Technical Details of Ah! A/C Offset Killer?

cjr888 · « **on:** 31 Dec 2002, 04:09 pm »

Product Information Here:
http://upscaleaudio.com/acoffset.htm

Internal Pictures:
http://www.hifi-notes.com/ahacoffsetkiller1-en.htm

Can anyone summarize what exactly this is, and if other products out there include this type of functionality, whether mentioned or not?

Have a friend having hum/buzz issues and trying to assist if I can.

azryan · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 05:50 pm »

This seems like PS Audio's Ultimate Outlet, but using a diff. method of canceling the noise on the line.

PS Audio uses a wound Balum to invert the signal. I don't know the technical details, but it seems to be a pretty simple method.

Shows itself the opposite signal on the power line and the noise will exactly cancel itself.

This one here looks like it's a lot cheaper, so if it works well, that might be a lot better route to go?

The wording on PS Audio's site seems to say that it's unit is also a surge protector and it's totally passive, and doesn't hold back any power at all.

Is this Ah! unit passive?

cjr888 · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 06:13 pm »

Not sure, but assuming its passive.

The Outlet has a surge protector in it, and _doesn't_ limit current? I had always thought that most small typical ones most definitely would. Am I totally off here?

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 06:25 pm »

Guys,

I have a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet (original 15ampmodel) and I STILL have substantial hum/buzz coming from my Norh (bridged) MultiAmps.
It's really annoying on quiet passages.

I've looked at the glowing AudioReview write-ups on the Ah! Offset Killer and have been tempted (especially for the reasonable prices charged) but I simply don't want more boxes behind my gear.
In the case of the Norh's - I think the hum may be R-Core related. Most amp designs these days have toroidal transformers that are less prone to the 'shakes' if I understand the technospeak right.

Do you know offhand if your friends amp has R-Core of Toroids? Either way, if he buys the Ah! Offest Killers, please write a review for it. There must be others on this forum with the same malady.

G-7 · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 07:09 pm »

What??
OK,OK. First thing first.
"Most amp designs these days have toroidal transformers that are less prone to the 'shakes' if I understand the technospeak right. "

On the contrary, the toroid is more prone to make a noise. But!!
A properly calculated transformer will never hum, regardless if toroid or EI. If I see a high priced component with humming transformer it makes me run! It's not that difficult to make silent working transformer. With this problem I come to a conclusion that it's just designer lack of knowledge. Hey, and it's just a transformer,
I don't even wanna know more about such a component, what else is wrong there? Think about it.

Hantra · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Dec 2002, 07:39 pm »

Is this only a problem with toroids, and lesser quality wound trasformers? My integrated has 4 massive transformers inside, and they make absolutely no noise whatsoever.