The true experimental tweak thread

[Cornan]

6 hours ago, Rexp said:

Great to hear your experimentation has paid off. Are you mainly using Tidal? And can you list your digital chain, cheers!

 

Thanks, I am enjoying it more and more! ? Yes, Tidal is my one and only source. My profile is updated with everything except this LPSU so you can check there for detailed info.

[maty]

Why do you have heatsinks so big and different from the original ones (in blue and big too)? -> then you need a big case too.

[sandyk]

30 minutes ago, maty said:

Why do you have heatsinks so big and different from the original ones (in blue and big too)? -> then you need a big case too.

 

That's the penalty you pay for using tiny .5A max. voltage regulators, where you need to keep the voltage drop across them very low in comparison with most other regulators, in order for them not to get too hot.

 You also need to have plenty of air flow around the tall heatsink, which makes it difficult to house the beast and still have effective cooling. While technically innovative and very effective, they aren't really practical for most people who prefer a tidy looking set up.

[Hauser]

Large, spiky heatsinks on 5A board, blue heatsinks on 3A board, no heatsinks on 1A and .5A boards.  @ Cornan, that's an impressive amount of gear.  Is there much difference in sound between using Alexy boards or Stammheim boards if only 1A board required?

 

Martin.

[maty]

[PDF] https://www.mouser.es/datasheet/2/420/UCC_GPDDatasheet-1210831.pdf

 

4700uF 25V

 

25-28 mOhms and 5.14-4,25 mA at 100 kHz

 

Very good specs too. And four caps. The designer knows what he does.

[Cornan]

3 hours ago, Hauser said:

Large, spiky heatsinks on 5A board, blue heatsinks on 3A board, no heatsinks on 1A and .5A boards.  @ Cornan, that's an impressive amount of gear.  Is there much difference in sound between using Alexy boards or Stammheim boards if only 1A board required?

 

Martin.

 

Thanks Martin! ?

HC-HPULNs with its 10 LT3045s and aluminium polymer caps sounds vastly better than Alexey 1A LT3045. I doubt that Stammheims boards in 1A would be much difference to 1A from Alexey with added aluminium polymer caps though.

 

Micael

[maty]

Corrected, A and not mA:

 

4700uF 25V

 

25-28 mOhms and 5.14-4,25 A at 100 kHz

[John769]

19 hours ago, Cornan said:

 First thing in my mind was to finalize my “Uber-LPSU”

Cornan, so the uber lpsu is:  1x 5A HC-HPULN and 1x 50va AC, 12V balanced Isolation supply?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132363016347?ul_noapp=true

 

Are the 50va units the same family as his 500va one?

[John769]

@matyI noticed your ATL DC blocker has the 4 x HER605 diodes mentioned in the online specs but some of ATL's photos shows the boards without the diodes (as well as with them).   Does it make any difference having them on the board?

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, John769 said:

Cornan, so the uber lpsu is:  1x 5A HC-HPULN and 1x 50va AC, 12V balanced Isolation supply?

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132363016347?ul_noapp=true

 

Are the 50va units the same family as his 500va one?

 

Almost right. It is 2x 5A HC-HPULN in series, not one.

 

50VA is the same family as the 500VA yes. Sounds really great! ???

[austinpop]

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

 

Almost right. It is 2x 5A HC-HPULN in series, not one.

 

50VA is the same family as the 500VA yes. Sounds really great! ???

 

Apologies Micael, 

 

Since I am not in the "kitchen" with you, I've lost track of what you're cooking! Got a question for you. What's the highest VA rated transformer core you got lying around? If my experience with the Brooklyn DAC+ is any indication, if you took a 100VA (or maybe even 250 or 500VA) core, married to your LT3045-based regulator networks, you should be getting amazing dynamics and refinement from the DAC.

 

Just curious if you've gone that direction.

[maty]

1 hour ago, John769 said:

@matyI noticed your ATL DC blocker has the 4 x HER605 diodes mentioned in the online specs but some of ATL's photos shows the boards without the diodes (as well as with them).   Does it make any difference having them on the board?

 

 

In the beginning, Aleksandar put these very good diodes and now others, but you need ALWAYS diodes!

