Apex Peak/Volcano Review - Page 8

 

Can anyone tell me what the Volcano's specs are?     Volts out?    Current capacity (Amps)?

 

I know it's a 120/240VAC linear regulated power supply and that it "sounds" great with the Peak, but I can't find the output specs.

 

Thanks!

 

Mike

I was told Volcano has around 17 volts.

Thanks A-O,

 

I'm thinking of substituting the Volcano with a less expensive well-regulated, linear PSU that delivers the same DC voltage and at least the same load capacity. 

 

Does anyone know if the Volcano has a users manual or even a label that might give the Volts and Amps at which it's rated?

 

Also: Does anyone have specs on the minimalist switching power supply that ships with the Peak?

 

Thanks,

 

Mike

Here's a pic of the insides of the Volcano:

 

http://www.head-fi.org/gallery/image/view/id/91437

 

There are two 12V/25A secondaries on transformer. Maybe the output is 24V? I never measured the voltage output on the PS. As you can see, the Volcano is one big capacitor bank. There is probably additional power regulation in the Peak.

That picture makes me want to break open my piggy bank to buy the proper power supply. Who wouldn't want to pay $700 for that?

;-)

But I'd still like to know the specs - can't find them anywhere.

Thanks,

Mike

Have you asked the supplier (TTVJ) ?

No, It looks as if I'll have to do that.  I didn't want to waste the distributor's time when it's obvious that my intent is to avoid purchasing the Volcano - to substitute it with something better than the cheap Apex supply but less expensive than the Volcano.  

 

I've even tried searching Google images for a shot of the rear of the Volcano, where I had hoped I could read a label providing the specs - I can't even find a picture of the backside of the Volcano.  

 

Is there a different thread where Apex P/V owners are more likely to hang out?

 

Mike

 

There is no specification on the back of my Volcano.  It might be worth the money if you intend to keep it for a few years.  The biggest difference is in the bass area, it's tighter and a bit more.  It's nice to have that power available when needed.  Music has a bit more detail with a slightly larger soundstage, but those are small differences with respect to my current setup.  I would need a better CD player to really tell if those differences are small or large.  

Oh, you have a Volcano! OK...

Thanks for the info and your impressions. You've helped me to realize I should just get the Peak with the standard supply and forget about using anything other than the Volcano, when I can afford it - advice I've read elsewhere, but I didn't know that the power specs were so hard to come by.

Beating the dead horse, however, I'm still curious to know if the standard power supply is similarly unlabeled/unspecified in documentation.

Thanks!

Mike

The bottom of my standard power supply has the following information.

 

Output : 42W max

Pin3 : +15V

Pin1, 2 : common

Pin4 : n/c

Pin5 : -15V

I think the Volcano has higher Voltage rails, besides having seemingly more capacitance.

Yay!

 

Thanks for that A-O!

 

 

I think that's a 30-Volt AC power supply, not DC.  It's not something anyone's going to be able to substitute easily, short of buying something like this (which I am NOT recommending):

 

Sticking with one of Peak's power supplies is looking better and better.

 

Thanks again for the info.

 

Mike

 

 

What makes you think its an AC power supply?

 

I used the words "I think" instead of "I know," but I should probably have used the words "I'm guessing."  

looking at that photo I see some diodes perfectly placed right at the output of the step down transformer.  I would venture to say they are rectifying the AC to DC followed up by the rows of caps :)