Linear Power Supply for a DAC

JS-2 Linear Power Supply

or

HDPLEX 300W Linear Power Supply

Could end up with lots of boxes and fat cables on my rack, but I am dedicated to having zero switching supplies in my system.  So much for all that effort on the part of manufacturers to be energy efficient...

Same here. I've been thinking about using a LPS to power my router. It's on a separate circuit than my audio but there are members here who say they can hear an improvement.

wrong calculus…. clean power that does NOT dump SMPS hash back in to the line is not worth worrying over the LPS to component $ ratio…

@lowrider57 thanks for your fast reply.  Yes, I have considered the cost/benefit of using $350 lps on a $500 streamer.  I do like the Blu-OS user experience and the quality of sound.  Going up the Blu-OS ecosystem to NAD streaming gets expensive quickly, so maybe adding an lps to improve performance of the Node is not really such a bad deal.  I also have an ipurifier, and could upgrade that power supply as well.  Could end up with lots of boxes and fat cables on my rack, but I am dedicated to having zero switching supplies in my system.  So much for all that effort on the part of manufacturers to be energy efficient...

@mclinnguy 

I saw the C7 from Audio Sensibility, but went with a Canare DC cable only for the lower cost. I use AS Statement PCs in my system and they are outstanding as far as improved sound, not to mention the build quality. I prefer their performance over my Furutec PCs.

Hi @knownothing 

I'm using the Swagman SE on a reclocker in my digital chain. I have the iFi SPDIF iPurifier and it's inline with my Node 2i. This iFi device with the stock wall wart provided very little improvement removing jitter and noise. I experienced a significant SQ improvement after swapping in the Swagman to power the iPurifier. The data stream from the Node2i doesn't perform at the level of my Audio Note dac so I installed a reclocker. Now my streaming has improved to near CD quality. I also use a Cullen C7 power cable on the Node; big improvement. I would imagine adding a LPS to the Node would be a significant upgrade over the small internal SMPS.

I spoke to Teddy Pardo about a LPS for my Chord and felt very confident about using his power supplies. If you really like your Node and its interface, installing a LPS would be a great upgrade. However, I don't feel a Pardo would be cost effective on the Node. It costs about the same as the Node streamer. There are less expensive options to power your Node.

I would use a Teddy on a dac, although the Swagman SE would save you some money. But after seeing the positive user reviews for the Teddy/DAC combo, it might be worth it.

Sorry for such a long-winded response.

@lowrider57 I see this is a year old, but anyway there are many who have tried many DC cables on many different world class linear power supplies and state these OCC silver ones are some of the best- I have just their OCC copper one but I haven’t compared it with any other

Audio Sensibility

@lowrider57 are you still using the Swagman SE lps, and if so, on what piece of gear?  I just got a Qutest DAC and had Swagman provide a quote.  I have two of his pieces, one of them the SE, and I like them a lot.  I also had an upgraded MCRU lps supplying a Qute HD DAC and it was great.  MCRU are now expensive, and they no longer build them out like the one I had. Trying to maximize cost benefit ratio for Qutest.  

I am also considering adding an lps to supply my Node(3).  Have heard good things about Teddy Pardo’s kit to convert Node from internal switching to external lps.  Do you have any experience with attempting this?

kn

Try LTA audio (Linear Tube Audio) very good OTL amps and great preamps, but they started their business with linear power supplies, are great …

Many thanks @jackd . I found the correct cable.

A deep cycle marine battery hooked up to a trickle charger is the best battery solution. Better than any linear supply.

20 gauge solid copper cables sound the best. 

Yes they are a big upgrade and the only option I found that was reasonable price. 

@jackd  thanks. Have you tried their cables? 

https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc-gac4.html

Gotham DC cable from Ghent Audio.

Ok, now I know what I'm looking for. Any recommendations for a DC cable for linear power supply with lockable circular socket? Twisted conductors rather than the stock cable. Thanks.

I only found Canare in the archives.

I have a Swagman Labs SE LPS that's worked well for me. I'd like to upgrade the stock DC cable from the power supply to the 2.5mm barrel connector.

First question; what is this cable called? It has a lockable circular plug.

And lastly, any recommendations (under $100) ?

I recently added a Sean Jacobs DC4 ARC6 LPS to my (M Scaler) DAVE. It is a remarkable upgrade.  Expensive of course, but brings DAVE to a level so far beyond the stock power supply it’s hard to believe.  

