dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
Does the power supply need to be switch mode or linear? And if the amp rating is higher than 1amp will that affect it?
Meier Audio Quickstep (also Stepdance and 2Stepdance) Discussion and Impressions Thread
- Thread starter cooperpwc
- Start date
Does the power supply need to be switch mode or linear? And if the amp rating is higher than 1amp will that affect it?
dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
Would this work for home use:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/POWERPAX-PSK315-15-AC-ADAPTOR-15V-1A-REGULATED-/181006032772?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2a24ccdf84&_uhb=1#ht_3085wt_982
And would this work for my car usage:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Computer-Car-Regulated-Power-Supply-Adaptor-15V-to-24V-Max-/300863069596?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item460cd61d9c&_uhb=1#ht_765wt_689
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/POWERPAX-PSK315-15-AC-ADAPTOR-15V-1A-REGULATED-/181006032772?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2a24ccdf84&_uhb=1#ht_3085wt_982
And would this work for my car usage:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Computer-Car-Regulated-Power-Supply-Adaptor-15V-to-24V-Max-/300863069596?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item460cd61d9c&_uhb=1#ht_765wt_689
Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
Quote:
Linear is preferred, but also harder to find. Higher output shouldn't affect.
Quote:
Yes and yes. You should check the output with a multimeter to be sure they are actually 15V. Sometime eBay stuff might not be as good as they have claimed.
Linear is preferred, but also harder to find. Higher output shouldn't affect.
Quote:
Yes and yes. You should check the output with a multimeter to be sure they are actually 15V. Sometime eBay stuff might not be as good as they have claimed.
dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
Thanks for the advice.
Lastly, woukd this work as a portable source of power:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SOLAR-External-Portable-Battery-Charger-11200mAh-Power-Bank-for-laptop-mobile-/110963049515?pt=AU_Electronics_Batteries_Chargers&hash=item19d5e9c42b&_uhb=1#ht_7160wt_1112
Quote:
It looks like it might work but there is no way to say for sure and you have to take the risk.
It looks like it might work but there is no way to say for sure and you have to take the risk.
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2007
- Posts
- 5,494
- Likes
- 1,085
That's a really interesting product.
First, I have to say that owners are no doubt surprised by how many hours it will have to sit in full sunlight - aimed at the sun - in order to restore a full charge. There's just not enough solar panel there to be practical, in my opinion. I'd guess the ratio of solar charging time to playback time is easily better than 10 to 1 with the Stepdance.
With the hope of solar charging aside, I noticed that the selectable output voltages are all multiples of 4.2V. This is promising because it suggests they are not using a (potentially noisy) switch-mode power supply within, to generate the different output voltages. I suspect all they're doing when you select an output voltage is bringing five LiPo cells into various combinations of serial and/or parallel wiring.
LiPo cells have a fully charged voltage of 4.2V per cell, so when you select 4.2V output on this unit, they arrange all five cells in parallel to get lots of amp-hours at 4.2V. For 8.4V, they arrange each of two pairs of cells in series, then combine the two pairs in parallel, leaving the fifth cell offline. For 12.6V, they would have to keep two cells offline, while the other three are in series. Lastly, for 19.0V, they're either lying, or they have some kind of internal voltage regulator that brings the 21V you would get with five cells in series, down to 19.0V - a voltage that's required by a lot of laptops. But most laptops can handle a little higher voltage than 19.0, so it wouldn't surprise me to discover that when fully charged, this battery pack puts out 21V when 19V is selected. That's the case with my Energizer XP8000 (which also has 5 LiPo cells).
I still suspect that this solar battery pack would be noise-free with the Stepdance, using the 12.6V setting - and that it could easily supply the Stepdance (or QuickStep) with the less than 1 amp of current it requires. Unfortunately, I think it will wear out fairly quickly, because you would always be using only three of its five cells for 12.6V (if my hunch is correct).
By using the Energizer XP8000 with a 15V inline voltage regulator (Willy Cable WI15), you have some loss of efficiency, but you're always using the 21V port on the XP8000 - using all five LiPo cells instead of just three of them, then stepping it down to 15V with the WI15 regulator. This translates to longer play times and more charge cycles before having to replace the whole pack.
Mike
First, I have to say that owners are no doubt surprised by how many hours it will have to sit in full sunlight - aimed at the sun - in order to restore a full charge. There's just not enough solar panel there to be practical, in my opinion. I'd guess the ratio of solar charging time to playback time is easily better than 10 to 1 with the Stepdance.
With the hope of solar charging aside, I noticed that the selectable output voltages are all multiples of 4.2V. This is promising because it suggests they are not using a (potentially noisy) switch-mode power supply within, to generate the different output voltages. I suspect all they're doing when you select an output voltage is bringing five LiPo cells into various combinations of serial and/or parallel wiring.
