SOTA Ultra Low Noise LT3045 Regulator

[rb2013]

After much experimentation with power supplies I came across this latest technology LDO regulator from Linear Technology. Ultra low noise of just 0.8uv! Ultra high and broad DC power cleaning. From 118dB @100Hz to 76dB @ 1Mhz. That is removing between 99.99999% to 99.999% of DC noise.

DC to DC. So just feed with your DC power supply, preferably a linear one with an R-Core transformer. Take a low cost Chinese LPS and clean the power output to below 1uv of noise. A very economical solution to clean power for your audio device. This box is fed by your SMPS or LPS then outputs the ultra clean DC to your device. Rated to 500mA (the USB std) without using noisy transistor boosting.

My experience with my USB audio chain is the lower the noise and better AC and DC grunge suppression the better the SQ. Why buy a $400 to $1000 LPS when all you need is a $80 to $150 LPS and one or two of these?

Available in 5VDC, 7.5VDC , 8VDC, 13VDC and other outputs. The input voltage can be between 0.5V and 3 volts higher then the output.
Simple set-up to feed your USB/SPDIF/I2S converter like the SU-1 - LPS (6VDC)+LT3045 set to 5VDC.

Or your Singxer F-1: Split USB cable - power leg to LPS (6VDC) + LT3045 set to 5VDC.

Other uses as well. Like splitting the power coming from a LPS to different voltages. Say a LPS outputting 7VDC. You can use a 'Y' DC cable and run one leg to a device needing 7VDC and one of these 'Miracle Boxes' from the other leg to output ultra clean 5VDC. So one voltage LPS can be used to power two devices with different voltages and better yet - due to the LT3045 ultra high noise suppression - noise from different devices on a shared line can now be isolated from each other.

Another use for example running two devices that require the same voltage, say one 7VDC to two of these set to 5VDC. The LT3045's act to clean the DC power and isolate each device from each other. I do this exact thing in my system.

These boards can be bought and assembled yourself - but many folks are not soldering inclined. So I built a few extra ones for folks to try.


Features

• Output Current: 500mA
• Low Dropout Voltage: 260mV
• Ultralow RMS Noise: 0.8µVRMS (10Hz to 100kHz)
• Ultralow Spot Noise: 2nV/√Hz at 10kHz
• Ultrahigh PSRR: 76dB at 1MHz
• Built-In Fixed Current Limit and Thermal Shutdown
• Operating Temperature Range:–40°C to 125°C

LT3045 x1 : IC, Low Noise Power Solution, Linear Technology – United States
T495D476K025ATE250 x 1: Cap Tant Solid 47uF 25V D CASE 10%,Kemet – Japan
GRM31CR71E106KA12L x2 : Cap Ceramic 10uF 25V X7R 10% SMD 1206, Murata – Japan
GRM31MR71E475KA88L x1 : Cap Ceramic 4.7uF 25V X7R 10% SMD 1206, Murata – Japan
CRCW0603xxxxFKEA x1: Res Thick Film 0603 1% 0.1W(1/10W) ±100ppm, Vishay – U
 

I have a few extra boxes built and listed on USAM - for the non-DIY inclined.  Or DIY one yourself - pretty amazing SQ.

My box:

Specs:
Non-conductive ABS case
Silver/Teflon wiring/Nonlead silver content solder
Silver plated contact connectors (I tried a few and these had the most secure connection)

Fixed voltage LT3045 board for lowest noise (least resistors) 0.8uv noise, -76dB @1Mhz PSRR

[Sam Lord]

The ifi iPower SMPS is pretty good for $50, super quiet.  Several Vout choices, about 18VA.

[rb2013]

7 hours ago, Sam Lord said:

The ifi iPower SMPS is pretty good for $50, super quiet.  Several Vout choices, about 18VA.

I had two iPowers a 5VDC and a 9VDC- they inject high freq noise back into the AC line - do not use them or any SMPS on a share power line with digital components.  I didn't like the SQ and sold them.  Much preferred even a cheap Chinese LPS with an R-Core.  A linear power supply with an R-Core transformer will provide the best AC line leakage and PSRR (aside from a LPS-1 - but that needs an energizer to power - and the MeanWell SMPS has the same issues of AC noise injection that can effect other digital components on that AC line not powered by the LPS-1).

 

I do like the iPur2 and had a DC iPur after my R-Core modded DC-30W (upgraded ultra low impedance, high PSRR Nichicon HW caps).  The DC iPur made a very small difference - now using a LT3045 after the DC-30W a much greater improvement.  I have three LT3045 boxes in my system now.  They are pretty amazing, especially for the money.

 

Here is more info on power supplies from my 3 part series on HF:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/audio-power-supplies-part-1-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options.821621/

 

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/audio-power-supplies-part-2-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options.821731/#post-12902044

 

https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/audio-power-supplies-part3-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options.822160/

 

I've found that digital gear needs ultra clean power to sound best.  It really makes a difference.  

 

Cheers

 

http://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/measurements-of-sonore-microrendu-streamer.577/

[rb2013]