About the CBI ISO 600 600ohm Isolation Transformer for Audio Signals
The CBI ISO 600 is a professional-grade passive audio device designed to eliminate ground loops, hum, and buzz in balanced audio systems by providing galvanic isolation between connected equipment. It functions as a 1:1 isolation transformer, meaning it passes the audio signal without altering its level but breaks the direct electrical ground connection that is often the source of problematic noise. This unit is specifically engineered for line-level signals with a 600-ohm impedance, making it ideal for interfacing professional audio gear such as mixing consoles, amplifiers, processors, and broadcast equipment in studios, live sound venues, installed AV systems, and telecommunication setups. Its primary role is to solve persistent audio quality issues caused by differences in electrical potential between devices, ensuring a clean, noise-free signal path.
Constructed with high-quality toroidal transformers and precision-wound coils, the ISO 600 is built for transparent signal transmission with minimal phase shift, frequency response alteration, or distortion. The transformer's balanced input and output utilize standard XLR connectors, seamlessly integrating into typical professional audio signal chains. The robust, shielded metal enclosure protects the internal components from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI), further enhancing its noise-rejection capabilities. This design ensures that the device itself does not become a source of noise or signal degradation, faithfully preserving the integrity of the original audio while solving ground-related issues.
Installation is straightforward: the unit is connected in-line within the balanced audio cable run, requiring no external power or configuration. Its compact size allows for easy placement in equipment racks, on stage, or within fixed installation pathways. By effectively blocking ground loop currents while maintaining signal fidelity across a wide frequency range, the CBI ISO 600 serves as a critical troubleshooting tool and a permanent solution for achieving pristine audio in complex systems where multiple AC power sources and signal grounds interact, thereby protecting both audio quality and connected equipment.