BALANCEDPOWER
Fully Balanced AC Power Supplies
Why Do You Need High Quality Power?
The Power Problem...
If you are using high quality audiophile or video components, a poor quality mains supply will inhibit their ability to perform at their best. How can mains electricity be poor quality? A typical domestic supply is plagued by interference caused by all the appliances it is connected to, such as computers, Wi-Fi, dishwashers, fridges, hairdryers and even dimmable lighting. Along with the ocean of radio waves, static electrical and airborne interference (EMI/RFI) floating around every mains supply, it becomes easy to see why precision electrical equipment would function like a car with dirty fuel. It will run but it won’t really perform. It also explains why many audiophiles say music sounds better late at night – there is less activity on the grid and therefore less interference. It's better - but still not optimal.
Constructed with audiophile grade components, many of which are custom made to our specifications and can be talored to meet client’s requirements, our BMUs will mitigate these degradations of the elctrical supply by isolating it from your system, providing clean and consistent power to allow your HiFi and Home Theatre equipment to work at its very best. It’s not new technology - it has been proven and used in environments where sound is critical such as recording studios, television and radio broadcasters for many years - that is now being translated and applied to high quality domestic audio visual applications.
Expect to hear a larger more three-dimensional soundstage, greater inner detail retrieval, more naturally accurate dynamics, noticeably improved resolution and a quieter, inky black background that showcases the atmosphere and emotion of well recorded music. Of course, BMUs do not improve the components per se but listeners report the effect is comparable to a significant upgrade in their already high quality set ups. If you want your system to really perform, it’s time to look at the power supply as a critical component in it.
CANCEL OUT ELECTRICAL NOISE
Why Balanced Power?
Domestic electrical circuits operate under a descriptive term known as Alternating Current (AC). In AC the voltage flows along the Live wire only, in a waveform, moving up and down as it travels backwards and forwards to let’s say your amplifier for example, 50 times per second. This is known as a frequency of 50HZ (Hertz).
Current however flows from the power source, through the Live wire, into the amplifier and returns to the source of power via the Neutral wire. This is referred to as an in-phase waveform.
This Live and Neutral configuration, as a result of this behaviour, creates phenomena which induces noise (Common Mode Noise) into the electrical system and of course into the amplifier.
For standard electronics, these effects are never apparent but for high-grade audio/visual equipment, their effects are very noticeable, especially in more sensitive highly resolving systems which require the cleanest noise-free power.
Common Mode Noise from sources of Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) will manifest itself as harmonic distortion, noise, pops, clicks, squeals or general statics such as white/pink/brown noise.
In Phase Sinewave
with Common-mode Noise
In Phase Sinewave
Where do they come from?
1. Conductive Electronic-Magnetic Interference (EMI): Practically everything that is plugged into your mains at home. Lighting, computers, appliances, hairdryers, air conditioning will generate noise into your electricity circuit. Worse still, harmonic noise is not just local to your own electricity system at home. It will transfer to you from all your neighbouring homes and businesses that are plugged into the same part of the grid as you are.
2. Radiated EMI: This is actually generated from the AC circuit itself. As the alternating current moves up the circuit to the amplifier it creates a magnetic field surrounding the Live wire, this field follows the current flow as it passes along the Live wire, through the amplifier and then returns the opposite way down the neutral wire. This field radiates noise into any nearby circuitry as it flows through the amplifier, increasing in severity by the high voltage it carries. This can also induce noise into signal cables if not properly shielded. The shielding around cables, although beneficial for protecting delicate low voltage signals from being disturbed also has the detrimental effect of damping dynamics and muting details and hampering overall performance unlike unshielded cables in a noise free electrical environment.
This brings us to the solution:
In a balanced power circuit, a toroidal transformer is introduced. This transformer has an input for the standard 240V Live and Neutral in-phase configuration from your home’s electrical circuit, converting it internally to an output which splits the voltage equally across two Live power output lines - now carrying 120V each, creating a “balanced output”.
