Properly connecting an isotaion transformer

Sean: How far apart do I need to keep the isolation transformers from each other? And how far from the equipment (TV, Pre-amp, Amp, etc.)?

I'm probably going to end up running 2 more dedicated 20amp circuits (as you've suggested). I'd like to run each dedicated into an isolation transformer and then on the back side terminate into a Hubbell.

Fortunately my system doesn't draw too much current so my isolation transformers don't have to be very big (taking into consideration your comments earlier about overhead). I have the Sunfire Cinema Grand II amp which is only 225x5, small compared to many that are used. Vman

I don't know what you have for speakers, listening room or listening levels, but i wouldn't run an amp that size with anything smaller than a 20 amp line and a 2.5 KVA transformer. I would really prefer to see an even larger transformer for this amp, but 2.5 KVA will work for most people with "reasonable" speakers and listening habits.

The reason that i say this is that at low impedances with insensitive speakers, this amp can pull GOBS of current with big peaks or when standing on the throttle. As a side note, this amp benefits quite noticeably from clean power, moreso than some other designs. Adding additional filter capacitance into the power supply also helps with bass impact and to further lower the noise floor. If you're not running this amp in balanced ( XLR ) mode, i would highly suggest checking into it. This amp, along with all other Sunfire products, does not use "standard" XLR pin configurations though, so verify compatability with your Pre/Pro before going that route.

As far as placing the transformers, the greater the distance from each other and the equipment, the better. Given that the field that they generate is directly related to the amount of current being passed, the one to worry about the most would be the transformer feeding the amp. Magnetic fields decay as a square, so moving the transformer twice as far apart results in four times the reduction in magnetic field strength. Having said that, i would keep them FAR away from any type of cabling if possible, as some cables make for excellent "antennas" to feed noise into the system. Sean
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Sean: I posted my system in the "Virtual Systems - Opinions Please" directory of A'gon. My listening room is 15W x 20L x 8H. I usually don't crank the amp too far only because the main speakers are so efficeint (102db sensitivity) that it doesn't take too much to get it loud.

I just bought XLR IC's to go between my amp and my pre-amp. I went with an Acoustc Zen Matrix II (center) Pure Note Epsilon Reference ver4 (mains) and ver3 (rears). All are XLR terminated. I previously was using Monster RCA IC's.

If I cannot do the isolation transformer as my way to provide clean power to my amp, is there another solution you would recommend? I say this because given my space where my equipment is located, I will only be able to have a single isolation transformer for all my equipment both digital and analog. My "bump out" for my equipment is only 8ft wide by 3ft deep.

Vman: If you would like and since you can't use them right away, send me your cabling and i'll burn in it for a week or so and ship it back to you. This should give you a better idea of what to expect from your system right off the bat. One catch here. You'll have to cover the shipping both ways : )

As to the transformer situation, i don't see a problem with using it to feed the whole system. You will probably end up drawing but a watt or two from each amplifier channel during normal use due to the high sensitivity of your speakers, so current draw is not a problem.

Outside of the iso transformer, what you might want to do is to use some type of device that offers further isolation between components and acts as a "power strip". This will allow you to divide the power coming out of the iso transformer in a somewhat orderly way and keep the components from "polluting" each other's AC supply AFTER the iso. Given that every device that you'll be using has some type of "switching" power supply in it, cleaning it up from the lines coming in and then isolating them from each other should yield further improvements.

I won't go into specifics in terms of brands to recommend, but some type of device that offers multiple feeds with each feed being seperate from the others AND having some type of filtering / surge suppression should do the trick. You can experiment with plugging the amp directly into the feed from the iso or through the "filtered power strip" to see what you think is best. If you don't notice a difference, you might be better off leaving it run through the "strip" for added surge protection.

As far as your installation goes, you'll probably have to angle your center channel speaker down somewhat. You might also want to think about placing some type of wide bandwidth absorption device on the ceiling near the speaker. This will minimize reflections and improve focus / imaging. I'm sure that you'll be very happy once everything is in place. I'm sure that you can't wait : ) Sean
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Sean: Thank you very much for the offer to "burn in" my cables. I'm waiting on one last cable to come in (AZ Matrix XLR IC) and then I'll have all the cables. I would need to check on the cost to ship them to you. If it is not too much, I will ship them to you and cover the return shipping charges. I'm in Northern Virginia, how about you (zip code also)?

Your suggestions about the different ways to improve power delivery to the audio and video devices is appreciated by me and I thank you for your time in offering your technical expertise.

Yes, I'm going to have to "toe" in my main speakers and also angle my center channel down. I've calculated that the apex of the sound from the mains (if they are seperated 10ft) is 13ft. I'll have to use a little geometry to figure out what the angles will be for the mains and the center.

I know that one of the first things I'm going to have to do after set-up is the installation of absorbtive and deflective panels. Wow, this is a fun experience!

Looks like I'll be painting the Man Cave this weekend and then all that's left is the carpet (which I'm not doing thank goodness)! Still shooting for the end of March but will probably be 1st or 2nd week of April.