2. cables
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Advice needed on power cables, wall warts, conditioning, electrical outlet

Hi everyone,

I would appreciate any advice on power cables, wall warts, power conditioning, better electrical outlet,  etc. 

If I have a power conditioner, with all of my equipment plugged into it with their stock cables, would upgrading the individual components’ power cable, wall wart etc. really help to improve the sound quality?  If yes, in what order of priority would you suggest?  Looking to make some low/moderate cost "tweaks" where it makes sense.

FWIW, here’s my setup:

  • 15 amp dedicated electrical circuit with standard home grade grounded electrical outlet.
  • Furman PL Plus-C power conditioner (repurposed from my music equipment studio rack) plugged into this AC outlet.  (Furman has a hardwired power cable, so I cannot easily swap it out)
  • All of my audio equipment plugs into the Furman: e.g. integrated tube amp, DAC, Sound Expander, ethernet to optical converter, Sonore Optical Rendu (feeds the DAC via USB), and Small Green Computer Roon server.
  • All components have their respective manufacturers’ standard issue power cord or wall wart.  (Sonore Optical Rendu with their Small Green Computer standard LPS).
  • TrendNet ethernet switch, not on the conditioner and uses wall wart.  CAT 8 to upstairs to my Asus router also wall wart and not on conditioner.
  • Asus router to Verizon FIOS ONT via CAT 8 ethernet.

Any advice and comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

bogbeat
itsjustme
681 posts
 

Toroidal transformers are the worst for amplifier power supply.

IMO, nonsense. They contain the magnetic field more predictably, have a higher efficiency, lower weight, or, conversely deliver more power (better regulation). If well designed (key point!!!) there ought to be no difference. I use both and for each application there’s one that fits best.

If you have a lot of data, please present it - i’d love to learn. transformers, even according to practitioners, are partly dark art.

 

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

"@alexberger: Toroidal transformers are the worst for amplifier power supply."

The above is COMPLETELY UNTRUE. Toroidals are the BEST transformers for noise and efficiency.

Here is an isolation transformer you cannot beat. At 3000VA capacity and at 2.5% regulation, it can even drive a welding machine... quietly:

 

mitch2
3,683 posts
 

To learn more about transformers, you can go to Transformer School.

BTW, Noratel Group is the company that took over Plitron.

alexberger
853 posts
 

Hi @cakyol ,

For tube amplifiers that don't need a lot of power toroid power transformer is not the best solution. 

Most of tube amplifiers (including most expensive) don't use toroid power transformer. Toroidal power transformers are used only in some budget tube amplifiers or in  some very height power tube amplifiers. 

 

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

Hi @alexberger,

Our suggestion for using a transformer, especially a toroidal transformer is for the purposes of isolation and smoothing. Both SS and tube amplifiers, low or high power, can always benefit from the low impedance mains supply an isolation transformer brings, regardless of whether it needs to be used IN the amplifier. We were suggesting it on the MAINS side, not necessarily IN the amplifier as a part of it.

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