Onkyo ND-S1 PSU upgrade

http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/

 

I wouldn't get the RA PSU, have had bad experiences with one of their PSUs. You can read my thoughts about their PSU in the link I gave you.

 

regards, Peter

the specs are in the manual you can find online on Onkyo's site. I think its 5v @1a

You can just build a S11 for less than 100 bucks. Or try the Salas shunt PSU, nice one too.

I have seen a 5V 2A power supply that is meant for the Squeezebox.  It looks like it should work with the Onkyo.  Does it need to be limited down to 1 amp or will the Onkyo naturally do that due to the resistance that it presents to the 5V power supply?

 

I dont know much about transformers so suggestions are welcome.

Edited by Kremer930 - 8/19/11 at 4:18am

Audio-gd makes a $75 linear class A biased psu for their Digital Interface that could be adapted to the ND-S1. I think they make it 7v 400ma, with current protection shutoff at 500ma or something like that. They said they would modify their psu for my archos 5it docking station but I decided to skip it. They told me it was fine to set it to 5v and 1.5amp cap, so they can definitely adjust it for the ND-S1, just make sure you contact Kingwa directly about what you want done to the psu or you might receive a 7v one.

 

audio-gd-kingwa@hotmail.com

 

http://audio-gd.com/Pro/dac/USBface/Digital1EN.htm

 

Btw, if you have a kill-a-watt meter, should use it to find out how much watts is being used by the ND-S1. I am guessing it uses about 100-250ma if it comes with a 1000ma rated adapter.

Edited by haloxt - 8/19/11 at 8:02am

Thanks Haloxt. I have bought from Kingwa before. I might have to have a look.

The one I was looking at is on eBay from Vintage audio lab. They have a fee nice pieces of kit but are very poor in replying to emails. They have two power supply models designed for the Squeezebox. One is 3amps and the other is 2 amps. I was considering trying the 2 amp model but didn't want to fry the onkyo.

What do you think?

Thanks again.

They would not fry the onkyo. The amp rating is just what the psu can output at most, it will not send that max amount unless your device tries to use more power or the charging circuit freaks out. I am guessing nd-s1 uses about 100-300ma, maybe 600ma-1.3a max during charging, so the 2a or 3a will be just fine. If you get the audio-gd one, don't forget to specify you need 5v 1.5a.

That was what I was thinking should be the case but with not really knowing for sure I didnt want to use the Magic Smoke test to confirm my theory.  

 

Thanks again for your help.  My Dock will be here in a week.  Cant wait to see what they are like.

I purchased a Squeezebox 5V 3A upgraded power supply from Vintage Audio Labs on eBay for $150. Fingers crossed it makes a difference to the sound quality. I will let you know how it goes and if it makes much of a difference.

And I placed an order for one of these: http://www.rock-grotto.co.uk/musical-fidelity-vcan-vdac-vlps-power-supply.html

It should be with me in a few days

That one looks a little nicer in respect of the case work but doesn't appear to have as many caps etc inside as the Vintage Audio Labs power supply on eBay. The eBay VAL power supply is also slightly cheaper at USD150.

 

I can't say anything about the internals, I have no skills.

Rock grotto's PSU for Musical Fidelity  amps and dacs are well known, I also like the fact I'm buying something made in UK, with no additional costs or customs.

150 USD + customs means about £115.

 

At the end of the day I think they'll both be an upgrade over the standard wall wart...or at least I hope so! At the moment my Halide Bridge connected to a Linux MPD server sounds better, but I love the convenience of the Onkyo dock.

 

I am waiting for both the dock and the power supply to be delivered. I will be keen to hear what kind of sound impact adding the power supply makes. I have heard that it should add to dynamics as well lower the noise floor. At least that was the toy justification thought that I used.