austinpop Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 1 hour ago, stefan5345 said: Thinking of getting sms-200ultra, sps-500 and Tx-usbultra package , but I am being quoted +$550 Aus for the upgraded silver Y-splitter, which is a bit rich for my blood. IS it worth it? Anyone tried aftermarket solutions? http://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc15.html My Audio Setup Link to comment
zoltan Posted September 14, 2017 Share Posted September 14, 2017 15 hours ago, austinpop said: http://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc15.html I am sorry, I didn't know about this when I said there is no aftermarket DC cord like that. Nevertheless, if somebody can use a soldering iron at a basic level, these cables can be made for about quarter of the price on this homepage. Ghent cables seem to be very nicely made, not easy to achieve this level at home. HQplayer - NAA - Devialet D-800 - YG Acoustics Carmel + dual ELAC sub-2090 Link to comment
tedwoods Posted September 17, 2017 Share Posted September 17, 2017 The tx-USBultra and sPS-500 combo were reviewed in 6moons. Most CA readers, who are used to clear and concise reviews by true experts, which to the benefit of all of us includes not only Chris, but also many esteemed members here, will get mixed feelings after reading the said review, but I digress... However, I did manage to unearth this bit of info out of it, provided by May Park no less, which I feel can contribute to this lovely thread about the sPS-500. Here goes: Mary Park: "Here are the key points of the sPS-500 which distinguish it from similar products to improve sound quality:• Elimination of noise from the powered device by removing voltage noise elements from the powered device. This is not present in most power supplies even when including linear regulators. It improves sound quality by providing more stable power to the powered device.• Fast transient control loop circuit. The sPS-500 uses a specially designed control circuit that compensates for the output voltage variations across the audible audio band. It very quickly stabilizes the output voltage during sudden changes in input power or output current.• Ultra-low impedance power: All kinds of power devices use a semiconductor device for output power. The sPS-500 utilizes a device with an impedance that is lower than competing products and exhibits excellent performance in transient high output current change with our fast transient control loop circuit.• AC power input stage noise reducer. AC power contributes a considerable amount of noise but the sPS-500 has a noise filter especially effective at the audio frequency band.• Special selected components. We once again applied parts proven already in other SOtM products." Link to comment
stefan5345 Posted September 20, 2017 Share Posted September 20, 2017 Thanks for the Y-cable links. I've ordered the (ridiculously) expensive silver Y from SOTM, maybe I'll try one of these too, as a contrasting experiment. Link to comment
LTG2010 Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 On 14/09/2017 at 11:06 PM, zoltan said: Ghent cables seem to be very nicely made, not easy to achieve this level at home. Over here in UK the cost of the Oyaide connectors is nearly the price of a completed cable so quite a bargain. Just plugged the SPS500 into my Mytek Brooklyn and all the qualities listed here by posters came shining through and drove it with ease. Seriously thinking about getting a Y cable to try it with the Brooklyn and SmS200 Ultra together although I might be pushing my luck. Also considering dropping the voltage down on the Ultra to 7V and powering that with the LPS1, leaving the SPS500 to power the Dac/ headphone amp. Lebouwsky 1 Link to comment
flkin Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Using the sPS -500 with a Y cable should theoretically complicate the noise reduction and fast transient loop circuits of the PS. How would the unit measure and compensate for 2 devices at the same time? The noise of two end components would be different and the compensated DC supply can't adapt for both at the same time. Same goes for the transient requirements, each attached component will supposedly request for transient power at different times but the sPS -500 will supply both components at the same time. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
octaviars Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 Anybody that knows what the ground connection does or are connected to in the sPS-500? Perhaps @MayfromSOtM can shed some Light on that. My question is mostly regarding all the focus on grounding the negative output on a PSU. Main system TAD D1000mk2, TAD M2500mk2, TAD CE-1, Ansuz Mainz 8 C2, Ansuz Darkz D-TC, Qobuz Studio -> Roon ROCK on NUC -> Uptone etherREGEN -> dCS Network Bridge -> AES/EBU -> DAC HD Plex 200W PSU (4 rail for ISP fiber, router, etherREGEN and NUC) Second system Qobuz Studio -> Devialet Silver Phantom, Devialet Tree Link to comment
