Balanced mains transformers, surge protections?

[HighFidelityGuy]

I'm toying with the idea of trying a balanced mains transformer as it seems like it might be a better approach than using tons of mains filtration gubbins. However, what I'd like to know is whether a balanced mains transformer like THIS for example offers any kind of protection against power surges that might damage my equipment?

I currently use some Belkin PF30 units which as far as I know provide filtration and surge protection, so I'm worried that I might loose the protection these offer.

Cheers.

[John]

Hopefuly Marc or Ali be along to answer
Just to say in my view this would be a lot better alternative to what you have at present

[Reid Malenfant]

I'm using two Belkin PF40s that are being fed balanced mains from my P600 Power Plant. Ok so both the earth & wiring symbols on the display show it's wrong, it still works

[Ali Tait]

Looked at one of those myself Dave. It won't give you surge protection, but to be fair, how many folk do you know have had equipment damaged by a mains surge?

You could always just plug the Belkin into the balanced trannie when you get it. It's something I will get round to trying too at some point.

[colinB]

Those Airlink prices have gone up significantly in the past year.

[MCRU]

Wall socket to mains purifier/filter/conditioner use a dc blocker incorporated into a mains lead like the isotek syncro (as an example only), I have tried mountains of filters/regenearators/conditioners and the best solution was the dc blocker and an isotek aquarius (for me anyway), the PF30 I had was good but the aquarius tipped it when I wired schuko plugs to all my power cords and used an aquarius with schuko sockets, getting rid of all the fuses in the power cords works wonders.

[Welder]

Cheap (comparatively)
Balanced (either is or isn’t)
Ugly (non audiophile)
Hums (just audible in the same room at around 45 db ambient noise)

If you can’t go the dedicated mains route with a non grid earth then imo this is one of the few “upgrades” that actually work and is probably worth the money.
What you need to take particular care over is to get a unit that gives ample VA headroom.

Something like this perhaps.
http://www.airlinktransformers.com/t...wer-supply.asp

I tried the 1.5 kVA model and on non dedicated mains it did make a noticeable difference but I had concerns about the fuse arrangement. On the dedicated mains I came to the conclusion that it didn’t have quite enough headroom.

My view is it’s better to not have the noise there in the first place rather than try to condition it out with various filters.

The best option is probably full mains regeneration but that’s serious money and possibly not any better than a properly done dedicated mains.


Ahh, sry, i see you're there already. I didn't click the link
Like others have said, i wouldn't be too concerned about equipment destroying surges as your amp etc should be fuse to take care of that.

[HighFidelityGuy]

Thanks for the replies.

I was thinking about powering the balanced transformer through a big DC blocker to protect the transformer from DC but I'm still not sure what to do about surge protection. I know surge damage is rare but if I could add the protection without it affecting the sound then I guess I may as well to cover all the bases. Does anyone have any experience with THESE Belkin surge protectors on Hi-Fi equipment? I'm a little worried that they will rob dynamics.

[Reid Malenfant]

Save yourself some dosh & connect the PF30s after the balanced transformer & you'll have all the surge protection you need as well as a nice load of sockets

[worrasf]

I tried the 1.5 kVA model and on non dedicated mains it did make a noticeable difference but I had concerns about the fuse arrangement. On the dedicated mains I came to the conclusion that it didn’t have quite enough headroom.

I have a dedicated mains supply to the audio gear - just a single twin and earth cable from consumer unit with a dedicated RCD going to a twin Russ Andrews non-switch wall socket. I then have a Merlin 4-way distribution box (tarantula & scorpion I think). The cable runs from the consumer unit along one of the joists in the loft before going down to the sockets. Do you think that one of these balanced mains supply units would be suitable to be connected to the cable run in the loft or does it need to be "in view" so to speak for safety reasons etc?

Steve