Converting Standard 240V to Balanced 120 / -120V Opposite Phase
These voltages are 180° out-of-phase. This means that each waveform in each Live wire travels as it did previously backwards and forwards from the power source (BMU) to the amplifier and back again at a frequency of 50 times per second or 50HZ for example in the UK. The frequency or Hertz does not alter. So a BMU producing a balanced output in the US would balance the voltage from 120V on Live to 60V on Live 1 and -60V on Live 2, with the frequency remaining at the standard of 60HZ for the country.
So at any one time Live 1 could be delivering:
+120V and Live 2 -120V
For example, in a 240V balanced system:
• Live 1: +120V (relative to ground at 0V)
• Line 2: -120V (relative to ground at 0V)
The voltage difference between Line 1 and Line 2: 120V - (-120V) = 240V.
Out Of Phase Sinewave
with Common-mode Noise Cancelled
This out-of-phase configuration of the two lines creates noise cancellation by generating the opposite time-related magnetic field, which neutralises Common Mode Noise such as EMI.
When Common Mode Noise presents itself on a circuit it can induce higher voltages, creating spikes equating to noise which disrupts regulated voltages within the amplifier.
For example, if a 1V noise spike appears on both Line 1 and Line 2:
• Line 1: 120V + 1V = 121V
• Line 2: -120V + 1V = -119V
Therefore, the differential voltage: 121V - (-119V) = 240V still and this cancels noise in a self balancimg power system.
The use of toroidal transformers in a balanced power circuit creates isolation by not allowing induced harmonic noise from the circuit that powers its input to be present on its output and the cancellation of noise detailed above means its outputs are also quiet.
In order to protect the transformer further from inducing its own harmonic noise through humming and buzzing, which is often due to DC being present on the AC line, we introduce a DC off-setting circuit, also known as as a DC filter, blocker or trap.
This ability to remove the DC which would otherwise be presented to the transformer, saturating its core and creating harmonic hum is essential in reproducing clean isolated power and unlike other manufacturer’s designs which forego this step, we implement an audio grade specific circuit which protects the transformer and its outputs for clean power output equalling optimal sound quality.
Comparing Balanced Power with Power Conditioners and Filtering Power Supplies
A balanced mains unit in audio and visual systems offers distinct advantages over typical power conditioning or filtering power supplies by addressing power delivery in a unique way. Noise Reduction through Common-Mode Rejection: • A balanced mains unit delivers power with two out-of-phase legs similar to balanced audio signals within your system. This configuration cancels out common-mode noise (interference present on both lines) resulting in a cleaner power signal. Typical power conditioners or filters rely on passive or active filtering to suppress noise, which may not eliminate common-mode noise as effectively and can sometimes introduce phase distortions or limit dynamics. Noise Floor reduction: • By reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) through balanced power delivery, these units lower the noise floor of audio equipment. This allows for greater detail, clarity, and dynamic range in sound reproduction, especially in high-resolution audio systems. Standard conditioners typically filter high-frequency noise but often struggle with low-frequency hums or ground-related noise, which balanced mains units mitigate more effectively. Improved Grounding and Reduced Ground Loops: • Our Balanced Mains Unit includes a dedicated grounding system that isolates the audio equipments’ ground from the mains ground, minimizing ground loops—a common issue causing hum and buzz in audio setups. Typical power conditioners may not address ground loop issues as comprehensively, relying instead on surge protection or basic filtering without actually tackling ground-related noise. Dynamics and Transparency: • Balanced power provides a more stable and symmetrical voltage supply, which demonstrably improves the performance of audio components (amplifiers, DACs, preamps). resulting in better transient response, tighter bass, and a more transparent soundstage. Filtering Power Conditioners can sometimes restrict current flow or introduce impedance, subtly compressing dynamics or altering the sound signature. Isolation from External Interference: • Our Balanced Mains Unit incorporates isolation transformers which physically separate the audio system from the mains power grid, thereby shielding it from external electrical noise in the domestic supply. Whilst some high-end conditioners also use isolation transformers, most units rely solely on capacitors or inductors for filtering, which may not provide the same level of isolation. Consistency of Voltage Delivery: • Balanced mains units maintain a stable voltage differential across the two legs, ensuring consistent power delivery even during fluctuations in the mains supply. This stability benefits sensitive audio equipment, preventing voltage sags or surges that adversely impact performance. Typical conditioners may include voltage regulation but it’s often less precise and of course doesn’t inherently balance the power signal.