LTG2010 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 5 hours ago, flkin said: Using the sPS -500 with a Y cable should theoretically complicate the noise reduction and fast transient loop circuits of the PS. How would the unit measure and compensate for 2 devices at the same time? The noise of two end components would be different and the compensated DC supply can't adapt for both at the same time. Same goes for the transient requirements, each attached component will supposedly request for transient power at different times but the sPS -500 will supply both components at the same time. You are of course correct in theory but my curiousity got the better of me and after a botched attempt at a y cable ( I bent 1 pin from the small Hirose connector) I wired up a crude connection via SOTM's cheapest single dc connector. AND it works and sounds great, powering up both the DAC/ headphone amp and 200 Ultra without getting warm. No doubt a proper Y cable will sound better and 2 seperate sps 500's even better, Which does explain why SOTM sell Y cables for this power supply. Lebouwsky 1 Link to comment
flkin Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 I wrote and asked May about this. I think she said it works fine with the noise reduction still working properly. Not too sure of her English reply though.. I wonder how the noise reduction works? Can’t seem to find any explanations of the technologies involved and how it works. Only that it removes noise of attached components PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
flkin Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 5 hours ago, octaviars said: Anybody that knows what the ground connection does or are connected to in the sPS-500? Perhaps @MayfromSOtM can shed some Light on that. My question is mostly regarding all the focus on grounding the negative output on a PSU. Actually anyone with an sPS -500 can use a voltmeter to check the connection from the AC earth pin to the negative DC barrel. If it's connected then we don't have to worry about grounding the negative. Anyone wanna try and advice please? PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
octaviars Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 1 hour ago, flkin said: Actually anyone with an sPS -500 can use a voltmeter to check the connection from the AC earth pin to the negative DC barrel. I have asked one on a Swedish forum that I know have a sPS-500 if he could do this. Main system TAD D1000mk2, TAD M2500mk2, TAD CE-1, Ansuz Mainz 8 C2, Ansuz Darkz D-TC, Qobuz Studio -> Roon ROCK on NUC -> Uptone etherREGEN -> dCS Network Bridge -> AES/EBU -> DAC HD Plex 200W PSU (4 rail for ISP fiber, router, etherREGEN and NUC) Second system Qobuz Studio -> Devialet Silver Phantom, Devialet Tree Link to comment
LTG2010 Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 6 hours ago, flkin said: Actually anyone with an sPS -500 can use a voltmeter to check the connection from the AC earth pin to the negative DC barrel. If it's connected then we don't have to worry about grounding the negative. Anyone wanna try and advice please? Yes - the negative DC is connected to AC Earth. Link to comment
octaviars Posted November 6, 2017 Share Posted November 6, 2017 1 hour ago, LTG2010 said: Yes - the negative DC is connected to AC Earth. Good to know that regarding all the talk recently about grounding the negative DC. Main system TAD D1000mk2, TAD M2500mk2, TAD CE-1, Ansuz Mainz 8 C2, Ansuz Darkz D-TC, Qobuz Studio -> Roon ROCK on NUC -> Uptone etherREGEN -> dCS Network Bridge -> AES/EBU -> DAC HD Plex 200W PSU (4 rail for ISP fiber, router, etherREGEN and NUC) Second system Qobuz Studio -> Devialet Silver Phantom, Devialet Tree Link to comment
flkin Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 6 hours ago, LTG2010 said: Yes - the negative DC is connected to AC Earth. Yup good to hear, thanks for confirming. Alas, I already asked Ghent to manufacture Y cables for me with built in negative DC to earth. Should have tried this simple test first. PinkFaun - Vinnie Rossi - YBA - QSA Lanedri - Wilson Link to comment
MayfromSOtM Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 19 hours ago, octaviars said: Anybody that knows what the ground connection does or are connected to in the sPS-500? Perhaps @MayfromSOtM can shed some Light on that. My question is mostly regarding all the focus on grounding the negative output on a PSU. Hi octaviars, the ground connection is connected in the sPS-500~ Thank you! Best regards, May Link to comment
octaviars Posted November 7, 2017 Share Posted November 7, 2017 2 hours ago, MayfromSOtM said: Hi octaviars, the ground connection is connected in the sPS-500~ Thank you! Best regards, May Yes I understand that my question was more if it is connected to the negative DC output? It seems to be that looking at the answer above. Main system TAD D1000mk2, TAD M2500mk2, TAD CE-1, Ansuz Mainz 8 C2, Ansuz Darkz D-TC, Qobuz Studio -> Roon ROCK on NUC -> Uptone etherREGEN -> dCS Network Bridge -> AES/EBU -> DAC HD Plex 200W PSU (4 rail for ISP fiber, router, etherREGEN and NUC) Second system Qobuz Studio -> Devialet Silver Phantom, Devialet Tree Link to comment
