An input transformer is perfectly capable of being operated single-ended. Changing to balanced later is trivial. Less trivial is adding a transformer to an amp that wasn't designed with the transformer in mind.
Let's look, everyone else, at what balanced operation does FOR YOU, and if you need it.
Balanced operation has been around more than 100 years, mostly for telephone service.
It is valuable to reduce hum and other noise pickup from power lines, adjacent power transformers, etc. This goes along with the need for a low impedance on the lines, as they would roll off the high frequencies if they were 10K or so. This has to do with the nature of the electromagnetic component of the interference, that resists a simple 'aluminum foil' shield and punches right through. The longer the line and the lower the noise source, the more potential problem with single ended. This is why pro systems are invariably balanced, and many line stages are now balanced, especially in their outputs.
Many people do NOT understand the MECHANISM that gives you lower hum when you use balanced. It is NOT just the common mode rejection. It is also the common mode pickup on the wiring itself, so that it can CANCEL itself. This is why just plugging in a single ended cable into a balanced line can give even more hum pickup. Kind of strange, isn't it?
Balanced operation has been around more than 100 years, mostly for telephone service.
It is valuable to reduce hum and other noise pickup from power lines, adjacent power transformers, etc. This goes along with the need for a low impedance on the lines, as they would roll off the high frequencies if they were 10K or so. This has to do with the nature of the electromagnetic component of the interference, that resists a simple 'aluminum foil' shield and punches right through. The longer the line and the lower the noise source, the more potential problem with single ended. This is why pro systems are invariably balanced, and many line stages are now balanced, especially in their outputs.
Many people do NOT understand the MECHANISM that gives you lower hum when you use balanced. It is NOT just the common mode rejection. It is also the common mode pickup on the wiring itself, so that it can CANCEL itself. This is why just plugging in a single ended cable into a balanced line can give even more hum pickup. Kind of strange, isn't it?
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The Orion needs a selectable transformer for special occasions, when EXTREMELY LOW NOISE input is demanded. Because the Orion is balanced throughout, it is faced with using twice as many input devices, yet being 3dB noisier than a Vendetta. This is approximately 0.5nV/rt Hz. The only solution to this is to double the input devices, change the input devices to even more expensive, exotic, and hard to get devices, OR use a quality transformer. The transformer solution (optional) was selected.
Most users will NOT use the transformer, but those who demand it, will have in on hand with the flip of a relay.
Most users will NOT use the transformer, but those who demand it, will have in on hand with the flip of a relay.
Many people do not understand that balanced doesn't mean doubling up the amplifier components in mirror image fashion to amplify each polarity.
It means balanced impedances of each signal wire to ground for cancellation of noise. And twisted pair cabling goes a long way to minimizing hum pickup by minimizing loop area. If there is any application for balanced in a home environment, this would top the list due to low signal level, and the fact that the coil is naturally balanced in the first place.
It means balanced impedances of each signal wire to ground for cancellation of noise. And twisted pair cabling goes a long way to minimizing hum pickup by minimizing loop area. If there is any application for balanced in a home environment, this would top the list due to low signal level, and the fact that the coil is naturally balanced in the first place.
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Came across this platinum paint that claims "orders of magnitude" better conductivity than silver paint. The $2500/oz or so cost should not be an issue with Blowtorch customers.
Platinum Paint Conductive Suspension - SPI Supplies
Platinum Paint Conductive Suspension - SPI Supplies
I have never found a transformer that was not detectable in serious listening tests.
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No, Scott, it has 3 orders of magnitude the RESISTIVITY compared to silver paint. Please read the data sheet.
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I should hope that's the case. If the transformer isn't increasing the signal level and decreasing CM noise (both of which are clearly audible), it's broken.
Oh, is that what it was? Then the amorphous Lundahl transformer is inferior to the Mu-Metal transformer, because the Mu-Metal transformer has the SAME sonic characteristics as all the other transformers I have tried. The amorphous transformer is claimed to NOT have these properties.
Physically a twisted pair has a greater loop area than a parallel pair. Far as I'm aware, what the twisting does is assure that the interference is picked up equally on both lines so that more of the interference can be rejected.
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