How hard is it to build PS for ESL speakers

[djn]

Hi All, a friend of mine is upgrading his Sound Lab panels and offered to sell me the old, but still good, Sound Lab panels. I am new to Electrostats and was wondering if I could build the power supply instead of buying them from Sound Lap for $5,000.00!!!

Is there anything else in the Power Supply beside the transformers? Thanks in advance.

[geraldfryjr]

Yes, It would be much much cheaper to build or own as they are all the same.
Do you know what your voltage requirements are? jer

[djn]

Not at the moment. I am going to get a look at the PS this week and will take many pictures.

[bolserst]

Originally Posted by djn

Hi All, a friend of mine is upgrading his Sound Lab panels and offered to sell me the old, but still good, Sound Lab panels. I am new to Electrostats and was wondering if I could build the power supply instead of buying them from Sound Lap for $5,000.00!!!

Is there anything else in the Power Supply beside the transformers? Thanks in advance.

Which model Sound Lab panels does your friend have?

The interface module on most full range Sound Lab panels contain:
1) HV power supply to place charge on the diaphragm
2) smallish HF transformer; not sure of step up ratio. some are toroidal, others conventional EI core
3) large LF transformer that contains several primary taps; again, not sure of step up ratio
4) crossover parts for the HF & LF transformers

Unlike the Acoustats which place the crossover on the HV secondary side of the transformers, Soundlab uses crossover components on the primary side of both transformers.

Bass response is adjusted by selecting different taps on the primary of the LF transformer.
Mid response is adjusted by changing the inductance in series with the LF transformer.
Highs are adjusted by changing the value of the damping resistor in series with the HF transformer.

You might check out the Soundlab Owners Group to see if anybody has built their own before.
SLOG

Also, Kevin Covi had some write-ups on modifying the A3 crossover.
Here are a couple links to get you started digging for info:
Sound Lab ESL Tweaks
Tweaks

[djn]

Thanks a lot. Those links are great. I'll let you know how it turns out. Cheers.

[bolserst]

Originally Posted by djn

Thanks a lot. Those links are great. I'll let you know how it turns out. Cheers.

If it's not too much trouble, posting some pics of what you find in the PS module would be much appreciated.
Not much information here on diyAudio about Soundlab ESLs.

Here is a copy of one of the few pics I've found on line...can't remember where from.

[djn]

Thanks for the pic. I didn't answer your first question. They are the U-1PX panels. I am planning on taking lots of hi res pix.

[kavermei]

You could always start out simple with a single transformer for each speaker, e.g. cheap toroidal power transformers, then you can listen to music while you design/build the full two-tranny version with crossovers

[djn]

Good morning Kavermei. That would work. I am hoping to get very good hi res pics of the PS and go from there. I have build a lot of audio junk so I am not concerned with the level of difficulty. Looking at the pic the Bolserst posted, I don't think this will be difficult. I imagined a much more complicated build. I am hoping that the component data is on the parts I will see so I can match them as close as possible. Cheers.

[bolserst]

Stumbled on this link last night.
There are a few pics of the interface box 1/2 to 2/3 the way down the page.

Audio Federation