[taoster]

Simple question but difficult answer...

I am looking at possably upgrading my pensy little transformer for my ART DIO(australia 240V). i have this fears that the transformer is holding the ART DIO performance back. so the question is, are my worries justified or am i just being paranoid.

The ART DIO is currently paired with a stancor PSU rated at 9VAC @3.4A. The Stancor PSU requires 117V AC/60Hz/45W input and my current stepdown transformer is rated at 50W, it came free with my PCDP i purchased many years back in taiwan. I saw the same transformer on sell on the web, the cheapo free transformer for only $5!!

As the transformer is meant to supply 50W is there any benefit in getting something beefier? like the one here Jaycar PSU

much appreciated.. coz id hate for the stupid transformer to be the bottleneck i am not aware of!

ps: ive also looked at the route of a 9V AC transformer from a 240V but there isnt much with a good current source around.

 

[Dreamslacker]

Quote:

Originally posted by taoster Simple question but difficult answer... I am looking at possably upgrading my pensy little transformer for my ART DIO(australia 240V). i have this fears that the transformer is holding the ART DIO performance back. so the question is, are my worries justified or am i just being paranoid. The ART DIO is currently paired with a stancor PSU rated at 9VAC @3.4A. The Stancor PSU requires 117V AC/60Hz/45W input and my current stepdown transformer is rated at 50W, it came free with my PCDP i purchased many years back in taiwan. I saw the same transformer on sell on the web, the cheapo free transformer for only $5!! As the transformer is meant to supply 50W is there any benefit in getting something beefier? like the one here Jaycar PSU much appreciated.. coz id hate for the stupid transformer to be the bottleneck i am not aware of! ps: ive also looked at the route of a 9V AC transformer from a 240V but there isnt much with a good current source around.

Perhaps you might want to crack open the ART DI/O.
Most tranformers are able to use both 110-115v and 220-240v AC. You simply have to resolder one of the wires to another contact point. That would be the cheapest and best you can do. (fewer stuff in the path and higher efficiency)
However, I'm not sure if the transformer in the ART DI/O has the extra contact for AC 240v. Someone who owns an ART DI/O and has opened it for modding can confirm this for you.
If this mod is possible, you can start on other mods like tubes, RCA jacks, capacitors and what not.

 

[taoster]

Dreamslacker, sorry i wasnt clear but the ART DIO DAC takes in 9V AC.

I am using a Stancor outputing 9V AC@3.4Amp and input 117V. The reason why I am opting the transformer rather than found a 9V PSU running on 240V is that it is very difficult to found a PSU @3.4Amp, even unregulated like the stancor.

btw: The ART DIO in question is already heavly modded.. (not by me, thank god)

I guess the simple question is.. "does a transformer make a difference?" assuming enough wattage is provided for.

 

[Dreamslacker]

Quote:

Originally posted by taoster Dreamslacker, sorry i wasnt clear but the ART DIO DAC takes in 9V AC. I am using a Stancor outputing 9V AC@3.4Amp and input 117V. The reason why I am opting the transformer rather than found a 9V PSU running on 240V is that it is very difficult to found a PSU @3.4Amp, even unregulated like the stancor. btw: The ART DIO in question is already heavly modded.. (not by me, thank god) I guess the simple question is.. "does a transformer make a difference?" assuming enough wattage is provided for.

If you're at least okay with mains and DiY... Try getting a box, an IEC jack and a toroidal/ laminated 240v to 9v transformer and make your own unit instead. The transformer needs to be at least a 32.4vA. Going higher to 36vA or 50vA might be safer though.

See PinkFloyd's article for a 240v to 12v ac convertor:
http://freespace.virgin.net/rock.grotto/x-psu.htm

 

[aeberbach]

And I thought from your title you must have been writing about Decepticons...

The 45W transformer you have is probably fine. You could test it out - get yourself a multimeter and measure the current draw of the Art D/IO. W=VA, so see what you get, and I bet it is way, way under 45W. Could you gain performance with even more headroom? Only experimentation would tell you for sure.

Each of my 300B amps (four tubes each) runs about 70W. My Melos SHA-1 (two tubes) is about 10-15W, my CD player about 1-3 and my Grace 901 amp doesn't even register. This is all from the front panel of the PS Audio 300 - I'm warned that it's not accurate but maybe good enough to get a better idea of how much 45W is. As another test look at a 45W light globe. Feel the heat coming off it. That's what 45W feels like, very roughly. I bet your Art is nowhere near that hot.

 

[taoster]

Dreamslacker,
that sure looks neat... i might consider building a supply in the future but probably not for the art dio. Kinda scared of the 240V!


Quote:

Originally posted by aeberbach And I thought from your title you must have been writing about Decepticons...

LOL

good one.


I am sure youre right and that the little transformer is handling the draw okay. That's why ive been using the cheap little thing for awhile now but when i saw it for sell for only $5!! my mind started wandering, why am i using a crappy $5 transformer with a modded ART DIO!!

I might just purchase a bigger, more stable transformer so i can rest easy... damn, being a music enthusiast sure sucks.