Best way to wire this power supply?

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Ghoostknight

Member
Joined 2022
#1
Hello

i have a power supply board here (already bought) (https://www.thel-audioworld.de/module/NT-HQ/NT-HQ.htm#NT25) that is able to provide symmetric power and im wondering if i could power a +9V dac with -4V/+4V instead of +9V/GND and if it would bring any potential benefit ?

another thing im wondering since these can act as 2 seperate power supplys ... my dac needs 9V and my headphone amplifier 18V, could i series both sides for 18V and just use one side for 9V at the same time?

(also any comments on the power supply itself are appreciated, is it good? and can it be tweaked further? additional caps?)
 
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#3
i also read somewhere that power supplys could benefit from a additional ground connection to minus, is this true?

as the schematic from the power supply looks both sides are completely isolated and "floating" without GND reference
NTHQ.jpg
 
#4
Generally the power supply "ground" will be connected to the audio circuit "ground".
This is because the supply DC current must always flow in a loop.
But not always, see circlotron amplifiers where the supplies remain floating.
 
#5
I am confused.
Do you have +/- 4V or +/- 9V?

Yes, as the supplies are floating you can series wire them.
You must take care when your circuits are sharing ground connections not to cross them.
So if your circuits need 9V and 18V single supplies the 2 supplies would be in series.
The lower supply only would supply the 9V and both in series the 18V.
The negative would be common to both the DAC and the amp.
Provided the current demand does not exceed the output of the regulator. In this example, the lower regulator is supplying both so current must be added together. The upper regulator is supplying only the amp.
 
#6
russc said:
I am confused.
Do you have +/- 4V or +/- 9V?

Yes, as the supplies are floating you can series wire them.
You must take care when your circuits are sharing ground connections not to cross them.
So if your circuits need 9V and 18V single supplies the 2 supplies would be in series.
The lower supply only would supply the 9V and both in series the 18V.
The negative would be common to both the DAC and the amp.
Provided the current demand does not exceed the output of the regulator. In this example, the lower regulator is supplying both so current must be added together. The upper regulator is supplying only the amp.
Click to expand...

thanks, so a 9V + 18V scenario would be possible, i have to check consumption

regarding the "Do you have +/- 4V or +/- 9V?" :
if i wanna just power the 9V dac, would it be beneficial (or even possible) provide +4,5V/-4,5V instead of +9V/0V
 
#7
rayma said:
Generally the power supply "ground" will be connected to the audio circuit "ground".
This is because the supply DC current must always flow in a loop.
But not always, see circlotron amplifiers where the supplies remain floating.
Click to expand...
so, it would be connected to GND trough some audio device with a GND connection anyway?
would it be beneficial to connect GND right at the supply? i guess i could also implement the GND connection with a GND Lift button
 
#11
russc said:
Use a symmetrical power supply when the circuit being supplied needs it.
If you post details of the devices being powered you will get advice to suit.
Click to expand...
the dac and headphone amp would be a Aune X8 + Aune X7s, tho im unsure of the current drawn the provided power supplys seem oversized with 2A if i remember correctly, which this thel power supply cant do, i might just go with 2 seperate rails...
also i think symmetric power is useless for normal devices, it also sound odd haven -4,5V as GND
 
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