Visit to Marc C.'s (SpiritOfMusic's) House in England

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
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Sydney
Marc

Why did you get the giant balanced transformer in the first place?

I am sure you were raving about it at the time. What has changed?

Cheers
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
My old London apartment had a very bad dose of great SQ after hours, cranky earlier in the day. A function of poor power I diagnosed.
My first attempt at a solution was the Burmester 948 which was a fix, but dynamics suffered. Moving to a much cheaper, balanced transformer solution with an Airlink upped the ante again, but some different reservations now.
The big Westwick that I settled on a decade ago seemed to have the advantages of the first two solutions with none of their disadvantages.
Seemed like a one box, somewhat overkill solution, but wholly positive.
And Mike Lavigne running balanced seemed like a good role model.
However, things are so different out here in the country, mainly much more stable power coming into the chapel, likely less polluted as well.
Right now I can't deny the evidence of what I'm hearing.
Either my diagnosis for my original woes was wrong, or my solution was not the best, or things have moved on and previous conclusions are invalid.
 

Ron Resnick

Site Co-Owner, Administrator
Jan 24, 2015
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Either my diagnosis for my original woes was wrong, or my solution was not the best, or things have moved on and previous conclusions are invalid.
This is good analysis!

It doesn't matter which of these is correct; I'm just glad you're making new progress!
 
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spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
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E. England
Hmm, progress in circles. Like relying on a malfunctioning SatNav.
 
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Reactions: Ron Resnick

Blue58

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
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London, UK
‘However, things are so different out here in the country, mainly much more stable power coming into the chapel, likely less polluted as well.”

Marc can you tell me how your voltage changes over the day?
Actual voltage say during the evening and fluctuation variance.
Level of noise on the mains in mv
Total power requirement of your system.
Power outages per year approximately.

Thank you
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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London
It doesn't matter which of these is correct; I'm just glad you're making new progress!
Change is progress.

Even though it does not cost chump change.
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
14,601
5,411
1,278
E. England
‘However, things are so different out here in the country, mainly much more stable power coming into the chapel, likely less polluted as well.”

Marc can you tell me how your voltage changes over the day?
Actual voltage say during the evening and fluctuation variance.
Level of noise on the mains in mv
Total power requirement of your system.
Power outages per year approximately.

Thank you
This is pure conjecture on my part. The only time I had objective evidence of power issues was back in London, where my Burmester 948 conditioner registered significant fluctuations in voltage moment to moment. Which pushed me down the balanced transformer route, and subsequently a guest measured my power, and indeed those variations had smoothed out.
If and when my electrician returns to likely install audiophile grade MCBs and RCB, I guess I can ask him to check the things on your list.
My conjecture is purely based on the fact that music playing now unadulterated by balanced power or any other conditioner sounds extremely open and consistent at any time of the day. That was absolutely not the case in London before I got the Burmester.
The only thing I can confirm is semi regularity of outtages, normally bird strike on overhead lines, one or two monthly. And the odd longer blackout.
 

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