Warning About The Singlepower Extreme - Owners Please Read - Page 8

KG, or anyone else, could you explain in layman's terms what is being shown by the data above?

Thanks, that's good to know.

I have a 12v Sigma 11 powering my Apogee mini-DAC, and I bought a 24v Sigma 11 from vvs_75 (vladimir) for my Travagans amps or SuperPro DAC707 DAC (works great with Grahm Slee NOVO as well).

I don't really use the Sigma 11 much now that I use my Pico DAC-only more than the SuperPro DAC, and I use a Travagans Black to power the Travagans. So, if I knew enough about these things I would try to convert the spare 24v Sigma 11 into one that had the right wiring and voltage for the Sq Wave XL. Last thing I want to do is damage it when it still works very well as a bedroom amp that doesn't need warm-up (power is on all the time with no power switch).

Grade A posts

Thanks Kevin for data. A+ for sharing B+.

160W. 'What' is that ringing I hear all the time? It's distortion free, though.

Maybe not so Extremly bad

The tech pro I gave the amp to at closing managed to look at it in the evening. Not much detail, his response is below.

If someone can recommend an alternate to the Edcor that would be appreciated. I am partial to black over blue, unless the entire body is also painted blue, such as the color of SP owners? Actually, this is not so big a deal--and kudos to all who got our attention with hyperbole of explosions and electrocutions--the approach worked. Thanks++

It's odd that the Extreme has THE BEST bass I have heard on a headphone amp--yet--it is underpowered? Big Solen cap, killer casework--but with chintzed out transformer??

I felt that if Extreme has one failing, it is that, like the other SP amps I have owned, it has a slight 'veil', and seems tipped down to lower frequencies. I thought this due to OTL design vs. OPT designs, the latter which seem to have more 'attack' (but tend to be hummers ). Maybe it the PT on Extreme being underpowered makes it so to my ears. After all, NO ONE likes an under-endowed tranny.

If someone can recommend an reasonable alternate to the Edcor that would be appreciated. Blue--huh?

From the Tech Pro:

"Yes, I see that this transformer is marginal and should be replaced.

The problem is that the replacement is 6.25 lbs. vs. 1 lb on the original.

On an episode of The Munsters, Herman needed to take an IQ test for a job interview where he proceeded to place a square peg in a round hole and vice- versa. I can do the same- make this fit but it will stick out like a sore thumb (and be blue colored). Maybe I can find an alternate that will fit better."

I loved your tech's response!

If a moderator can split off everything "NON EXTREME" from this thread
and put it in another thread it will help me to keep better track of who
owns what.

Edcor is a custom house. Everything is made when ordered. If you take the time to talk to the people there, they can paint the bells any color you want. It may take a bit longer, but you will get the colors you want.

FWIW, I do have one of the EDCOR XPWR039 transformers in the standard color on order. It will be used on a circuit board Extreme. I will post a picture of the unit with new transformer when it is done.

The Electraprint transformer used in the Extreme Kevin has is an alternative. An even bigger and more expensive alternative. I have also received quotes for a toroidal replacement transformer. Ballpark $80.00-$100.00 depending on quantity ordered and shipping. Lead time 4-6 weeks. Roughly 3.75-3.9" diameter x 1.8" tall.

You can use two transformers. One for the filaments, which would need to be a good size to handle the current and a smaller one for the high voltage. The transformer used in most of the Extremes is designed to be used as JUST a filament transformer. As it is being used for the high voltage as well, the filament voltage sags, among other problems. You would need to use a LARGER filament transformer, 8-10 amps at least, along with another HV transformer mounted elsewhere.


The 'veil' may be caused by Singlepower's interpretation of OTL design. They used large, polarized electrolytic output coupling caps. These types of caps are designed to be used in power supplies. They are to charge and hold AC power and smooth it to DC. Ways around it are using multiple numbers of smaller values, non-polarized electrolytics, non-polarized film caps and using bypass caps. Bypass caps are smaller values of caps used in parallel to the big caps. Depending on the type and value, they can change the high frequency and possibly help lift the 'veil'. The problems associated with these techniques are very large size and very large cost in comparison to polarized electrolytic capacitors.

I spoke to them just now and they said that they only had blue to offer. They also said that it would not be easy for someone to overpaint the bell ends once they were powdercoated.

Bummer. They are much cheaper than Jack@Electra-Print transformers. Jack wants $106 or with M6 laminations $150 + $24 shipping. This is for 120V@.5A and 6.3V@10A. The Edcor is 2 x 110V@.25A(=.5A) and 2 x 6.3V@4A(=8A) These come with M6 lams. The Edcor costs $59 + ? shipping. I also emailed Magnequest but I am sure they will be even more expensive than Jack.

Maybe I am liking blue now :-)

My apologies for the misinformation. I did order transformers from them before and they did offer gray bells. I have heard of others removing the bells and painting them with epoxy based paint.

Glad to hear about the epoxy paint. Thanks!

Another alternative might be to use a transformer cover. If you have the room, these might work for you. At least they are reasonably priced.

I actually like the look of it with the electraprint transformer. And it is an almost
exact color copy of the chassis. Not quite the exact same shine.

If i did not care about the logo on the front (which is a sticker anyway) i would
strip the whole thing down and take it to a friend in the automotive repair business
and have the thing painted spies-hecker blacker than black. And then put
a real clear coat on it.

Epoxy over powdercoating won't last. I'd recommend having the housing sandblasted and the powdercoated in black. I believe that the Singlepower chassis are also powdercoated, so that would make a good match.