anewmission Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I am considering buying a linear power supply to upgrade my Dac. (topping D50)Just wondering what people's thoughts on this are.Is there any point in buying the budget ones from eBay or aliexpress? Considering the Dac was only 300 I don't want to go overboard.I also noticed that bryston use linear power supplies to their turntables. My turntable is 15v input, I'm wondering if there is dual linear psu (5v and 15v outputs in the same chassis) Any help is appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 I'd say there'd be benefit even from the cheapest linear power supply you can buy. I wouldn't be sharing a power supply between components as you've suggested there though. Each device (and even each subcomponent) having its own PSU goes a long way towards better performance. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
was_a Posted October 12, 2019 Share Posted October 12, 2019 Check out this eBayer (link below). I've bought several linear power supplies from here and all have performed well, including for the Topping D50 - which sounds a little sterile with the switch-mode supply IMO. I'm not sure I agree with Ittaku that a dual-voltage supply isn't the way to go, especially at this price-point. I've seen twin-transformer unit available that looked fine. (But I try to disagree with Ittaku as often as I can...!). LPS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A J Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 The requirements for a turntable (motor) supply are quite different than a digital circuit so it wouldn’t be conceivable that you could have a dual that would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavtron Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Hi, I would try powering the topping DAC with a USB battery pack, to see if you notice any difference in SQ before shelling out on a full LPSU. AliExpress have a lot of sellers who will make a custom linear PSU with more than 1 voltage output, could be worth looking into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 15 minutes ago, was_a said: I'm not sure I agree with Ittaku that a dual-voltage supply isn't the way to go, especially at this price-point. Well, Clay Gieseler has stopped making multiple-voltage LPSes - coz he says there is a performance degradation from doing this ... compared to separate voltage supplies. Clay's the expert AFAIAC - so I go with his advice. Andy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ittaku Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 33 minutes ago, was_a said: (But I try to disagree with Ittaku as often as I can...!). Wow, I'm that objectionable? You can always put me on ignore... that is unless you feel obliged to protect everyone else from the evil influence of my opinions. Back on topic, I've bought two cheap arse linear PSUs from Aliexpress and been happy with both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) I have a reluctance to purchase el cheapo LPSUs because they are using cheap transformers and parts, could be a fire hazard. *And it could short the expensive DAC, streamer etc. it is connected to *. Over anxious maybe? Hence my preference for Gieseler LPSUs, but difficult to justify price wise for OP. Edited October 13, 2019 by Snoopy8 Added * 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 51 minutes ago, gavtron said: Hi, I would try powering the topping DAC with a USB battery pack, to see if you notice any difference in SQ before shelling out on a full LPSU. AliExpress have a lot of sellers who will make a custom linear PSU with more than 1 voltage output, could be worth looking into. That may not necessarily be an indication, because the USB battery packs have a DC-DC converter of some type, built into them, to convert the 3.7V batteries up to 5V for the output. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavtron Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 7 minutes ago, bob_m_54 said: That may not necessarily be an indication, because the USB battery packs have a DC-DC converter of some type, built into them, to convert the 3.7V batteries up to 5V for the output. Yep, but given the price point of the DAC it's probably not worth spending a lot on a nice psu.. I've experimented in the past using battery packs + a cheap DAC to good effect. Some battery pack brands sounded better than others, but to my ear they all improved the sound over a wallwart.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 10 minutes ago, gavtron said: Yep, but given the price point of the DAC it's probably not worth spending a lot on a nice psu.. I've experimented in the past using battery packs + a cheap DAC to good effect. Some battery pack brands sounded better than others, but to my ear they all improved the sound over a wallwart.. I have two that I use with a Raspberry Pi setup as a streamer, and don't really notice any difference in sound over a wallwart I was using, both sound good to me anyway. But then again, my hearing is cr@p after many years working on jet aeroplanes. I actually bought them thinking they would supply nice clean DC, but later realised that to supply the 5V, they would be up-converting from the 3.7V internal batteries. They may actually be much cleaner, I don't know, I haven't