Using battery power to go off the City's power grid


I'm using a Bluetti AC200MAX 2,200 watt expandable power station to take my system off the city's power grid.  It runs off a lithium ion phosphate battery with a 4,800 watt pure sine wave inverter. My total system only takes about 450 watts so I have never heard the fan kick on - it is totally silent. The music comes from a completely black background, with a huge soundstage that sounds very natural. I know that Ric Schultz has talked about these types of setups and there is a very expensive Stromtank battery system that is marketed to audiophiles. Anyone else tried this type of setup in their audio system?

Here is a link to a review:

 

128x128sbayne

@viber6 Thanks for telling me about the Tweak Audio Inverter Power article. That was a huge help, now I have some idea of what people are talking about. First however, I need a new tonearm for a Thorens that I’ve been modifying into a dedicated mono table that will out perform a Linn LP12. After that project, an entry level battery system will be the newest priority. As you know with this hobby, it never ends.

As for my ASR Emitter II Exclusive, it is a beautiful sounding amp. The battery has six lead acid gel batteries that need replacing about every ten years. I’ve replaced mine once so far. The two power supplies charge the battery and the amplifier has a particular setting for the charge while the amp is turned off. No special power cables for the power supplies and battery are needed, just those that came with the amp. It’s recommended to charge the battery about every three days if listening every day.

As for the ASR’s sound, it has a fully fleshed out presentation with a full dynamic range. It’s clear and musical with a black noise floor and a very wide soundstage. A harpsichord might sound as if it’s nine feet long however that’s the only time I might question the representation. It’s never taxing but it’s never artificial sounding.

My digital and analogue rigs are simply plugged into a passive PS Audio line conditioner while implementing Akiko Audio tuning sticks. There’s nothing objectionable about the sound. There’s always room for improvement but I’m in pretty good shape. I also need a better power cable for my DAC and on the note, upgrades happen rather slowly. 

@sbayne , Sorry, I have not yet updated my system page but the Phono stage is now a Channel D Seta L plus and I have a pair of Atma-Sphere MA 2's in construction as we speak. They are class A and I just checked, They burn 1600 watts at idle. They are going to run the Sound Labs and the JC 1s will do sub woofer duty. So the updated system will burn 3600 watts at idle. The current one will burn 4800 watt at full output. The QSC amps are running on 2 ohm loads. Why do I need that much power? There is no such thing as too much head room. It is wonderful to have a system that can drift along at 105 dB in effortless fashion.

@theaudiomaniac , I may have stepped in it but the fact of the matter is that there are much better ways of improving the performance of your system than battery power supplies for line level equipment. I certainly will not be buying one as I do not have a noise issue. With all levels pegged I can not hear any noise at the listening position. There is nothing to gain. 

@mijostyn - I’m sure those Atma-Sphere MA-2 monos are going to be incredible with the SoundLabs. A number of years ago, I heard the Majestic 845s paired with an earlier version of the MA2s and a Micro Seiki RX-5000/RY-5500 (I forget the tonearm & cartridge) it was fantastic! One of the top 5 systems I’ve ever heard. 

@sbayne  - My system doesn't use much power.  Just checked using the kill-a-watt monitor, and at 75db, my system uses about 90 watts.  I only have 3 components: amp, dac, streamer.

The two b300 batteries provide 6000kWh of power.  I can run the stereo for a couple days off it.  Recharging it via 120v will take 3-4 hours.  But, I'm putting a few solar panels on the roof, which will charge it daily.  I guess that will be a listening test as well - with the batteries being charged, does the sound change?

That 90 watts is without the internet router running off the Bluetti.  Which reminds me - I need to do a listening test with the router on the Bluetti as well.  But, I use both the Gigafoil and Network Acoustics ENO for filtering, so maybe I won't notice. much with that change.

I see you use the new MUON filter.  I'm going to try it.

I'll add that not only does the bluetti provide a darker background, it also increases the realism of the sound.  More organic and natural, with more presence - which is what I strive for in my system.  My DAC has those characteristics, and running off the Bluetti bumps that up a bit.

 

@veroguy - Ok, makes sense why the fan doesn't kick-on for over 4 hours of use -  90 watts is nothing for the AC300/B300. Yep, the MUON is excellent. I went with a linear power supply for my router and was surprised with the improvement in sound quality. Great idea to run your router off the Bluetti.