Need high-end power supply that is QUIET!

[earwicker7]

I'm using a PS Audio P500 power supply. The difference that it makes is huge. However, I need to replace it.

Why, you might ask? Well, everything was fine when I was using my HD650. Sure, when there was no music going on, I could hear the fan coming on now and then, but being HD650, I have to turn them up very loud to hit "the sweet spot" so it wasn't really an issue.

However, I recently got the Grado GS1000. It's the opposite of the Sennheiser--to make it sound good, you have to keep the volume fairly low. Now I can hear the fan through quiet passages in the music. It's very low, as the fan is relatively quiet, but it's enough to bother me.

So I need to get a new power supply. I want something that is the same level of quality, but free of ANY noise. In other words, no fans.

Any opinions on a quality replacement?

BTW, I will eventually be selling the P500 if anyone is interested. It's got the Level 3 mod from Rick Cullen, so it's awesome for anyone who's listening to speakers or loud headphones.

 

[Scrith]

I had a similar problem with a P500 (although it was transformer buzz rather than fan noise, which I could only hear because the P500 was very close to my listening position). I recommend a Power Plant Premier (if you strongly feel you need power conditioning) or their Duet or Quintet passive power filters. I own all three and am very happy with them. By the way, I've found that the newer PS Audio products (Premier, Duet, Quintet) are much better than the previous generation (P500, P300, Ultimate Outlet, and UPC-200...all of which I've owned in the past).

By the way, I'm sure you'll get some follow-up posts that suggest trying brand X of power filter or regenerator. I certainly haven't tried everything that is out there, but I've never found another brand that works as well as PS Audio in my personal experience (and I've tried Balanced Audio, Shunyata, and APC...all in direct comparison to the PS Audio products I had at the time). Also, be aware that many comparisons with PS Audio products were made against their previous generation, which, as I said I've found from personal experience, are not nearly as good as their current generation of products.

 

[ingwe]

Did you talk Rick Cullen or to the good folks at ps audio?

You might try replacing the fan with a super quiet pc fan (one that uses good bearings).

Or simply disconnet the fan. Keep your 500 well-ventilated. This is not unheard of.

My fan has never been a bother, dropping in a replacement may be just the ticket.

 

[MusicallySilent]

Antec Phantom 500watt (Make sure your case can fit it!)...

There is a switch on the back so you select the heat level the fan kicks in at so it runs passively until it hits that level.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/section10.html

 

[infinitesymphony]

Scrith, what sorts of improvements have you heard after using a regenerator like the PS Audio equipment, as opposed to a passive box like the Shunyata?

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicallySilent /img/forum/go_quote.gif Antec Phantom 500watt (Make sure your case can fit it!)...

I think he's looking for a power conditioner/regenerator/filter for his audio system. I had the same thought you did when I clicked on the thread.

 

[Audio Addict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingwe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you talk Rick Cullen or to the good folks at ps audio?

I would agree with the recommendation. Rick is doing modification to the older PS Audio products and I would think he has dealt with your issue.

I have the P3 but before upgrading to it, Rick's mods maybe more cost effective as used P500 are selling fairly cheap so depending on the mod price, it could be the most cost effective option.

 

[Patrick82]

With my P300 I disconnected the fan and it got very hot even with only a DAC connected, but then I turned the P300 upside down and it got only warm. I kept it running for 24/7 with DAC and amp plugged in. There was no problems for a year except a little quiet buzzing, but a Premier Power Plant also has buzzing.

Are you using Multiwaves with your P500? I noticed a different temperature with different Multiwave settings.

 

[MusicallySilent]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Scrith, what sorts of improvements have you heard after using a regenerator like the PS Audio equipment, as opposed to a passive box like the Shunyata? I think he's looking for a power conditioner/regenerator/filter for his audio system. I had the same thought you did when I clicked on the thread.

DOH!

Either way if you have a pc that is the route to go...

