Help with balanced mains transformer selection

[Hudz]

Could one of you knowledgable chappies tell me if this is suitable for my system.http://www.airlinktransformers.com/balanced_power_supply/standard_balanced_power_supplies/BPS1500/
as i'm a bit of a numpty where electrics are concerned although i did manage to install a dedicated mains spur myself with a little advice.

I only wish to plug in my integrated which draws 340w max and is only ever used at very low to moderate levels (late night listener)

If this is not suitable could someone point me in the right direction please:)

[Gazjam]

Hi mate,
installed a balanced mains setup in my own system so dabbled a bit in this.

Yup, that'll be fine, no issues with lack of supply to your amp.
The higher KW rated Balanced mains units will sound better "on paper" as impedance will be lower, but in practice it might not be noticeable, especially as its just the amp your plugging in.

Naa, that'll be fine, will improve things a fair bit if your mains is dirty like mines was! :)

[brian2957]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26471-Balanced-Mains-Transformer-WOW!-Hardwired-Installation-log-%28Pic-Heavy!%29&highlight=balanced+mains
Did you forget about this mate :)

[Sovereign]

Hi Martin

Balanced is the way to go, you are onto a good thing there.
If you are wanting something a little bigger I could sell you my 3Kva BPS for £350,

[Gazjam]

http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?26471-Balanced-Mains-Transformer-WOW!-Hardwired-Installation-log-%28Pic-Heavy!%29&highlight=balanced+mains
Did you forget about this mate :)

Didn't wanna show off... :)

[Hudz]

Cheers Gary,
Right i'll get me one of those then, just wasn't sure it was big enough.

It was your excellent post that got me on this "get off the mains" crusade in the first place:). Already got most of me kit on battery power just need the amp sorting but i might end up down the battery/Bantam avenue yet.

Thanks for the advice 'tis much appreciated
Hi mate,
installed a balanced mains setup in my own system so dabbled a bit in this.

Yup, that'll be fine, no issues with lack of supply to your amp.
The higher KW rated Balanced mains units will sound better "on paper" as impedance will be lower, but in practice it might not be noticeable, especially as its just the amp your plugging in.

Naa, that'll be fine, will improve things a fair bit if your mains is dirty like mines was! :)

[Hudz]

Hi James,
I may come back to you on that if its still around but i'm gonna dip my toes in the balanced pond with the smallest unit i can get away with for now.

Thanks
Hi Martin

Balanced is the way to go, you are onto a good thing there.
If you are wanting something a little bigger I could sell you my 3Kva BPS for £350,

[Gazjam]

No worries :)
Let us all know how you get on.



Cheers Gary,
Right i'll get me one of those then, just wasn't sure it was big enough.

It was your excellent post that got me on this "get off the mains" crusade in the first place:). Already got most of me kit on battery power just need the amp sorting but i might end up down the battery/Bantam avenue yet.

Thanks for the advice 'tis much appreciated

[Sovereign]

Hi James,
I may come back to you on that if its still around but i'm gonna dip my toes in the balanced pond with the smallest unit i can get away with for now.

Thanks
No problem Martin

I started off with a 1500va BPS and really appreciated what it did to the sound of my hifi, I then ended up with the 3Kva that I have now. The next step is to have one hand wound to my specifications.
I'm rather taken with balanced power if you hadn't noticed :-)
Keep us posted.

[Ali Tait]

What specs are those James?

You have something specific in mind?

[Sovereign]

Working on the specifics with a toroidal manufacturer . We are looking at using an oversized core (5kVA) to allow a very low flux density for low mechanical noise. Measuring around 240 x 115mm & weighed around 27kg as it also uses about 50% more copper than an off the shelf unit from Airlink

What specs are those James?

You have something specific in mind?

[The Black Adder]

Hi guys... Interesting thread.