OUR DESIGN
Our design concept is a collaboration of meticulous testing of components, listening sessions and scutiny from trusted industry professionals and audiophiles alike, to produce a recipe which we believe has no negative impact on the performance of your system.
We can assure our clients that our Balanced Mains Units (BMUs) will impart no sonic signature or colouration on your system, they will however bring out the very best of your systems capabilities, allowing music to sound more detailed, fluid and communicative and video playback to have a cleaner image, more depth, colour saturation and better black levels.
Expect a more life-like, realistic and palpable experience, no matter the material.
Transformer:
At the heart of our design is the transformer, which is hand wound to our specifications by skilled technicians at world renowned specialists Toroidy. A well-designed balanced transformer allows for further isolation of the incoming AC signal by isolating system components from the electrical ring main or radial circuit within our homes or place of business. Our transformers are wound to very tight tolerences and each is personally checked and measured by us prior to installation. We mount our transformers on thick sorbothane pads rather than thin neoprene, which is the industry standard. We don’t just think of this pad as an electrical isolator but more of a resonance control device and the differences are clearly audible. We also use rubber decoupling gaskets between the mounting hardware and the transformer to further isolate it from micro-vibrations. Each transformer is centrally potted and has 4 layers of shielding applied to its outer prior to its final protective jacket, reducing induced EMI across the internal circuitry and wiring looms, to further lower electrical resonances.
Circuitry:
Our high quality, specially selected audio-grade circuitry provides uncompromised protection and performance for high-end electronics.
Our soft-start in-rush circuit powers up the balanced transformer gradually, preventing current surges at startup and extending equipment lifespan. After a 3.5 second interval a relay will “click” and direct the power to the rest of the circuitry, completely bypassing the components required to form the soft-start circuit itself.
Our DC filtering circuit uses large audio-grade electrolytic capacitors to block DC currents that cause overheating and buzzing, and selected smaller capacitors remove high-frequency noise, resulting in the delivery of a stable AC signal to the transformer.
Our Special Edition versions of the BMU take our circuit design one step further by using even higher grade components such as, Mundorf capacitors and resistors and precision Schotky high current diodes from Vishay for even better performance.
Internal Wiring:
Often overlooked as a means of transferring power from point A to point B, our internal wiring looms are given as much attention as the circuitry which they support.
We star-wire the opposite-phase outputs of the transformer to support common-mode noise rejection, avoiding series wiring of output sockets as some less effective systems use.
In our standard models we use a soft silicone dielectric based high-purity annealed copper. Our Special Edition versions employ a UP-OCC (Ultra Pure Ohno Continuous Cast) copper cable in a very specific gauge custom to us. The purer the copper the cleaner the transmission of energy and the more transparent the sound from the system will become. We can also control bass performance by being very specific when it comes to wire diameters.
We use an ultra high-speed silver-plated copper, Teflon-coated cable for our star-wired earthing system, treated by us before installation to remove static. The BMU’s rear panel provides access to the internal ground system via a binding post, allowing connections for phono stages, speakers with chassis earths, and equipment casework to enable the removal of ground loops and RFI build up in metal chassis.
Chassis:
The chassis of our BMUs are constructed from thick anodised aluminium panels, promoting great resonance control. The chassis’ top panel is heavily dampened to be more inert and resonance free. As well as the sonic benefits through minimising resonance our units look fantastic in any setup, regardless of price.
Like all high end components, as well as having a very inert chassis, each of our BMUs comes with a set of specifically engineered equipment feet. These feet comprise of two CNC’d discs of a specially formulated Aluminium Polymer Compound (APC) which deals with micro-vibrations far more effectively than its aluminium counterpart. Sandwiched between these two APC discs are ceramic ball bearings - an excellent medium to convert vibrations into heat. The combination of materials is quite special and the effect is very audible.
