USER GUIDE PRO SERIES AUDIO ISOLATOR MODEL PI-2XX
The PRO series audio ground isolation interfaces are designed for use in the finest professional sound systems.
They use the same Jensen transformers installed in tens of thousands of recording studios, broadcast facilities, and sound
reinforcement venues worldwide. Jensen audio transformers are industry benchmarks for sonic transparency because of
their extremely wide bandwidth, low harmonic distortion, and extremely low phase distortion.
Model PI-2XX is a two channel audio ground isolator designed to solve the following problems, which generally reveal
themselves only when pieces of equipment are interconnected in a system:
! Poor noise rejection by the equipment’s existing balanced input. Most electronic or actively balanced input
circuits have high noise rejection or CMRR only when driven by laboratory equipment. The CMRR of these circuits is
exquisitely dependent on precision matching of impedances in the driving source equipment. The transformers used
in the PI-2XX exhibit very high CMRR when driven by real-world balanced sources, and even unbalanced sources,
effectively eliminating noise due to voltage differences between equipment grounds.
! Noise due to improper shield pin wiring inside the equipment. Sometimes called the “Pin 1 problem,” this
design defect effectively makes the equipment’s shield connection a signal input. Noisy ground currents, which normally
flow in the cable shield, then inject hum, buzz, and other noises into the signal path. This insidious defect, which can
exist at equipment inputs or outputs, can frustrate attempts to troubleshoot system noise problems because its
symptoms are so confusing. The PI-2XX, via its built-in grounding option switches, can eliminate this problem by
interrupting or re-routing shield current flow.
! Noise due to the equipment’s susceptibility to RF interference. Most electronic or actively balanced inputs will
exhibit symptoms ranging from subtle audio quality degradation (“fuzzy” or “grainy” distortion) to outright
demodulation (heard as voices, music, or other noises in “silent” channels) when RF fields from broadcast or other
transmitters are present. The transformers used in the PI-2XX inherently attenuate signals above about 100 kHz,
effectively eliminating RF interference. In addition, built-in resistor-capacitor networks help to control “standing waves”
which can make RF pick-up by cables especially severe.
Model PI-2XX Application Guidelines
Source Impedance Range (output impedance of device driving the input) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 S to 2 kS
Load Impedance Range (input impedance of device loading the output) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 kS to 10 MS
Maximum Recommended Input Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +27 dBu = 17 V RMS at 50 Hz
+23 dBu = 11 V RMS at 30 Hz
+19 dBu = 7 V RMS at 20 Hz
The PI- series, which is available with various connector options, may be driven by either balanced or
unbalanced outputs and may be used to drive either balanced or unbalanced inputs. When driving unbalanced inputs, the
! output ( XLR pin 3) should be the “ground” side for best results. When phase (polarity) inversion is desired in any
application, simply reverse connections at the input.
Cables at the PI-2XX outputs must be no more than 3 feet (1 meter) long !!
The added capacitance of longer cables can degrade high frequency bandwidth and transient response. Keep the cables
as short as possible, although performance is not improved for lengths under 8 inches. Do not route the output cables to
a patchbay where additional cable lengths will be used to route signals to device inputs. The length limitation applies to all
cable between each PI-2XX output and the device input which it drives. If your application requires longer
output cables or must drive a patchbay, we recommend the model DM2-2XX output isolator.
PROPER INSTALLATION IS ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM AUDIO PERFORMANCE
PLEASE READ THIS GUIDE CAREFULLY !
General Information About Noises
Hum, buzz, and other noises in audio systems are nearly always caused by so-called "ground loops." A ground loop creates
a voltage difference between the ground references (chassis) at each piece of equipment. This voltage can couple into the
signal path, especially in unbalanced signal interconnections. Since this voltage is ultimately coupled from the power line,
it’s usually heard as 50 or 60 Hz “hum” if the equipment has grounded (3-prong) AC plugs. For equipment with
ungrounded (2-prong) AC plugs, it’s usually heard as a harmonic-rich “buzz” because the coupling mechanism favors high
frequencies. ground isolators can eliminate hum and buzz as well as the intermittent pops and ticks frequently
caused by on/off operation of switches and relays or appliances which contain them.
isolators cannot eliminate hiss, which sounds like a waterfall or an FM radio tuned between stations. A
predictable amount of hiss (random or “white” noise) is unavoidable in any electronic system. Excess hiss sometimes is the
result of improper system gain settings. For example, if the output level control on a CD player were set too low, the
downstream preamp would have to operate at very high gain to compensate. Such high gain operation will generally
produce more noise at the system output.
Buzz which occurs only when an AM receiver is the signal source, and is worse when the receiver is tuned to weaker
stations, is probably caused by radio frequency interference or RFI. Power line operated devices such as fluorescent lights,
electric motors, computers, and TV receivers produce high frequency interference can be conducted through or radiated
by the power line and picked up by the antenna of AM receivers. These problems can often be eliminated by installing
power line interference filters as close as possible to the offending source. A portable battery-operated AM radio tuned to
a very weak station can be useful in locating the source.
