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Transformers .. Is It Just Me?

I have 2 line conditioners in my system in series -- the SR PowerCell 10SE Mark II (according to Ted_d's information, thanks) plugged into a Bybee Stealth. Frankly, with my recent experience with an isolation transformer, if I had to do it all over again I would have made different choices. I think I could have had a lot more bang for my buck. Let's just say that the Bybee Stealth made it worthwhile.

After experimenting with a lot of Bybee products I have come to the conclusion that it is hard to do too much AC cleaning. Lately, I have been doing research into balanced conditioners, isolation transformers and power regenerators. Since I live overseas it would cost an arm and a leg to have one of those mammoth balanced transformers shipped over -- not to mention the cost of the item. This is beyond my budget. So I have been looking at relatively inexpensive "alternatives". I cannot afford a balanced conditioner or balanced isolation transformer at the moment so I decided to gamble on a relatively inexpensive medical grade isolation transformer.

I found what I thought might be a good choice on Ebay. (I also found an inexpensive power regenerator. That's a story that will have to wait for another thread.) I just put this isolation transformer into my system and have been doing some A/B-ing. I have read where non-balanced transformers will have minimal effect -- but I did read (I lost the thread) where one Audiogon poster was not convinced of this. My initial experience -- is it just me? This is amazing. The holographic effect with this unit in my system is astonishing. This is unmistakable. When I unplug the unit the air around instruments and vocalists is gone. The sound is still holographic but it is not the same at all.

OK, the unit has a hum due to the internal fan. But with all but very low volume I cannot detect it. I'll have to work on damping the hum. Has anyone else had a positive experience with a medical grade isolation transformer? My unit was made in Germany by Block, by a top maker of transformers. It weighs about 40 lbs. and the toroidal is encased in resin. Do different medical transformers give different results?
sabai
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Ozzy,
It looks like 6 amps. Here is the URL for the original listing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150810038628?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_3303wt_1142

I have mine before my SR PowerCell. It dwarfs the PowerCell's sonic effects in my system. I cannot say what other isolation transformers would sound like. This is the only isolation transformer I have ever owned.
jcote
100 posts
 
Sabai,

Did you change out the female IEC's for male IEC's or do you have custom power cords?
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,206 posts
 
Sabai, Thanks for the info. I'm not sure what Amperage my Powercell draws, but I have everything ( Audio,Video) running through it on a 20 Amp dedicated circuit.
My Amps are on seperate dedicated circuits.

So, I'm not sure how big of a Isolation unit I would need.
sabai OP
2,027 posts
 
Ozzy,
Most welcome. I have a dedicated 20-amp line for my audio system. I think it will come down to the quality of the transformer. I don't think you will find another one like the one I bought -- in the enclosure, made in Germany by Block, with the toroidal encased in resin. But Tripp or another inexpensive unit may end up doing the same job as mine in your system. I can only speculate. All I can say is I gambled and won -- big time.

During the decision-making process, the big issue for me was the weight. Some of the units out there weigh from 70 to 100 lbs. or more. I live overseas. The shipping cost for one of those heavy units put the purchase out of the ballpark. My unit is compact and weighs about 40 lbs. double boxed.

Regarding size and weight, I think Tripp are also within reason. Frankly, I would have gone with one of their units if I had not bought mine. But I have no idea if their toroidals are encased in resin and if that makes a difference re: the sonic benefits. Theoretically, according to what Bombaywalla has to say on the subject, a well-chosen Tripp unit should be able to give good results. I have seen them for about $100 on Ebay -- mint. Worth the gamble, IMO.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,206 posts
 
Sabai, I'm still not sure of the value to look for. I have seen them listed as 1KVA up to 5 KVA and beyond.
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