yep i also blame aliexpress management for that... its what its if no one enforces anything... or in a pseudo way (like banning accounts and they open new ones..)
did you guys test around with emi filters before the transformer primary?
thel's emi filter i have here... the power supply didnt excite me but the emi filter seems to work quiet well, i was searching for a emi board some time ago... there are 2-3 options but im unsure about the chinese ones..
I don't use EMI filters because some of them have a bad effect on the sound. I am ordering transformers with static shield (blind grounded layer) between primary and secondary. EMI is transferred capacitively from the primary to the secondary, the static shield eliminates much of that capacitance and drains interference to GND.
And I have a Quasimodo tester to properly determine the snubber for each secondary, so I eliminate the noise from the rectifier. I also practice CRC before the regulator. All together means that the regulator does not deal with HF noise but only with small 100Hz ripple which remains behind the CRC filtration.
And I have a Quasimodo tester to properly determine the snubber for each secondary, so I eliminate the noise from the rectifier. I also practice CRC before the regulator. All together means that the regulator does not deal with HF noise but only with small 100Hz ripple which remains behind the CRC filtration.
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i havent tried much but with what i have tried i believe people are overreacting to emi filters... imo the emi filtering benefit is far better than maybe some reduced dynamics you can easly (somewhat) eq again to your taste
tho from much testing with eq... you can compensate many tweaks with eq... its even not much thats needed 0,2db broadband eq can do alot..
for example one op amp sound a bit brighter vs the other... a low q high shelf filter with maybe -0,5db might already somewhat do the trick.... this doesnt completely hide the character of the tweak, but imo it can compensate it to a far degree
i played around with ferrite cables... there is kinda a german community around it you may can look it up ... it really does alot in terms of quieting the background etc...
tho im still unsure what different emi filter implementation sound like... im honest these 30 eur readymade industrial power cords that have emi filter really do sound kind of crap... but the "audiophile" thel emi filter was really good imo its just kind of expensive...
maybe with these chinese filters the best compromise is to use a one or two stage filter with high current capability, not the best filter characterists but from reading this probably would probably sound atleast acceptable, i might test this theory or test this one: https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/powe...ilter-anti-parasites-emi-230v-10a-p-2875.html but i expect its not better than these cheap power cords with multiple outlets
I think that the static shield in the transformer is sufficient. Just don't get those EMI filters built into the IEC connectors, it will definitely spoil the sound.
or this one https://de.aliexpress.com/item/32632968231.html (the 18A version) i probably go with no dc filter... one dc filter in the power distribution is enough for the whole system..
in the end i went with this-> https://de.aliexpress.com/item/33030666632.html 😀
probably has the nicest pcb out of all the filters i saw, just 10A but thats also a good thing i think... more filtering if the filter is more saturated
it might be a good idea to start a new thread where i document my build, i guess it will take 1-2 months if not longer
probably has the nicest pcb out of all the filters i saw, just 10A but thats also a good thing i think... more filtering if the filter is more saturated
it might be a good idea to start a new thread where i document my build, i guess it will take 1-2 months if not longer
They prevent ground loops through power supplies, they help prevent crosstalk due to audio signals drawing varying current in different parts of the circuitry, and or help prevent intermodulation and or noise due to unwanted coupling between different types of digital and analog circuitry. IME and IMHO no amount of extra bypass/decoupling caps, ferrites beads, etc., works as well separate, isolated power sources.
Regarding power filters, there a many different types of ferrite material. Some of them can introduce hysteresis noise into the system which can then cause various issues with the sound. Also, most small AC line filters only work over limited RF frequencies. The don't replace soft ferrite or laminated-steel common mode chokes on AC power connections which are used to help minimize AC power line-related ground loops.
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how do you execute the grounding scheme? for true isolation the pcbs need to have a floating ground and not connected to chassi, right?
i never made a good comparison, i just was suprised how well this supercapacitor filter performs... and how close it actually bring SMPS and linear power supply to the same-ish performance
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005004413679736.html
... i might play around with these: https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005002737105856.html for 5V and 3,3V lines
i made quick draft for a universal LM317 board...
the sparkos discrete voltage regulators need actually some modifcation to the LM317 circuit, thats what the 2 switches do, since the ADJ pin becomes GND on the sparkos, this might be also a better approach if i wanna do my own regulators
1uF kemet tantalum Cin and Cout caps, kind of universally, tho im still thinking about adding a spot for a larger electrolytic cap, but i read LM317 dont like to large output capacitance so im kinda unsure.. tho i would rather optimize towards better/newer design than LM317...
i could probably leave SW2 out but i rather disconnect it completely if i can..
the sparkos discrete voltage regulators need actually some modifcation to the LM317 circuit, thats what the 2 switches do, since the ADJ pin becomes GND on the sparkos, this might be also a better approach if i wanna do my own regulators
1uF kemet tantalum Cin and Cout caps, kind of universally, tho im still thinking about adding a spot for a larger electrolytic cap, but i read LM317 dont like to large output capacitance so im kinda unsure.. tho i would rather optimize towards better/newer design than LM317...
i could probably leave SW2 out but i rather disconnect it completely if i can..
