Does the quality of a toroidal transformer and the bridge rectifiers of an unregulated power supply really make that much of a difference to the sound of an amplifier?
What size transformer? They can pick up noise from proximity, so you can isolate with non-conductive pad. Non-toroids sometimes hum naturally. Some do pick up noise. Small ones generate common mode noise.
Diodes make a huge difference, especially in non-constant current supplies. Their is a whole host of ways they can pick up or make noise. Search and you'll find info. Hell even some manufacturers of the "same" diode are prefered over others.
Your time would be better spent asking what are good choices for a PSU.
Diodes make a huge difference, especially in non-constant current supplies. Their is a whole host of ways they can pick up or make noise. Search and you'll find info. Hell even some manufacturers of the "same" diode are prefered over others.
Your time would be better spent asking what are good choices for a PSU.
at the moment i have 2 cheep RS Components 120VA transformers and 4 Taiwan Semiconductor GBPC3504W for dual mono feeding RJM Audio Sapphire headphone amp.
the transformers mechanical hum is pretty loud.
do you think i would benefit by upgrading to better products and if so which would people recommend (no silly money please)
the transformers mechanical hum is pretty loud.
do you think i would benefit by upgrading to better products and if so which would people recommend (no silly money please)
A toroidal has the most interwinding capacitance of any transformer type as the secondary and the primary share the same winding area in close proximity. Thus its subject to common-mode noise. Depending on the amplifier design and layout, the sound can easily be affected by such noise.
R core and C core can be wound similarly to toroids in that the primaries and secondaries are wound over each other.
They will all have similar inter-winding capacitance.
Some EI winding types also have this capacitance.
That's why we see some special winding topologies to reduce the inter-winding capacitance.
They will all have similar inter-winding capacitance.
Some EI winding types also have this capacitance.
That's why we see some special winding topologies to reduce the inter-winding capacitance.
Bigger = better insulation, if done right, so less common mode noise. The smaller the transformer the more capacitance in general.
Also something I'm not as certain about, but I'd think the frequency of the common mode nosie would lower with larger physical size.
Also something I'm not as certain about, but I'd think the frequency of the common mode nosie would lower with larger physical size.
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