bothered to look at the output on a CRO. They do allow a higher current than the wall wart I had though, so possibly less voltage sag when I had an external USB HDD connected. I guess what I was trying to say is, if you try one, and it doesn't sound better, don't discount that a LPS may improve the sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 That may not necessarily be an indication, because the USB battery packs have a DC-DC converter of some type, built into them, to convert the 3.7V batteries up to 5V for the output.I'm guessing usb battery packs are different to the portable USB chargers?Never heard of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_m_54 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 1 minute ago, anewmission said: I'm guessing usb battery packs are different to the portable USB chargers? Never heard of them I was referring to what is commonly called USB power banks, which are used for charging phones etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buddyev Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) Topping have brought out an lps specifically for the d50 - the topping P50. $175 on amazon. http://www.tpdz.net/products_list/pmcId=24.html Edited October 13, 2019 by buddyev 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
was_a Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ittaku said: Wow, I'm that objectionable? You can always put me on ignore... that is unless you feel obliged to protect everyone else from the evil influence of my opinions. Back on topic, I've bought two cheap arse linear PSUs from Aliexpress and been happy with both. It's the latter... (I'll supply free garlic to everyone)... Yes, like you Ittaku I've had good luck with budget LPUs. To address Snoopy's concern about transformers, many of these Chinese LPUs use Brit-designed Talemas albeit made in India. They're fine. Edited October 13, 2019 by was_a 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 Topping have brought out an lps specifically for the d50 - the topping P50. $175 on amazon. http://www.tpdz.net/products_list/pmcId=24.htmlWow, OK this is pretty cool. I didn't know this existed. Not only will it match the Dac perfectly in looks but also has a 15v output which is exactly what I was looking for in my original post.So now my question would be, would it be better to use this one at $175 or buy two linear psu (5v and 15v) at say $90 each? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 Just realised I could get a linear psu for phono pre also. That's 16v. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) @anewmission I’m a big fan of Clay linear psu, used one in the past with great results on Auralic Aries LE. But since you using a dac that is $300, perhaps something like this would be more appropriate price wise and zero risk in terms of it being a health hazard as it is sold here by reputable hifi dealers. https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/ifi-ipower-low-noise-power-supply Neo Edited October 13, 2019 by Neo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 @anewmission I’m a big fan of Clay linear psu, used one in the past with great results on Auralic Aries LE. But since you using a dac that is $300, perhaps something like this would be more appropriate price wise and zero risk in terms of it being a health hazard as it is sold here by reputable hifi dealers. https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/ifi-ipower-low-noise-power-supply NeoDo you think the topping one would be a health hazard? In that case is my topping dac a health hazard?It punches way above its price point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 No I was referring to the linear psu of unknown quality purchased on eBay or aliexpress. Neo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 7 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: I have a reluctance to purchase el cheapo LPSUs because they are using cheap transformers and parts, could be a fire hazard. *And it could short the expensive DAC, streamer etc. it is connected to *. Over anxious maybe? Hence my preference for Gieseler LPSUs, but difficult to justify price wise for OP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 [emoji1303]I think I will get the topping one for the Dac and tt inputs. And then for my phono pre, another $300 purchase. The schiit mani I will need another one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy8 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 You have the makings of a LPSU farm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky500 Posted October 13, 2019 Share Posted October 13, 2019 47 minutes ago, anewmission said: 1 hour ago, Neo said: I think I will get the topping one for the Dac and tt inputs. And then for my phono pre, another $300 purchase. The schiit mani I will need another one The Schiit mani is different. It is AC. Do not try a linear power supply with that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anewmission Posted October 13, 2019 Author Share Posted October 13, 2019 [emoji230][emoji207][emoji215] [emoji241][emoji12] You have the makings of a LPSU farm!And just about to order the upgrade lps for the oppo udp105 haha. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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