CHANGSTAR: Audiophile Headphone Reviews and Early 90s Style BBS
Lobby => Headphone, IEM, and Other Audio Related Discussion => Topic started by: Azteca X on August 12, 2015, 03:18:56 PM
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Mateys, I know next to nothing about power supplies but we are in dire need of a power supply thread. I apologize if my shoutbox questions partially contributed to the shoutbox shutdown for the time being.
Anyhow, let's discuss our experiences with upgraded or third party power supplies, DIY, commercial or first-party.
I have a Jay's Audio LPS that was recommended to me by zerodeefex and some others. I use it with my Geek Pulse Xfi and I have been very pleased.
http://alvinchc.blogspot.com/2014/11/jays-audio-linear-power-supply-lps25va.html
http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=190397.30
I know the Sigma11 is also very popular.
http://www.amb.org/audio/sigma11/
The LH Labs LPS is out there too.
What else, gang? I'd love to see low-cost options.
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As I have understood, in general:
Poor SMPS < Good SMPS < Simple LPS < Very Good SMPS, downstepers ~ simple Lin Regulated LPS < Shunt PSU ~ Super Regs
For some designs the list could be in different order. Usually oscillators need ultra clean dc up to MHz, for analog circuitry the ultra clean-ness should be up to few hundred kHz, and is subject to topology.
Personally I can vouch for shunt psu-s as these have been top performers in my equipment. Simple linear regulated psu will be among the cheapest solutions, but IC regulators can be limiting factor in some designs, like power amps or tube designs. SMPS-s are most efficient, but in audio this is generally last thing to worry about.
For amplifiers output z is debatable, but for psu the output z should be as low as possible in as extended freq range as possible. Shunt psu-s shine in this. Film and polymer caps as bypass and chokes will aid in this greatly too.
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One possibility: http://www.newark.com/sola-hevi-duty/sls-12-017t/power-supply-linear-12v-22-5w/dp/93K6597 (http://www.newark.com/sola-hevi-duty/sls-12-017t/power-supply-linear-12v-22-5w/dp/93K6597)
Dirt cheap on eBay. Better sounding than Sigma11 in some applications. Comes with transformer.
We actually hooked up two of the 24V versions in series to get a bipolar PS for BW development. It turned out to be one of the better sounding ones. The higher current 34T version might even be slightly better. No idea why X power supply was better than Y. We didn't have time to measure a dozen different characteristics. Personally, I think it's those big transistors in the metal cans. Components in metal cans always seem to sound better.
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Wizards at National Semi seem to think metal cans sound better too during dev of their high fidelity opamps, they have no idea why either. Have a simple LPS on my EMU dac and there is a difference, measurably though it does not have enough PSRR to kick away power line crap when the exercise machine is in use.
Ifi has a universal audio grade SMPS wall wart that one can try out, I intent to get one for future uses.
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Those are cheap Marv'. If I hadn't gotten a cheap sigma, I'd try it.
What are the applications where you've found a difference ?
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One possibility: http://www.newark.com/sola-hevi-duty/sls-12-017t/power-supply-linear-12v-22-5w/dp/93K6597 (http://www.newark.com/sola-hevi-duty/sls-12-017t/power-supply-linear-12v-22-5w/dp/93K6597)
Thank you for this. Very cheap on ebay as you said. But how would I hook this up as it doesn't appear to the normal circular DC12V hookup? I'm not opposed to some DIY I just am not knowledgable with power supplies and don't wanna zap myself or any gear.
(http://www.phonopreamps.com/images/TC-750rear400.jpg)
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Thank you for this. Very cheap on ebay as you said. But how would I hook this up as it doesn't appear to the normal circular DC12V hookup? I'm not opposed to some DIY I just am not knowledgable with power supplies and don't wanna zap myself or any gear.
(http://www.phonopreamps.com/images/TC-750rear400.jpg)
I made a bunch of different cables with the correct connectors for different devices. For example, my sigma11 has a size n (5.5mm OD/2.5mmID) female connector. The TCC has a the size h (3.4mm OD/1.3mm ID). I also have the right cable to plug into other stuff like the E90 amp and Geek Pulse. Don't recall which sizes those were ATM.
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I made a bunch of different cables with the correct connectors for different devices. For example, my sigma11 has a size n (5.5mm OD/2.5mmID) female connector. The TCC has a the size h (3.4mm OD/1.3mm ID). I also have the right cable to plug into other stuff like the E90 amp and Geek Pulse. Don't recall which sizes those were ATM.
Thx, just ordered the Kobiconn 3210-E jack for this fucker.
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Those are cheap Marv'. If I hadn't gotten a cheap sigma, I'd try it.
What are the applications where you've found a difference ?
Well you know I mentioned one amp I was working on where I tried half a dozen power different supplies.
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If you are based in Europe:
http://www.audiophonics.fr/en/power-supply-kits-full-power-supply-c-617.html
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Well you know I mentioned one amp I was working on where I tried half a dozen power different supplies.
Gotcha. I doubt a simple usb 5v gets as much benefit, but maybe it does.