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Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted

108.210.70.243
Posted on December 30, 2016 at 21:34:47
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009






Recently I reevaluated some of the tweaks installed in my system. One being the the Hammond 193L choke tweak attribute to Alan Maher. (http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/search.mpl?searchtext=Hammond+193L+choke&b=AND&topic=&topics_only=N&author=&date1=&date2=&slowmessage=&ip=&sort=score&sortOrder=DESC&sortRank=Forum&forum=tweaks). I have two in my system. I originally plugged them in the two power strips I use without much thought. One is a Emotiva CmX6 and a very modified Belkin pwr bar (mdl. no. F9D601-4) (DIY "Hydra" power conditioner @ www.10audio.com/projects.htm), both are plugged into a TrippLite line conditioner (mdl LC1800). At the time I just plugged them into the power strips, heard an audible improvement and forgot about them. Well last week I moved them around in the system and found that the one connected to the wall AC outlet and the other connected to the external linear ps for the Wyred 4 Sound Recovery USB reclocker (using a Liberator AC pigtail adpt.) sounded best to my ears by a huge margin. The sound is now even more dynamic, clear and detailed at less volume. I also replaced the 14awg ac cable with 12 awg and a bit better Hubbell ac plugs. I just ordered another choke for even more joy.

The point of of my post is this.: You're not finished until you have tested and experimented with a tweak until you have gotten all you can out of it.

 

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RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on December 31, 2016 at 11:19:10
KONA
Audiophile

Posts: 77
Joined: March 31, 2002
 I've found the Hammond choke tweak to be very beneficial in all of my systems. Another tweak that you might try that I've found to work synergistically with these chokes is the Mad Scientist Audio Magic Tubes. I place one of these little cylinders centered on top of each choke. I've tried a lot of the Mad Scientist products and found their effects to be too pronounced, however these tubes, in this application, were wondrous. They extend the positive attributes of the chokes higher up the audio spectrum.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on December 31, 2016 at 11:42:47
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 Kona, thanks for the tip. I happen to have two that I received as samples. I'll try them on the chokes.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 1, 2017 at 09:45:52
Martythomas
Audiophile

Posts: 139
Location: No. California
Joined: May 16, 2001
 I have used these chokes since Alan introduced them, I find that reversing the leads makes a difference. Try it.

 

Glad to see this is still being explored, posted on January 1, 2017 at 10:35:49
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3040
Location: Atlanta
Joined: December 15, 2003
 I was very late to this.

One of the best tweaks I have ever tried.

I have noticed two of mine are buzzing. I will try reversing the leads.

I have toroid transformers in my power amps and have never heard a peep from them so i did not think I had a DC problem.

Have anyone experienced this? I do not think they buzzed when I first installed them. No heating of the cores.

I do not notice it from the listening chair - you have to be right next to it but it does seem like it is telling me something. Hoping somoeone knows what it means.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 2, 2017 at 17:53:40
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 Hi Martythomas, I reversed the leads and so far I don't hear any changes. Maybe it's to subtle for my hearing. Thanks for sharing!

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 08:26:05
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 I have a Richard Gray 600 choke I got for free. I like chokes and passive parallel filtering. Try an isolation transformer they too are nice especially on low power digital. They are series so they'd be too expensive and not practical to implement systemwide. Get one rated at lest 2X the power the device will draw. Thanks for revisiting this. Tweaks do things no gear can do regardless of price.


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 11:13:49
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 "They extend the positive attributes of the chokes higher up the audio spectrum."
Kona, the Magic Tubes are magic.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 11:23:21
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 Awe-d-o-file, I'll have to research isolation transformers cause I don't know a thing about them.
I'm lost when I don't have a tweak to play with. Tweaking is an adventure!

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 12:14:53
GStew
Audiophile

Posts: 633
Location: NE Mississippi
Joined: September 21, 2001
 I have 2 sets in each of my 2 systems... 1 pair for each systems main audio EQ AC, another pair for the 'dirty' HW & related EQ.

Each set has 2 of the chokes... 3 of them are a 193L/193M pair (as pictured), the 4th, on one system's dirty side is just a pair of 193Ls (I found a good deal on 2 more 193Ls and didn't want to pop for another 193M).

I pull the endbells off and mount them with brass hardware on a bamboo base. The screws can be tightened to help control humming, but I've had 1 or 2 hum such that tightening the mounting screws down did not cure the hum and I had to replace them (just like your experience, Rick... hi, BTW!). And the nut on the bottom of each is a rounded acorn nut (also brass) so they have some coupling to the floor.

Before I wire them up I try them both ways on the AC line (1 line to hot, the other the neutral, then reverse) and measure the AC leakage voltage from the laminations to the outlet's ground. I wire them with the orientation that gives the lowest measured voltage, just as I do with any power transformer. BTW, I forget which way Alan M suggested you wire them (to the short wire or long wire, which distinction of course disappears when you remove the endbells), this has been consistently opposite of his recommendation. Go figure!

The set pictured was an early configuration where I had a separate power cord and outlet for each of the two chokes. Now they just get wired in parallel. On the main audio EQ AC's, they are inline on the DIY AC power cord (12 gauge 4-cross braided with spiral ground) that goes into a PS Audio P10. On the 'dirty' EQ AC's, they are at the end of a DIY extension cord sized to reach to a nearby outlet on a different AC circuit and breaker.

