CleanAmp Iso Transformer

Description

The CleanAmp Isolation Transformer provides galvanic isolation between the mains supply and any connected audio equipment — the most thorough solution to mains-borne noise and ground loops available at the domestic level. Most mains filtering products, including high-quality power strips and conditioners, reduce high-frequency noise on the mains but cannot eliminate low-frequency ground loop hum between audio components that share a common mains earth. A toroidal isolation transformer creates a completely separate secondary circuit with no conductive path between input and output, physically breaking the ground loop at its source.

Toroidal Core Design and Why It Matters

An isolation transformer passes power through electromagnetic induction between primary and secondary windings. The toroidal core geometry used in the CleanAmp provides advantages over conventional EI-core transformers at audio frequencies:

– Toroidal core winding — 50-70% lower magnetic stray field than EI-core design, reducing hum induction in nearby audio circuits
– 500 VA continuous output rating — sufficient for phono preamp, DAC, and headphone amplifier with headroom
– Electrostatic shielding between primary and secondary windings — rejects capacitively coupled noise without affecting inductive transfer
– Two IEC C13 output sockets — standard kettle-lead connection, compatible with all low-power audio equipment
– Input voltage range 200-240V AC — no adjustment required for European mains voltages

What This Transformer Will and Will Not Solve

Understanding the limits of isolation transformer application prevents purchasing the wrong product:

– Resolves: ground loop hum between components sharing different earth potentials, mains-borne common-mode noise
– Does not resolve: differential-mode noise on the mains, high-frequency switching noise above the transformer’s bandwidth
– Recommended use: phono preamps, DACs, low-power headphone amplifiers — components with sensitivity to ground loop noise
– Not suitable for: power amplifiers above 500 VA continuous draw, refrigerators, motor loads

Backed by a two-year warranty.