1st May 2020, 7:56 pm | #1421 |
Heptode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Occasionally I get asked about the things such as those above, and like people here, my eyes go heavenwards. However with all the HF on the mains at the moment I've wondered if a mains conditioner may provide better filtering of non-sinusoidal mains. Some people complain that the mains transformers hum on power amplifiers.
When used in a different location, it stops. They claim that this isn't down to what the unit is sitting on, or load conditions etc, but that there is a small amount DC on the incoming mains. I can't believe for one minute that this will improve the sound any, but the noise from the transformer body did make me wonder. Any thoughts anyone? Regards, SJM. |
1st May 2020, 9:16 pm | #1422 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
The distortion of the mains waveform add to the noise from winding clatter, core magnetostriction etc. I'm not sure any filtering without huge inductors and capacitors would smooth the overall waveform an help with buzz/hum. Bur high frequency components on the mains from ringing when switches go on/off are the well known fridge clicks.
Filtering the mains to remove HF grot is, to me. just good practice.\\My power amp had noisy toroidal transformers. Three rides in the vac impregnation line didn't help enough. In the end, I made moulds and potted them. David
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2nd May 2020, 12:45 am | #1423 |
Dekatron
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
The problem is not DC on the mains as such. It is even order distortion which produces a net DC. I have a small passive circuit that I occasionally use to measure this directly, and most of the time the effective DC offset where I live is a few tens of mV, so not worth worrying about.
But when we lived in St Neots (the Cambridgeshire one) toroid buzz was a major headache. Craig |
2nd May 2020, 12:52 am | #1424 |
Octode
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Yes indeed, torroid hum (on audio amps) from DC on the mains is a problem here in a rural area due I guess to being on the end of a long power feed which visits several places on its way to us.
Steve. PS It's just occurred to me that we are not discussing phoolery here... Let's get back on topic quick!
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Those who lack imagination cannot imagine what is lacking... Last edited by fetteler; 2nd May 2020 at 12:55 am. Reason: PS |
2nd May 2020, 12:10 pm | #1425 |
Heptode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Thanks for the replies, confirmed what I had wondered. There are conditioners ranging from what looks like a 'wall-wart' up to something costing £1950.00!!! I think I know what to say now. Still if anyone persists I could always advise then to take a dose of 'Andrews'....
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2nd May 2020, 1:12 pm | #1426 | |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Quote:
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Product...YaAo4CEALw_wcB
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A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever.. |
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2nd May 2020, 1:15 pm | #1427 | |
Octode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Quote:
I can't believe I'm arguing this John |
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2nd May 2020, 2:12 pm | #1428 | ||
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Quote:
Type 2's use really chunky MOV's, usually L/N and N/E (so they also do L/E) capable of 40kA surges. They always have a failure indicator for when a MOV is failing, either passive or a pair of contacts you can plumb into an LED or acoustic sounder. And you can hot swap the MOV cartridge, that plugs in to the unit. Types are available to fit in a consumer unit, either 1 wide for just L/N or two wide for L/N and N/E. If you are going to have this sort of thing done, do not buy a cheap Chinese one - decent ones cost about £80 - £120. If you have overhead power to your property that can be struck by lightning, you also need a Type 1, which is a spark gap. Craig |
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2nd May 2020, 2:12 pm | #1429 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
The TLC conditioner, I love the "on display" common mode choke. No I am not going to get one.
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2nd May 2020, 2:34 pm | #1430 | |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Quote:
Scientists haven't managed to find the Bolshon yet, they're trying to get time on the big basher at CERN, but skilled listeners have definitely heard them. They have determined that the Bolshon makes up only one ten-to-the-minus21 of the electron mass, but they constitute 100% of its grievence. Other carrier particles convey strangeness, charm and smugness. David
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2nd May 2020, 2:43 pm | #1431 | |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Quote:
The TLC price is right. Any less than that and corners have to have been cut. Any more than that and someone is being taken for a ta-ta. David
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2nd May 2020, 5:11 pm | #1432 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
I "won" a large Shaffner mains filter about the size of a brick, put it on my workshop mains feed. You never know I might want to measure (oops wrong word for this thread) something small.
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2nd May 2020, 6:21 pm | #1433 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Does the Schaffner filter have a "RIFA INSIDE!" sticker?
If not actual Rifa, they have something fully comparable inside, right down to the funeral with a burning boat. When they let loose they burn a hole through the can. David
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2nd May 2020, 8:42 pm | #1434 |
Dekatron
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
On the subject of mains leads I just happened across this little gem. It is quote: The EVO3 Initium is IsoTek’s new entry level power cable designed to offer high quality performance at an extremely fair price. Initium is a must for replacing all of your free standard black plastic power leads which have been designed down to a price not up to a quality.
Blimey, if £90 is what they call an "extremely fair price" for a mains lead, then no wonder there's ones for sale at £16K. https://www.futureshop.co.uk/isotek-...AaAta0EALw_wcB
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2nd May 2020, 9:42 pm | #1435 |
Octode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
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2nd May 2020, 10:38 pm | #1436 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Nope!
That doesn't impress me. Even the £16500 one is in the could try harder category. Any audiophile who wants to properly power his amp or whatever, needs to think three phase. Single phase is just piddling around. With three phases and push-pull transformers there are six charging pulses per cycle. Ripple frequencies go up and ripple amplitudes go down. Superlatively smooth to start with. THEN he can start throwing expensive cable at it. The business of getting a three phase feed to a house will make it exclusive and keep the hoi polloi out. Exclusivity helps the sound greatly. David
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2nd May 2020, 11:45 pm | #1437 |
Dekatron
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
I use a single phase to three phase converter to run my Wadkin radial arm saw. Does that count?
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3rd May 2020, 12:16 am | #1438 |
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
You'll be missing out on that really satisfying sound a motor on a normal 3 phase supply makes on start up. Rotary converters are just a bit too soft, and as for solid state inverters, they do soft-start. Even star-delta is for wusses. Real men go DOL . The shower of sparks from a contactor is an essential part of the performance, like tyre smoke on Top Gear.
David
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3rd May 2020, 1:19 am | #1439 |
Octode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
Do you mean real men or red necks?
All that top gear stuff reeks of testosterone.... Steve.
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3rd May 2020, 2:05 am | #1440 |
Octode
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Re: The Audiophoolery Thread.
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