Attachments
AC line ground must be connected to the chassis. Circuit ground is connected to AC line ground through a hum-breaker circuit, more or less like this (resistor value may sometimes be up to 100R):
For any commercial chassis in your system not made that way, and or for additional minimization of AC power ground loop problems, a used "Monster HTPS 7000 MkII Signature Edition" power conditioner is very good. It was designed for Monster by our own Richard Marsh, and Demian Martin ( @1audio ). They typically go for around $500 on ebay when available. The earlier HTPS 7000 versions are also very effective, but the recommended one is best (and has three GFI duplex AC outlets on the back, for the three transformer balanced circuits).
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AC line ground must be connected to the chassis. Circuit ground is connected to AC line ground through a hum-breaker circuit, more or less like this (resistor value may sometimes be up to 100R):
ah thank you, i have todo some research on that
hmm i actually wasnt able to find much on the topic specific to audio
one question about the transformer, im still looking into the custom toriody audio grade ones, they can offer 4kV isolation between secondarys is this worth taking? it costs around 180 vs 130 euro
one question about the transformer, im still looking into the custom toriody audio grade ones, they can offer 4kV isolation between secondarys is this worth taking? it costs around 180 vs 130 euro
A standard US 120VAC wall socket breaks-down/flashes-over at, IIRC, around 3kv. In case of a lightening strike in the nearby area, the socket flashover voltage may be the last line of protection for connected devices. Thus a 4kV rating may be enough insulation to prevent breakdown of the transformer from primary to secondary in such a case.
The higher voltage insulation may also be more durable, long-lasting, or have other useful properties besides its breakdown voltage rating. You would have to ask Torroidy about that.
The higher voltage insulation may also be more durable, long-lasting, or have other useful properties besides its breakdown voltage rating. You would have to ask Torroidy about that.
the standard configuration for audio grade transformers is SYN-SHIELD and 4kV Isolation between primary and secondary, probably the important one ... but i could add SYN-SHIELD (some kind of copper mesh EMI shield) between secondarys or/and 4kV isolation
TS 400VA
PRI: 230V
---------------------------- 4kV Isolation
---------------------------- SYN-SHIELD
SEC I: 8V (5A)
SEC 2: 8V (5A)
SEC 3: 8V (5A)
SEC 4: 8V (5A)
---------------------------- SYN-SHIELD
SEC 7: 15V (5A)
SEC 8: 15V (5A)
is probably good enough i think
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the modushop case just arrived yesterday... https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&path=171_229&product_id=158
not that impressed, the looks are ok but screws are sparse, most of them are simple steelsheet screws and it really does ring... tho it feels quite rigid but the top and bottom cover can definitely take some bitumen...
kinda thinking on getting better another one.. like this one: https://modushop.biz/site/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=446
but i might still use the case... its not that bad but also not perfect... and i kinda thought the screw in of the baseplate(which is the most rigid part btw) would be more easy, one its in its hard to get out again... specially with cables etc
but i think its gonna get tight with 8 secondarys in either of these
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Be sure to get it, it is grounded to the IEC GND and prevents the capacitive transfer of EMI interference from the primary to the secondary. You don't need an EMI filter which usually affects the sound badly.
between primary and secondary it will be 100% there because this is stock configuration for toroidy audio grade transformer, i could take without but i wont, the question is if i should add the SYN-Shield between the secondary windings, or like in my example above where its only aditionally between "digital" secondarys (8V) and "analog" secondarys (15V)
I don't know about the secondary shield, I don't use it. I guess it's not harmful. 🙄
I put a snubbers on the secondaries with a Quasimodo tester, so there is no noise from the diode bridges.
I put a snubbers on the secondaries with a Quasimodo tester, so there is no noise from the diode bridges.
Hi ! This one has just been released.
I ordered one to see... 250 Euros .Will the DAC experts tear me down?
I like isolated ground planes, based on daughter cards and separate power supplies....
I am assembling a multichannel dac based on an AK4493seq chip from this brand and the first results are nice!
I ordered one to see... 250 Euros .Will the DAC experts tear me down?
I like isolated ground planes, based on daughter cards and separate power supplies....
I am assembling a multichannel dac based on an AK4493seq chip from this brand and the first results are nice!
