using a transformer to separate your gear power

I built my own power supply using (as mentioned above) a toroidal transformer and dropping a 230V line down to 115 with 2 balanced poles. It was a great improvement. Equi-Tech makes these types of devices. I will likely use there's in the future as the transformer is likely better than the one I used.

Artistic audio: Can you be more specific about the dangers of balance power supplies? I used one for several years and was very happy with the sonic improvements. The transformer was rated at 6.5 kAV, so it was up to the task. Is the problem with the balanced poles going into the equipment--is the equipment not designed to handle power like this. As I said, my sonic results were fantastic, and I didn't have any of the current restrictions that I found (particularly for my amplifiers) with all other power conditioners I tried. I have not tried Ensemble. Perhaps you have more information on their unit--are you a dealer for them by chance?

Truthrider: They are expensive. The one I used was an engineering unit for a medical device that was no longer needed, so I got it for free. Finding 6.5 kAV units are not easy and they are expensive--as are the Equitech units. I did also contact (by e-mail) Equitech and let them know that it has been reported here that their devices may be a serious safety hazard and are likley to be banned in the US. I am hoping they will respond, as I have spoken to the engineers there before and they have boasted about their UL listing. It makes these claims of safety hazard and likely banned in the US hard to believe, but we will see what they have to say about it.

Sean: As I said it was for a medical device (an x-ray unit). This is actually a small transformer for an x-ray unit. I did use a 220 v 30 amp line to feed into it and then had 110 v with four separate circuits and filters. 2 were 15 amp and 2 were 20 amp. Obviously, the equipment did not draw all that or it would have caused the 220 v 30 amp circuit breaker to go.

JC is right to a large degree. With most transformers the inductive process (which is how the transformer works) also works against it. It can, if not designed properly, limit the current flow. This is a big deal in x-ray devices as they require HUGE amounts of current flow on demand, and they are always pushed right at their limit. If it's a 6.5 KVA unit, you can bet the demands are at least 6 KVA. Many of the transformers that we find in some products are off the shelf transformers that really don't serve audio very well--particularly amplifiers, which is why so many amplifiers sound better not connected through an isolation transformer (power conditioner).

As to a 20:1 ratio--I don't know about that, but I would definitely agree with an abosulte minimum of 5:1 for amplifiers unless it was really designed to deliver the current on demand.