Hey guys, this is what we’re looking at.

I’ve started a Group Buy for a group of Linear ATX PSUs from Teradak. Teradak provides aftermarket linear power supplies for many different products and has a history of working with audiophiles to make custom units for their various components.
Website: www.teradak.com

Below in the pricing you will see the 3 different units; the ATX 210, ATX 275, and ATX 350. All three versions share most internal parts besides the transformers. Teradak has confirmed that all three sound the same and produce similar ripple. Sorry, I don’t have the numbers on hand. The only thing that will define your choice is how much power you need today for simple music playback, or DSP, Room Correction, and Conversion, or if you ever see yourself re-purposing your AudioPC into a home-theatre PC down the road and need more power for a light GPU.

Beyond these units being a Linear ATX power supply, there are 2 things that make these Linear Power Supplies even more special than the very few that are even out there:
(1.) They have all necessary, standard ATX rails & connectors: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, +5VSB, -12V
(2.) They’re not “dumb”. They have the proper start-up/power-on sequence to allow an ATX spec motherboard to turn on with the push of the power button. No hassle.

And because this is a Group Buy there are some other special goodies that you won’t be getting in any other order.
(1.) Special Internal Wiring: the addition of a +5VSB MOLEX (always on, even when the PC isn’t)
       – specifically designed for a trickle-charger for a battery supply to go “off grid”
       – could also be used to power a low-power SSD or PCIe USB card if you have an off switch
       – includes a MOLEX-> 2 x SATA adaptor
(2.) Special Internal Wiring Choice: either (A) or (B) coming directly off the regulator
       (A) 3 x SATA or
       (B) 2 x SATA + 1 x MOLEX
(3.) Special Group Buy Colour: Sand-blasted(matte/powder-coated) Black Aluminum
       – we can only have this if we get 10 units in the GB, if not it’s the standard brushed black
       – we’re only 2 confirmed units away from this right now.
       – not available on any other Teradak products; looks very handsome and matches the Streacom matte black finish very well.


With those extra bits the Teradak has given us, these Linear PSUs are basically the answer to all of my searching and DIY’ing for a proper, and not $5000 like a custom Paul Hynes, linear computer-ATX power supply for the past 2 years. And once finding them and getting some feedback, I thought to take it to a Group Buy to help more Audiophiles get access to something that might really help step up their computer source quality game.

Here is a link to Teradak’s OneDrive account with pictures of the standard ATX-210/275/350. Keep in mind our colour will be better and we have a few other wires coming off the loom.
https://onedrive.live.com/?cid=1eb70...up2AKzO-lzXYuc


Now for some #s.

Shipping Info:
Regular price for ATX Supply 210/275/350 = $XXXUSD + shipping(~$150USD) to USA.

Their Sales Rep Michael said the ATX's shipping weight is around 12kg and shipping to the USA is the most expensive, meaning that every other location will cost less than that. Right away we're already looking at a discount. And, it's a better deal if you get 2 units

Current, Special Group Buy Shipping:
For 1 unit = $108 to USA(max cost)
For 2 units = $152 to USA(max cost)

Secondly, Teradak will balance our shipping costs so that everyone in the Group Buy gets the same discount, no matter where you're buying from. This doesn't mean the shipping costs will be averaged, but that everyone will get a special shipping rate(%) and pay a less than usual. Michael said once the Group Buy is finalized that I need to email him a list of our addresses and then he'll reply with what the final shipping costs will be.

Shipping cost will depend on 2 things:
#1 - Where you live (how far they have to ship it)
#2a - How many people we can get to participate in the Group Buy
  2b - the more people we get to go in on this, the better the shipping rate Michael said they can give us. So, spread the word.

Group Buy Pricing:
Initially Teradak and I weren’t sure how many people we could get, so Michael established a mix and match, 3 tier pricing scheme.

We’re currently in tier 2, with 8 confirmed units. With just 4 more units we’ll move into tier 3 for the greatest discount.

There is only 1 Group Buy, but the buyers can pick whichever power supply(and connected price) they need. In the end our total number of units (ATX 210 + 275 + 350) will be added together and that will dictate which prices we pay for each kind of unit. And don’t forget about the shipping deal too, the more buyers we get the greater shipping discount we’ll all get.


