Really like the performance of the PA5, while sounding extremely clean it does have a bit of thinness in the midrange. Inspired by
PA5 modification thread, I decided to try a little power supply tinkering on my recently acquired PA5 to see if sonic improvements could be made at
low to moderate cost with simple, tried and true mods. First, let me say this is all done using a simple multimeter, soldering iron and my ears--no scope or APx analyzer, basically
subjective. Unlike most amplifiers the power supply is separate with a fairly long (1m?) umbilical cord consisting of 2-wire 18AWG stranded wire. My first thought was to shorten the umbilical to lessen its added resistance in the power supply to the amp. I shortened it about 50% with a slight improvement in lower midrange solidity (worth doing). Next step was to replace the umbilical with one made of 14AWG UPOCC stranded copper using the same connector at the amp. This was a very nice improvement overall with a fuller sound--improved lower midrange fullness and punch (worth doing as I already had the wire). Sound is now quite good and I could easily have stopped right here.
Thought about replacing the connector at the amp end with a lower impedance one but there is not much room. If you want to try this, maybe get a small diameter connector that protrudes out from the chassis instead of inside.
Higher cost improvements: Next I wanted to add some very low ESR 50V or 63V caps (bypassed with WIMA polys) to the power supply output to improve the sound and this requires a larger box for the power supply. Found an easy to drill ABS box on Amazon for
$10. Caps can be found on Amazon like
these or even better some like
these. I usually buy 10 to get a better price each and use them all in parallel for even better overall ESR. You will also need connection for DC and for AC. I like
these. Had some 16 gauge tin plated copper buss wire on hand and wired it up. Another real nice sonic improvement that gives you that fuller lower midrange along with the superb transparency. But the cost is going up.
Even higher cost improvements: As you can see in the PA5 Modification thread there are some subjectively higher quality, higher current switching 36V supplies that could be used with the PA5. I first tried a Mean Well RPS-400-36 ($100), very well made and a good reputation in the DYI community. Put it in my ABS box and off I go. While the stock PA5 supply is 38V (mine was 38.25V) you can adjust the Mean Well (MW) up to 37.5V so output was close. Sonic performance was good, about the equal to the stock supply. For me it almost was a keeper as it provided a bit for confidence in longevity vs. the stock supply which looks from visual inspection to be built to a lower standard. problem was the Mean Well produced a high frequency whine heard from the speakers. It could only be heard from about 12" away, but I knew this would not sit well with me over time as the stock supply is dead quiet. Back goes the MW, so next I tried the 36V
Recom Power switcher at 37.3V output. While physically smaller than the MW, this one has the transparency of the stock supply all the way down through a full midrange and is dead quiet. So definitely a keeper and costs less than the MW. Quite happy with the sound/performance.
But what about a nice linear supply?
Even higher cost improvements: Had an empty power supply chassis sitting around that would be perfect for a very hefty 400W linear power supply. Nothing special simple design using a 28V Antek transformer, bridge rectified along with some low ESR caps on the output similar to the switcher mods. Output ended up being 39.3V (under load) which is little higher than the switchers but within safe use margin. On first listen I reduced the volume by 1 dB for a similar perspective as to what I had been recently hearing. Only been powering the PA5 a couple days, but first impression is sounds very similar to the Recom but maybe, just maybe it has slightly more body while providing a more analog feeling. May just be bias listening. Will give it some time and go back to the Recom to confirm or deny.
P.S.--I also have this
switcher on order for comparison. Will stop then as project funds are currently depleted.
You will of course notice I have not mentioned bass performance. This is because I crossover my KEF LS50 Metas to servo-subs between 100-200Hz. My system is all digital files from PC to a Holo DAC upsampling with HQ Player.
I did not expect to start a thread so I didn't take any pix along the way. At the urging of member "daniboun" I have started this thread to see if anyone else had interest in this fun. If anything seems unclear--just ask.
Chris H.