Product: ART DTI Dual transformer/isolator
Price Paid: HUF 15000
Submitted
09/10/2009
at
02:40am
by
efti
General
:
10
This is a simple, fully passive device -- effectively a transformer with 1:1 winding and jack, XLR and RCA sockets on each side. It's contained in the usual ARTcessories metal case that would probably withstand someone stepping on it (I haven't tried it but it looks the part).
The purpose of this device is to eliminate the hum caused by ground loops. It breaks ground connection by turning the signal into an electromagnetic field and transferring it over and transforming it back into signal on the other side. As such, there is no electrical connection between the two sides including the ground. The chassis can be grounded separately.
The sound is meant to be transparent due to the symmetrical transformer winding, but I haven't given it a critical listen yet. I did manage to use it as a "ground lift switch" in various connections where there wasn't one on either side.
These days I mainly use this unit to join up the signal coming from two mixers and isolate it from the power amp it goes into. Due to the audio quality of the amp and speakers, any sound degradation would not be noticeable.
In the past I also used it for recording -- isolating my bass amp from the mixing desk when re-amping bass lines. I didn't notice any change in the sound apart from the disappearance of the ground hum.
Connectivity
:
No Opinion
I/O
:
9
XLR, balanced 1/4 in jack and RCA. Covers the most common options. About the only thing missing is a 1/8 in stereo jack, but would you really need that?
Due to its simplicity it can also be used to transparently convert between jack, XLR and RCA plugs, either going through the transformer (plugged in on the opposite sides) or bypassing it (plugging everything on the same side). Or you could use it to split or join signals.
Power
:
10
Does not require any power. You could just build it in somewhere in your setup and forget it's there. Or you could carry it with you as a 'swiss army knife'-like device in your toolbox to solve various problems (connectivity or noise).
Technical specs
:
10
This is really the wrong category for this unit (it should be within DI boxes or similar). It does a simple job for which it was made.
Other
:
No Opinion
Overall
:
8
Ground hum and other noises can be quite weird. I have noticed that in our setup with the two mixers going into one amp, ground hum only disappears when a specific one of the two mixers is switched on (the one connected with XLR, the other is with unbalanced jack, so that must be it). So this may not work for everyone but it worked for me and I'm glad to have it.
I do recommend it due to its simplicity, versatility and relatively low cost. I would replace it if it was lost or stolen and I might buy another one in the future so I don't have to touch the one that's built into our PA setup.
Product: ART DTI Dual transformer/isolator
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
07/28/2009
at
01:19am
by
Teun vd Velden
General
:
No Opinion
The ART DTI Dual transformer/isolator is a dual channel isolator/hum canceler, designed to eliminate ground loop issues.
Connectivity
:
8
It has a pretty wide variety of connection possibilities:
XLR i/o
1/4" jack i/o
RCA i/o
I/O
:
1
The sound quality of this appliance is horrible,
not only did it NOT eliminate ground hum, it also ADDED a lot extra noise, thus rendering itself completely useless.
Power
:
8
It is passive, no additional power needed
Technical specs
:
No Opinion
-
Other
:
No Opinion
-
Overall
:
1
Do not buy this, you will be up for a dissapointment!!!