I also saw the p500 so I made the assumption 500watts so he needs that much

 

[ingwe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick82 /img/forum/go_quote.gif With my P300 I disconnected the fan and it got very hot even with only a DAC connected, but then I turned the P300 upside down and it got only warm. I kept it running for 24/7 with DAC and amp plugged in. There was no problems for a year except a little quiet buzzing, but a Premier Power Plant also has buzzing. Are you using Multiwaves with your P500? I noticed a different temperature with different Multiwave settings.

+1

If I set ac frequency high enough, my power amp starts humming along.

To OP: I don't know if you've examined the insides, but my 500 has a cheap PC fan (forgot which size). You should be able to replace it. Also, you can catch Paul McGowan's ear at the Audio Asylum's PS power forum. (Do a forum search there too.)

Short story: I purchased one of the first P500 production units available. Brought it home on a Saturday plugged it in--no joy.

Posted a cry for help to the AA PS power forum that evening. Paul himself immediately emailed me his personal phone number and asked me to call him.

On the phone he instructed me to to take off the cover and to check certain connections. During the call he also conferenced in the production manager/engineer responsible for the project. I managed to get it to work by re-seating a connector.

Keep in mind this happened on a Saturday evening about 8:00 PM Mountain time.

Now, Paul's a great salesman (his copy is a model on how its done), but they do make their share of mistakes. What sets them apart from the bozos is they immediately own up to it and endevour to make things better.

All IMNSHO of course.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingwe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did you talk Rick Cullen or to the good folks at ps audio? You might try replacing the fan with a super quiet pc fan (one that uses good bearings). Or simply disconnet the fan. Keep your 500 well-ventilated. This is not unheard of. My fan has never been a bother, dropping in a replacement may be just the ticket.

No, I haven't talked to them, but I should.

I'm definitely not disconnecting it. It overheated badly when I first got it because the fan wasn't working right.

EDIT--I have talked to them in the sense that Cullen has modded it to Level 3; I haven't talked to them to see if this is still normal.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audio Addict /img/forum/go_quote.gif I would agree with the recommendation. Rick is doing modification to the older PS Audio products and I would think he has dealt with your issue. I have the P3 but before upgrading to it, Rick's mods maybe more cost effective as used P500 are selling fairly cheap so depending on the mod price, it could be the most cost effective option.

Y'alls not peekin' at dat original posty-thing

I've got the level 3 mod; I'll talk to him to see if this is normal, but it's all modded out, so I can't go any further in that direction.

 

[earwicker7]

Ordered Nordost Thor.

 

[Scrith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony /img/forum/go_quote.gif Scrith, what sorts of improvements have you heard after using a regenerator like the PS Audio equipment, as opposed to a passive box like the Shunyata?

The passive power products I've tried (including Shunyata and Balanced Power) made no difference in sound quality vs. plugging my amp and DAC directly into the wall. The older PS Audio stuff seemed to quiet things down a bit, but caused reduced bass response from my speakers when used with my amp. The newer PS Audio products (Premier, Duet, Quintet) are the only power-related products I've used that have given me that low-noise floor quality in my amp without sacrificing any bass response from my speakers.

 

[LawnGnome]

Replace the fan with a nice silent one. There are several fans in sizes from 40mm to 120mm that have noise levels of under 15dba at one meter.

I'm sure that would be inaudible. You could even wire the fan to a Pot so you have control over the fan speed.

 

[earwicker7]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LawnGnome /img/forum/go_quote.gif Replace the fan with a nice silent one. There are several fans in sizes from 40mm to 120mm that have noise levels of under 15dba at one meter. I'm sure that would be inaudible. You could even wire the fan to a Pot so you have control over the fan speed.

Eh, I've never been able to find a fan that stayed silent. Granted, if you put lots of time and effort into keeping it clean, it would work pretty well, but my apartment is REALLY dusty, so that's a lot of work.

I'll A/B the two once the Nordost gets here, but unless there is a significant decrease in sound (and a lot of people would probably says the sound will get better) I'll be selling the P500.