i generally don't like isolation transformers, but i think they are useful for digital components. you can avoid their drawbacks by using one that's good quality and large enough, and it'll improve the sound of the rest of your system. the Ensemble isolation transformer was an exceptionally good performer in my system - all the benefits of isolation (decreased noise and hash, better dynamic contrasts, purer tonal quality, improved imaging, etc. etc.) with none of the problems (coloration, dynamic compression, etc.). too bad it cost $2600 for a pair of transformers. in its defense though, it was exceptionally well made, and performed as advertised. my system took a definite step or two back in sound quality after i had to return the unit.
i do have some leftover inductors stripped out of my TrippLite Isobar isolation strip. i may try sticking them in some digital gear.
i do have some leftover inductors stripped out of my TrippLite Isobar isolation strip. i may try sticking them in some digital gear.
At the local hospital here the outlets are orange, the green mark on them signifies that they are on the generator in case of a power failure.
Moses:
I am sorry to hear that you study hospital plug sockets so much...Get well soon! 😉
Everyone:
I am highly skeptical about the sound improvements from cleaning a plug socket's contacts. Fair enough - power droop at certain time of the day...So mains regeneration seems like a good idea...But lets face it...All these cables are doing is delivering 5 volts to a digital circuit or +-V to an amp...
I find it very hard to believe that it can make so much difference...I am certainly not about to rewire the house in copper / silver / gold or any thing else. I have seen articles on UK specific problems (Russ Andrews), but I'm afraid I'm a non believer.
My thoughts are that if you are so prone to hearing defects, when will you ever hear the music?! Just a thought to leave you with...
BTW: I'm not knocking anyone who thinks they can hear a difference or indeed can hear a difference...I hope you find what you're listening for in the end.
Gaz
I am sorry to hear that you study hospital plug sockets so much...Get well soon! 😉
Everyone:
I am highly skeptical about the sound improvements from cleaning a plug socket's contacts. Fair enough - power droop at certain time of the day...So mains regeneration seems like a good idea...But lets face it...All these cables are doing is delivering 5 volts to a digital circuit or +-V to an amp...
I find it very hard to believe that it can make so much difference...I am certainly not about to rewire the house in copper / silver / gold or any thing else. I have seen articles on UK specific problems (Russ Andrews), but I'm afraid I'm a non believer.
My thoughts are that if you are so prone to hearing defects, when will you ever hear the music?! Just a thought to leave you with...
BTW: I'm not knocking anyone who thinks they can hear a difference or indeed can hear a difference...I hope you find what you're listening for in the end.
Gaz
CONTACT RESISTANCE
Hi,
Any contact resistance degrades the performance.
Cleaning the wall outlets and distribution strips occasionally is not going to break the bank.
Especially for older houses where no one ever bothered you will notice an improvement in sound from a clean tightly fitting mains outlet.
When the socket is too worn out from abuse,just replace it.
Cheers,😉
Hi,
Any contact resistance degrades the performance.
Cleaning the wall outlets and distribution strips occasionally is not going to break the bank.
Especially for older houses where no one ever bothered you will notice an improvement in sound from a clean tightly fitting mains outlet.
When the socket is too worn out from abuse,just replace it.
Cheers,😉
cleaning
yes, it's not a lot of work, costs pretty much nothing (cost of cotton swabs and some alcohol or other solution), and as long as you turn your breakers off is completely benign. cleaning any contact helps too - one time i throughly cleaned all my RCA pugs, jacks, and speaker connections, and was surprised at the subtle but worthwhile "cleaning up" of the sound (no pun intended).
yes, it's not a lot of work, costs pretty much nothing (cost of cotton swabs and some alcohol or other solution), and as long as you turn your breakers off is completely benign. cleaning any contact helps too - one time i throughly cleaned all my RCA pugs, jacks, and speaker connections, and was surprised at the subtle but worthwhile "cleaning up" of the sound (no pun intended).
"hospital grade"
someone just mentioned to me that a lot of hospital grade plugs/sockets have heavily tinned contacts to better resist corrosion, which is what kills the sound (tin plating sounds bad). so you may want to check what the contacts are made of... straight brass works well, which is what's on these sockets.
someone just mentioned to me that a lot of hospital grade plugs/sockets have heavily tinned contacts to better resist corrosion, which is what kills the sound (tin plating sounds bad). so you may want to check what the contacts are made of... straight brass works well, which is what's on these sockets.