I have a question.. Do the Airlink BPSU's hum a lot?... Are they loud? I can't help thinking that the casework could do with some dampening? - Just a random wondering thought. :)

[Ali Tait]

Working on the specifics with a toroidal manufacturer . We are looking at using an oversized core (5kVA) to allow a very low flux density for low mechanical noise. Measuring around 240 x 115mm & weighed around 27kg as it also uses about 50% more copper than an off the shelf unit from Airlink

Might be worth looking at an EI rather than a toroid?

[Sovereign]

Hi guys... Interesting thread.

I have a question.. Do the Airlink BPSU's hum a lot?... Are they loud? I can't help thinking that the casework could do with some dampening? - Just a random wondering thought. :)
Yes they do, my 3kva hummed like a bird however I bought a DC. blocker from Nick Gorham that stopped the hum dead and totally transformed the BPS, infact I would even say that it is not worth considering a BPS unless you are going to buy one of Nicks DC blockers. Can't remember the price of it, about £20 I think.

[The Black Adder]

Excellent!... Cheers James.

[Sovereign]

If anyone wants to buy my 3kVA BPS with breakers and Nick Gorham DC blocker, just let me know

[Sovereign]

Might be worth looking at an EI rather than a toroid?

What are the differences there Ali?

[potatoha]

If anyone wants to buy my 3kVA BPS with breakers and Nick Gorham DC blocker, just let me know
Just wondering what the current rating is for that DC blocker?

[Hudz]

James can you or anyone else please post a link to where you got your DC blocker from as i'm now fearful that my new transformers gonna be louder than my tunes:hmm:unless housed in the back room.

I've just spent a fruitless hour surfing and all i can find are expensive Isotek and Isol-8 products.Nothing on Longdogs site.

Thanks in advance
Yes they do, my 3kva hummed like a bird however I bought a DC. blocker from Nick Gorham that stopped the hum dead and totally transformed the BPS, infact I would even say that it is not worth considering a BPS unless you are going to buy one of Nicks DC blockers. Can't remember the price of it, about £20 I think.

[Sovereign]

Just wondering what the current rating is for that DC blocker?

I have it on an email trail somewhere. You would really need to ask Nick Gotham as lurcher on this forum, or Ali Tait may know

[Sovereign]

James can you or anyone else please post a link to where you got your DC blocker from as i'm now fearful that my new transformers gonna be louder than my tunes:hmm:unless housed in the back room.

I've just spent a fruitless hour surfing and all i can find are expensive Isotek and Isol-8 products.Nothing on Longdogs site.

Thanks in advance
again you need to ask Lurcher on this forum. Sorry can't help.
I also had the air link 1500va BPS. It did hum quite a bit but not that bad. But for what they cost it's a must have as far as I'm concerned. To me it transforms the BPS

[Hudz]

Thanks James,

PM sent to Lurcher

Think i should have bought yours as i've ended up buying the BPS 2000 and ended up paying over 300 for that:mental:
again you need to ask Lurcher on this forum. Sorry can't help.
I also had the air link 1500va BPS. It did hum quite a bit but not that bad. But for what they cost it's a must have as far as I'm concerned. To me it transforms the BPS

[Sovereign]

Thanks James,

PM sent to Lurcher

Think i should have bought yours as i've ended up buying the BPS 2000 and ended up paying over 300 for that:mental:

What a shame. I can still build you one for that price if that helps .

[selby]

Balanced mains and mains cables and sockets continue to be of real interest to me. Sovereign when do you think your custom one will be built? I was thinking when I eventually get one I'd hide it in a sound proofed cupboard so the hum doesn't annoy me.

[Sovereign]

No need to put anything in a cupboard. Mine is dead quiet and sits on my hifi rack, I can get one built within couple of weeks.

[Ali Tait]

What are the differences there Ali?

More chance of it being quiet I think.

[Yomanze]

Considering that the 2kVA version (http://www.airlinktransformers.com/balanced_power_supply/standard_balanced_power_supplies/BPS2020/) is rated at 8.6 amps continuous I don't see the need to go higher personally, already seems overkill for the application *unless* you are using big class A amps like a Krell KSA-100.