Isolation Transformer and Balanced Power versus PS Audio Regenerator

[christoph]

Yes, I had Vitus and Pilium amps connected, but I don’t have the P20 anymore as I moved on.

Thanks
Oh man, you are a hard act to follow
Where did you move on to after the P20?

 

[Atmasphere]

But a proper hose will do?

Hose?? If by 'hose' you mean 'really heavy power cord that is about the diameter of garden hose' then yes.

 

[christoph]

Hose?? If by 'hose' you mean 'really heavy power cord that is about the diameter of garden hose' then yes.

Garden hose, yes

 

[Forte]

Christoph, I’m now using Signal Projects S40 LE. Not an advertised brand but it is solid and I am super happy. More dynamic/3D and walks over the P20.
Mind you the P20 is very good and I would not mind owning a P15 just for digital if I was picky.
Playing Battle Angel at reference levels and I’m all smiles.

 

[tony22]

Christoph, I’m now using Signal Projects S40 LE. Not an advertised brand but it is solid and I am super happy.

@Forte, I found the website info on this, but nothing on its price - unless I missed it somewhere. Not asking what you paid for it, but what’s the retail price on this?

 

[CKKeung]

Where did you move on to after tWhere did you move on to after the P20?

A good friend of mine who has very good ears replaced his P20 with a Sound Application TT-7 last week.
He said that the sonic performance diff was too huge to believe.
But I think so is the price diff!

His new TT-7 :

 

[highstream]

@Forte, I found the website info on this, but nothing on its price - unless I missed it somewhere. Not asking what you paid for it, but what’s the retail price on this?

On "where to buy," the site is blank for the U.S.

Re the TT-7, the Music Room is currently selling a used one of unknown age for $11, 179. So yes, the price difference vs. PS Audio's must be big. Plus, if more than six outlets are needed -- I'm using 10 and that's without any streaming -- the price would be hefty.

 

[Forte]

@Forte, I found the website info on this, but nothing on its price - unless I missed it somewhere. Not asking what you paid for it, but what’s the retail price on this?

Tony, No worries. MSRP for S30 and S40 is about $9k/15k I think, depending on wiring, etc.. Best to find a dealer but it seems like there is no more US dealer/distributor as of last year.
They have Filtron and Phoenix which are like P15/P20 pricing.
For technicals, best to email Nick (owner) as I’m not good with all the technical.
Here’s a translated review of the S30.

 

[Forte]

Another conditioner I would not be hesitant to try is the Z:Axis Symetrica.
Both the Signal Projectsand Symetrica outlet configurations can be custom configured for your gear.
If you need the outlets, P15/P20 would be the way to go. These new ones seem much better/different than the older versions.

CK, yeah it appears SA has a small cult following. SA customers seem to be quite loyal. They’ve been around some time but don’t advertise like the active PSA, Shunyata, Torus, Auduoquest, etc or the passive Audience..

 

[CKKeung]

Another conditioner I would not be hesitant to try is the Z:Axis Symetrica.
Both the Signal Projectsand Symetrica outlet configurations can be custom configured for your gear.
If you need the outlets, P15/P20 would be the way to go. These new ones seem much better/different than the older versions.

CK, yeah it appears SA has a small cult following. SA customers seem to be quite loyal. They’ve been around some time but don’t advertise like the active PSA, Shunyata, Torus, etc or the passive Audience, Audioquest.

To have home-trial for comparison before buying is always nice.

I am interested in the X-Axis Symertrica too but there isn't any dealer in HK.
Personally I prefer balance transformer type of condsitioners but for large-current components I like plugging them directly into dedicated mains/audio powerlines.

 

[gshelley]

I’m curiou, does the group here have an opinion and/or experience with Shunyata latest offering the Everest?

 

[Uk Paul]

To have home-trial for comparison before buying is always nice.

I am interested in the X-Axis Symertrica too but there isn't any dealer in HK.
Personally I prefer balance transformer type of condsitioners but for large-current components I like plugging them directly into dedicated mains/audio powerlines.

CKKeung,
We deal direct for now but would like to have a dealer in HK! PM or email me if you like to discuss anything..
BR,
Paul

 

[wil]

I've not compared them. But lacking any active circuitry its difficult to comprehend how the Equi-Tech could correct for distortion that is already in the incoming AC line. Their website seems to lack any information regarding that.

Those big cylinders that hang on the tops of telephone poles are setup-down transformers. Each one is large enough that they can feed several homes. If the current draw exceeds about 50% of their rating, the harmonic distortion generated by the transformer will begin to rise. This is how such harmonics occur on the incoming AC. Sometimes you can reduce it if the transformer is replaced by one of larger capacity, but that has to be done be the utility company

@Atmasphere
I was curious if you have an interpretation of these Voltage and Amperage harmonics readings taken at panel box line feeding my audio system? In particular, I'm curious about the odd-order harmonics shown on the Amp readings, which one (knowledgable) person told me he had never seen before. Thanks

 

[Atmasphere]

@Atmasphere
I was curious if you have an interpretation of these Voltage and Amperage harmonics readings taken at panel box line feeding my audio system? In particular, I'm curious about the odd-order harmonics shown on the Amp readings, which one (knowledgable) person told me he had never seen before. Thanks

101.4% THD? really? If that is really right I'd guess there's a power transformer badly overloaded somewhere upstream.

 

[wil]

That THD % seemed very odd to me also. I have another reading taken the same day which shows Amperage THD at 46% which also seems extremely high.

Voltage THD read always in the 2% range.

So, the Voltage Harmonics and THD read normal, but the Amperage Harmonics are , I'm told, wacky because they are all odd-ordered. And the THD levels are very high.

If THD is low on Voltage reading, would it be expected to read low on Amperage as well?

I obviously don't know how to interpret these amperage readings...

 

[ArnoFenn]

That THD % seemed very odd to me also. I have another reading taken the same day which shows Amperage THD at 46% which also seems extremely high.

Voltage THD read always in the 2% range.

So, the Voltage Harmonics and THD read normal, but the Amperage Harmonics are , I'm told, wacky because they are all odd-ordered. And the THD levels are very high.

If THD is low on Voltage reading, would it be expected to read low on Amperage as well?

I obviously don't know how to interpret these amperage readings...

Switch the meter to the sine-waves of voltage and amp and you can understand the reasonable level of V THD and the huge A THD

 

[wil]

Switch the meter to the sine-waves of voltage and amp and you can understand the reasonable level of V THD and the huge A THD

So, it is normal that the amp sine wave is always more distorted than the Voltage and not necessarily indicative of an overwhelmed transformer? Or are overwhelmed transformers "normal?"

 

[Atmasphere]

So, it is normal that the amp sine wave is always more distorted than the Voltage and not necessarily indicative of an overwhelmed transformer? Or are overwhelmed transformers "normal?"

It shouldn't be. That voltage since wave looks terrible.

 

[wil]

It shouldn't be. That voltage since wave looks terrible.

Could you elaborate on that? I see that it flattens at the top, but isn’t that pretty typical of power from the utility?

 

[ArnoFenn]

So, it is normal that the amp sine wave is always more distorted than the Voltage and not necessarily indicative of an overwhelmed transformer? Or are overwhelmed transformers "normal?"

I would say it is no exception. The voltage top often has got a flat top and the current is distorted by the many loads drawing their current in "their own way". The latter is behaving as a non ideal/resistive load.