Building Transcendent Sound Balance Power kit

[ThomasW]

A little more than one month after placing an order, I received a Transcendent Sound Balanced Power Supply kit



For reasons that should be apparent, I posted my impressions of this kit on personal website that is not associated with HT-Guide. Note to dial-up users, lots of pics!

Details and impressions of the T.S. Balanced Power Kit

[PMazz]

But at least you got that nice outlet strip with it......

So how did it do sonically? Any improvements?

Pete

[ThomasW]

Pete,

That is a sweet little outlet strip isn't it? :B

Ya know, you to can have one of those strips for ~$12. And for a couple dollars more, you could buy one that actually has some surge protection ...

The unit does seem to do it's intended job. And so far nothing plugged into it has blown up. :T

When I get the budget (cheap) DIY device built; I'll do a full blown comparison between it, the Transcendent unit and the megabuck BPT stuff.

[JonMarsh]

Yeah, if I want a good outlet strip WITHOUT surge protection, my vote goes for the Stanley Tools one- it's ruggede enough to probably run a truck over it without problems. It's more of an industrial "chic" sort of thing, I guess....

I have to wonder if we couldn't put together a "nice" looking kit with a Par Metal chasis, good wiring and components, and make money selling it at $100 less than this cost...

Well, since we're just your local friendly net guys, and not intent on starting a cottage industry, we'll just make sure you know how to do it for yourself.

Undoubtedly more to come.


~Jon

[David Meek]

Just some comments after reading:

With all the available room in the chassis, it would have been easy to supply you with a "roomier" terminal strip. Soldering that must have been a bit of a challenge.

No shrink-wrap? Puh-lease.

Not de-burring the faceplate is silly. They are leaving themselves open for the odd suit or two if someone slices up their hand.

This sounds like one of those "cottage industries" products. Will they get better in time?

[Al Garay]

I'm so glad I read this post. I almost bought the Transcendent Sound BPS today. Instead, I chose to buy the Brickwall PW8R15AUD since my top priority was/is surge protection. Our 1 year old Panasonic 34" HDTV died this past Sunday morning. So, I spent Father's day taking it back to Costco (love their return policy) getting my money back and buying their Toshiba 34" CRT. My wife thinks the lightning storms last week had something to do with it. I don't think so. But, I was given the green light to buy a good surge protector and the Brickwall seemed to be it.

I would like to have a balanced power supply that I can plug into the Brickwall. I will be very interested in your DIY kit.

By the way, did you know that you can buy the hospital grade Leviton outlets in other colors instead of orange from the Home Depot catalog. If you buy in quantities more than 8, it was about $9 each. I have those all around my family room, which now seems like a waste since I'll be using power strip.

Al

[ThomasW]

Al

I have an account with Graingers so I have access to every type of receptacle known to mankind. Note that I usually don't buy from Graingers since they are so pricey.

BTW I think the orange recptacles placed throughout the room makes a 'statement' as to the dedication of the user.... :wink:

I had my main electrical panel replaced a couple of years back and had them install a whole house surge protection unit. Living in Colo makes one accutely aware of the need for good surge protection given the amazing amount of lightning here..... :E

[Al Garay]

I wanted to follow your lead and proposed upgrading our old 1970s vintage GE panel to a newer one (especially if I can re-use a lot of the breakers) and add a central surge protector. My wife saw immediately through my efforts as scope creep. She knows me too well. So, I had to settle for the Brickwall unit. It could be worst.

Al

[Hank]

Al, you have the best system protection available: Brick Wall. Good engineering, and great value!

[ThomasW]

There were some questions about the wiring of the kit. To clarify I uploaded a scan of the wiring schematic.

[James W. Johnson]

Geez, did you at least get the courtesy reach around with that Thomas?