Group Buy prices for Linear ATX PSUs:

ATX 210:
Regular Price - $545USD + ~$150 shipping to the USA

4-6 units - $490 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
7-11 units - $450 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
+12 units - $410 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)

ATX 275:
Regular Price - $635USD + ~$150 shipping to the USA

4-6 units - $580 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
7-11 units - $520 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
+12 units - $480 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)

ATX 350:
Regular Price - $725USD + ~$150 shipping to the USA

4-6 units - $660 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
7-11 units - $610 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)
+12 units - $560 each + shipping(max $108/for 1 or $152/for 2)




FAQs about our Special Group Buy units:
1. Warranty: 1 year parts and labour on unmodified and un-physically damaged units.
2. Colour: Sand-blasted(matte) Black Special Group Buy colour.
3. Internal Wiring: 1 x ATX 20+4-pin, 1 x CPU 4+4-pin, and 1x VGA 6+2-pin
4. Special Group Buy Internal Wiring: either (A) or (B) wired directly from the regulators
       (A) 3 x SATA connectors
       (B) 2 x SATA + 1 x MOLEX connectors
5. Special Group Buy Additional Wiring: 1 x MOLEX 4-pin from +5VSB
       - always on, could be used to trickle charge a battery. Has only 2-3A current.
       - Includes MOLEX-> 2 x SATA adaptor
6. Voltage: Buyer needs to specify either
       (A) 100-120 @ 60Hz (North America and Japan style)
       (B) 220-240 @ 50Hz (Europe and China style)
7. Special Shipping Rate: There is already a discount, which you can see, but the more units in the Group Buy the lower the final shipping cost. I’ll PM you about the final cost at the end.
8. Back Plate for connecting DIN inlet to PC: As you can see from the pictures, there are 2 back-plates for mounting the input DIN to your PC. You can only pick one size. 
 
Big:

 
Small:

 



Instructions for Purchasing:
1. Teradak accepts Paypal and wire transfer.
2. Only post in ONE site’s Group Buy thread. I have listed this Group Buy on multiple websites.
3. If you want in you need to post here in the thread with how many units and what version (210/275/350)
3. You also need to PM me a few specific things:
       (i) Your name and address
       (ii) Which version (ATX 210/275/350) you want
       (iii) How many units you want
       (iv) What your voltage requirement is (120v or 230v)
       (v) Whether you want (A) 3 x SATA or (B) 2 x SATA + 1 x MOLEX, from the regulators
       (vi) State whether you want the small size or big size back-plate for mounting the DIN connector to your PC.
       (vii) Confirm you’re aware of the additional shipping costs that I will tell you later


Group Buy Closing Date:
November 30^th is the closing day. I have a very hectic work schedule from mid-October until the end of November, so during that I time I will do my best answer questions and keep the multiple threads up to date, but I won’t have the time to do the closing admin until then. When work slows down at the end of November I’ll close the Group Buy and finalize all the details with Teradak and let everyone know.
 

Please see the previous discussion thread for more details. From page 3, post 73 onward is about the Group Buy.
TeraDak Computer linear power supply

Group Buyers List: (as of Sept 22, 2014)
1. Ben-M - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com
2. " "
3. Camel - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com
4. " "
5. Shahed99 - Unconfirmed - 1 unit - ATX 210 - ComputerAudiophile.com
6. Lowlands - Confirmed - 1 unit - ATX 275 - ComputerAudiophile.com
7. Elberoth - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 275 - ComputerAudiophile.com
8. " "
9. _JL_ - Confirmed - 1 unit - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com

*As I mentioned above, I will open this Group Buy on multiple Audio forums/websites. I will update the Group Buyers List on each forum and list all buyers from all websites on the same list.
 

Be sure to check out the Head-Fi Group Buys policy if you have not already: http://www.head-fi.org/a/group-buys

lol what is the point of this product again? do you use it for your amp or computer or what? just curious.

cel4145 said:

Be sure to check out the Head-Fi Group Buys policy if you have not already: http://www.head-fi.org/a/group-buys

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Thanks for reminding me. I figured this fell into the hard to get a hold of, one-off DIY category. But in my hast to get all the threads up, I missed PM'ing an admin. Will do.

money4me247 said:

  lol what is the point of this product again? do you use it for your amp or computer or what? just curious.

