[Jason Stoddard]

I'm noticing new product photography for the Vali 2. Looks nice.

http://www.schiit.com/products/vali-2

And Magni, Sys, and Mani, to reflect current metal. Sys and Mani are now aluminum.

 

[GumbyDammit223]

It is almost impossible to maintain the tight tolerances to 50/60hz frequency on the grids today, due to the intermittents that are part of the generation mix. Large, thermal power plants were able to keep the grid in very close sync, but generation is far more variable today, so the tolerances had to be relaxed or solar and wind would never work in a grid connected situation. At grid scale, you can only keep stable frequency with large, spinning generation.

Makes sense. Didn't know anything about the particulars, just what I've read but I can definitely understand the increase in variability. As another example, our customer service engineer in Germany was telling me a few weeks ago that the German grid which is typically 220V was down to something like 180-190V because of their heavy reliance on solar. That makes it real difficult for our customers to use our lasers when the 40 year-old power supply design is finicky about the input 3-phase voltage it receives. We have a new, much more robust design in the works but it's being blackballed by the Powers That Be. <*sigh*>

 

[Jason Stoddard]

And Magni, Sys, and Mani, to reflect current metal. Sys and Mani are now aluminum.

Oh yeah, and Magni 3 knob alignment issues are now well and truly dead. See new machined stepped front:

 

[hearditontheX]

2018, Chapter 9:
David Byrne, Progress Interrupted, and an Ode To DIY


So, this last weekend, my wife dragged me off to a David Byrne concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl...

You might be interested to know David Byrne wrote a great book called, How Music Works. He talks about his musical career, the music industry, philosophy, and a host of other topics. Its a fascinating read. I found a copy by chance at a used bookstore in Santa Clarita.

 

[FrivolsListener]

It is almost impossible to maintain the tight tolerances to 50/60hz frequency on the grids today, due to the intermittents that are part of the generation mix. Large, thermal power plants were able to keep the grid in very close sync, but generation is far more variable today, so the tolerances had to be relaxed or solar and wind would never work in a grid connected situation. At grid scale, you can only keep stable frequency with large, spinning generation.

Remember that all intermittent sources are synchronous. Furthermore, they have provisions to keep them from "islanding" in case the base load plants are offline. In the case of solar synchronous inverters, they run slightly fast if left to their own devices and quickly go offline. I don't know about how wind turbines do this, and I'm not sure hydro plants do that at all.

All that said, there's a lot of drift in short term regulation, on the order of 3 seconds over a 20 minute period. However, weeks later, it would still be within seconds because of application of a correction factor. Or, at least, that's how it used to work.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronization_(alternating_current)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_frequency#Time_error_correction_(TEC)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_clock#Accuracy

 

[Rensek]

Oh yeah, and Magni 3 knob alignment issues are now well and truly dead. See new machined stepped front:

Very nice, you guys ever consider a trade in program?

 

[dmckean44]

Oh yeah, and Magni 3 knob alignment issues are now well and truly dead. See new machined stepped front:

I'm continually impressed how you manage to do all these running improvements and never raise prices.

 

[the finisher]

Happy Wednesday

Oh yeah, and Magni 3 knob alignment issues are now well and truly dead. See new machined stepped front:

I almost have to get one of these just because of how amazing they are, the reviews are stunning.
Looks great.

Still going thru the DIY part of your post, Thank you.

 

[Oveja Negra]

Great news about the new metal. AlumiNIUm looks 100000% better. Hats off for not raising the prices

 

[Paladin79]

Happy Wednesday

Enjoy your bourbon! I cannot recall anything aged in port wine barrels that I did not like, great choice.

For the first time ever, I got my rental occupancy approvals without having to pay for easements and re-inspections. I have reason to celebrate as well.

 

[riffrafff]

Angel's Envy...nice!

 

[the finisher]

Angel's Envy...nice!

Never had before, it was on sale, and wonderful

 

[soundman414]

Oh yeah, and Magni 3 knob alignment issues are now well and truly dead. See new machined stepped front:

Speaking of knobs, is there a plan to make the knobs any easier to identify the position that they are in? The current knobs are a bit difficult with just the small dimple or cut on the surface.

 

[the finisher]

I've kind of adjusted to being unable to see the position, it's dark most of the time on my desk, so I would not see a better one anyway.
I just turn it down automatically, then up to where I want it. If I leave, auto down and so forth. I always just start from zero.

 

[riffrafff]

I've kind of adjusted to being unable to see the position, it's dark most of the time on my desk, so I would not see a better one anyway.
I just turn it down automatically, then up to where I want it. If I leave, auto down and so forth. I always just start from zero.

Yep, same here. I do kinda wish I could see the knobs on the Loki Mini, though. I always have to rock them back and forth to get them to neutral when changing headphones.

(Hell, even my '95 Mustang GT has illuminated position markers on the dash knobs. LOL)