Perhaps.., many components are "voiced" with the sound of dirty AC? - Page 2

you don't have to design a transformer from scratch almost every kind and configuration is pre made from the transformer companys and if you wanted a custom one they are the ones to make it. no one would waste the parts/space to put a linear regulator after a smps that would only create more heat, make more noise and be more inefficient. as most of the 1u rackmount server supplys come from china premade so what your friend is doing is reinventing the wheel.

edit: also you don't need a microcontroler unless your building a ups that interfaces with a computer like the apc ones do and if that is the case how is she going to fit a gel cell in a 1u rackmount, seriously.

First of all, yes, it's "reinventing the wheel", and it's called competition.
As for the microcontroller, the purpose in most of the PSUs that use them is for advanced control. And she actually has made a 1U PSU that has an integrated UPS. The battery is external.

That is what I like. My system was way too smooth and warm so that it was unbearable, but when re-applying QuickSilver Contact Enhancer to both Valhalla power cords it became as bright as I like it to be. After a couple months when it has been burned-in and sounds too smooth again I can just re-apply the QuickSilver, it is my way of tone control that never stays boring.
I'm using AKG K1000 with maximum power conditioning and bright/transparent sounding components. Dirty power is what makes them sound bright; they are good enough to show the dirty power!

I remember when I got my first aftermarket power cord (Nordost Vishnu for Benchmark DAC1) when I was listening to 320 kbps mp3. At first I hated it because all the detail and sparkle was gone and it sounded like there was a "filter" or vacuum tube in front of the music, it sounded way too smooth. But now I know that's how it's supposed to sound like! The Nordost Vishnu gave a lot more transparency so the filter in front of the music was actually the limit of mp3.

One reason why some don't like power conditioning is because it makes music sound how it's supposed to sound, some people don't like that. Often I don't like how real life sounds like, I like it a little brighter.

Edit: So it seems that bright/fast components + power conditioning is the way to go for transparent and smooth sound. The components that sound dark and smooth are perhaps more efficient with dirty power (Bel Canto DAC2) or are more forgiving and slower (Sennheiser).