High End AC Line Power:

Power Isolation and Conditioning Components

What is AC Power Isolation and Conditioning?

AC line isolation and conditioning components remove electrical interference (also called "line noise") from the electricity supplied to your home by the power company. By removing extraneous electrical signals from the power lines, what remains is pure 60 Hertz 120 volt power. This power is then passed through to the power supplies in your audio components (such as pre-amplifiers, amplifiers, D-A converters, and so forth). The resulting power to the actual amplification stages in your components is then more precise and noise-free.

No matter how good your electronics are梔irty, poorly isolated power can rob your system of micro-dynamics, purity, and a quiet noise floor. Much like room acoustics, our knowledge of proper AC isolation comes from years of experience, common sense and a few good tools. We can help to ensure that any system limitations that you may encounter are not from your source of power.

Note: While this listing is representative of what we carry it is not always completely current. So for the most up to date information please call us at 781-893-9000

● Equi=Tech

Equi=Tech makes balanced power conditioning equipment. Widely used in recording studios, these conditioners reduce power line noise by up to 20 dB through the use of balanced AC current. The conditioners are also available with isolation to remove noise (SuperIsolator) or with a Filter option for your digital components.

Non-US Clients: Equi=Tech power conditioners can also be equipped with either a step-up transformer (to use 220 v equipment here in the US) or a step-down transformer (to use 110 volt equipment elsewhere). If you will be moving your equipment to a country that does not have 110 volt equipment, an Equi=Tech conditioner may be very cost effective for you. Plus, of course, you would get the sonic benefits!

• SI ?Super-isolator option. Transformers are wound with exceptionally low capacitance and two electrostatic
  shields providing superior isolation (>100dB CMR) from high frequency interference in locations where noise
  from switching power supplies, SCR controllers and commercial lighting equipment can cause digital timing
  errors affecting data integrity. Option pricing and availability varies with model. Call for details.
• Q ?The "Q" option ?offered with Models ET3R and smaller. Like the Super-isolator transformers, Q transformers are wound with exceptionally low capacitance and two electrostatic shields providing superior isolation (>100dB CMR) from high frequency interference. But these transformers are very large, much larger than standard sized toroids. Typically, they run cold at full load capacity. A proprietary winding design drastically reduces high inrush current and also provides for very stable performance. These transformers remain acoustically quiet even in locations where there is a lot of local current distortion and very poor power quality. They are particularly helpful where power hungry amplifiers may be choked by high peak current demands on a smaller sized power transformer. Option pricing and availability varies with model. Call for details.
• E ?Export models are designed to run electronic equipment requiring 230-volt 50Hz power from a 230-volt 50Hz source. Available with models ET3R and smaller. A nominal 230-volt supply is isolated and balanced at the outputs in a similar fashion as U.S. systems that isolate and balance U.S. power. May also be used in the U.S. for equipment that requires 230-volt power. Since the output voltage is about twice that of U.S. models, the current output rating is 1/2 that of the U.S. version ?however, the power rating is identical. Option pricing and availability varies with model. Call for details.
• EA ?Export-American option. Provides balanced power for touring the world with U.S. equipment. These systems utilize a 50Hz step-down transformer that converts 230-volts to 117-volts (+/- 3%) balanced for use with U.S. equipment in Europe and other areas of the world where AC supply is nominally 230-volts 50Hz. They may also be used in the US when a 208- or 240-volt 60Hz power source is provided. Option pricing and availability varies with model. Call for details.
• F ?EMI/RFI filter option. Filters are applied to the balanced output. Where a balanced power system's common mode noise rejection ends, EMI/RFI filtering begins. Some equipment power supplies are not very well balanced so some high frequency AC interference differs from typical power harmonics making these balanced multi-stage line filters a fine compliment to a balanced power system. Sensitive digital electronics in a system may require additional line filtering for best performance. Switching digital power supply noise is attenuated on the line and kept isolated from outlets that power other sensitive electronics. These filters reduce line noise -30dB from 100kHz to 1gHz. Option pricing and availability varies with model. Call for details.
  Note: When specifying multiple filters, use F2, F3, etc. to indicate the number of filters required. Consult us for custom filtering configurations.
• M ?Front panel voltmeter option. A true RMS voltmeter with an accuracy of (+/-) .5% that brightly reads out the exact voltage on the power line with a simple and clear 3-digit LED display. Included with the meter on the front panel is an IN/OUT meter selector switch to toggle between the incoming line and the rack system's output. A must for portable racks. $189.
• SW ?Switched input voltage option. Available with models ET3R and larger. A rugged 3-position, center-off,  multi-pole power switch rated for high current applications. Commonly used in portable racks where either 208V or 240V power is furnished for traveling productions. Switch toggles between 208V and 240V to match the balanced power system's input voltage to house power.

• MSW ?Voltmeter with switched input voltage option. Available with Models ET3R and larger. The same high quality components used in the M and SW options. Provides the greatest convenience and safety for location power situations. Voltmeter turns on as soon as the unit is plugged in accurately indicating the proper input line voltage to reference when switching on the system.

• T ?Touring "fail-safe" option. Available with models ET5R and larger. May be specified with or without metering and switching options. Rear panels on rack systems are furnished with 30-amp twist-lock outlets for touring power applications. No GFCI outlets are used for additional peace of mind during live performances. .
• OFC ?Oxygen-free copper wiring is used throughout the assembly of the rack system. Hand-made oxygen-free copper wiring jumpers and wiring harnesses are used throughout the assembly process for the purpose of minimizing high frequency current distortion. This method of wiring effectively increases the bandwidth of high-frequency noise attenuation and insures that distortion induced by the use of ordinary wiring materials will be markedly reduced.

*The ET2R and ET3R are the only models available for export (230V 50Hz input) with the "Q" option.

● MIT

MIT is known for their ultra-high-end audio interconnects and speaker cables and their superb AC line conditioning devices. Please contact us for a recommendation of what MIT power conditioning would be best for your application.

● PS Audio

PS Audio makes power conditioners. They also make digital components as well. See PDF for more info.

● Richard Gray's Power Company

Richard Gray's Power Company (RGPC) is a power conditioner product made by Audio Line Source. (Confusing name, huh?)

The RGPC effectively positions your electronic components closer to the utility company's transformer. As your electronic components draw down the voltage at your wall outlet (due to the voltage drop caused by the hundreds of feet of electrical wire between your outlet and the utility transformer), the RGPC supplies sort-term power to compensate. It also contains parallel surge suppression. Multiple units may be used for an enhanced effect. Highly recommended by Audio Research (for example).

● Shunyata

Shunyata makes power conditioners, power cables, and audio cables.

● Simaudio (Moon)

Simaudio makes the Moon line of AC line conditioners.

Simaudio also makes digital components, pre-amplifiers, amplifiers, surround processors, and power conditioners.

● Tara Labs

Tara Labs makes cables and power conditioners.

● Torus

Torus makes power conditioners.

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