So where do I start?
1)1 big 2kVa isolation transformer? Plug everything into it?

2) PS Audio "ultimate outlet". Plug everything into it?Reduces common mode noise by 40dB.

3) Sola constant voltage transformer 60 VA for the CDP and preamp (which draw 30 va each- I play music very soft - 1/2 watt output on the power amp - so probably much less than that).
- "Highly regulated sine wave outputs with harmonic distortion less than 3%"
- "Output voltage regulated +/- 1% with input voltage fluctuations of +10%/-20%."

4) Power conditioning shielded C-V transformer 140VA for CDP and PRE:
- reduces common mode noise by -120 dB / Normal mode noise -60 dB / <2pf capacitance between input and output wiring.
- Output regulation +/-3% with inout fluctuations +10%/-20%.

5) Get 2kVA for system and also smaller 60 VA for CDP only.

Is a power conditioning transformer ($250 for .14 kVA)better than just an isolation model ($250 for 2 kVA). I realize small capacity so only for CDP or preamp.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
cdc

Showing 2 responses by psychicanimal

psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
I would start by buying a couple of smaller isolation transformers from eBay ($15-$35). Play around with them. Open them up and clean all contact points w/ contact cleaner--you'll be surprised...

I have several isolation transformers and I really like my C core ones. Some are "Chicago Transformer Co." 3.5 amp isolation transformers and they have three output taps: 105, 115, 125V. I plug my DAC to the 125V tap and besides lowering the noise floor it increases slam and authority in the music. Very similar to when I use my 3,000W 220V ONEAC to plug my power amp. Sean is correct when he says C cores are superior. My big ONEAC is also C core.

However, don't turn down a great deal just because it's toroidal--right, Sean?
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
I'll say it again: buy one or two cheap ones and play with them. You'll get a good feel on their use and they can always end up in your computer or bedroom system. After you use them for a while clean all the contacts inside and you will be surprised...
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