Best I can do in this house without a major rip-up for dedicated lines... maybe someday!

I top each choke with an almost small-fist-sized raw sodalite stone. That was a recommendation by someone on this forum a few years back (Carcass maybe?) and has worked well for me. AND a lot less expensive than the Mad Scientist stuff, though probably not as good.

Before I wired them up inline on the AC power cords on each system's main audio EQ AC, I would just plug them into the 2nd outlet in that pair. Occasionally when I'd unplug for a thunderstorm, I'd. forget to plug in the chokes... and the system never sounded right until I did.

I don't expect to ever be without them!! Or the P10s, which make a huge diff in each setup.

Greg in Mississippi



P.S. On the topic of isolation transformers, there is some buzz on CA where Uptone Audio has recommended that in conjunction with using one of their fully isolated from the AC LPS-1 Ultracap power supplies, to use a low-interwinding capacitance isolation tranformer appropriately sized for their entire system and plug everything else that is not isolated into a low-impedance non-filtered outlet strip on the output of the transformer, removing all fancy AC filter setups. The low-interwinding-capacitance iso transformer provides both surge protection and noise filtering inherently.

This has seemed to work well for those who have tried it, none have said they are going back to their power filters, even pretty expensive ones.

I plan to experiment with this someday, with the ones on the main Audio EQ ACs' before the P10s. I think it will be complementary, but don't have a spare $1k or so to spend on the iso tranformers right now.

Everything matters!

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 18:01:31
pixelphoto
Audiophile

Posts: 655
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: December 15, 2009
 GStew, very informative reading. I received my third Hammond 193L choke today and it's now connected to my amp. These chokes are one of my four favorite tweaks.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 4, 2017 at 19:04:32
Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004
 Well put!


ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

 

Good to see you posting again, posted on January 6, 2017 at 13:12:39
rickmcinnis@dogwoodfabrics.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3040
Location: Atlanta
Joined: December 15, 2003
 Not sure if it is my chokes that are humming - now I wonder if it the split bobbin HAMMOND power transformers I use for DAC and buffer power!

I am using two SIGNAL DU2 isolation transformers - one for analogue and one for digital - using chokes before and after each of these and another pair at the sub plate amps. In the digital side I have a choke near the DAC supply input and the same for the analog side at the buffer supply input.

Have been working with AC supply lately and think I have found a good way to do this in the minimalist way for materials and expense.

Using only two AC plugs - FURUTECH copper which I have wired with the 10 gauge wire you can get from APEX JR leading to each DU2. I am using these copper connectors: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Blackburn-Copper-Mechanical-Connector-8-Stranded-to-14-Solid-Wire-5-Packs-of-2-Case-10-Total-Pieces-L35-B2-5/202405835?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal1_rr-_-202487478-_-202405835-_-N. These are used to connect to the transformers and for wire junctions further down the line.

All IEC input connectors have been removed from components. Instead I am using the NEUTRIK POWER CON connectors for my ONLY AC level connector. There is a length of wire from the connector to where the previous IEC thing was. The other half of this connector is connected by the appropriate length of wire back to a junction made with the above mentioned copper connectors. There is only one "break" in each AC line to each component. The only AC receptacle is the one in the wall - there are no others used. All of the POWER CONS are inline - the panel mounts do not impress me -

Using the 10 gauge wire you can get three ends into each of the copper connectors. Depending on how many lines you have will determine how many junctions you need to make and whether you decide to use two connectors and bolt them together (with brass hardware) or just to use the screw down provision. I cover the junctions with plenty of ribbon I make from silk cloth just because I have access to it.

There is no comparison of the quality of the connection with the POWER CONs compared to any IEC. No more of those spring loaded connections except at the wall.

I cannot imagine a simpler less obtrusive set up.

I figure my AC is about as good as it can be.

At this point the SIGNAL DU2s are not in steel boxes - they are on a very thick piece of cardboard (almost an inch thick) and one can hear a slight hum coming from them as opposed to a buzz. I do not doubt it would be better to get them in a steel (not aluminum) box but I cannot find one and will have to make something one of these days.

One good thing about the isolation transformers is that you can use toroids if you want to. Thinking about trading out the buzzing split bobbins for toroids. The toroids in my First Watt amps make no noise at all. never thought i would see myself writing that!

No other AC filters are used. I tried the Jon Risch filter and I was reminded of an early Harry Pearson line about "painted ships on a painted sea" to describe the resulting sound. Depth and air were eliminated. Sounded terrible I am sorry to say since Mr. Risch is one of the best fellows in this hobby. That filter was designed a long time ago and maybe the caps I was using were the problem (paper RIFAs - I have read the paper WIMAs are much better). At this point I am not interested in pursuing the filter.

 

RE: Hammond 193L Choke Tweak Revisted, posted on January 7, 2017 at 14:08:03
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17294
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 Is the choke in parallel across the line, hot to neutral?

Tre'


Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

Here's some info, Trè, posted on January 7, 2017 at 14:16:54
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 From the late Al Sekela.

 

RE: Here's some info, Trè, posted on January 7, 2017 at 14:47:54
Tre'
Industry Professional

Posts: 17294
Location: So. Cal.
Joined: February 9, 2002
 "... in parallel with the AC line"

That's what I thought.


Thanks for the link.

Tre'
Have Fun and Enjoy the Music
"Still Working the Problem"

 

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