|
|
Post by mattspl on Jul 17, 2019 19:20:28 GMT
Has anybody any experience with balanced mains isolation Transformers?
I’ve read they can be useful in cleaning up the mains.
I use a power inspired AG500. It’s a great unit, but as well as clearing up the mains, it seems to pollute other components not connected to it, namely my active speakers.
I’m thinking of trying an isolation Transformer either instead of or as well as the AG500.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jul 17, 2019 19:28:25 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by mattspl on Jul 17, 2019 19:45:38 GMT
Thanks, they look good, I’ve seen them mentioned before for Hi-Fi use. Would you say your transformer has improved your system and is it quiet? I’ve head people say they can hum loudly. |
|
|
|
Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jul 17, 2019 19:54:24 GMT
The larger ones can have a bit of hum. A DC blocker can help. Best thing to do is put it in a cupboard, ideal if your CU is in one, put it in there and run a radial to your system fed with the BMU.
Yes it made a worthwhile improvement in my system. Effects can be variable though, depends how good the mains is in your area. I've tried mine in a few places, effect ranged from nothing to huge.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jul 17, 2019 20:37:46 GMT
A few of us had the NVA unit on loan a couple of years ago. Because of that, myself and another member bought them for ourselves. Here's the thread about it. And here's what I wrote about my trial with it. Two days after that, I bought one and it has been in my system ever since. It will not be removed. |
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Jul 17, 2019 20:40:34 GMT
I use a balanced mains unit from NVA - made for a laughably obvious improvement. I live in terraced housing in London though, so no doubt my raw mains is terrible. It did hum a little aggressively, but sorted that with a DC blocker. YMMV of course.
|
|
|
|
Post by ChrisB on Jul 17, 2019 20:44:07 GMT
Mine has never made an audible hum, never tripped the house circuit, it just sits there & does its thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jul 17, 2019 20:46:10 GMT
Although I use a regenerator, I can second other comments here about the good effects of a balanced mains transformer.
|
|
|
|
Post by John on Jul 17, 2019 20:50:18 GMT
I am totally with Ali on this It will totally depend on your mains quality
But can make a big difference
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Jul 17, 2019 20:51:53 GMT
Mine has never made an audible hum, never tripped the house circuit, it just sits there & does its thing. Yeah I think the hum is down to the aforementioned terraced housing and highly polluted mains - didn't do it all the time, but often did do it at the times when I was using the hi-fi! In any case, sorted with the DC blocker, which wasn't very pricey. |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jul 18, 2019 6:31:39 GMT
I used to have a Power Inspired AG1500 and I was very pleased with it. After about 4-5 years it went *BANG* when turned on, I contacted PI by email but no reply so gave up on it. Time for a change anyway.  The defunct AG1500 has morphed into a very effective stand for a sound diffuser panel.  I now have an Airlink 3KVA balanced transformer and imo it is even more effective in terms of improving sq than the AG1500. It can hum a bit sometimes but a DC blocker sorts that as well as providing a useful soupcon of sq improvement on its own account. Very happy with this setup for now. |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2019 6:37:36 GMT
Slightly OT: reading this thread reminded me that my previous amp (Sanders Magtech) used to hum, at times loudly in my current residence.
Since having bought the P6 monoblocks, that hum has vanished completely. I’m curious to know what is the reason for this (unexpected and very welcome) fix is?
|
|
|
|
Post by MartinT on Jul 18, 2019 7:18:30 GMT
I used to get significant hum, mostly from the big toroid in my preamp PSU. When the village was re-wired and a new substation put in about 18 months ago, the hum went away. Something obviously reduced DC on the mains.
|
|
|
|
Post by Pinch on Jul 18, 2019 8:57:47 GMT
It can hum a bit sometimes but a DC blocker sorts that as well as providing a useful soupcon of sq improvement on its own account. What DC blocker are you using, Jerry? |
|
|
|
Post by Eduardo Wobblechops on Jul 18, 2019 9:07:32 GMT
Slightly OT: reading this thread reminded me that my previous amp (Sanders Magtech) used to hum, at times loudly in my current residence. Since having bought the P6 monoblocks, that hum has vanished completely. I’m curious to know what is the reason for this (unexpected and very welcome) fix is? A properly designed power supply. :-) |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jul 18, 2019 9:18:39 GMT
It can hum a bit sometimes but a DC blocker sorts that as well as providing a useful soupcon of sq improvement on its own account. What DC blocker are you using, Jerry? Ooo, heck. I got it from julesd68, who I think got it from a Bulgarian eBay seller? Maybe Jules can enlighten us? |
|
|
|
Post by julesd68 on Jul 18, 2019 9:21:42 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by mattspl on Jul 18, 2019 10:12:17 GMT
I used to have a Power Inspired AG1500 and I was very pleased with it. After about 4-5 years it went *BANG* when turned on, I contacted PI by email but no reply so gave up on it. Time for a change anyway. The defunct AG1500 has morphed into a very effective stand for a sound diffuser panel. I now have an Airlink 3KVA balanced transformer and imo it is even more effective in terms of improving sq than the AG1500. It can hum a bit sometimes but a DC blocker sorts that as well as providing a useful soupcon of sq improvement on its own account. Very happy with this setup for now. Do you plug the DC blocker into the wall then feed the isolation Transformer from it? |
|
|
|
Post by jandl100 on Jul 18, 2019 10:16:00 GMT
I used to have a Power Inspired AG1500 and I was very pleased with it. After about 4-5 years it went *BANG* when turned on, I contacted PI by email but no reply so gave up on it. Time for a change anyway. The defunct AG1500 has morphed into a very effective stand for a sound diffuser panel. I now have an Airlink 3KVA balanced transformer and imo it is even more effective in terms of improving sq than the AG1500. It can hum a bit sometimes but a DC blocker sorts that as well as providing a useful soupcon of sq improvement on its own account. Very happy with this setup for now. Do you plug the DC blocker into the wall then feed the isolation Transformer from it? Yes. |
|
|
|
Post by daytona600 on Jul 18, 2019 10:45:20 GMT
isolation transformer work very well indeed
mains regen units found they limited dynamics & robbed the system on life
best option , remove the mains & feed from a 5kw 20amp off grid battery PV system
goodbye to EMC , RFI , Mains THD , Brown outs , just ultra clean 50hz/230v
excess power about 90% sold to national grid for £1500 per annum tax free for 25years
" the sun never sends you a bill "
|
|
The defunct AG1500 has morphed into a very effective stand for a sound diffuser panel. 
