Isolation transformer- anyone tried the Tortech, or any other one?

[Steven Hinchliffe]

Well the title pretty much says it all; I'm toying with the idea of an isolation transformer for my amp in particular, but also guess I can run the rest of my system from it. I think I saw some on the tortech site, but I'm sure there are others available. I figured rather than stuffing around with filters etc it makes more sense to just get an IT and make sure theres no issues, including DC, with my power.

Thoughts and opinions from those in the know?

Cheers, Steve [emoji5]

 

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[andyr]

10 minutes ago, Wiffle said:

 

Well the title pretty much says it all; I'm toying with the idea of an isolation transformer for my amp in particular, but also guess I can run the rest of my system from it. I think I saw some on the tortech site, but I'm sure there are others available. I figured rather than stuffing around with filters etc it makes more sense to just get an IT and make sure theres no issues, including DC, with my power.

Thoughts and opinions from those in the know?

Cheers, Steve

 

 

Yes, stopping DC getting into your power amp is a good thing to do (for increased SQ - if you do have DC on your mains) but the problem with using an isotran to do this ... is that it may well act as a slight brake on the current which your power amp wants to pull from the mains, during transients.  IOW, it will degrade dynamics. 

 

You might like to try a 'DC blocker' instead (which can handle a 10amp current draw - which is more than your amp draws).

 

Whichever way you go, I suggest it would not be a good idea to use the one device for power amp and "the rest of your system".

 

Andy

 

[Steven Hinchliffe]

Hmmm, I understand what you're saying; given that my amp has decent power filtering capacity (around 130k microfarads) would a loss of current be an issue? I'm pretty sure there is dc on the lines as theres a quiet hum from the 1kvA toroidal tranny.
Dc blocker; will have to look them up.

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[AussieMick]

I've had good experiences with Tortech. Advice and service has been terrific and fast.

I'm using stepdown transformers for a US bought Wadia A/D converter and another for my Japanese bought CEC TL5 CD transport. They've operated quietly and faultlessly for a few years now.


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[Steven Hinchliffe]

So I've been digging around and found mcru making DC blockers in the uk; audionote aus had one on a blog a few years back but not much info. Anyone used these or have any other suggestions?

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[Guest guru]

44 minutes ago, Wiffle said:

So I've been digging around and found mcru making DC blockers in the uk; audionote aus had one on a blog a few years back but not much info. Anyone used these or have any other suggestions?

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we still fabricate them to order but have been busy with other projects. if you want to see the images of them, send me a pm.

[bvuka2013]

9 hours ago, Wiffle said:

So I've been digging around and found mcru making DC blockers in the uk; audionote aus had one on a blog a few years back but not much info. Anyone used these or have any other suggestions?

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Hi Steve,

 

If you're after a DC blocker locally, Mark Houston (RetroThermionic) makes them & they also incorporate an RFI/EMI filter

 

I have two in my system, very happy with the improved SQ

 

Look him up, he is an SNA member

 

Cheers

Bob

Edited May 29, 2017 by bvuka2013

[Bunno77]

I have the 2kv peach audio available through tortech.
Being in a high rise building there was a lot of noise and it helped greatly. Not sure about reduced dynamics but when I removed it I didn't want to listen anymore.
I tried a few Isotek units (on loan from a store) and they worked very well too.

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[dcathro]

I have a 5kva unit (Topaz), and I know people who have 7kva units (Black Arts). These work extremely well, giving a deeper, darker background, greater detail, and explosive dynamics. Personally I think they have to be big to work properly.

[Bunno77]

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/29662-discussion-of-ac-mains-isolation-transformers-started-wposts-moved-from-quotlps-1-troubleshootingquot-thread/

[jamesg11]

On 31/05/2017 at 3:51 AM, Bunno77 said:

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/29662-discussion-of-ac-mains-isolation-transformers-started-wposts-moved-from-quotlps-1-troubleshootingquot-thread/

Yes, you need to at least seriously engage with this thread to canvas views on iso trans.

eg. why is the above Topaz & it's design ilk seen as superior to ITs in general, including Tortech etc?

 

/& someone there recently said they had success with this dc blocker -

http://www.atlhifi.com/shop/fully-assembled-devices/dc-blocker-trap-filter-assembled-in-case/

Anyone able to explain how this is different from those made by andyr & mwhouston?

