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Balanced power compatabilty census

I have run across some equipment that does and does not work well with balanced AC. I thought this forum might help others, if supported. In my case, I used 5KVA transformer and one piece of gear at a time.

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If you are unfamiliar with "balanced AC", it refers to 60 volts +/- as referenced to ground and hot/neutral are 180 degrees out of phase. Normal (North America) power from outlets is 120V on hot leg only. Equi=Tech, Balanced Power Tech. and DIY projects convert single phase to dual phase with the "promise" of reduced noise. In some cases, sonic improvemnt can be more than just reduced noise. In other cases, the grounding scheme of the equipment may not be compatible. Don't jump to conclusions that because one experience or model worked or didn't, that it reflects on the brand or type.
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Genesis Stealth amp did not work properly but I suspect problem is due to active x-over.

Plinius SA100 mk3 worked better but no better than simple isolation.

Sonic Frontiers SFL-2 loved it and had immediately noticeable improvement.

Manley Snappers sounded compressed with balanced AC. Odd for differential amp.

I have yet to try with sources which have separate isolation.

Does anyone else have have positive or negative reports?
ngjockey
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
John, this is a little off topic, but did you rewire the Fisher because you were using it with a balanced power unit, or just so you could use better power cord(s).

And what is involved with making that mod? (if it's too complicated to explain here, please email me.) I have a Technics tuner and a Nak CR-7a I'd like to mod that way.

Thanks,

Neil

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john_tracy
341 posts
 
Neil, had the 3 wire PC conversion done so I could use a better power cord. I had that mod done by the tech who serviced and aligned the Fisher. Can't be too hard; I wired my Eico that way. The two "hots" to the power transformer and the ground to the chassis. Digi-Key sells IEC connectors with built in RFI filters that are kind of cool. My Sun SV-2A3 kit came with one and I used one in the Eico and the RAKK DAC that I built. Anything to kill some of the crap that's coming over the power lines these days. Can't imagine what it will be like if they start sending internet data over the power lines.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
Thanks John
lacee
811 posts
 
I have a Furman 20 amp balanced line conditioner run off a 20 amp dedicated line.In it are plugged my pre,turntable,sub, cd player.The noise floor is lower than straight into the wall.I did not like my power amps (Classe DR 8 mono)done this way. They sound better into a Hydra 2 and another dedicated 20 amp line.The sound of the amps in the balalnced conditioner was too rounded off and lacked some life which could be the result of the power conditioner's transformer robbing some life from the amps.Perhaps lower powered integrated amps would benefit more when plugged into this unit.I have no hum, or noise problems,so I feel a balanced power conditioner is useful.
maineiac
649 posts
 
I am running a BPT fed by a dedicated circuit. I found that the video peformance on my old CRT based TV was phenomenally improved. I don't run my integrated out of the conditioner since I found that it definetely chokes off the sound.
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