Balanced power supplies

[Sovereign]

I had a Power Inspired AG1500 and found it quite effective. I wouldn't say I had noisy mains at all, other than the crap on the mains that we all battle with. In the end I ran the AG 1500 and a 3kVa together which increased the performance further, this was all before I build what I have now.

[The Black Adder]

Hmm. Thanks guys.

Can someone tell me the advantages of going 'over sized' in regards of 'VA' or is that just a 'man' thang?

My amp has a 630mA fuse and my Pre has a 6.3A fuse. So that is what the very maximum draw would be I take it. Other things that are on the same plug socket are Turntable, CD player, RPI, 2x hard drives. All of which together can't be very much.

So, (hope I've got this right) this means my pre and power amp (most power hungry of my kit) would be 630A *250v = 160w *2 = 320w

Given that a 1000VA unit is good for 600w surely this is enough? And adding the rest of the kit wouldn't even break a sweat.

[JohnJo]

Hmm. Thanks guys.

Can someone tell me the advantages of going 'over sized' in regards of 'VA' or is that just a 'man' thang?

My amp has a 630mA fuse and my Pre has a 6.3A fuse. So that is what the very maximum draw would be I take it. Other things that are on the same plug socket are Turntable, CD player, RPI, 2x hard drives. All of which together can't be very much.

So, (hope I've got this right) this means my pre and power amp (most power hungry of my kit) would be 630A *250v = 160w *2 = 320w

Given that a 1000VA unit is good for 600w surely this is enough? And adding the rest of the kit wouldn't even break a sweat.

Hi Jo

6.3amp v 240V = 1500W give or take so you best look at 2KVA minimum, not that your amp will be drawing that kind of power, suspect it's just to allow for transformer inrush.

[DSJR]

I tried one and although it did change the sound I didn't consider it an improvement and preferred the sound without it. Some of the best systems I have heard were just plugged into a standard wall socket and run off nasty standard mains. Some of the worst have used several grand's worth of mains regeneration. If there is some common factor going on then it eludes me.

I use the above macca returned NVA BMU and it made an improvement here, to the point that when I removed it, I missed it so much it went back within a couple of days, where it remains. I believe your stereo has changed a fair bit since then Macca, so maybe consider trying one again, wherever it comes from?

Martint on TAS has or had a very bad mains and his main choice was an expensive full high power regenerator I understand, which all but cured the problem at source, but he did comment favourably on the BMU at the time when used with it I think from memory.

It's been said (and forgotten/ignored) many times that the transformer VA rating does NOT have to be the addition of all the VA ratings of the gear connected to it. It would appear that for most domestic situations, where amps and so on are not being thrashed to maximum dissipation continuously, a 500VA is perfectly and more than adequate.

[The Black Adder]

lol... Thanks, Jon, Dave... confused I will be.

so... 2000VA or 500VA...

I've just learned that the larger VA the lower the impedance will be. But does that negate somewhat when using an EI core opposed to a Toroid?

Sorry for the daftee questions, just on a learning curve here.

[Macca]

I use the above macca returned NVA BMU and it made an improvement here, to the point that when I removed it, I missed it so much it went back within a couple of days, where it remains. I believe your stereo has changed a fair bit since then Macca, so maybe consider trying one again, wherever it comes from?

.

Dave, no, my system is still identical to how was with the BMU in. I've swapped a few speakers in and out but still with the Akais as 1st choice. I think that based on what others have said the main reason it did nothing for me was that I don't have a mains issue in the first place. On the negative side when swapping it back out I felt then that it had been slightly constricting dynamics and as I usually play at quite high SPL, in a large room sat a long way from the speakers this mattered to me; likely it would not even be noticeable to those using only moderate volume closer in field, and perhaps with a gentler taste in music.

[Ali Tait]

lol... Thanks, Jon, Dave... confused I will be.

so... 2000VA or 500VA...

I've just learned that the larger VA the lower the impedance will be. But does that negate somewhat when using an EI core opposed to a Toroid?

Sorry for the daftee questions, just on a learning curve here.

No don't think so, will be the same.

[Mark Grant]

My amp has a 630mA fuse and my Pre has a 6.3A fuse. So that is what the very maximum draw would be I take it. Other things that are on the same plug socket are Turntable, CD player, RPI, 2x hard drives. All of which together can't be very much.

You ideally need to measure each device with something like this to give a guide as to the power consumption, they aren't really accurate but a good guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energenie-E...or+power+meter

[The Black Adder]

You ideally need to measure each device with something like this to give a guide as to the power consumption, they aren't really accurate but a good guide:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Energenie-E...or+power+meter

Hi Mark.

I have just done an experiment with my house energy meter. Isolating everything (starting with 0.01kW) and with just the hifi on in the house, all my audio kit runs at 0.36kW

Is that any help?

[Mark Grant]

That's hardly anything really, 360 watts for everything on your hi-fi

So a 1000VA transformer will be plenty or two or more smaller transformers to keep noisy devices on their own supply rather than joining everything together.