Isol-8 anyone using

[falcoron]

Just wondered if anyone uses these in their system, what do they bring to the party, it's one bit of kit I have never tried, I live close to a power station about 5 miles away, don't really know if that makes a difference but sometimes the system sounds better during the day than in the evening, may be in my mind but not sure, just wondered if these make a difference or improvement.

cheers

 

[Cambs12]

Interesting that it sounds better during the day Ron,mine is the opposite!

 

[MF 1000]

I use an ISOTEK mini Sub. Never tested it sonically, but many years ago a cheap mains filter saved my kit from a huge power surge/brown out when a house higer up the street I lived in caught fire & the fire brigade applied copious amounts of water. So ive always used some dort of mains filter since

 

[falcoron]

Interesting that it sounds better during the day Ron,mine is the opposite!

Not all the time but I do nightshift every 6 weeks for a 2 week stint and maybe it's I'm my head but I think it sounds slightly better early afternoon.

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I use an ISOTEK mini Sub. Never tested it sonically, but many years ago a cheap mains filter saved my kit from a huge power surge/brown out when a house higer up the street I lived in caught fire & the fire brigade applied copious amounts of water. So ive always used some dort of mains filter since

Yeah extra insurance as you never know what is happening beyond your control

 

[Adam7788]

Interesting that it sounds better during the day Ron,mine is the opposite!

You would think that to be the case normally...less noise and interference on the supply....fewer users...etc..

 

[sonrock]

I'm using the substation integra and its very very good Sir. It blocks all the DC while does multi-stages filtering for my system. It also has surge protection etc so completely safe. I see my system sounds better, smoother and more relaxing!

 

[browellm]

I've got an Isol-8 which I bought for the DC blocking. I was getting quite noticeable transformer hum at random times from the torroidals in the plate amps of my AG speakers. It certainly cured that.

I couldn't comment on any overall improvement in sound quality, but it's proabably highly dependent on your individual circumstances.

 

[listenup]

There are quite a few Isol-8 products so this may or may not be the one you are thinking about.

I use an Isol-8 Powerline Axis, thats the 5 way distribution block with little toilet lids covering the sockets. The Axis incorporates DC blocking, as DC can cause transformer hum, and it also apparently has spike and surge protection.

My power amps at the time had huge transformers, and the cd and pre were also of reasonable size, so although I was not aware of any particular hum/noise issues it was worth a try.

Actually a friend had just bought an Isotek Syncro for DC blocking and reported that it worked well for him. The Syncro was about twice the price and has an awkward sized box along its length which could not be easily accomodated in my system, therefore I got the Axis.

I must say that there was an immediate benefit , with more detail and smoothness once it was properly installed so I still use it, even daisy chaining to a second block now I need more sockets.

There was one hiccup. When received it had the wrong fuse installed which went pop when turned on, but Isol-8 quickly sent some correct 10 amp and things have been good ever since.

 

[karlinamillion]

For information; (& to the best of my knowledge)

Isotek was set up by Nic Poulson, he of Trilogy amps. I knew/Know him quite well, a very good engineer, but the buisness side not so hot. Isotek was him doing R&D, & two other chaps doing the buisness side.

Now, Nic is very fond of transformers, so the Isotek stuff was transformer based. At one point he even got into runway lighting systems, which apparently involve a lot of transformers.

The two other chaps at Isotek thought that electronics should be replacing transformers, & the long & short is that Nic ended up leaving & founding Iso-8.

He has also reserected Trilogy, with some pretty tasty gear.

So Early Isotek ~ Transformers at the heart

Late Isotek ~ electronics

Iso-8 ~ Transformers

Nic has always been a very good engineer & very passionate about the stuff he makes, so thats a thumbs up from me.

 

[falcoron]

Thanks guys