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Is there a source anymore for 9.6v rechargeable batteries?

Jul 25, 2005 at 2:07 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 20
tennisets

tennisets

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I think I'm getting an RA1, and it would be nice to be able to run on batteries, but I'll only get the battery version if I can still get 9.6v rechargeables somewhere. I just don't want to be replacing batteries all the time, and the 9.6v should provide a little extra current as well.

So, are 9.6v rechargeables available anymore, and are they available at retail stores like CVS? If not, where are they available?
 
Jul 25, 2005 at 3:42 PM Post #3 of 20
Thomas Distributing carries a true 9.6 v Maha at 170 mah, and an iPower 9.6 v battery at 220 mah (charge should last longer).
 
Jul 25, 2005 at 3:57 PM Post #4 of 20
Hirsch, can you use any 9v charger to charge them? Also, I remember you said the RA1 sounds better off 9.6v batteries, but in what way? Have you heard the AC RA1, and is it as good as the battery version running off 9.6v batteries? Thanks
 
Jul 26, 2005 at 3:20 AM Post #5 of 20
i never tried maha, but plainview on a ra1 clone. i highly recommend 9.6v. dont ever use 8.4v. the different with the 9.6v is amazing. the 8.4v has sharp sibilance trebles. 9.6v was smoother and deeper bass. i cant beleive such little different in number can really effect the sound that much.

you need to buy one of teh maha special charger that support 9.6v to fully charge it. normal charger can charge it too but not fully.

i think a brand plainview battery suppose to have a charge of 11v. crazy.
 
Jul 27, 2005 at 7:22 PM Post #8 of 20
No problem to use 9.6 volts in the XP-7. The batteries mentioned by Hirsch are fine. You do need the proper charger, though. Thomas Distributing is the best place I've found to buy batteries.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 1:25 AM Post #9 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen
No problem to use 9.6 volts in the XP-7. The batteries mentioned by Hirsch are fine. You do need the proper charger, though. Thomas Distributing is the best place I've found to buy batteries.



Thanks, Erikzen. Currently, I am using OPA627AP op amps in my XP-7, and I've read on Headfi and elsewhere that they are power hungry. In addition, my Sennheiser HD580's are not the easiest load to drive. I am happy with this system's sound but I'm somewhat disappointed with the battery life I'm getting from generic 9V rechargeables. Do you think the Maha or IPowerUS 9.6V rechargeables are up to the power challenges my system presents?
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 1:45 AM Post #10 of 20
I would definitely get the Maha charger so, as it has been stated, your 9.6v batteries will be charged fully. They also now have a 4-cell charger which is far more convinient than the 10-cell version. When I bought mine, they only had the 10-cell charger so that's what I bought. I've never charged more than 4 batteries on it at the same time.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 3:23 AM Post #11 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudshark
Do you think the Maha or IPowerUS 9.6V rechargeables are up to the power challenges my system presents?


You're probably always going to have problems with battery life being shorter than usual, I would imagine. However, with the Mahas or IPowers as long as the batteries last your system is going to sound as good as it can.

There were threads floating around that said, NiMH batteries were better for amps because they provide the same power as they run down, whereas with alkaline batteries the sound starts to deteriorate as the battery discharges. However, there were other threads, and I believe Ray Samuels said this himself, that claimed this is not a problem in the XP-7 and it sounds just as good with alkalines throughout their lifecycle as with rechargables.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 3:26 PM Post #13 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen
You're probably always going to have problems with battery life being shorter than usual, I would imagine. However, with the Mahas or IPowers as long as the batteries last your system is going to sound as good as it can.

There were threads floating around that said, NiMH batteries were better for amps because they provide the same power as they run down, whereas with alkaline batteries the sound starts to deteriorate as the battery discharges. However, there were other threads, and I believe Ray Samuels said this himself, that claimed this is not a problem in the XP-7 and it sounds just as good with alkalines throughout their lifecycle as with rechargables.



Thanks for the interesting and helpful insights. Speaking of old threads, I saw several threads discussing the virtues of Plainview 9.6V rechargeables. Is it true that they are no longer available?
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 7:39 PM Post #14 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudshark
Thanks for the interesting and helpful insights. Speaking of old threads, I saw several threads discussing the virtues of Plainview 9.6V rechargeables. Is it true that they are no longer available?


Yes, I believe that is true. That's why I purchased some Maha Powerex batteries.
 
Jul 28, 2005 at 9:48 PM Post #15 of 20
Quote:

Originally Posted by erikzen
Yes, I believe that is true. That's why I purchased some Maha Powerex batteries.



Thanks. Any reason(s) you chose the Maha Powerex batteries instead of the IPowerUS? Also, are you happy with the Mahas? I'm thinking of ordering the IPowerUS charger from Newegg.com and either the Maha or IPowerUS batteries from Thomas Distributing.
 
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