 

The new diodes are together, in a block:

 

 

https://www.atlhifi.com/shop/bare-pcb/pcb-for-dc-trap-blocker-filter-for-toroidal-transformers-toroids/

 

– Diodes with 3 different bodies can be mounted on it – DO-201, TO-220 or rectifier blocks.

[Cornan]

31 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

Apologies Micael, 

 

Since I am not in the "kitchen" with you, I've lost track of what you're cooking! Got a question for you. What's the highest VA rated transformer core you got lying around? If my experience with the Brooklyn DAC+ is any indication, if you took a 100VA (or maybe even 250 or 500VA) core, married to your LT3045-based regulator networks, you should be getting amazing dynamics and refinement from the DAC.

 

Just curious if you've gone that direction.

 

Hi Rajiv!

 

There is problems using bigger torodial transformers. Using smaller torodials overcome some of these issues. My one is actually two 50VA transformer in a balanced configuration with floating ground which will basicly be ”noise free”. My IT is only 200VA (which my ”uber-LPSU” is connected to) but due to its balanced and floating config it actually performs much better and is vastly more dynamic than my 500VA Peaktech 2240 for example. 

[maty]

By the way, I can see a new assembled product:

 

Combined module Soft Start (inrush current limiter) & DC Blocker (trap, filter) – assembled in case

 

https://www.atlhifi.com/shop/fully-assembled-devices/combined-module-soft-start-inrush-current-limiter-dc-blocker-trap-filter-assembled-in-case/

 

with the space to add a RF/EMI filter too. This is: Schaffner FN2090-16-06

 

http://uk.farnell.com/schaffner/fn2090-16-06/filter-1-ph-16a-chassis-mount/dp/1304862?st=FN2090

 

[John769]

 

On 5/25/2018 at 5:48 PM, Cornan said:

I made sure to set the first HC-HPULN to 14,2 VDC out and the second HC-HPULN to 12VDC

 

So how did you resolve the earlier issue with the first HC-HPULN being 0,81VDC over the comfort zone?  Do some rewiring? The two in series optional or necessary? 

 

Regarding the comparison verses the Gophert (or AC input) powering the Brooklyn, how does the UBER compare with higher frequencies and airiness in general?  IME, this can be an issue with even good LPS?

 

 

 

 

[Cornan]

8 minutes ago, John769 said:

So how did you resolve the earlier issue with the first HC-HPULN being 0,81VDC over the comfort zone?  Do some rewiring?  The two in series optional or necessary? 

 

Regarding the comparison verses the Gophert powering the Brooklyn, how does the UBER compare in the higher frequencies and general airiness? ?

 

 

 

 

 

That’s my coming “Uber-LPSU” with a 230-15VAC balanced and isolated ps. On that one I will use Sigma 11 (S12) to bring down the voltage to 9VDC (15VAC= 20,81VDC after rectifiers). I will then use HPULN (3A)>LT3045 (1A) with 1v drop. Since this LPSU will take more time to put together it might take a couple of weeks until I can squeeze that one into my schedule though. My main concern with that one is heat when Sigma 11 converts 20,81VDC to 9VDC, but since ISO Regen does’nt pull that much amperage I think or at least hope it will be fine. ?

 

I would say that the airiness is almost the same with Gophert and the balanced isolated AC-AC ps. The main difference is music glow, crispy treble, dynamics and bass punch of the balanced and isolated ps. However, it is still improving by the hour. Sounds really really great! ?

[John769]

Okay, think I'm with you. ?

 

On 5/25/2018 at 5:48 PM, Cornan said:

The red case was too small to fit my dual HC-HPULNs by annoying 1 cm

You could though have used two smaller 3A HPULN, that's assuming they can handle the same 2.2v drop and have AC input?  And added a Kemet.

 

Is this balanced, floating AC to AC a pre-assembled model from Zhufan or did you put the transformers in a case yourself?  (still talking about the one you have just made up)

[Cornan]

2 minutes ago, John769 said:

Okay, think I'm with you. ?

 

You could though have used two smaller 3A HPULN, that's assuming they can handle the same 2.2v drop and have AC input?  And added a Kemet.

 

Yes, but the 5A HC-HPULNs is still quite a bit better sounding than the 3A HPULN due to more parallel LT3045 (10 instead of 6). I wanted the very best option for my Brooklyn DAC.

