bigshutterbug

I have owned the Brooklyn for almost a year now, and tried quite a few external linear power supplies with it. Starting with the HD Plex 200 ($395), then the Vinnie Rossi "Mini" Ultracap supply ($995). I found them both to be rather disappointing, compared to the built-in power supply with an upgraded power cord. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a post on AudioCircle on linear power supplies, in which someone mentioned an American made Astron RS12A. They sell new for a bit over $100. I purchased one, not expecting much improvement, and gave it a try. I'm sure glad that I did, for it was a major sonic upgrade in my system! It gave me a lot more energy, dynamics and detail, without the "soft" sound of the two mentioned above. It also did the same thing for my Tortuga LDR pre-amp, on which I was using an R-core transformer based supply that I purchased on E-Bay. The Astron is built like a tank, and can be used to power several 12 Volt DC powered components. I also tried a variable voltage version of the Astron on my MicroRendu (7 Volts), and it was quite good there too, but not quite as good as the Uptone Audio ultracap powered LPS-1 that I am now enjoying. I have had a few friends try the Astron RS12A on their LDR pre-amps, and they were equally impressed by it.

I would not suggest a car battery, or most other types of batteries. I have tried them in the past, and they tend to sound "dark" and overly warm, with a closed-in soundstage. If you like the idea of a power supply that will get your gear separated from dirty AC power, Vinnie Rossi is supposed to be coming out with an ultracap power supply that will work with the Brooklyn. I have ordered a smaller ultracap power supply from Uptone Audio to try on my Microrendu, which is streaming to my Brooklyn DAC. If I like what it does better than my current DC power supply, I will be getting the bigger one from Vinnie when it comes out.

Yes, I am also getting the same loud "popping" noise you mentioned with the Brooklyn, using my Microrendu, and I am using JRiver. It is pretty bad, and I have to turn the volume down every time before stopping, pausing or changing to a different file type from the DSD track. My Brooklyn also tends to ocassionally not lock in properly when switching from DSD tracks to other formats, setting itself at incorrect sampling rates on the new track, and causing a terrible, ultra-high pitched distortion/squeal. I have to shut the Brooklyn off and re-start it in order for it to re-set itself and select the correct sampling rate. I am also running the latest firmware, and have had this problem for quite a few months.

Yes, I also tried the Teradak Teralink (9V) on the Regen and a LDR pre-amp I had, and found it to be too edgy and forward sounding on both. I had previously read a few "reviews" of the HDPlex 100 that sounded positive, which tempted me to buy it. After giving the new HDPlex 100 a couple of weeks of burn-in, I was quite surprised that I did not like what it did in my system. I will soon be trying a Keces linear power supply that a friend of mine has and enjoys, to see what it brings to the table with the Brooklyn and Regen.

Hi John769...Yes, I tried the HDPlex 100 on all three components at the same time, as well as powering just one component at a time with it....Same results. It tended to make things sound a bit "softer" around the edges and transient attacks, with no gains in layering, air, soundstage or detail. Swapping AC cords on the HDPlex was quite noticeable, just as it is with other components. Even changing the stock AC cord going to the stock power supply of the Regen can change the tone of things from lively and bright to rich warm, and full bodied. The same goes for the Brooklyn.

Yes, I have found the Regen to be a positive addition between my PC and Brooklyn DAC. I am using the stock power supply for the Regen. I tried a HDPlex 100 linear power supply with the Regen, PC, and Brooklyn, but surprisingly did not find it to sound any better than the stock power supplies for all three. I plan on trying other linear power supplies for them soon.

Octavius: How long ago did you order your Brooklyn? It has been exactly one month since I placed my order, and am still waiting on mine.