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Meier Audio Quickstep (also Stepdance and 2Stepdance) Discussion and Impressions Thread
May 2, 2011 at 2:20 PM Post #1,411 of 3,070
May 2, 2011 at 3:00 PM Post #1,412 of 3,070


Quote:
cooperpwc said:
Not at all. Many of the early Stepdance's had a faulty LT1054 chip that caused squealing. This is well documented in this thread; Jan offered to swap out the faulty chip. Some of us early adopters did indeed send ours back to be fixed.
 
If you had an amp from a later batch, you have the properly functioning LT1054. Your Stepdance will sound excactly the same as tnmike's.
 
 
Click to expand...


I appreciate the correction - I didn't know that.   (And now I know my Stepdance is "up to snuff.")
 
Mike
 
 
May 2, 2011 at 9:40 PM Post #1,414 of 3,070


Quote:
eugeneyou said:
what this power supply?
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15-Volt-DC-Power-Supply-15v-Regulated-PSU-Max-1A-/260397951794?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item3ca0ed6b32#ht_1927wt_1141
Click to expand...


This should work.
 
 
May 2, 2011 at 10:05 PM Post #1,415 of 3,070
eugeneyou said:
what this power supply?
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15-Volt-DC-Power-Supply-15v-Regulated-PSU-Max-1A-/260397951794?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item3ca0ed6b32#ht_1927wt_1141
Click to expand...


Well... It's regulated and the description says it includes a 3.4mm x 1.3mm tip, which should work fine with the Stepdance jack as long as the end of the tip is positive and the barrel is negative.

My only concern is that it might be a switching power supply rather than a linear power supply. A switching supply might introduce a hum. I know the Stepdance manual only mandates that it be a regulated 6- to 15-Volt supply, but Jan Meier has spevified via e-mail that I get a "quality linear regulated supply."

Even so, I believe one might be able to find a silent swiching supply that's regulated.

I recommend you order this and just listen to determine if it's quiet. If you have a voltmeter, it would be a good idea to measure its output to ensure that it does not exceed 15-Volts.

Mike
 
May 2, 2011 at 10:58 PM Post #1,416 of 3,070
...or use this one from RS. I know it is pretty quiet because I have one.
 
May 3, 2011 at 4:56 AM Post #1,418 of 3,070


Quote:
zilch0md said:
Quote:
eugeneyou said:
what this power supply?
 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15-Volt-DC-Power-Supply-15v-Regulated-PSU-Max-1A-/260397951794?pt=UK_Computing_PowerSupplies_EH&hash=item3ca0ed6b32#ht_1927wt_1141
Click to expand...




Well... It's regulated and the description says it includes a 3.4mm x 1.3mm tip, which should work fine with the Stepdance jack as long as the end of the tip is positive and the barrel is negative.

My only concern is that it might be a switching power supply rather than a linear power supply. A switching supply might introduce a hum. I know the Stepdance manual only mandates that it be a regulated 6- to 15-Volt supply, but Jan Meier has spevified via e-mail that I get a "quality linear regulated supply."

Even so, I believe one might be able to find a silent swiching supply that's regulated.

I recommend you order this and just listen to determine if it's quiet. If you have a voltmeter, it would be a good idea to measure its output to ensure that it does not exceed 15-Volts.

Mike
Click to expand...


how to listen to it?
 
 
 
 
 
 
I believe this is the one, but the output current is just 250mA, Stepdance should have at least 500mA and above right in order to produce excellent quality sound? im sorry im not expert for this field. 
 