[Cornan]

35 minutes ago, Cornan said:

My main concern with that one is heat when Sigma 11 converts 20,81VDC to 9VDC, but since ISO Regen does’nt pull that much amperage I think or at least hope it will be fine. ?

 

AFAIK, Vf x current= watts of heat

With my Sigma 11 it will be approx. 6,59 watts of heat (20,81-9x0,558). It does’nt sound alarming to me but I would appreciate if anyone could confirm how much heat 6,59 watts is in degree C or F on the heatsinks. ?

[John769]

21 minutes ago, Cornan said:

It does’nt sound alarming to me but I would appreciate if anyone could confirm how much heat 6,59 watts is in degree C or F on the heatsinks

I'll opt out from giving advice on that if it's okay with you ?

 

You didn't answer my second question (was editing it when you last replied).  Do you have a link if a pre-assembled unit?  I might consider adding it to my existing order of 500va IT, which takes a few weeks to build.

 

Having said that it will be far cheaper adding one of Alexy's upcoming (we assume)1.5amp 3045 unit's to my existing Sigma 11 clone LPS, than buying the AC to AC, plus two HPULNs.  Either way, I need to upgrade my powering of the Brooklyn, as all my other PSU's have 3045's or LT1963, just not the one for the Brooklyn.

 

In other news, my recently arrived 200va floating IT has just stopped working. No idea why.  Bummer!

[Cornan]

1 hour ago, John769 said:

I'll opt out from giving advice on that if it's okay with you ?

 

You didn't answer my second question (was editing it when you last replied).  Do you have a link if a pre-assembled unit?  I might consider adding it to my existing order of 500va IT, which takes a few weeks to build.

 

Having said that it will be far cheaper adding one of Alexy's upcoming (we assume)1.5amp 3045 unit's to my existing Sigma 11 clone LPS, than buying the AC to AC, plus two HPULNs.  Either way, I need to upgrade my powering of the Brooklyn, as all my other PSU's have 3045's or LT1963, just not the one for the Brooklyn.

 

In other news, my recently arrived 200va floating IT has just stopped working. No idea why.  Bummer!

 

?

It is the same one that you posted a link of above, ie https://www.ebay.com/itm/132363016347?ul_noapp=true

 

Yes, Alexeys 1.5A unit will be cheaper and boxed, but probably not as good due to more (+14 in series) parallel LT3045 on the HC-HPULNs.

 

First thing to check if the IT have died is the IEC fuse I’ll guess. If it lights up (LED) check the RCD/GFCI. Good luck! ??

[Cornan]

This is how I thought. How f***ing hard can it be? Not hard at all was my answer when I thought it through. I was right! A piece of cake even though it included a couple of more moments than my previous “Uber-LPSU” this one was pretty simple with a bit of reinsurance’s and courage. Just do it! No regrets! ?

 

Here it is in pictures in work of order. My second “Uber-LPSU”containing 230-15VAC balanced & floating ps (w/EMI input filter)>Sigma 11(S12 9VDC out) discrete voltage reg>LT3045 1A/8v>LT3045 1A/7v with Kemet A750 at input & output powering ISO Regen. Wait a minute! Did’nt I say that I wanted the HPULN>LT3045 just recently? Yes I did but realized that it would’nt tell you’all the whole story how it improved the SQ from my previous setup with Gophert csp-3205II where this was my current chain. I did it for you’all! ?

 

 

Sooo, how did it sound listening to Kalehan - Temple of Maia? ?

F***ing great thank you! ? Funny enough it feels like my setup have grown in years. From a teenage man to a grown up adult. The tone is more mature yet still the same airyness as with the Gophert. Sweeter, deeper, rounder, more music glow, more presence, crispier treble & more dynamic overall. Really punchy low end!!! Greta Van Fleet - From the Fires is rocking my neighborhood right now! ????⚡️

 

 

[John769]

Nice!  What's it powering?

[Cornan]

5 minutes ago, John769 said:

Nice!  What's it powering?

 

ISO Regen which is powering the USB input of the BluWave USB to Spdif. The Gophert, LPS-1.2 plus 2x HPULNs and Kemet A750s is powering the BW Spdif output. ?

[John769]

jeez !  ?