Upgrading Power Supply for Lumin U2 mini from switching to Linear Power Supply

Waste of time and money! Today's switching power supplies have significantly less noise and ripple - even the cheap ones! This can easily be verified by measurements. Any claimed sonic improvement for linear supplies is imaginary.

The Oppo universal players that so many golden ears' here raved about have switching power supplies. 

@kjl1065 

I never worry about warranties.  I've made no claims beyond infant failure.

BTW, it doesn't totally void the warranty.  for the OEM not to honor the warranty thay need to say that what you did caused the problem.  So if a knob breaks, it is in no way caused by the power supply.  However, just about all the electronics are fed by the power supply so they can claim that your power supply did it.  OTOH, good manufacturers might say "I know it wasn't the power supply" and honor a warranty claim anyway.

I've ugraded a lot of power supplies.  I currently have 6 linear power supplies in my system (3 for DAVE, 1 for Upscaler, 1 for ROCK, 1 for newtwork switch). 

if you want to order the parts and send to me I'd be glad to do the upgrade for you.  This isn't an offer for everyone here, I just want to do one and see what I think of it.

Jerry

I'm surprised that for $2400 there isn't an LPS, but perhaps this is a better quality switching power supply. From what I've read, Schiit uses better switching power supplies, so they are out there.

I just last week upgraded a Lumin U1 Mini to the Sbooster LPS, so can comment on the process.  It's not hard, but requires an hour of your time, and the nerve to snip a wire.  The Meanwell switching power supply in the Lumin is good, but I feel the Sbooster does improve the sound, though it's not night and day.  I could easily live with the stock power supply.  

Go to Linear Tube Audio.

I bought 1 of their LPS it’s as good or better then the $1200 Paul Haynes

which is very good but at $750 with a Excellent DC cable 

up to 8 amps , 125k in capacitors , worlds best Belleson regulator,

chokefiltering on the incoming AC as well as the DC conversion 

I am buying a 2 nd one and I put a 5 amp slow blow Synergistic purple fuse even better still and has a 100 Va transformer weighs 6 lbs ,nothing even close at this price point.

@jasonbourne71 

Do you ever get invited to parties?

Once, maybe.

Seriously, you are the sourest, most joyless person  I have never met. 

Why are you even here, when you disagree with almost everything that is posted by anyone.

I already went through the exact same thing, see this thread:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/lhy-or-sbooster-lps

- - - - -

But essentially I found:

Result on my system (mid-highend -- see above description) was outstanding! The soundstage is deeper, (obviously so) and wider, there is much more separation of the instruments, and the whole presentation is quieter than before. Well worth the upgrade of my Lumin U2 Mini.

However here are some alterations for the install as opposed to what Alvin shows you on Youtube:

1. Don’t clip the one red wire from the switch to the plug: take a soldering gun and apply some heat and then slip it off. (easy-peasy)

2. Buy 6 3mm nuts and washers so that you may place the screws back in the chassis so that there are no dust holes

3. Since the screws are now in their proper holes again, get something to mount the internal board about 6mm off the bottom of the case to clear the screws.

Notes:

I also use a Netgear switch on my LHY LPS50VA.

A week later I am still pulling my head up / opening my eyes because I hear sounds more prominently than before (or didn’t hear before). I think I am in the upper percentage of people who hear such a difference... but I am not so surprised what this LPS Mod has accomplished over its switching power supply.

Also wish to say that this is much better decision than the sbooster because by default all the wires are at the back and not looking so sbooster fugly. (much less their is some L/C filter circuitry in this Mod which I believe is not in the sbooster)

This has been one of my best mods to a piece of equipment to date. (35+ years).

OP - I have used an S-Booster on a Lumin D2 and a U2 Mini.  I did the install on the D2 and on the U2 Mini, the dealer I bought it from did the install.  It’s really easy if you follow the instructions and cut the wires they direct you to. As mentioned by another member of you want to avoid cutting any wires you can accomplish it easily if you have a soldering gun.  I also installed an upgraded power supplier in a Aurilac G2 streamer which was more of an undertaking. 
 

In my experience was worth it, noticeable improvement.  If you search on this forum, go to Upscale or other dealer sights with reviews, the vast majority of reviews are very positive.  From a simplistic standpoint, non technical, the neither you go up the line on Streamers the better the power supplies are., most high end pieces have external power supplies.  In some cases the upgraded power supplies can be one of the main differences between lower models and models that are higher up in the line.  Many also references power supplies being key in the streaming chain.  
 

I wouldn’t let the install scare you away from making the upgrade.  I have sold the D2 and the G2 without any issues, was able to sell them for more $$ because of the upgraded power supplies.  
 

Good Luck! 

Hi all,

would an 18v sbooster work with a Lumin u2 mini? Or do I need a 12v?

thanks for your input