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=2243849
 
 
 
Dimensions   100x51x63mm
[size=1em][/size] Input Voltage   230V ac
[size=1em][/size] Medical Approval   Yes
[size=1em][/size] Number of Outputs   1
[size=1em][/size] Output Current   500 → 250mA
[size=1em][/size] Output Voltage   5 - 15V dc
[size=1em][/size] Package   Plug Top
[size=1em][/size] Power Rating   7.5W
[size=1em][/size] Ripple And Noise   30mV
[size=1em][/size] Type   Linear
[size=1em][/size] Weight   450g
 
 
zilch0md mentioned
 
 
Several Stepdance owners have reported significant, audible improvements in SQ by going to 15-Volts, including improved bass extension, control, and dynamics -- all the goodness that's typically enjoyed with amps when you've increased the headroom by more than doubling the Watts (but, in this case, with a simultaneous reduction in THD, IMD and noise!)
 
 
May 3, 2011 at 10:41 AM Post #1,419 of 3,070


Quote:
eugeneyou said:
how to listen to it?
 
I believe this is the one, but the output current is just 250mA, Stepdance should have at least 500mA and above right in order to produce excellent quality sound? im sorry im not expert for this field. 
 
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=2243849
 
Dimensions   100x51x63mm
[size=1em][/size] Input Voltage   230V ac
[size=1em][/size] Medical Approval   Yes
[size=1em][/size] Number of Outputs   1
[size=1em][/size] Output Current   500 → 250mA
[size=1em][/size] Output Voltage   5 - 15V dc
[size=1em][/size] Package   Plug Top
[size=1em][/size] Power Rating   7.5W
[size=1em][/size] Ripple And Noise   30mV
[size=1em][/size] Type   Linear
[size=1em][/size] Weight   450g
 
[snip]
 
Click to expand...

 
When I suggested listening for a hum if you purchase a switching power supply, I just meant that you could listen with your headphones while using the Stepdance.
 
That's a great find!   
 
Here's a link to the Stepdance manual:  http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/stepdancemanual.pdf
 
Quoting the manual:   "The amp can also be powered from a external regulated powersupply with a current capacity of at least 100 mA and a DC voltage between 6 and 15 Volts. The supply is to be connected directly to the power supply jack at the backside of the amp."
 
So a power supply rated at 250- to 500-mA should work just fine - and it's regulated - and it's linear - and it's 15-Volt!
 
It's perfect, if you can attach it to the Stepdance and it actually measures no more than 15V with a voltmeter.  
 
Proceed at your own risk, but I've used my Stepdance at 15.15 Volts with no evidence of harm, but proceed at your own risk. Did I say that already?
 
Regarding the value of using a power supply with a higher current rating, Jan Meier made it very clear to me in an e-mail exchange that under no circumstance will the Stepdance draw more than about 45 mA per channel - or 90 mA total.  So, he has already put in a nice margin when specifying at least 100 mA.
 
A power supply cannot push current onto a load (the thing that's consuming power).  The power supply can only deliver what the load demands.  One exception would be if you attached a power supply that has such a high current rating that an arc of electricity jumps a gap within the circuit, causing a short.  A short can pull a lot of current.
 
All that said, I admit that I have no experience listening to the Stepdance when powered by a 15-Volt 250-mA (or 500-mA) supply.  I've never run at 15-Volts with anything less than a 3000 mA (3-Amp) supply.   I have two different battery pack solutions for 15-Volts - the XP8000, which is rated at 3 Amps (with the WI15 voltage regulating cable), and some RC (remote-control hobby) LiPo batteries that can deliver up to 20,000 mA (20 Amps)!  I can tell you that I don't hear any difference between 3A at 15V and 20A at 15-Volts, but I have no 15-Volt experience at less than 3A.  Still, I trust Jan Meier's advice, and he made it very clear to me that an increase in Voltage (up to 15V will greatly improve sound quality).   Other than specifying that the power supply be rated at 100 mA or more, he never so much as hinted that a higher current rating would improve sound quality.  And why would he, if he knows the Stepdance is incapable of pulling more than 90 mA?
 