MayfromSOtM Posted November 8, 2017 Share Posted November 8, 2017 18 hours ago, octaviars said: Yes I understand that my question was more if it is connected to the negative DC output? It seems to be that looking at the answer above. Yes, the interneal ground is connected to the ac power earth and the nagative dc output is connected to the internal ground. Link to comment
zoltan Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 I bought a couple of Hirose connectors to make DIY DC cords from the SPS-500 to the SMS-200 Ultra but I can't disassemble the Hirose to access the pins for soldering. Has anyone done it or can give me some advice how to do it? HQplayer - NAA - Devialet D-800 - YG Acoustics Carmel + dual ELAC sub-2090 Link to comment
LTG2010 Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 1 hour ago, zoltan said: I bought a couple of Hirose connectors to make DIY DC cords from the SPS-500 to the SMS-200 Ultra but I can't disassemble the Hirose to access the pins for soldering. Has anyone done it or can give me some advice how to do it? You need to unscrew the tip from the main body, i used small tweezers to grip the tip. Also those tiny pins bend easily so dont apply too much heat, idealy a female socket use to hold the connector in place whilst soldering is ideal as this will stop the pins moving. Link to comment
zoltan Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 4 hours ago, LTG2010 said: You need to unscrew the tip from the main body, i used small tweezers to grip the tip. Also those tiny pins bend easily so dont apply too much heat, idealy a female socket use to hold the connector in place whilst soldering is ideal as this will stop the pins moving. 4 Thanks, I managed to unscrew the tip now. You're right about the small pins. I think I'll order the female part before getting down to soldering. BTW, what cable did you use to DIY a DC cable? And does it sound better than with the stock SOtM supplied cable? HQplayer - NAA - Devialet D-800 - YG Acoustics Carmel + dual ELAC sub-2090 Link to comment
LTG2010 Posted November 24, 2017 Share Posted November 24, 2017 22 minutes ago, zoltan said: BTW, what cable did you use to DIY a DC cable? And does it sound better than with the stock SOtM supplied cable? I bent the connectors on my fist attempt. I used Canare 4S6, it does sound better more clarity, better bass, and its cheap to boot. Any decent cable should improve on the stock one. zoltan 1 Link to comment
ronfint Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I've made two of these cables — one with Canare 4S6 and, more recently, a Y-cable using Neotech 18 gauge stranded silver wire which I twisted in a (pseudo) star-quad configuration. Sonic Craft has this wire on closeout http://www.soniccraft.com/product_info.php/neotech-stranded-upocc-silver-in-teflon-18-awg-blue-p-1882 The Canare was much easier to work with since the teflon sleeving on the Neotech wire is quite stiff. The key thing to watch out for in soldering the Hirose plug is to avoid creating shorts. Use minimal amounts of solder to tin the solder cups in the plug, and only strip enough wire so that each wire's sleeving abuts its corresponding solder cup. This is a very small length! Tin each wire and then solder to the plug. If you are sufficiently careful, it should go well. Good luck! Link to comment
Lebouwsky Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 Thank you @ronfint for sharing your experience. My sps500 will arive next week with the standard dc cable and was planning to solder my own Y shaped cable using Neotech (which makes very good coax too). How does the Neotech sound compare to the Canare? And did you notice a sound degration using a Y cable compared to a single wire? And do you use silver soldering? Link to comment
ronfint Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 45 minutes ago, Lebouwsky said: Thank you @ronfint for sharing your experience. My sps500 will arive next week with the standard dc cable and was planning to solder my own Y shaped cable using Neotech (which makes very good coax too). How does the Neotech sound compare to the Canare? And did you notice a sound degration using a Y cable compared to a single wire? And do you use silver soldering? I'm sorry that I can't give good answers to your questions. I plugged in my new cable, it worked (happily), and everything I played sounded good; so I left it. I can't make any audiophile-type comments about it. Also, I don't yet have the tx-usb ultra that the Y-cable will also link to. I seriously doubt that there will be any 'sonic' degradation, but I'll never know. In retrospect, one thing that I should have done making the cable is to strip the wires right to the point where they enter the plugs and replace that insulation with heat shrink. It would have made the wires much easier to work with. (I didn't use silver solder. I always use Cardas solder since I find it the easiest to work with.) Lebouwsky 1 Link to comment
atxkyle Posted November 30, 2017 Share Posted November 30, 2017 Just ordered an SPS-500. Planning to try it with my 2Qute DAC and NUC Roon server. Maybe even both simultaneously with a Y cable. I’ve seen a few comments about need for an upgraded AC cable with the SPS-500. Any views or advice on that? Link to comment
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