LiPo cells have a fully charged voltage of 4.2V per cell, so when you select 4.2V output on this unit, they arrange all five cells in parallel to get lots of amp-hours at 4.2V. For 8.4V, they arrange each of two pairs of cells in series, then combine the two pairs in parallel, leaving the fifth cell offline. For 12.6V, they would have to keep two cells offline, while the other three are in series. Lastly, for 19.0V, they're either lying, or they have some kind of internal voltage regulator that brings the 21V you would get with five cells in series, down to 19.0V - a voltage that's required by a lot of laptops. But most laptops can handle a little higher voltage than 19.0, so it wouldn't surprise me to discover that when fully charged, this battery pack puts out 21V when 19V is selected. That's the case with my Energizer XP8000 (which also has 5 LiPo cells).
I still suspect that this solar battery pack would be noise-free with the Stepdance, using the 12.6V setting - and that it could easily supply the Stepdance (or QuickStep) with the less than 1 amp of current it requires. Unfortunately, I think it will wear out fairly quickly, because you would always be using only three of its five cells for 12.6V (if my hunch is correct).
By using the Energizer XP8000 with a 15V inline voltage regulator (Willy Cable WI15), you have some loss of efficiency, but you're always using the 21V port on the XP8000 - using all five LiPo cells instead of just three of them, then stepping it down to 15V with the WI15 regulator. This translates to longer play times and more charge cycles before having to replace the whole pack.
Mike
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2007
- Posts
- 5,494
- Likes
- 1,085
Coincidentally, I've just received another PM requesting information on how to obtain the WI15 inline voltage regulator cable for use with the Stepdance (or QuickStep) and the Energizer XP8000 LiPo battery pack - for a regulated 15VDC, on the go.
So... I have updated my original post on this subject (with new links and alternatives for the adapter that plugs into the power jack of the Stepdance):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/507835/meier-audio-quickstep-also-stepdance-and-2stepdance-discussion-and-impressions-thread/1155#post_7344337
Mike
So... I have updated my original post on this subject (with new links and alternatives for the adapter that plugs into the power jack of the Stepdance):
http://www.head-fi.org/t/507835/meier-audio-quickstep-also-stepdance-and-2stepdance-discussion-and-impressions-thread/1155#post_7344337
Mike
rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
Cool! Thanks for sharing.
dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
I got my Quickstep today. Damn this amp is amazing - it's so detailed and transparent. I'm hearing subtle things I haven't heard before.
rasmushorn
Headphoneus Supremus
X2 and it is powerful too and it drives almost anything you connect to it. I can never recommend it enough. Glad to hear you like it.
When you find a good power supply please share what you found.
dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
I have my eye on this for home use:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181006032772?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619#ht_3085wt_982
I also bought a regulated 15v car power supply as I do a lot of listening while driving to work.
pietcux
Headphoneus Supremus
Why bother with a power supply, when youcan use the XP 8000 that has a very good DC output and can last you very long on one charge. For me it is the only permanent solution. Even without the willy cable
dryvadeum
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Posts
- 1,151
- Likes
- 34
Why bother with a power supply, when youcan use the XP 8000 that has a very good DC output and can last you very long on one charge. For me it is the only permanent solution. Even without the willy cable
They're discontinued now and replaced by the xp18000 aren't they? The xp18000 is over $100 - why would I want to pay that when I already paid $390 for the Quickstep itself?
Avi
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2005
- Posts
- 330
- Likes
- 25
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2007
- Posts
- 5,494
- Likes
- 1,085
Quote:
The XP8000 has been replaced by the XP8000A. I've not thoroughly researched the XP8000A, but at first glance, it seems to be identical in terms of features and performance.
The XP18000 is a much larger battery pack that has been replaced by the XP18000A.
XP8000A: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/xp8000a/
XP18000A: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/xp18000a/index.html
As to your question - I would say you should not consider spending the money for a higher voltage external power supply unless you have relatively inefficient headphones that can enjoy an increase in power output from the amp.
Mike
The XP8000 has been replaced by the XP8000A. I've not thoroughly researched the XP8000A, but at first glance, it seems to be identical in terms of features and performance.
The XP18000 is a much larger battery pack that has been replaced by the XP18000A.
XP8000A: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/xp8000a/
XP18000A: http://www.energizerpowerpacks.com/us/products/xp18000a/index.html
As to your question - I would say you should not consider spending the money for a higher voltage external power supply unless you have relatively inefficient headphones that can enjoy an increase in power output from the amp.
Mike
Users who are viewing this thread
