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Isolation Transformers

I bought an isolation transformer from a fellow selling his home audio gear about a year or so ago. It’s a 12” cube that weighs roughly 60 lbs and has 8 plugs in the back. It was apparently used in a hospital. 
I have most of my gear including a tube preamp plugged into it mostly for protection purposes. It puts out a constant 124v which is a few more than what I get directly from the wall socket.
Anyone else using this sort of device as a “power conditioner” and what are the pros and cons of using one? I’m guessing delivering a constant voltage (almost) regardless of the load is the main advantage of this type of device but am wondering if it impedes full current delivery at high amplifier loads. Thanks. 
128x128kalali
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
I moved this unit in my second system where I don’t have a dedicated AC line but I also added Aric’s tube preamp to the mix and changed the amp’s power cord around the same time. The system is dead quiet and the bass is decent but I attributed most of that to the preamp and the power cord. I may try doing a comparison with the unit out of the loop using a power strip instead to see if I hear a difference.
Thanks again for all the responses.
erik_squires
16,348 posts
 
It's a balanced power provider with a little surge and noise protection added.

:)

Nothing wrong with it, but it's' not going to regulate voltage.

Best,
E
kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
“...but it's' not going to regulate voltage.”

Fair point. I said it puts out a constant 124v but this statement was false by definition since I’m not constantly measuring the output voltage. It does however put out 124v the few times I measured the voltage which was roughly 2-3 volts more when compared with its adjacent wall socket. 
jea48
4,489 posts
 
@kalali,
Is that a loaded voltage or an unloaded voltage measurement? The greater the connected loaded the greater the VD (Voltage Drop) across the windings of the transformer.

Measure the voltage with the intended load connected.
.

kalali's avatar
kalali OP
1,977 posts
 
^^^^^ Great question, and I think it was unloaded, if I remember correctly. I’ll take some measurement with preamp and amp up and music playing at moderate listening levels.
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