Roxy54,
I bought it on Ebay for $350. I know this is a lot higher than some other brands offered on Ebay but this model enables me to convert the voltage externally to 230 volts and I was also impressed by the high quality of this made-in-Germany unit. In any case, it was definitely a gamble because I have absolutely no experience with these units (medical grade) or with balanced transformers.
The common wisdom is that you need to go balanced to get sonic improvements. The fact is that I am left stunned by this unit. I have been listening all day with amazement at what it does in terms of realism and "being there". Uncanny. These are some of the best $350 (+ shipping) audio dollars I have ever spent. But I must caution -- YMMV. I have never seen another unit of its kind advertised anywhere. I have no idea if other medical grade transformers will perform the same wonders. |
Mikeba316,
Thanks for the link. I'll have a look today.
Bombaywalla,
Thanks for your comments. I live in Asia. I don't divulge personal information so I do not specify which country. Suffice it to say the AC here is very dirty. I have used a lot of Bybee products to clean up the AC and have had great results. The isolation transformer does this in spades for me. |
Mikeba316,
I just checked the link. It refers to balanced AC output. The isolation transformer I bought is not balanced. It is medical grade. This is why I have been pleasantly surprised with the sonic results. Common wisdom says the transformer has to be balanced for any sonic benefits to accrue. |
Bombaywalla,
Thank you for this informative post. Not being technically competent on the subject of transformers I am very interested to know that what I am hearing has a technical explanation. My purchase was based purely on intuition. I could not be happier. I just added a Monarchy AC regenerator to my system today -- on the transport and DAC -- and the sound has been elevated yet one more level. |
The sound just keeps getting better with break-in. I strongly suggest this as a less expensive option for those looking at balanced transformers. |
Ozzy,
It looks like 6 amps. Here is the URL for the original listing:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/150810038628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_3303wt_1142
I have mine before my SR PowerCell. It dwarfs the PowerCell's sonic effects in my system. I cannot say what other isolation transformers would sound like. This is the only isolation transformer I have ever owned. |
Ozzy,
Most welcome. I have a dedicated 20-amp line for my audio system. I think it will come down to the quality of the transformer. I don't think you will find another one like the one I bought -- in the enclosure, made in Germany by Block, with the toroidal encased in resin. But Tripp or another inexpensive unit may end up doing the same job as mine in your system. I can only speculate. All I can say is I gambled and won -- big time.
During the decision-making process, the big issue for me was the weight. Some of the units out there weigh from 70 to 100 lbs. or more. I live overseas. The shipping cost for one of those heavy units put the purchase out of the ballpark. My unit is compact and weighs about 40 lbs. double boxed.
Regarding size and weight, I think Tripp are also within reason. Frankly, I would have gone with one of their units if I had not bought mine. But I have no idea if their toroidals are encased in resin and if that makes a difference re: the sonic benefits. Theoretically, according to what Bombaywalla has to say on the subject, a well-chosen Tripp unit should be able to give good results. I have seen them for about $100 on Ebay -- mint. Worth the gamble, IMO. |
Ozzy,
Mine is 1.380KVA. I would get the highest rated unit you can afford depending on the requirements of your system. I would be careful to choose a unit that is rated at least twice the cumulative watts of your system -- especially if you have a pre amp and power amp. Go through your system carefully and add up the rated watts, then double that number. This should be the minimum number to run your system safely. |
Ozzy,
I have no idea what this leaking number means. Check your calculations carefully before powering up. |
Ozzy,
I just checked Ebay for your model and found this Olympus item with the same model number:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-Olympus-Model-012MD-Hosp-Grade-Isolation-Transformer-Ultra-Low-Leakage-/160573538833?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2562edc211#ht_500wt_938
It says 1350VA which is more than double the watts of your system. I'll be interested in hearing what it does for your system. |
Ozzy,
You're very welcome. It looks like you have purchased a good unit. I hope it gives good results.
Medical grade means manufactured to high standards. How those standards differ from non-medical grade transformers is a question I cannot answer. Perhaps Bombaywalla can help here. He has indicated in an earlier post that non-balanced isolation transformers can indeed translate into better audio. I can attest that my isolation transformer has made a huge difference in my system. |
Ozzy,
Wow, that's a lot of isolation. Did you get good results with the first one? |
Ozzy,
Go for it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. I'll be very interested in hearing from you on this. |
Ozzy,
Most welcome. I am interested in your initial observations. My medical grade isolation transformer looked like new. I also installed it before my SR PowerCell. I did not experience the "sharp hardness to the sound" that you are observing. Actually, besides rendering the sound more life-like, it removed the edge or brightness that was still there with my SR and Bybee conditioners in series. The music sounds much smoother and more natural now. |
Ozzy,
I just replaced the stock power cords on my isolation transformer and power regenerator with DIY cabling using Oyaide plugs and IECs. This is a huge improvement across the board. Highly recommended. I may upgrade these DIY power cords later but for now they are doing a great job. |
Ozzy,
You may want to try putting a small packet of 1/2" x 1/8" neodymium magnets over each transformer. I get good results doing this. |
Ozzy,
I have my transformer first, then my PowerCell. I have read 2 threads where others have tried daisy-chaining like were are doing. They both got the best results from putting the transformer first -- before the conditioner. I followed their lead and it does indeed give the best results in my system. |
Ozzy,
Mine needed no breaking in. Please report back when you have all 4 in your system. |
Ozzy,
I'm glad to hear you are getting such good results with your transformers. I also have a hum on my isolation transformer plugged into the wall but it's no problem since the music drowns it out. |
Hifigi,
Your experience is very interesting. The medical grade isolation transformer that I use is torroidal. |
