Balanced AC power

[wuffwaff]

Hi All,

after reading a lot on the different ways there are to clean up your ac power I found an article on "balanced ac power" at http://www.equitech.com/articles/enigma.html

After reading some more on this subject I decided to give it a try. I took a while to find a 1000VA torroid (I love EBAY!) for reasonable money (230 prim, 2 x 115V sec).

It was installed in a wooden enclosure with a dc filter in front to keep the mechanical hum a bit down and connected between wall outlet and equipment.

The effect on the sound was everything but subtle.

A lot more details areheard on familiar records, room information is much more precise and everything sounds a lot smoother without loosing pace and rythm.
This is with an Aleph5 dissipating 340watts so I don´t know how it will sound with amps that need instant current out of the wall, I´ll try this later.

Only two things were not so good:

First the torroid was humming along (a lot louder than the fans in my Aleph)
Second when I plugged in the transformer of my Perpetual P3-A the torroids in the Aleph started humming............

The second problem was solved by running the P3-A directly out of the wall, the first could only be solved by a new transformer. After looking around a bit I decided to order an EI-Transformer with around 1600VA. This was changed a bit by the factory to reduce humm (less induction, vacuum drenched).

This solved problem 1 (no humm to speak of anymore) but not problem 2. I even tried an extra filter between P3-A and the transformer but this also didn´t help.
Next I will change the transformer for the P3-a wich was due anyway.

I took a few pictures of the second transformer plus enclosure. Of the six outlets 4 are balanced with one of those for filtered (CD/ DA). The other two are straight through.

First picture is from above without the top:

[wuffwaff]

and a picture from the front....

[wuffwaff]

the whole thing is about 340 x 240 x 200 (l w h) so if I don´t like it anymore at least the cat will fit


william

[cowanrg]

intersting.

the surplus shop i go to as a 2kva isolation transformer for around $50. i was thinking of picking it up and seeing what it would do just as a straight through filter... but its still $50

[Peter Daniel]

I also did a balanced power supply, more of neccessity than the actual desire. But it came out nicely and works better than a regular isolation transformer. Depending on mains condition it may be an improvement, but not neccessarily. You can read about it here:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/240_117/240_117.html

[jleaman]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
I also did a balanced power supply, more of neccessity than the actual desire. But it came out nicely and works better than a regular isolation transformer. Depending on mains condition it may be an improvement, but not neccessarily. You can read about it here:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/240_117/240_117.html

Peter have yuo ever done a 115> 115 Isolation transfomer for amplifiers ? Are they worth it. Kinda like how monser does the ac line level conditioner. Are those devices actually worth it ? ( The monster cable ones )

Jase

[Peter Daniel]

Listening to the one I just did, and from what I hear from other people, a regular isolation transformer is usually degrading (unless your mains are really bad). However, when configured for balanced power operation, I noticed certain advantages, although also slight veiling. Overall, it all depends on the quality of AC line, mine is pretty good.

I'm not familiar with Monster Cable products.

[jleaman]

Originally posted by Peter Daniel
Listening to the one I just did, and from what I hear from other people, a regular isolation transformer is usually degrading (unless your mains are really bad). However, when configured for balanced power operation, I noticed certain advantages, although also slight veiling. Overall, it all depends on the quality of AC line, mine is pretty good.

I'm not familiar with Monster Cable products.

Peter Please Pm me. I got you a idea.

[KBK]

I'm using, right now..listening through a 500lb 30KVA AC balancing transformer.

I bought it off fleabay for $300.00 Just gotta know what to buy. No current limitations (which would be like an EQ curve, as it mars transient delivery, so the ear hears it as an 'eq') on that puppy. Brutal.

Shipping was a killer, though.

[jleaman]

Originally posted by KBK
I'm using, right now..listening through a 500lb 30KVA AC balancing transformer.

I bought it off fleabay for $300.00 Just gotta know what to buy. No current limitations (which would be like an EQ curve, as it mars transient delivery, so the ear hears it as an 'eq') on that puppy. Brutal.

Shipping was a killer, though.

What did you buy ? Picture what kinda product is it.