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Power supplies affect on the sound.

post #1 of 66
5/22/09 at 9:01pm
Thread Starter 
Hi all. i know that good power supplies are important to get the most out of a good rig. i have a nice little rig(see sig)and also some nice cans, so i am pretty satisfied with the sound. the only thing that keep bothering me is that i can get more from my rig by upgrading the cheap power supplies i got free with my amp and dac to the more expensive power supplies headroom has to offer.

now.. i really would like to know if the difference in the sound will be felt.
because i dont have a lot of money to spend right now, so i want to know if it's worth it.

anybody can advise from his/her experience with power supplies?

thanks!
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post #2 of 66
5/24/09 at 8:29am
I think markl explained it nicely in his power cable review.

The power supply (or power cable) delivers the current that ultimately will flow around your entire audio circuit. Of course it'll make a difference.

How much of a difference? It depends,
1. How revealing are your gear.
2. How sensitive your ear are.
3. How much better the separate power supply really is.

Belive me, manufacturers like Headroom don't make a separate power supply if it doesn't do anything.

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post #3 of 66
5/24/09 at 11:08am
Thread Starter 
thanks mate! i guess you're right. maybe i have doubts in my hearing will be capable of hearing the difference.
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post #4 of 66
5/24/09 at 7:48pm
At least to audio-gd, manufacturer of the reference 1 dac, power supply is important because the ref 1 dac consists of ~80% power conditioning circuitry.

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/r...nce1DAC040.jpg
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post #5 of 66
5/25/09 at 3:46am
Electricity generated from a hydroelectric dam will be warmer and have deeper bass whereas electricity generated by a nuclear power plant will be more revealing but may cause your highs to be so sibilant they actually glow in the dark.
I've seen it and I trust my eyes.
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post #6 of 66
5/25/09 at 9:56am
That analogy has no bearing whatsoever on PSU differences, Real Enemy of Genius.
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post #7 of 66
5/25/09 at 11:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Real Man of Genius View Post
Electricity generated from a hydroelectric dam will be warmer and have deeper bass whereas electricity generated by a nuclear power plant will be more revealing but may cause your highs to be so sibilant they actually glow in the dark.
I've seen it and I trust my eyes.
Go with solar power. More natural- and warmer-sounding.
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post #8 of 66
5/25/09 at 12:18pm
Forget the sarcastic nonsense above.

Ultimately, a power supply should be able to supply as much current as the circuit needs, do so while reducing / not introducing noise, and filter to DC adequately.

The components are cheap (forget the audiophile crap like BGs). It requires a bit of analysis, but it's better than those audiophools sticking BGs every inch or using giant PPS capacitors for digital decoupling :facepalm:. The lead length on those is enough to negate their entire purpose, or even make it worse by making a larger resonant circuit.

It's no wonder though that most these audio designs get such a reputation of sounding the same. They design by sticking "high quality" components everywhere. Anybody can do that "design".

It's why I DIY; there's just so much over priced garbage touted as being the greatest. And it's pretty cheap as well. If it sounds like crap, well, there's no one to blame but yourself.

~Thomas
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post #9 of 66
5/25/09 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by haloxt View Post
That analogy has no bearing whatsoever on PSU differences, Real Enemy of Genius.
Not the brightest tube in the DAC, are you?
It wasn't an analogy and the wink means.... nevermind.
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post #10 of 66
5/25/09 at 12:54pm
Firstly i havent tried high end power supplies and conditioners etc, i use a surge protected power bar (6 plugs) and it works.
I have to admit that when i hear someone say a power cable is "warm sounding" or it "increases the soundstage" i gag a little.
Correct me if im wrong but are hifi seperates not built with specific power requirements , the transformers inside your amp or cd get what they need to operate from your wall socket and distribute it?
Am i missing something?
I can see a UPS being useful to protect your gear but what is it in a kettle lead that can be adjusted to change audio quality?
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post #11 of 66
5/25/09 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by astroid View Post
Firstly i havent tried high end power supplies and conditioners etc, i use a surge protected power bar (6 plugs) and it works.
I have to admit that when i hear someone say a power cable is "warm sounding" or it "increases the soundstage" i gag a little.
Correct me if im wrong but are hifi seperates not built with specific power requirements , the transformers inside your amp or cd get what they need to operate from your wall socket and distribute it?
Am i missing something?
I can see a UPS being useful to protect your gear but what is it in a kettle lead that can be adjusted to change audio quality?
I believe that "audiophile grade" power supllies were not made if they would not deliver more accurate power. it also can be proven with certain devices that can check the efficiency of the power supply. i don't believe that this is just a blof.
from what i understand, better power supllies differ from cheaper ones by the fact that they can supply the power more accurately. the amp will still work in case of a poor power supply but it supposed to effect his operation, and in our case...the sound. although it can be very minor improvement.
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post #12 of 66
5/25/09 at 1:02pm
Wind turbine is airier.

Speed and magnitude. Better power supplies delivers current faster and with more weight than commercial grade units. On some changes you will notice an immediate improvement in impact and fullness of sound. The real telling is getting used to the better power supply then going back to the regular one.

Not to turn this into a cable thread but power cords made a big difference on my amp. Passive filtering removes much of the high frequency energy from going into the tranny, reducing efficiency. Results are a faster and better detailed amp with less low level hiss.
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post #13 of 66
5/25/09 at 1:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by plonter View Post
I believe that "audiophile grade" power supllies were not made if they would not deliver more accurate power. it also can be proven with certain devices that can check the efficiency of the power supply. i don't believe that this is just a blof.
from what i understand, better power supllies differ from cheaper ones by the fact that they can supply the power more accurately. the amp will still work in case of a poor power supply but it supposed to effect his operation, and in our case...the sound. although it can be very minor improvement.
I understand the theory , the expensive cables are supposed to filter out more RFI but modern amps and cd players do that already, has anyone here truly heard a difference they can positivly attribute to the cable?
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post #14 of 66
5/25/09 at 1:07pm
I think i will buy a russ andrews one out of curiosity.
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post #15 of 66
5/25/09 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by astroid View Post
I understand the theory , the expensive cables are supposed to filter out more RFI but modern amps and cd players do that already, has anyone here truly heard a difference they can positivly attribute to the cable?
That's what i wanted to know..that's why i started this thread.
i am in dillema if i should upgrade my current power supplies to better ones.
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