I have a problem with a Linn Numerik: Upon power on the green LED on the front comes on and there is a faint ticking noise in the power supply, but after a couple of seconds the beast is completely dead and the LED is dark. I found the schematic and R14 and 14 seems to have been quite warm, but they test ok. Otherwise its intestines are in pristine visual condition. Does anybody have a clue? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hans J. Klarskov
Hans J. Klarskov
Nobody had a clue - so I had to do it myself with a little help from Linn Brilliant SMPS - naked! - pink fish media
Just in case somebody else should encounter the problem here's how I solved it. The culprit is the small electrolytics. In the first picture it is clear that the cap has deposited some of its contents onto the pcb. Having found this one I checked the ESR of the rest and discovered 3 suspects more. After replacing all 4 it worked again. The arrows show the components that I changed.
Just in case somebody else should encounter the problem here's how I solved it. The culprit is the small electrolytics. In the first picture it is clear that the cap has deposited some of its contents onto the pcb. Having found this one I checked the ESR of the rest and discovered 3 suspects more. After replacing all 4 it worked again. The arrows show the components that I changed.
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Also replace the X/Y cap. When these RIFAs go, they go with a lot of smoke. They can be found a lot in measurement equipment and they fail a lot. Usually you can see cracks. Possibly you need to replace it with separate caps.
Always use X and Y rated caps (or X2).
Google on rifa smoke and hit "pictures"...
Always use X and Y rated caps (or X2).
Google on rifa smoke and hit "pictures"...
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Dear guido.
Thansk for the answer. You are right. I have seen a lot of these giving in, so I'll replace them. But the first objective was to get it to work again.
Thansk for the answer. You are right. I have seen a lot of these giving in, so I'll replace them. But the first objective was to get it to work again.
Does anyone else find it unethical, devious and downright deceptive that Linn puts these awful switchmode supplies into cases that make them look exactly like nice, potted toroidal power transformers?
I would advise replacing ALL of the lytics in that supply with Nichicon &/or Nippon Chemicon. Rubycons have a long track record of failing in SMPS.
I would advise replacing ALL of the lytics in that supply with Nichicon &/or Nippon Chemicon. Rubycons have a long track record of failing in SMPS.
I don't know whether it is unethical to put a SMPS into a casing that looks like a toroidal power transformer, yet I guess that manufacturers can choose the design they want. In this case it is, however, problematic that the case does not allow much cooling of the components. Indeed, an SMPS does not create much heat - but nevertheless some and I suspect that is the reason why the small electrolytics often fail in this particular case.
Lack of ventilation is a good point, but those caps failed completely predictably, because they are a cheap, garbage brand that anyone with more than a little experience would darn well know wouldn't last long. Just plain stupidly chosen. Rubycons are a bad choice, as well, but not as bad as the others there.
And why put disguise the smps as a potted toroidal xfmr if not with express intent to deceive magazine reviewers and owners? I personally consider it outright fraud.
And why put disguise the smps as a potted toroidal xfmr if not with express intent to deceive magazine reviewers and owners? I personally consider it outright fraud.
I would consider a review claiming a toroidal transformer is better than a smps an outright fraud too...
Good reason, yes. They are CHEAPER to make & ship than good heavy transformers, especially in that they eliminate the need for different transformers/wiring for different mains voltages. If it were for sound quality, Linn, e.g., would not have used such obviously terrible, cheap smps.
It offends me most that Linn calls their cheap garbage smps "Brilliant". A real slap in the face to anyone with any tech knowledge. Seems like they are bragging about how brilliant they are to have saved so much money and fooled so many people into thinking it's a good thing to use that garbage.
Not that familiar with the specific Linn power supply, but I assume your issue is with the "cheap garbage" part, not the "smps" part.
Anyone with tech knowledge knows that designing a smps requires real skills, whereas any old fool can spec a linear supply.
I am very much of the opinion that a SMPS will ALWAYS yield inferior sound versus doing linear supply in any given piece of audio gear that has any analog stages. While it is certainly possible to make a good sounding piece with a well-handled smps, it will always sound better with an at least equally competently handled linear supply.
This is my opinion, but it is based on 40 years of experience.
This is my opinion, but it is based on 40 years of experience.
As you say, that is your opinion. Opinions are great, but supporting evidence would be even better. I am also always a bit suspicious of claims that "technology X will always sound better than technology Y".
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