A novel way to massively improve the SQ of computer audio streaming

[romaz]

16 hours ago, seeteeyou said:

Speaking of GaN-based power, did you guys find any GaN-based inverters useful for batteries at all?

 

Emile tried powering an Extreme using his GaN DC-ATX converter and a giant 24V battery and the results were not positive.  Personally, I think I am done with batteries for directly powering digital components.  

As for a GaN-based inverter, I have not seen one.  The problem with DC-to-AC inversion is that the DSP involved introduces distortion, sometimes >10%.  I would not automatically assume, for example, that a giant Tesla 13.5kWh Powerwall battery that people can buy for their homes will sound better than AC power from the grid because the inverters used are not audiophile quality.  The best off-the-shelf inverters I have looked at, the distortion ratings are around 2% but those are lower power (sub 2500 watt inverters).  The very expensive Stromtank S2500 that I tried claims a line distortion of about 2% but the problem I had with that battery-powered inverter is that transients were soft.  You really have to use a massive array of paralleled cells to achieve very low output impedance for this to sound good but the expense goes up and so does the size of the unit.  

[romaz]

23 minutes ago, Superdad said:

 

Hi: So I am confused. These DIY supplies being pictured are all UNREGULATED units?

No output voltage regulator (discrete or integrated) at all?

So just transformer>diodes>choke/caps>output?

What are you feeding that unregulated 36V into?

 

Can either you or @Nenon clarify please?

Thanks!

--Alex C.

 

The Taiko GaN DC-ATX converter can handle any DC input between 16-40V and so as long as it sees voltage within this range, regulation is not important.  

[romaz]

On 7/27/2021 at 4:30 PM, Superdad said:

The Jaegers are okay but expensive, inconvenient to work with, and not often in good stock.

But I hold GX16 connectors in extremely low regard. Most of those to be had are garbage from China, you can buy a bag of 30 sets (male and female pairs) for $6!

 

Frankly we would like to see everyone move to the really terrific Neutrik speakON connectors. Exceptional flat contact area, very high current capability, 1mOhm contact resistance. Plus super easy to work with, accepts big wire, readily available in 2, 4, and 8 pole versions--all at reasonable prices.

https://www.neutrik.com/en/products/audio/speakon

 

According to Paul Hynes:

Gold-plated DIN connector:  5 milliohms impedance

Silver-plated XLR connector:  3 milliohms

Jaeger:  <1 milliohm

 

According to Sean Jacobs and Farad:
GX-16:  3 milliohms

 

With the GX16 4-pin connectors, if 2 pins are paralleled, you can cut impedance in half to about 1.5 milliohms.  

 

Neutrik Speakon connector (according to Neutrik):  ≤3 milliohms  (https://www.neutrik.com/en/product/nl4fc)

 

So the Speakon not really better than GX-16.

 

The GX-16 connectors currently being used in the ARC6 prototype are sourced in the U.K. and are 10x the cost of the ones you can buy from China.

 

A potential option yet to be explored are the Anderson PowerPole connectors which report a contact resistance of only 0.6 milliohms:

https://powerwerx.com/anderson-261g2-powerpole-contact-pp45

https://www.acerracing.com/collections/powerpole-connectors

 

For reference, the resistance of 16awg copper DC wire is about 4 milliohms per foot.

 

Barrel connectors have a contact resistance of about 30 milliohms each! 

 

If you're using 1 meter of DC wire with barrel connectors on each end, then your ultra low impedance PSU is no longer ultra low impedance.  With so much effort to get the ARC6 to sub 1-milliohm levels, you potentially throw away the effort if you use long DC cabling and bad connectors and so while the connectors on the final spec ARC6 DC4 has yet to be established, the GX-16 connectors are by far not your worst option.

 

[romaz]

On 7/28/2021 at 12:23 PM, seeteeyou said:

 

Just a few examples

 

https://www.transphormusa.com/en/evaluation-kit/tdinv3500p100-kit/

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/transphorm/TDINV3500P100-KIT/7926549

https://www.psma.com/sites/default/files/uploads/tech-forums-semiconductor/presentations/is082-portable-power-people-inergy-realizes-its-vision-transphorm-gan.pdf

 

I would treat that more like a bonus for me if I were getting positive results for audio applications.

 

Otherwise, better be safe than sorry these days since next disaster could very well be just around the corner. It could be flood or just about anything that we couldn't even imagine IMHO. Maybe that "Plan B" might end up saving our lives but who knows?

 

 

Hmm, definitely worth exploring!  

[romaz]

4 hours ago, matthias said:

 

I modified all components with Neutrik PowerCon 32 A connectors which get power from a hard-wired distribution block powered by one AWG 5 cable.

 

Matt

 

Boulder amps use 250V 32A connectors and that connector is just massive:

Even though the Neutrik PowerCon 32A connectors can pass 32A of 250V AC, the contact resistance of that connector is only still about 3 milliohms and so with regards to contact resistance for low voltage power supplies like the ARC6, this connector is not really an improvement over the GX-16:

 

 

[romaz]

39 minutes ago, Exocer said:

I will soon experiment with my DIY Sean Jacobs DC3, switching from questionable GX-16 connectors/Oyaide barrel to the Deans Ultra Plugs on both ends and report back.

 

Cheers,

-Rob

 

 

Yes, very much interested to know your findings. 

 

With the giant LiFePO4 batteries I have here, without spending a lot of money, you can buy these 6awg DC cables terminated with ring terminals on one end (to connect to the battery) and PowerPole connectors on the other end to connect to the power supply.  These connectors are genderless and very securely snap on.  They can also be crimped instead of soldered for a more secure fit without the coloration that soldering adds.  

 

https://www.impulseelectronics.com/power-cable-75-amp-powerpole-to-eyelet-terminal/

https://powerwerx.com/5900-bk-anderson-power-6awg

[romaz]

But for all out "low impedance", it looks like the Dean's ULT might be the best:

 

0.13 milliohms is nearly an order of magnitude less impedance than the GX-16.