Hello All,
I didn’t see a post or sticky about it which is kind of surprising-forgive me if I missed it. Anyway, I’m seeking guidance on buying my first PS as I get into building. My primary focus will be (no surprise) power amplifiers. I’ve already determined I’d prefer linear power but that’s about it. Would multiple outputs be very useful? What voltage and amperage do you recommend? What features are make or break for you? As I said, I’m just starting out so I don’t need much but I would also prefer not to outgrow it in a year or two. I don’t have a ton of money to throw at this, but I feel I can go up to $300. Thank you for your help and patience.
-The New Guy
I didn’t see a post or sticky about it which is kind of surprising-forgive me if I missed it. Anyway, I’m seeking guidance on buying my first PS as I get into building. My primary focus will be (no surprise) power amplifiers. I’ve already determined I’d prefer linear power but that’s about it. Would multiple outputs be very useful? What voltage and amperage do you recommend? What features are make or break for you? As I said, I’m just starting out so I don’t need much but I would also prefer not to outgrow it in a year or two. I don’t have a ton of money to throw at this, but I feel I can go up to $300. Thank you for your help and patience.
-The New Guy
Welcome to diyAudio 🙂
For a audio design you really need a supply that can provide a balanced or 'split' rail output meaning that you can set for example a minus 30v and a plus 30v rail centred around zero volts. Adjustable current limiting is an essential imo.
A current capability of a couple of amps is really needed although I use two separate 0-30 v 1Amp supplies together if I need a split rail. 1 amp covers most design work.
So:
Dual 0-30v output.
Adjustable current limit.
0-2 Amp capability.
Your going to ask me what I recommend and I've no idea tbh but the spec above will give you a starting point. Mine are ancient Farnell PSU's but still good.
For a audio design you really need a supply that can provide a balanced or 'split' rail output meaning that you can set for example a minus 30v and a plus 30v rail centred around zero volts. Adjustable current limiting is an essential imo.
A current capability of a couple of amps is really needed although I use two separate 0-30 v 1Amp supplies together if I need a split rail. 1 amp covers most design work.
So:
Dual 0-30v output.
Adjustable current limit.
0-2 Amp capability.
Your going to ask me what I recommend and I've no idea tbh but the spec above will give you a starting point. Mine are ancient Farnell PSU's but still good.
Some dual bench supplies can connect the two voltages ether in series or in parallel.
The series connection can be used for bipolar circuits. The parallel connection will have twice the current.
Current limiting is needed and normal. Available brands depend on where you are located.
The series connection can be used for bipolar circuits. The parallel connection will have twice the current.
Current limiting is needed and normal. Available brands depend on where you are located.
I designed and built a small dual supply. Each output provides up to 1A at 20V. I use it mainly as a replacement for wall-wart adapters.
A benchtop power supply capable of running a power amplifier is going to be expensive. You really have to build the power supply as part of the amplifier.
Ed
A benchtop power supply capable of running a power amplifier is going to be expensive. You really have to build the power supply as part of the amplifier.
Ed
Yes, if this is for only one amplifier, just build the chassis and power supply for the amplifier,
and use it to test the amplifier/sink assemblies.
Use a Variac of adequate current rating to power the supply.
Properly fuse both the Variac and the power supply.
Use a light bulb tester for the initial power-on of the supply, and of each amp board separately.
Then remove the bulb tester for further testing with the Variac. Remove the Variac after testing is complete.
and use it to test the amplifier/sink assemblies.
Use a Variac of adequate current rating to power the supply.
Properly fuse both the Variac and the power supply.
Use a light bulb tester for the initial power-on of the supply, and of each amp board separately.
Then remove the bulb tester for further testing with the Variac. Remove the Variac after testing is complete.
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Perhaps your first project should be a power supply. It would be good practice since a regulated supply has most of the same issues as a power amp. You don't need a full power source, since during trouble shooting, you usually don't load the amp. Then when it seems to be working properly, you can move to a larger raw supply. I'm tempted to throw up a simulation, but I'll assume if you plan to build amps, then you know what's involved. Let me know if you want it anyway. If you are really ambitious, many here would a like a bipolar SMPS good for maybe +/-40V and 10 Amps.
I know many people will attack me but I would recommend a linear PSU instead of a SMPS for audio projects. 🙂
I agree, linear is better for absence of common-mode noise. However linear bench supplies are getting much harder to find.
One forum member has just got one of these. The price looked good.
https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/c...0-100v-0-3a-linear-0-50v-0-6a-5v-fixed-output
https://www.circuitspecialists.eu/c...0-100v-0-3a-linear-0-50v-0-6a-5v-fixed-output
Looks great except I'd be a bit concerned about the fans. Are they on all the time or are temperature controlled?
I honestly have no idea... I'll ask but I suspect we are a way off using the supply for anything high current 🙂
I'm only curious, not intending to buy one. It'd be fine if they only came on when the supply was working hard, but when loafing along I'd not want it to announce its presence.
Well apparently they have not run so far... so looks temperature controlled.
Are you being facetious? That is the one thing I thought I had figured out. My impression was that linear was the way to go.
I have an (older?) version of this one. The CSI3005XIII. I don't think I have ever heard the fans kicking in so most likely they are temperature controlled.
Having said that, it developed a mechanical toroidal buzz recently. Not too loud but pretty annoying.
Also, it's a bit of a pain to adjust the Current limiting. I'm pretty sure there's a folk in UK selling some add-on PCBs to overcome this issue but I can't seem to find it now.
BTW, that's a large unit in case you you don't have much bench space.
EDIT: That's the one but he doesn't seem to sell these anymore...
Having said that, it developed a mechanical toroidal buzz recently. Not too loud but pretty annoying.
Also, it's a bit of a pain to adjust the Current limiting. I'm pretty sure there's a folk in UK selling some add-on PCBs to overcome this issue but I can't seem to find it now.
BTW, that's a large unit in case you you don't have much bench space.
EDIT: That's the one but he doesn't seem to sell these anymore...
A good power supply is one of the most useful bits of test gear you can have. A power supply like the one we are talking about will let you design and test most types of amp. Once you have passed the test and development stage of an amp then ultimately you have to power it off its own dedicated supply but a supply like this will get you to that point.
You won't get better in terms of what you need imo. As long as this one is good quality it should cover all you require.
I bought a rigol 832 last year. A good P/S is a very handy thing. I think it would suit your needs. 3 outs, 2 are 0-30V, 0-3A. Last output is 5V max. Almost a perfect supply as I can use the 5 (or dial it down to 3.3) for digital and the +/-30 for linear.