UpTone Audio REGEN Power Supply Add-On

[jtwrace]

The projected/potential product is not a new kind of Regen but an add-on to the Regen's power supply (either the power supply that ships with the Regen or another you provide yourself). There is no Regen other than what you refer to as the "Basic" one.

 

OR to make it easier, nothing else than what's on the UpTone website that you can purchase today and receive when your order is filled.

[Elberoth]

Nope. Not in the least. 180-degree different direction. Not a filter; Not a battery; Not a like anything currently available.

Please don't guess. Just wait and be surprised.

Thanks.

 

Maybe sth like the 'never connected' PSU idea ?

 

Power Amplifier and Isolating Audio Power Supply from Never Connected

[4est]

It is unclear to me what this idea is exactly.

Maybe sth like the 'never connected' PSU idea ?

 

Power Amplifier and Isolating Audio Power Supply from Never Connected

[sandyk]

It is unclear to me what this idea is exactly.

 

Big on Hype, and low on detail !

[satfrat]

Big on Hype, and low on detail !

 

And it's 8 year old hype to boot!

[Ben-M]

What I'm interested in getting would be one of those "flexible PCB USB cables" that Alex mentioned a month or so back. When people were talking about the difficulty they were having in fitting the included solid adapter, Alex said that what might work best would be a 90ohm, impedance controlled flexible PCB type "adapter/cable". Something like that would be right up my alley, but I haven't seen any more talk of it.

 

What do you guys think of that?

[cmarin]

You are right SandyK. And while SMPS dump high frequency noise back into the mains, most all conventional linear supplies (transformer/diodes/caps/regulator) put a lot of low frequency spikes back into the AC and flatten the sine wave a bit too. (Our big choke-filtered JS-2 does not do so--at least not the spike part for sure, I forgot what John told me about top of sine draw with it.)

 

So yes, the mystery PS product in development--whose primary purpose is to provide very clean and isolated DC to the REGEN (with a switch for 5V out too)--will not, if itself powered by an SMPS (7.5-12V/2A min.), address the issue of what that SMPS dumps back into the house line.

 

So for those people who have a system sensitive to all SMPS, there will be THIRD product, a rather radical little linear, just for feeding the new PS--that draws current through the whole cycle and does not affect the mains at all. Inspiration on some kooky-clever, never before done way of doing this came to John during a 3-hour phone session we had Friday night.

 

Sorry to be vague, but once again, another never before done (for any PS, audio or otherwise AFAIK) concept came from his amazing brain and is the sort of valuable IP that we don't want to talk about until we put it in a product for all to see/hear. Spelling out the concept means spelling out the circuits--not a wise business practice.

[Though we did have a long talk about making some other designs public for both DIY and OEM licensing. Some of what we will be doing in the next year with power supplies is really bigger than just ourselves, and selling some core enabling circuits for this to be scaled in a multitude of ways makes good sense. While a whole line of products can come from this--enough to consume the energies (pardon the pun) of a small firm--we have broader plans and we can neither keep these power things entirely to ourselves, nor do we want to. So circuit licensing and boards may be the best release valve that does not just give everything away for free nor wait for others to copy.]

 

Of course with nothing announced and shown, all the above might just sound like blowhard posturing so I don't expect anyone to believe or understand the magnitude of the impact I think some of these innovations could have on power supply thinking and practice across the audio equipment spectrum.

 

We knew in advance that the REGEN was going to do what we expected, and before selling it I did not make over-the-top claims (in fact I tried to keep user expectations low because I was not sure if others would hear what we heard in our own systems). And we all know how that story turned out.

 

So regardless of the sonic benefits of what we are working on (heck, neither John or I have even heard it yet, he is just sending off for the prototype boards to be made), I promise you that the concepts and execution are 100% unique and most everyone will say WTF with a big grin.

 

Needless to say, it is a VERY exciting time for John and me. And we are grateful to all the REGEN and JS-2 buyers making possible the development and production of more terrific toys to take your audio systems further. As I have said before, life is too short to bother putting our resources into something that does not make people go WOW. It is MUCH more fun to defy expectations and hit the ball "out of the park."

 

Good night.

--Alex C.

 

Alex,

 

Have you considered starting a list of customers for this product? I'll place a deposit as soon as you know the price point. Your reputation is stellar in my book: top notch product quality, performance, value and customer service.

[Daudio]

Have you considered starting a list of customers for this product? I'll place a deposit as soon as you know the price point. Your reputation is stellar in my book: top notch product quality, performance, value and customer service.

 

He has already said no to that that sort of idea. It is much too early, and his plate is overflowing right now anyway.

 

Just have patience...

[cmarin]

Oops!

[skatbelt]

Would this work with a REGEN: Bakoon Satri Battery Power Supply?

 

Nobody?

[zilch0md]

Nobody?

 

With an output voltage of 6V (not 5V), I would say it would make an excellent power source for the Regen. (Note that I have no personal experience with either the USB Regen or the Bakoon Satri - I'm just going by their specs.)