Sockets:
The rear sockets are chosen specifically for their tight fit and ultra-low resistive properties. Each socket has a spring loaded cap which snaps shut and protects the socket from ingress of dust and moisture when not in use. Each socket is mounted with a laser-cut rubber decoupling gasket to minimise vibration. Our clients typically own very high quality audio and video components in their systems and we like to build to the same high standards they have come to expect!
We are often asked what the BMU “sounds like” in the same way that components and cables have sonic signatures. Our topography and internal component choices are designed to impart no sonic signature on your system whatsoever. Simply put, our BMUs have one purpose and that’s to allow your setup, be it audio or visual, to perform at its optimal level.
Safety Features:
In terms of fault and failure protection, any electrical device must safeguard not only its user but also the equipment itself. The difficulty is accomplishing this without degrading the signal path.
We have tested many circuits and devices to ascertain how we can implement uncompromising safety features which are still as transparent as possible. We have created a clever surge protection system which is integrated into our DC off-setting circuitry.
Our output protection, rather than using fuses or MCB type trip switches on the BMUs outputs, typically found in a domestic consumer unit and many other balanced mains systems. We instead use a piece of circuitry that monitors thermal and short-circuit issues that utilises gold plated copper circuit traces and magnesium relays to maximise signal integrity.
In simple terms, if there is a fault with any piece of connected equipment or its power cable, the BMU will instantly shut off power to all output sockets, protecting both you and your valuable equipment.
Our BMUs have been rigorously tested by a leading EMC Laboratory in the UK and are fully certified for the professional and consumer markets.
PRECISION
Precision mains voltage adaption
Surprisingly you may feel, our electrical grid isn’t as stable as you may believe. In our experience some domestic electrical systems can present voltages that can easily vary as much as +/-5% from the expected 240v and we have sometimes encountered even greater deviations. When voltage exceeds the equipment’s tolerances it will certainly reduce component life and may even cause catastrophic failures. Likewise, under-powering delicate components will create a sag in performance. Either way, these anomalies are detrimental to the stability and consistency of audio/visual applications.
Regenerative circuits have benefits in non-audio/visual based equipment but their only real usage in a high-end setups is for the user to be content that the display reads 240v or whatever your country’s voltage should be. Should you have concerns about the stability or consistency of your mains supply, we offer a bespoke service to continuously monitor your mains supply over the course of several days. We can then customise your build with a transformer that meets your exacting requirements. Our balanced mains units have a tolerance of +/-10% designed into them but a more exact averaging point if you feel it may be necessary will indeed fine tune the control of power delivery even further.
The result is a voltage output which will comfortably sit between 230-240v ensuring your equipment maintains a safer window of usage for optimal performance, sound and video, which will in-turn prolong its lifespan.
CUSTOMISATION
We also offer a bespoke customisable design service for systems with special requirements. For example we can implement a reference grade balanced transformer, fully potted in a polished stainless steel dome for even greater mechanical stability and EMI shielding; build bespoke higher power output designs (for example, a recent customer had particularly power hungry and demanding monoblock amplifiers, so we looked at the parameters and commissioned a suitable high-output transformer to meet those demands).
We have built BMUs for clients all across the world with varying electrical specifications and requirements.. Simply contact us to discuss your needs and we will work with you to create a balanced power supply individually optimised for your system.
OUR COMMITMENT
Our Commitment To You
Should you prefer to trust your own judgement by evaluating the impact of one of our BMUs on your own system, we are happy to offer a 30 day period for home evaluation after which you can return it if not satisfied.
Our confidence in our BMUs is further illustrated by offering a Limited Lifetime Guarantee. We’ll take care of your power supply as long as you do - with free parts and labour.
If you should wish to sell your power supply in the future, we offer a free "New Owner" service, Which is a free of charge service. Simply send us back your BMU, we will give it a thorough service and carry out any works for free and send it on to your buyer for simply the cost of postage. This will enable the buyer to continue the benefits of the Limited Lifetime Warranty.