Location, Location, Location
ground isolators use transformers to magnetically couple the signal while breaking the electrical paths between
input and output connections. Once these connections are broken, the “ground loop” current, and the resulting noise, is
eliminated. Ground isolators are not filters which attempt to remove noise from the signal after the fact — they eliminate
the cause of the noise coupling. For this reason, an ground isolator MUST be inserted into the signal
path where the noise coupling actually occurs.
As a general rule, noise coupling most frequently occurs at interconnections using the longest cables. Problems are most
severe, even with short cables, when the cable connects two pieces of equipment which both have grounded (3-prong)
power connections or there is another ground connection (CATV, DSS, grounded rack, etc.) somewhere in the system.
NEVER defeat the safety grounding provided by a 3-prong power plug, whether with a “3 to 2 ground
adapter” or by removing the plug’s grounding pin. This practice is not only illegal, it can result in shock trauma or
electrocution of persons touching equipment anywhere in an interconnected system. Detailed technical papers on the
subject of system grounding and its effects on signal interfaces are available from Jensen Transformers.
The following method (as opposed to “trial and error”) will save time, labor, and frustration when selecting
an effective location for the isolator. Existing system switches and gain controls can provide very important
clues about just where noise is entering the signal path. If interrupting the signal path stops the noise, the noise
must be entering the signal path at a point upstream of the interruption.
For example, if the noise is present only when a specific signal source is selected, the noise entry point is likely upstream,
i.e. somewhere between that source and the device which contains the selector. Likewise, if the noise is present with any
input selected, the noise entry point is likely downstream, i.e. somewhere between the device which contains the selector
and the speaker (or other monitoring point). Generally, working “backward” (from the speaker toward the signal source)
through the system is the fastest way to determine which parts of the system are noise-free.
Obviously, the signal path can also be interrupted by selectively disconnecting signal cables between pieces of equipment.
Important note: if a "ground loop" does exist between two pieces of equipment, it will not be broken until all cables which
directly connect them are disconnected.
If the above tests are inconclusive, there may be a defect with one or more pieces of equipment. An insidious design defect
called the “Pin 1 problem” is very common. Since it effectively turns the equipment’s input and/or output shield connections
into audio inputs, it can be revealed through a simple test: with the signal path interrupted (see note in previous paragraph),
temporarily connect only the shield contact (pin 1 for XLRs) of the cable to the shield contact of the suspected input or
output using a jumper wire. If this connection causes hum or buzz, you have a “Pin 1 problem.” See the “Setting the
Grounding Option Switches” for proper settings to overcome this problem.
Setting the Grounding Option Switches
The settings of the 8 DIP switches on the bottom of the unit determine
if and how input and output shields are connected to the case,
denoted at the terminal strip, and to each other. Switches 1
through 4 apply to Channel 1 and switches 5 through 8 apply to
Channel 2.
Normally, the shield of any audio cable should always be solidly
grounded at the “send” (source) end. At the “receive” (load) end,
there are disadvantages to both solidly grounding the shield and
leaving it disconnected (floating). An RF damping network, which
effectively disconnects the shield at audio frequencies but grounds it
at RF frequencies, usually offers the best overall performance.
This configuration is achieved by the “as shipped” settings as shown
in the drawings. These settings, switches 2 and 6 “off” (open) and all
others “on” (closed), will give the best results in most systems.
If a “Pin 1" problem exists at the output of the signal source
equipment, it can usually be eliminated by opening S1 and/or S5.
Likewise, if a “Pin 1" problem exists at the input of the signal
destination equipment, it can usually be eliminated by opening S4 or
S8.
About Unbalanced I/O Cables
Since ISO-MAX has truly floating inputs and outputs,
it can be used to transfer signals from balanced
outputs to unbalanced inputs or from unbalanced
outputs to balanced inputs. When adapting cables
are made, it is very important to use 3 conductors
to avoid common-impedance noise coupling in the
adapter cable. Wire the cables as shown below. Do
not use commercial RCA to XLR adapters and
ordinary single conductor shielded cables!
If You Need Help
If you experience difficulty or have technical questions, our
staff engineers are available from 9 AM to 4:30 PM Pacific time, Monday through Friday, by calling (818) 374-5857. You
may also reach us by FAX 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (818) 374-5856 or you can send an e-mail to
[email protected].
Several Jensen application notes discuss the technical aspects of grounding and interfacing in audio and video systems.
They are available free on request. This information, as well as data on our full line of products for audio and video, may
be obtained from our website at www.jensen-transformers.com.
is a registered trademark of Jensen Transformers, Inc. © 1998, 2018 Jensen Transformers, Inc.
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