Zytron Alpha question

[BlueFox]

Caelin,

I just installed my Zytron Alpha on the Bryston BDP-1 digital file player, and while listening some technical questions popped into my head.

First, in regard to the screen shots on your web-site showing the noise elimination on the AC input by using the Alpha, is that a measurement of AC input to another component, or into the source of the noise? On one hand, if the Bryston is creating that noise then it shouldn't be there on its AC input, but if it is creating the noise and acting like a generator or transmitter by sending it back onto the AC circuit where other components are affected by it then I guess we can see it on the AC input.

So if the Alpha is cleaning the noise then the main beneficiaries are the other components, not the source, in this case the BDP-1. Is that correct? Is it possible to measure the direction noise travels on a circuit?

Sorry if this doesn't make any sense. It is the result of working all week and having a few beers on Friday night.

Whatever the answer, so far things are sounding good. It replaced a Zytron Cobra, which went onto my Blueray player. The Alpha has been on it for two weeks, and now it is where I purchased it for.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Caelin, I just installed my Zytron Alpha on the Bryston BDP-1 digital file player, and while listening some technical questions popped into my head. First, in regard to the screen shots on your web-site showing the noise elimination on the AC input by using the Alpha, is that a measurement of AC input to another component, or into the source of the noise? On one hand, if the Bryston is creating that noise then it shouldn't be there on its AC input, but if it is creating the noise and acting like a generator or transmitter by sending it back onto the AC circuit where other components are affected by it then I guess we can see it on the AC input. So if the Alpha is cleaning the noise then the main beneficiaries are the other components, not the source, in this case the BDP-1. Is that correct? Is it possible to measure the direction noise travels on a circuit? Sorry if this doesn't make any sense. It is the result of working all week and having a few beers on Friday night. Whatever the answer, so far things are sounding good. It replaced a Zytron Cobra, which went onto my Blueray player. The Alpha has been on it for two weeks, and now it is where I purchased it for.

All power supplies emit (kick back) noise onto the power line. All power supplies whether linear or switching type use rectifiers. These turn on and off 100-120 times per second. This switching creates impulse current pulses on the power line that have harmonics many times the power line frequency. We have measured harmonics 50 times the fundamental frequency (50-60 Hz) and beyond. This behavior is normal for components that have no digital circuitry.

Now a digital componenet usually uses a switching power supply that switches on and off many times the power line frequency. The microprocessors, DACs, ADCs and DSPs operate at megahertz to gigahertz fequencies. These frequencies are very difficult to contain and dissipate and commonly contaminate the power supply. This makes digtial components inherently more "dirty" than pure analog components. All of us know to turn the CD player off when playing the turntable. Most of us turn the digital displays off if the component has the feature to allow it.

The XiTron Alpha Digital power cord was created to deal with this type of power line noise, locally, at the source itself which is always a superior method to deal with RFI/EMI. The Alpha Digital measureably reduces high frequency noise and transient impulse noise. These are not just random marketing claims - we show you the actual screen captures from a Fluke Power Analyzer. We use a worst case scenerio to demonstrate the cable's noise reduction capabilities. If you have ever plugged a vacuum cleaner into your audio outlet with the system on you know what a mess it creates. We use a paper shredder motor as a noise source in this test.

The test setup:
plug the test power cord into the wall outlet
plug the shredder into the second duplex
connect the Fluke Analyzer at the IEC end of the cable

The test results demonstrate the Alpha Digital's ability to absorb the noise. We could connect the noise source to the IEC end of the cable and monitor the AC end of the cable and the results would be the same. The noise is absorbed by the cable's XiTron circuit whether the source of noise is from the power line or the components power supply.

To your question about noise direction: Noise has a source emitter. The resultant noise can be conducted onto the power line or can be radiated through space. Once you have an RFI/EMI contamination direction is irrelevant - it simply exists on the line. What is important is to either eliminate the source or to intercept it as close to the source as possible for best results.

cg

[DonBattles]

CG, I always enjoy your replies to questions asked. Great information without any BS

[chessman]

Originally Posted by DonBattles

CG, I always enjoy your replies to questions asked. Great information without any BS

+1

[BlueFox]

Originally Posted by DonBattles

CG, I always enjoy your replies to questions asked. Great information without any BS

Agree 100%. While outside my work area, as an engineer I appreciate the solid, straight up answers to any question. When I buy Shunyata gear I never have buyers remorse, and Caelin's enthusiasm for his products is a big reason. I wish I worked where management actually knew how their products worked.

Now after literally staying up all night listening to the Alpha cable, I have another question. Can just having the Alpha plugged into the Triton provide an ancillary benefit to other gear? I need to investigate this more, but while playing a CD last night, the CD player, with a Zytron Cobra, seemed to sound better even though the Alpha is plugged into the Bryston, which is always turned on.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Agree 100%. While outside my work area, as an engineer I appreciate the solid, straight up answers to any question. When I buy Shunyata gear I never have buyers remorse, and Caelin's enthusiasm for his product's is a big reason. I wish I worked where management actually knew how their products worked. Now after literally staying up all night listening to the Alpha cable, I have another question. Can just having the Alpha plugged into the Triton provide an ancillary benefit to other gear? I need to investigate this more, but while playing a CD last night, the CD player, with a Zytron Cobra, seemed to sound better even though the Alpha is plugged into the Bryston, which is always turned on.

Yes.

A distribution system operates as a star distribution point. Electrically all the components are all connected to the same AC source whether that is at the power distributor, AC outlet or AC electrical panel. Everything that is plugged in affects everything else to some degree or another.

This is why when testing power cords or power conditioners you MUST completely remove the device that is not under test from the circuit. Some people will mistakely just unplug a cord from the CD player but leave it plugged into the power conditioner when switching between cords under test. This will give a skewed perspective of the performance of each PC under test.

cg