 

 

[Steven Hinchliffe]

Ok, so in the end I got Anthony Holton to make me a DC blocker; I figured he designed the amp so might as well keep with the same design philosophy.

What he designed and made is a bit of a step up in the DC blocker world, with current and voltmeters included, and a measured 100000uf (!!!) capacitance (he said that actually it's 400000uf but the circuit layout realises it at 100k?).

It measures 430mm wide (not incl rack mounts) and 230mm deep, so essentially a full width component.

Does it work? Well now my amp is almost deathly silent; in a quiet room at night I used to hear it hum from 3m away without music playing, now I have to put my ear within 10cm of it. During the day I struggle to hear any hum at all.

In terms if sq, impact of all frequencies is even sharper, and the imaging is off the charts; it was great before, but now its come a long way forward as well as backwards and is incredibly precise. For example, listening to Lost Cause by Beck, the picked guitar notes seem to sparkle, dance, and pop in 3D space; truly freaky, trippy stuff!

Money very, very well spent ($600), and an upgrade I'd highly recommend if you suspect any DC contamination![mention=104287]aussieamps[/mention] you are a star! [emoji5][emoji106][emoji106]

 

 

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[Steven Hinchliffe]

And here's a couple of WIP photos Anthony sent me a little while back...

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[Steven Hinchliffe]

Yes, you need to at least seriously engage with this thread to canvas views on iso trans.
eg. why is the above Topaz & it's design ilk seen as superior to ITs in general, including Tortech etc?
 
/& someone there recently said they had success with this dc blocker -
http://www.atlhifi.com/shop/fully-assembled-devices/dc-blocker-trap-filter-assembled-in-case/
Anyone able to explain how this is different from those made by andyr & mwhouston?
 
 

Looks like the main difference is higher capacity filters? Still nothing like the Holton beast though... [emoji6]

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[jamesg11]

Yes, re capacitance - you need to achieve ~0.005pfd to limit to below 400Hz.

My Elgar 2.5kW is 0.0005pfd.

 

What is the Holton figure?

Edited June 26, 2017 by jamesg11

[jamesg11]

Ok, just saw the Holton data above. It's focusing on dc, which is a different target to the quoted thread, though there is some discussion of this. The aim is for a vanishingly low capacitance.

 

400,000microfarads? That's my power amp ...

Edited June 26, 2017 by jamesg11

[Steven Hinchliffe]

Yes, re capacitance - you need to achieve ~0.005pfd to limit to below 400Hz.
My Elgar 2.5kW is 0.0005pfd.
 
What is the Holton figure?

Not sure on that one; I don't know if@aussieamps can chime in with some more details?

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[Guest]

Found that if the amp transformers are noisy and physically chattering there is DC on the mains the DC blocker fixes that and other than that not  a big need for the Iso Tx on the amps, particularly if linear power supplied

Isolating the front end is very useful eliminating ground loops, meaning a small Iso Tx used to drive all front end devices and in particular those with switch mode PSU's

 

If I were running from a dirty retail supply (now a distant memory) and wanted to get the best from a system that's how i would do it.

 

 

[Guest]

To add, my amp power supply comes from a 6Kva Isolation Transformer with a farad of insanely low ESR Capacitors,  but it is an inverter (SMA SI 6) hanging off a large battery, charged by over 4Kva of solar. 

The silence in a treated room with the system up is lovely

Edited June 26, 2017 by Guest

[jamesg11]

 

On 27/06/2017 at 8:12 AM, 125dBmonster said:

To add, my amp power supply comes from a 6Kva Isolation Transformer with a farad of insanely low ESR Capacitors,  but it is an inverter (SMA SI 6) hanging off a large battery, charged by over 4Kva of solar. 

The silence in a treated room with the system up is lovely

Which 6kVa iso tran is the one you're using?

[Guest]

56 minutes ago, jamesg11 said:

 

Which 6kVa iso tran is the one you're using?

Hello

Interestingly the isolated supply (transformer) I have is actually part of a Low Frequency Power Inverter made in Germany, by SMA 

In the innards of the 80Kg yellow box is the capacitors and large transformer. It will quite easily run a 200A mig welder and a 9" angle grinder at the same time. 

http://www.sma-australia.com.au/products/battery-inverters/sunny-island-60h-80h.html

 

This system was installed to run my stereo system, Sound Lounge and some of the home

 

It provides a very, very  low distortion mains waveform incrementally adjustable in 10ths of volts and a rather lovely piece.