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It's a Computer ATX Linear PSU(power supply unit), so it's what you would use to power a desktop computer via linear power instead of the SMPS(switched mode power supply) that they all come with.
 
Here's a link to the differences between Linear PSUs vs. SMPSs.
http://www.acopian.com/linear-power-supply-vs-switching-power-supply-vs-unregulated-power-supply.html
 - take note of these sections: line regulation, load regulation, ripple,transient recovery, EMI, and leakage. Basically all of those mean the rails(lines of different voltage) are much closer to their specified voltage, they adapt more quickly to the demands of the component, and EMI(elctro magnetic interference) is both lower (because the electricity isn't going on and off in spikes, and leaks out less. All of that is good for making our music sound better, or at least closer to what it should.
 
The idea is that an SMPS is inherently noisy because the power is going on and off all the time which creates higher ripple(fluctuations/inaccuracy) in the voltage on the separate rails (+12V, +5V, +3.3V, +5VSB, -12V) in your computer. By moving to an linear power supply we get a constant stream of power, and in a specialized power supply like this one, we also get lower ripple. 
 
You may have seen audio components that can be bought with upgraded power supply units. Most of these upgraded units are linear ones and most of them are quite expensive. But this is for good reason, because a quality power supply can really bring a component to a different level. Check out Teddy Pardo or Paul Hynes. These 2 companies specialize in offering arfermarket power supplies for many ddifferent components. Teradak is a similar company, but they are less well known. Fortunately for us, though, they make something that pretty much no one else does.
 
As I mentioned here in the opening post:
"Beyond these units being a Linear ATX power supply, there are 2 things that make these Linear Power Supplies even more special than the very few that are even out there:
(1.) They have all necessary, standard ATX rails & connectors: +12V, +5V, +3.3V, +5VSB, -12V
(2.) They’re not “dumb”. They have the proper start-up/power-on sequence to allow an ATX spec motherboard to turn on with the push of the power button. No hassle."
 
These Teradak ones are different than others that are out there because they are built to follow the ATX specification power-on/start-up sequence. So you can just take out your current ATX PSU, put in this one, and be ready to rock and roll. 
 
So, hopefully by improving the input power to your PC, the music that it outputs will sound better. If you read over on the jplay.eu forums or computeraudiophile.com you'll find a lot more information about powering your PC with linear power and the positive results that many have received with it. You can just google that as well. Most will not go back to powering their computers with normal SMPSs, even if it's much less hassle. 

^^thank you for the information. How substantial is the impact on sonic quality? Can you easy hear the difference in a blind test?
 
I personally did have some problems with interference with my old power adapter, so I am a bit curious just for that reason. I feel a bit skeptical about other sonic gains, but I will read the information that you thoughtfully provided. I am using a laptop, would this product still be compatible??

money4me247 said:

  ^^thank you for the information. How substantial is the impact on sonic quality? Can you easy hear the difference in a blind test?
 
I personally did have some problems with interference with my old power adapter, so I am a bit curious just for that reason. I feel a bit skeptical about other sonic gains, but I will read the information that you thoughtfully provided. I am using a laptop, would this product still be compatible??

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Well, I don't have one yet, I'm running the group buy to get them.
 
If you head on over to jplay.eu, computeraudiophile.com, or google "audio computer linear power" you can read up on people's impressions of powering their gear that way. Nobody I know has one of these exact units, so who knows there, but I'm willing to put my money on the line to think it's going to be similar to others experiences.
 
I can't say one way or other about actual sonic gains, but besides upgraded power supplies in computers, most people agree that better power supplies to audio components result in better sound. You can go have a read about it, it's interesting.
 
As for powering a laptop, I said they were for desktops. A desktop is a computer with a separate tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. They're the opposite of laptops. They are also not compatible with laptop batteries, adaptors, or power bricks.

benny-x said:

  Well, I don't have one yet, I'm running the group buy to get them.
 
If you head on over to jplay.eu, computeraudiophile.com, or google "audio computer linear power" you can read up on people's impressions of powering their gear that way. Nobody I know has one of these exact units, so who knows there, but I'm willing to put my money on the line to think it's going to be similar to others experiences.
 
