I was able to eliminate power conditioners from my system after having
dedicated lines installed, but the latter will not guarantee elimination of
noise from the power line, or interference from appliances or lighting on
other lines. But, it is the right place to start, if your system is plugged in to a
branch that has a lot of other potentially noise inducing stuff on it. Elizabeth
and WillieW both did a nice job of capturing it. |
Willie- as i recall, all same phase, and the quietest leg. I actually received a fair amount of good input from this forum when I was doing the lines. I am in the process of relocating, and have the big Equi=Tech wall cabinet which I hope to install in the next set-up. Thanks for the props on the system. The horns are so efficient @ around 104 db that any noise, whether AC gremlins, grounding anomalies or simply the noise floor of a given component is readily apparent. I went through the tortures of the damned to quiet the system. Also the differences in grounding potential between separate dedicated lines is apparent. I have used an 'external' star grounding approach with mixed success. |
Willie- I haven't really fooled around with the interconnect pin configuration or wiring- I run XLR from phono stage to line stage, and xlr from line stage into Lamm ML2 amps, but the latter is not a true balanced input. I have floated grounds on power cords in the past to sort 60hz hum issues but try to ameliorate without any ground-lifting. I think some problems may arise from how individual components are internally grounded, but i'm not expert enough to determine that. The external star grounding approach has worked in some set-ups using the horns, although right now, the system is extremely quiet without it. I will occasionally hear noise over the system that comes from a power anomaly on the line, or a microphonic tube, but I've been pretty lucky. I did find that having separate dedicated lines created more potential grounding problems, but right now, fingers-crossed, the system seems to be in fine fettle.
I'll be interested to see how the Equi=Tech performs once I'm set up in a new room. That may be a while, though. |
Willie- thanks for your clarification. I will know more once I dig into the E=T set up. It is easy enough to have the cables reworked by the manufacturer if needed. I also don't know how this corresponds with US electrical 'code' requirements, which is something I want to comply with for safety/fire hazard purposes. I have usually worked with a licensed electrician whenever I do anything re wall power- unfortunately, most garden variety electricians know little about sound.
I'm probably going to use someone versed in studio set-ups and commercial wiring once I get to the next room- since I'm relocating from NY to Texas. My goal has been to find a residential property with a separate outbuilding, or the space to build one, dedicated solely to 2 channel listening. Such space is now at a premium in downtown Austin, but we haven't committed to buying a property here yet.
I gather you are in UK or EU? |
Mental, perhaps i have used the wrong electricians in the past, but none seemed to understand looking for the quieter leg, any notion of keeping the polarity consistent, the use of additional grounding, potential grounding differences among different dedicated lines, or even the use of higher hospital grade outlets. Though I'm sure all of those things are within the skill set and knowledge base of competent electrical engineers and electricians for clean power, most residential electricians don't seem to have this knowledge. Thus, my observation, based on my experience.
And when you say 'isolated' ground, my understanding is that code does not permit an isolated ground in the sense that it is separate from the ground for the rest of the service delivered to a residence. I gather that having a separate building, with separate service, may enable me to do so, which is something I plan on exploring in my new location, having already touched base with the city inspector here in Austin about the use of the large Equi=Tech to supply system power in my next room. For what it's worth, I'm also interested in finding electricians here with experience in installing such balanced power systems, but that's another story. |
Ptss- Based on an initial phone discussion with the inspector there, using the big Equi=Tech wall cabinet should not pose a problem, particularly if I am setting it up in an outbuilding separate from the residence. (It also doesn't seem to be a big deal to get extra service in residences there-a couple of places i was looking at there had 400 amps of service!). Obviously, once I have purchased a property and do a build-out, we will see if there are any code issues. I don't have a problem marking outlets as 'special' and the concept is, the building/room would be used exclusively for the system and my music-business related activities, i.e., it wouldn't be part of the residence, as such, though I may entertain visitors or clients there. I also don't let the cleaning lady into my present room, for obvious reasons. Thus, no reason to expect someone to plug a vacuum cleaner or light fixture into a balanced receptacle. |
Yes, thank you Jea. I did look at the code before I talked with the inspector; I will make sure I dot the 'i's'; the building will not be used as a habitable structure, but for business office/listening room. That said, I will be working with appropriate authorities to make sure it is code compliant for the area. The neighborhood I'm focused on is on the edge of downtown and consists of a mix of residential and light commercial structures. But, we are still at least several months away from buying. And, I'm also considering the possibility of either an entirely separate location for the office/system, or using the smaller Equi=Tech units that are essentially black boxes, if I am forced to go that route. Right now, I already own the big wall cabinet, though it has not been put into service, and is in storage awaiting next steps.
Again, thanks.
Best,
Bill Hart |