[QUOTES] I am sorry to hear that you study hospital plug sockets so much...Get well soon! [/QUOTES]
Comes from working at the hospital once upon a time, actually.
Comes from working at the hospital once upon a time, actually.
Some info...
I glanced through this thread, and it seems no one has mentioned this, so I'll take the bait.
These orange plugs are orange for a reason. Any orange plug with a green triangle next to the ground slot is an Isolated Ground (IG) receptacle.
In a normal receptacle, the ground prong is connected to the metal mounting tabs, which in turn make contact with the metal box that the plug is mounted in. This ensures that the box, the ground plug, and the centre screw that holds the receptacle cover are all grounded.
In an IG receptacle, the ground prong is not connected to anything else. This must be taken into consideration when using these in household situations. Normally, these are used in commercial and industrial situations, where all wiring is in metal conduit. In this case, the conduit is also grounded, and provides the safety ground for the receptacle box and cover plate. The ground prong is connected to an isolated ground wire which goes back to the building's main ground, to reduce common mode noise on the ground prong of the receptacle.
When these are used without conduit, in a household situation, one of two things can happen. If the ground wire is connected to the receptacle box, then the ground prong will not be grounded, which causes a safety hazard. If the ground wire is connected to the ground screw on the receptacle, then the outlet box and cover are not grounded, which, although not as bad, is still not good. When IG receptacles are used without an isolated ground, a jumper wire should be added between the ground screw and the receptacle box.
I glanced through this thread, and it seems no one has mentioned this, so I'll take the bait.
These orange plugs are orange for a reason. Any orange plug with a green triangle next to the ground slot is an Isolated Ground (IG) receptacle.
In a normal receptacle, the ground prong is connected to the metal mounting tabs, which in turn make contact with the metal box that the plug is mounted in. This ensures that the box, the ground plug, and the centre screw that holds the receptacle cover are all grounded.
In an IG receptacle, the ground prong is not connected to anything else. This must be taken into consideration when using these in household situations. Normally, these are used in commercial and industrial situations, where all wiring is in metal conduit. In this case, the conduit is also grounded, and provides the safety ground for the receptacle box and cover plate. The ground prong is connected to an isolated ground wire which goes back to the building's main ground, to reduce common mode noise on the ground prong of the receptacle.
When these are used without conduit, in a household situation, one of two things can happen. If the ground wire is connected to the receptacle box, then the ground prong will not be grounded, which causes a safety hazard. If the ground wire is connected to the ground screw on the receptacle, then the outlet box and cover are not grounded, which, although not as bad, is still not good. When IG receptacles are used without an isolated ground, a jumper wire should be added between the ground screw and the receptacle box.
these are not isolated ground, i am pretty sure, but i will measure to verify. there is no green triangle on the sockets.
Isolated Ground misconceptions
Since we're talking about IG...
Many people don't really understand this, and often implement it in an unsafe manner.
An isolated ground is not a separate ground rod placed in the earth, and wired to an IG receptacle. This is very dangerous, and a violation of most electrical codes, including the NEC in the US. There can only be one ground point, and this is the 0V point where the neutral is bonded to ground. This one main ground point can be improved, but adding a second ground point is not the way to do it.
An isolated ground is a ground wire which runs directly to the main ground point (or the nearest neutral-ground bond, in the case of multiple transformers).
Some links:
http://www.liebert.com/support/whitepapers/documents/sl_24275.asp
http://www.ecmweb.com/ar/electric_basics_isolated_grounding/
Since we're talking about IG...
Many people don't really understand this, and often implement it in an unsafe manner.
An isolated ground is not a separate ground rod placed in the earth, and wired to an IG receptacle. This is very dangerous, and a violation of most electrical codes, including the NEC in the US. There can only be one ground point, and this is the 0V point where the neutral is bonded to ground. This one main ground point can be improved, but adding a second ground point is not the way to do it.
An isolated ground is a ground wire which runs directly to the main ground point (or the nearest neutral-ground bond, in the case of multiple transformers).
Some links:
http://www.liebert.com/support/whitepapers/documents/sl_24275.asp
http://www.ecmweb.com/ar/electric_basics_isolated_grounding/
dorkus said:
If they are IG receptacles, it is likely that the ground prongs are wired to the metal chassis, effectively making them regular receptacles.
ok. somehow i doubt it, as this power strip is intended for standard computer/telecom equipment, electronics, etc...
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