[rickca]

Alex, can you give us some feel for the size and weight of the 1A power supply? Do you have a prototype board yet? Would it sit on the shelf right beside the REGEN or down on the floor next to the Mean Well SMPS?

[AnotherSpin]

Alex, can you give us some feel for the size and weight of the 1A power supply? Do you have a prototype board yet? Would it sit on the shelf right beside the REGEN or down on the floor next to the Mean Well SMPS?

 

I guess it will be the size of 1-2 mm, implanted behind your left ear.

[Superdad]

Alex, can you give us some feel for the size and weight of the 1A power supply? Do you have a prototype board yet? Would it sit on the shelf right beside the REGEN or down on the floor next to the Mean Well SMPS?

 

Presently planned enclosure (from the same series case as the REGEN) is 4.375 inches x 4.375 inches x 1.125 inches (without whatever sort of feet I decide to stick on it). Don't know the weight yet.

 

Thinking that the cable provided (5.5mm x 2.1mm plugs both ends) will be 30 inches (76cm) long, but maybe we should go shorter. Actually have to decide on this fairly soon. Since there availability of decent gauge stock cables with 2.1mm plugs is pretty poor, I am planning to go ahead and have 1,000 made in China, and for that there is a lead time.

 

So people's input into a good compromise for DC cable length (between the new supply and the REGEN) would be welcome.

Would really like to do an 18awg twisted pair, but not sure if the houses that mold the DC plugs can handle that in their machines. The two choices seen out there are always zip cord or coax--and the latter usually in fairly fine gauge, though I do buy some 1meter 16awg coax with 2.5mm plugs from BixPower.com, so I know that some Chinese factory is doing cables with that.

[Daudio]

So people's input into a good compromise for DC cable length (between the new supply and the REGEN) would be welcome.

 

Long on the Regen side, short on the other. 30 inches sounds fine.

 

I like to keep my PSU stuff well away from the equipment. But that's just me

[zilch0md]

^ Sounds like good advice.

[satfrat]

I personally wouldn't need the DC cable being any longer than the Mean Well's DC cable but so long as it's flexible, the length is a nonissue. If you saw the rear of my 6 shelf rack, you'd know why it's a nonissue.

[Daudio]

If you saw the rear of my 6 shelf rack, you'd know why it's a nonissue.

 

Perhaps we should have a new thread on something like: "Ratnests, wire nightmares, and cable dressing"

[rickca]

Long on the Regen side, short on the other. 30 inches sounds fine.

I like to keep my PSU stuff well away from the equipment. But that's just me

 

Good point. My question is whether this is still a consideration given the technology in this new power supply. If it's not advisable to have the new power supply close to your DAC, then I'd put it close to the Mean Well SMPS. My Mean Well SMPS is on the floor because it came with a fairly short AC cable.

 

If the new power supply can sit on top of or beside the DAC without any adverse effect, you could use a short cable between the power supply and the REGEN.

[Theobetley]

I like 30 " long on the dc cable. Gives me a lot of flexibility on positioning the unit.

[Al Jones]

How about no DC cable, just a 2.1mm or 2.5mm socket?

 

That way we can each choose length and quality individually. I'm a freak for cryo'ed, silver DC cables and would rather have the option.

[Superdad]

How about no DC cable, just a 2.1mm or 2.5mm socket?

 

That way we can each choose length and quality individually. I'm a freak for cryo'ed, silver DC cables and would rather have the option.

 

Yes, the device will have just two "sockets"-- both 5.5mm x 2.1mm jacks. But I have to supply some cable to plug in between it an the REGEN. The device will not radiate any EMI/RFI at all, so having it near audio components is not a problem.

[4est]

This being the case, one would think a shorter cable is preferred? Maybe you could order 1000pcs of two sizes- 6" w/ rt angle connectors, and 3' w/ straight -supply both or sell one as an option? The Meanwell has a cord, and this new device seems suited near the Regen- maybe even as a base or support structure (some pre installed screws would be right handy!).

Yes, the device will have just two "sockets"-- both 5.5mm x 2.1mm jacks. But I have to supply some cable to plug in between it an the REGEN. The device will not radiate any EMI/RFI at all, so having it near audio components is not a problem.

[rickca]

The device will not radiate any EMI/RFI at all, so having it near audio components is not a problem.

OK good that's what I figured. Does this mean no ferrite on the new cable? Will this cable be heavier than the one that currently goes between the Mean Well SMPS and the REGEN?

 

I initially thought I'd like the new device close to the REGEN, but it's somewhat bigger than I anticipated. The 1.125" height (even without feet) means I don't have enough clearance for it to slip under the REGEN, and I don't really want to pull my DAC 4.375" further forward on the shelf. So I'll probably put the new device next to the Mean Well SMPS and 30" to the REGEN will be fine. I agree that a right angle plug would be nice.

[camel]

I vote for cable not longer than 20 inches and with angle connector at the USB REGEN side.

 

Angle connector is not required to supply REGEN connected with USB adapter to DAC, but angle connector is required to supply USB REGEN connected with USB adapter to the streamer (for those who uses two USB REGENS).