Good information here!

I have a Farad power supply being delivered from the Netherlands tomorrow for my Chord Dave DAC. Thier prices include shipping but they aren't cheap.  

Dave uses 3 voltages so I had to buy 3 power supplies plus a custom harness than Farad makes.

They have what you need for Chord Qutest on the shelf.

I haven't heard it yet but if you give me a couple of days I'll post my impressions.

Jerry

LessLoss Firewall 640x 

or can try this iFi iPower Elite 12V, I have a huge upgrade of SQ on my dac. 

Hello, hello,

I wanted to see if anyone could suggest where to list or sell the Accubasston Linear Power Supply that's mentioned in this thread. I have considerable experience selling things on the internet and I'm pretty sure this won't sell on locally or on eBay or Audiogon. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, guys.

What power supply specification or other property could one use to tell if one supply is faster than another. I am also looking for a very good linear power supply for my Acoustic Plan Digimaster DAC which uses 4 - EC86 tubes and has a 15V ? 2A DC input.

There is nothing in the specs on most power supplies that will tell you this unfortunately. You have to try them out and compare them.

Do power supplies have different "sound signatures" (if that’s the right term)?

They will cause different sound signatures in different components. Slow reacting supplies will reduce dynamics (slam factor). Supplies that do not have tight regulation will cause smearing and loss of focus. Supplies that do not have good AC line noise rejection will cause noise in the music.

I have gotten positive feedback on the Sbooster supplies.  I believe they are fast reacting.  They are not earth-grounded, but this can be added by using the right cabling.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

Hi guys

if you remember i told you paul is not trusted and he not refund my money after 6 month.

now Paul have sent me an email and he told me he will refund my money this week.

Good news to me and other who would like to order Paul hynes PSU.

i should say Paul is trusted and if you pay him he will refund your money .

Amir

Analog supply should be quiet, can be slower responding but input noise rejection is important. Paul Hynes supplies do the best job of this."

What power supply specification or other property could one use to tell if one supply is faster than another. I am also looking for a very good linear power supply for my Acoustic Plan Digimaster DAC which uses 4 - EC86 tubes and has a 15V ? 2A DC input.

Do power supplies have different "sound signatures" (if that's the right term). Acoustic Plan makes an optional linear power supply, the Powermaster, that will run two of their components but it costs $2000.   

The Paul Hynes SR4 is a production model; see his recent email comments to me:
" The new SR4 is intended as a stock item with 10 units per month introduced to stock. As long as the SR4 is in stock it should normally be shipped out within 3 working days from order placement. If the SR4 is out of stock during the month of your enquiry, I can place your name on the waiting list for the next available SR4 unit and notify you when it is available. The next production batch of SR4 with available units is scheduled for manufacture during the last week in February with shipment occurring during the following week."

 If you are looking for one of his other models, such as SR5 or SR7, then expect a wait. I emailed him at:   paul@paulhynesdesign.com and got a very prompt and detailed response.

I have been looking for a good 15V / 2A linear power supply for my tube DAC (4 - EC86's) and feel like it would be hard to go wrong with a Paul Hynes unit. I am currently fascinated by another British manufacturer, Custom Hifi Cables Ltd, their dc2 or dc3 models
( http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/home/power-supplies/-dc2-dc-power-supply ). Mojo Audio has factory reconditioned Joule v5.0 models at good prices & warranty but I have yet to hear from anyone who has had one ( https://www.mojo-audio.com/specials/ , there is also one on Audiogon for less). I will go back and find some other brands that are intended for audio but quite reasonably priced.

lowrider57
Power supply specs are: 12v, 1A, 2.1mm connector. The DAC has a grounding post if needed.

LPS for digital has different requirements than for analog preamp etc..

The digital LPS should be very fast reacting to provide the current transients for digital.  I recommend the Sbooster supplies.

Analog supply should be quiet, can be slower responding but input noise rejection is important.  Paul Hynes supplies do the best job of this.

Paul has had some factory issues over time, but he has his own shop again.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

I have bought several PSUs from Paul. Never an issue. One just has to wait. It is what it is and all know that in advance.

No one has ever lost money with him, as he is honest, but by necessity, just slow.

You want the best, so just wait.

Alternatively, get a HD Plex!