Isolation Transformer and Balanced Power versus PS Audio Regenerator

[MacF]

Factor One BMU-2510se is a 10 socket version of our Award Winning BMU-2500.
The SE or “Special Edition” in terms of this BMU-2510SE custom built for MAC FINNEY takes the performance even further.

• The heart of the BMU-2510SE is a bespoke carefully crafted, extremely tight tolerance balanced toroidal transformer with 4 layers of shielding. We work closely with the manufacturer to ensure that all of our transformers conform to our exacting standards and from one transformer to the next measurements fall within the smallest of margins making one transformer arguably identical to each and every consecutive build.
• The input socket is a 20A Viborg Pure Copper with 5 layers of Gold Plating C20 type IEC for maximum line input conductivity.
• Our inrush protection and soft-start circuit is cleverly built to slowly over a 4.5 second period allow the transformer to charge with any sudden fluctuations which can trip consumer units and harm connected equipment. The unique design means that once this process is completed a relay ‘click’ can be heard and the circuit then moves out of the way, not to interfere with the incoming power any longer.
• Our DC removal circuitry is fast acting and allows for large amounts of DC to be shunted to ground. We use Mundorf Silver capacitors and resistors alongside high current Schokty diodes to ensure a reliable and transparent route to a clean pathway for the incoming live circuit to thrive, small notches in the waveform caused by the incoming DC are then intelligently rebuilt by additional circuitry on the fly to remove any residual distortion.
• All PCB tracks are gold plated copper.
• Custom produced gauge specific to our requirements Neotech UP-OCC in Teflon wiring is used across all input and output power lines. The specific gauge alleviates the bass bloom of thicker gauge cables along with loss of leading edge precision. In comparison to thinner gauge cabling our specific strand formula negates leanness of the upper bass, restricted dynamics and an over/emphasis on the top end - allowing for a more balanced and Coherant performance.
• Heavily silver plated copper earth wire - the material allows for a very high-speed earthing solution with incredibly low resistance.
• All wiring looms are starred, there is no series wiring anywhere.
• A high conductivity Biborg Pure Vopper Gold Played earthing piston sits at the rear to allow other sources of grounding to all utilise the BMU-2510SE’s master ground point reference.
• Alongside this reference ground is our own large grounding box with a massive 4.35kg of material in an ABS copper lined enclosure which feeds into the grounding system directly at its star point to condition and lower the noise floor even further.
• Safety is paramount, so the rear panel switch is a dual circuit breaker capable of shutting down all the output sockets in the event of a short. This circuit breaker is an audiophile grade product which utilises gold traces and input output terminals with magnesium relays.
• The Power Output Sockets are Viborg Pure Copper with 5 layers of 24ct Gold Plating to give an unimpeded low resistance, high conductivity output.
• The chassis itself is made from CNC cut sheets of aircraft grade aluminium for its strength and inert abilities . This material is lined with a damping material to eliminate high-frequency resonances even further.
• The feet on the underside are a version of our OMEX equipment supports. They are produced using an Aluminium Polymer Compound which fat exceeds the ability to remove resonances over a standard aluminium. Sandwiched between these layers is an array of ceramic balks to help dissipate vibration as heat.

 

[Atmasphere]

I can’t say I have but you would need a very large generator to not have changes in the voltage. A generator has a voltage regulation on the rotor to control the voltage output. To make it worse the frequency must remain very stable so varying loads is very much creating both freq And voltage variations. This makes everything go faster in changes.
a regen is far better then a generator unless it’s huge. if you would try a generator one method would be to shunt the load to maintain a More consistent freq and
Voltage output like used in a shunt regulator psu. Im ralph can explain better then I can.
we can complain of issues in utility power but freq is very reliable and voltage too if the service is larger then needed.
what we can’t fix is noise created both before our homes and inside.
a regen fixes this , but a good psu does too
now why one amp is ok and another is less so is a ralph answer.
power supplies are very reactive to its input power as well as its output.
I use a p10 regen but only on all but amps
but my amps are too large for any audio regen I feel
dowmsoth its two Krell amps
Ksa80b and ksa200b
Up north it’s a pair of ml no 33 amps

The problem with a motor driving a generator is when there is a change in load there could be a change in motor RPM until its recovered to the change in the load. This likely wouldn't affect an amplifier so much but I bet you could hear it if you ran a turntable or tape machine with an AC synchronous motor.

A proper power conditioner or regenerator can regulate line Voltage and keep frequency very constant. So 'mogens' went the way decades ago for good reasons: lower efficiency, large size and weight with no ability to reject harmonics generated due to load.

As I mentioned earlier, some amps are better off plugged directly into the AC line as opposed to being subjected to what many in high end audio call 'power conditioning'. Early versions of the PS Audio regenerators seemed to be unhappy with sustained high current loads (like those our class A OTLs present to the AC line). But it seems many of those problems have been solved with their later iterations of the regenerator. Amps with more feedback will be more immune to AC line problems so will seem less responsive on a conditioner or regenerator; inefficient amplifiers will likely seem to benefit more so long as the regenerator or conditioner is OK with the continuous AC load.

 

[Kingrex]

The problem with a motor driving a generator is when there is a change in load there could be a change in motor RPM until its recovered to the change in the load. This likely wouldn't affect an amplifier so much but I bet you could hear it if you ran a turntable or tape machine with an AC synchronous motor.

I had mused on this in the past and thought a high mass flywheel would help stabilize the motor speed. I thought someone had said it would be better to direct couple the motor to alternator.

Even if the speed were stable, do generator motors themselves create harmonics or distortion? Would RF or orher noise couple to the motor or wire leads and get into the power negating any thought of getting a clean sine wave?

 

[Atmasphere]

do generator motors themselves create harmonics or distortion?

If enough current is drawn from them, certainly!

 

[microstrip]

It was very simple. The already present ground related noise problems of the CJ LP series amps were exacerbated. It made things worse. A person with serious hearing loss could have heard it. Interestingly CJ recommended against using a regenerator or even a power conditioner. CJ recommended using a hospital grade power strip … plug everything into the power strip and plug the power strip into the wall. Just part of CJ’s legendary “quirky charm.”

The CJ LP series "ground problems" are the common problems of most mono units in single ended systems due to the need of the mandatory safety ground. Basic knowledge and common sense are needed to have a hum free system, although it can need special care in some systems.

I talked about the CJ opinions on power systems and power cables with Lew Johnson - IMO it was not "quirky charm", it was just his opinion, based in his large experience.

In the case of the Denon, I could discern no changes. Quiet but not very transparent or dynamic (compared to my best) before and after the regenerator. No clear benefit.

ARC Ref 75 SE/LS28Se and Ref 250 SE/Ref 6SE, both blossomed. ARC recommended running on 117.5 VAC. The regenerators set on this voltage were audibly more open sounding. Clarity and articulation of notes both improved from what was already excellent.

Burmester 911 mk3 / 088, which beat the aforementioned ARC here in my comparos, was even clearer, and more transparent.

Ok, you are now also addressing balanced systems - it can make a real difference. I also used a P10 with ARC equipment and was very happy with it. Surely results depend on the actual condition of our mains system.

You can debate this stuff til the cows come home … but I don’t think you can decide what’s worth the cost to you without an in home trial.

Yes - only a home trial can give the user the answer.

PS Audio makes this easy. Of course if you prefer something else, that’s your prerogative. Your ears, your system, and your resources.

Surely.