2 Question

[TexasStingray]

Question #1: If you use a transformer to power a device say an MR16 and each channel uses 1 AMP does that draw 16 AMPS on the house line or just from the Tramsformer to the device.

Question #2: Can you use a 12VAC power supply, like those used by the ATHER II, and add a Rectifier like the one the ATHER || uses with a heat sink to power an MR16 for 12 VOLTS DC.

[tbone321]

Question #1: If you use a transformer to power a device say an MR16 and each channel uses 1 AMP does that draw 16 AMPS on the house line or just from the Tramsformer to the device.

That is the current being pulled from the secondary of the transformer, not the current being pulled from the transformer primary or the house.   From the house you would be pulling a load of around 1.5A

Question #2: Can you use a 12VAC power supply, like those used by the ATHER II, and add a Rectifier like the one the ATHER || uses with a heat sink to power an MR16 for 12 VOLTS DC.

That would give you some dirty unregulated power.  IIRC, the Aether has a rectifier, regulator and filter caps to smooth out that AC voltage.  The rating on a 12VAC transformer also tends to be based on the transformer being under load and unloaded the voltage is higher and sometimes much higher.  Also, since it is unregulated, as you bring up each channel the other channels that are already on will begin to dim as the output voltage drops due to the increasing load.  You may also see some flicker if you are lighting LED's due to the dirty unfiltered power.  While it may work, it is not going to work very well.

[hicksjo]

Power is constant Minus some losses, across the transformer, so amperage draw by primary side depends on secondary voltage, secondary amperage and primary voltage

Example ... 16 amps and 12v on secondary side equals 192 watts ... If primary side is 120 volts, then primary current would be roughly 192 watts / 120 volts = 1.6 amps

This crude example ignores transformer inefficiencies ... Plus ignores the other elements of the power supply, like the rectifier that converts the secondary AC to dc ... Which I assume is somewhere included since you are referencing the mr16 ... A dc device

[chrisatpsu]

So in layman's terms for the rest of us...  : )

Question #1: If you use a transformer to power a device say an MR16 and each channel uses 1 AMP does that draw 16 AMPS on the house line or just from the Tramsformer to the device.

from the transformer to the device.

Question #2: Can you use a 12VAC power supply, like those used by the ATHER II, and add a Rectifier like the one the ATHER || uses with a heat sink to power an MR16 for 12 VOLTS DC.

If you're asking this question, then no.