I can't say one way or other about actual sonic gains, but besides upgraded power supplies in computers, most people agree that better power supplies to audio components result in better sound. You can go have a read about it, it's interesting.
 
As for powering a laptop, I said they were for desktops. A desktop is a computer with a separate tower, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. They're the opposite of laptops. They are also not compatible with laptop batteries, adaptors, or power bricks.

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hahaha I know the difference between desktops and laptops. Just wanted to confirm.
 
well that makes my decision much much easier =P thanks for the interesting info

Received good news from the mods; this unique Group Buy meets the niche requirements that it needs and is allowed to stay up. Very thankful for that.
Thanks to cel4145 for reminding me about that.
 
Also, updates to the GB list.
 
Group Buyers List: (as of Sept 27, 2014)
1. Ben-M - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com
2. " "
3. Camel - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com
4. " "
5. Shahed99 - Unconfirmed - 1 unit - ATX 210 - ComputerAudiophile.com
6. Lowlands - Confirmed - 1 unit - ATX 275 - ComputerAudiophile.com
7. Elberoth - Confirmed - 2 units - ATX 275 - ComputerAudiophile.com
8. " "
9. _JL_ - Confirmed - 1 unit - ATX 350 - ComputerAudiophile.com
10. fmak - Confirmed - 1 unit - ATX 210 - ComputerAudiophile.com
 
*pending the confirmation of 1 buyer, we now have enough to get the Special Group Buy sand-blasted colour option. 
*just 2 more units and we'll be in the best pricing bracket :-D  Don't forget that the more units we get in on the GB, though, the better shipping discount we'll get.

hi benny,
 
thanks for organising the group buy. a great idea.
before i think about ordering, i have a question:
are there any figures or data about the ripple of these psu?
 
thanks a lot, kind regards!

tiggerkater said:

hi benny,

thanks for organising the group buy. a great idea.
before i think about ordering, i have a question:
are there any figures or data about the ripple of these psu?

thanks a lot, kind regards!

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Hey Tiger. You're very welcome, I'm happy to try to get this unique product out in the wild and to as many "computer as a serious front end" type audiophiles as I can. I'm really pumped for the closing date and getting all of these in out hands :-D

And about the ripple specs, I've asked Teradak for them and they're analyzing the ATX L-PSUs at the moment. I'm not sure when they'll get back to me with everything, but I'll post the results when I get them

thanks benny,
 
looking forward to the ripple data.
 
the dimensions of the unit would be also of some interest.
 
thanks a lot for your help,
 
kind regards, horst

Before plunking down that sort of money for a pretty non-mainstream and relatively low power PSU I'd see if you can get them to send a sample unit to someone like
www.jonnyguru.com and see what he finds as an independent expert.  PSU manufacturers are well known for fudging results, and they vary considerably with load
and temperature.  I'd think the regulation on most devices like sound cards and motherboards would negate a lot of the greater ripple and voltage regulation, but it's
beyond my tech level.  I'd really like to see what JG finds on one though.

wolfwalker78 said:

  Before plunking down that sort of money for a pretty non-mainstream and relatively low power PSU I'd see if you can get them to send a sample unit to someone like
www.jonnyguru.com and see what he finds as an independent expert.
 
 

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It may be low power compared to a standard ATX you'd get for that price, but this isn't simply a non-mainstream PSU. You're paying a premium for a pretty specific thing, of which there are only 1 or 2 others on the market, and neither are REMOTELY near this price.
 
And though I would love to find out what the results were, I can guarantee you that it won't happen. Teradak isn't a huge company and they're very kindly working together with me to produce a modified, niche product for a group or already interested people. Maybe someone could send one off after they get one, but that'd be up to the individual
 
 

wolfwalker78 said:

I'd think the regulation on most devices like sound cards and motherboards would negate a lot of the greater ripple and voltage regulation, but it's
beyond my tech level. I'd really like to see what JG finds on one though.

Click to expand...

This is an often discussed topic when going the Linear Power route for a PC. Most people agree that the motherboard's own regulators will mess with the quality power that you're putting in, however, most people that have tried it and not simply speculated have returned with positive feedback. Expectation bias, maybe, maybe not. With the kind of modifications we've gotten to this and the discount per unit and on shipping, I'm definitely willing to give it a shot and find out :-D