I just discovered something:  The data sheet for this unit shows that it outputs 500 mA at 15-Volts (not 250 mA) - see the chart at this link:  
http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/007b/0900766b8007bd2e.pdf
 
That same data sheet also indicates that it has "exchangeable plugs" - no soldering required!  (You'll need a 3.5mm O.D. / 1.3 mm I.D tip, that's positive at the end.)
 
Again, this is a great find - I haven't seen any "wall wart" power supplies that come this close to being ideal for the Stepdance.  (I've never found the 120-Volt, 60-Hz equivalent for use here in the U.S.) 
 
Mike
 
 
 
May 4, 2011 at 8:21 AM Post #1,421 of 3,070
I think you're still in luck. On that page, #3635 looks as if it would work. Its outside diameter is only 300 microns greater than spec (3.8mm vs. 3.5mm) and the inside diameter is spot on (1.3mm).

If you examine the Stepdance power jack, you can see that a spring clip engages the outside of the plug barrel. You'll just have to try it to know for sure, but unlike the inside pin diameter, which must be a perfect fit, I think the spring clip will allow a bit of variance for the barrel diameter. It's easy for me to spend your money, but if it doesn't work, you can return it, or even take it to an electronics shop and pay for five minute's labor to solder on the correct tip.

Another aporoach would be to order only the plug to see if it fits, before ordering the adapter, but you could end up paying for more shipping costs...

Mike
 
May 4, 2011 at 4:29 PM Post #1,423 of 3,070


Quote:
cooperpwc said:
Mike, I can't find the 3635 tips RS Stock number. Can you please provide that?  (For example, the power supply is RS Stock No. 224-3849.)
 
Thanks!
Click to expand...

 
I was just going by the PDF file link that euegeneyou had provided, above:  http://docs-europe.electrocomponents.com/webdocs/0f26/0900766b80f26b6d.pdf
 
On that page, their 3635 tip can be seen at right-center.  It has another number associated with it:  Art. no. 131121
 
------
 
If by "RS" you are referring to "Radio Shack" - the solderable connector they sell that works with the Stepdance jack is described as:
 
 

Size H Coaxial DC Power Plug (2-Pack)

Catalog #: 274-1571

 
As seen here:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102487
 
 
Don't forget to slide the plastic shroud onto the cable before you start soldering.  (I did!)   
 
rolleyes.gif

 
Mike
 
May 4, 2011 at 5:11 PM Post #1,424 of 3,070
Cooper,
 
I can't find the RS catalog number you provided in your post, above - for the power adapter:  224-3849
 
Can you post a link?
 
Meanwhile, I just stumbled onto this (for the U.S. market): 
 
 
 

Enercell™ 15V / 1000mA AC Adapter

Catalog #: 273-332

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3875409

 
"Regulated, filtered output reduces hum and noise"
"Short-circuit protection keeps your device safe"
 
User's Guide:  http://www.radioshack.com/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/2730332_PM_EN.pdf
 
-----
 
And here's the tip we would need to connect to the Stepdance jack:
 
 

Enercell™ Adaptaplug™ H

Catalog #: 273-340

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3870006

"Adaptaplug H conversion size:   O.D.: 3.4mm   I.D.: 1.3mm"
 
-----
 
I can't believe I haven't found this before now.   Too bad I don't need one.  I'm all set with the XP8000, but I'd like to know how it "sounds."  
 
Anybody want to take the plunge and post your impressions?  
 
smile.gif

 
Mike
 
 
May 4, 2011 at 11:59 PM Post #1,425 of 3,070
Hi Mike,
 
The link was the original RS-online one for buying the powere adptor:
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=2243849
You can then see the RS item number for the power adaptor:
RS Stock No. 224-3849   Manufacturer Mascot   Manufacturers Part No. 8713000153
 
This power adaptor intrigues me because it is 220 volts and they also sell in Hong Kong. However, I cannot find that 3635 tip on the RS-online site. I thought that maybe you werer seeing something that I wasn't.  :)
 
Thanks,
Paul
 
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