The Paul Hynes SR7

[ALRAINBOW]

I have tried using a few brands of lps units 

also other dc atx boards I know paul

has a great rep and well deserved too. 

Having said this I think the use of his device in its inplimentation is where I think it can be used better. 

A reg full size atx board and an dc to atx board converter.  Also 19 volt ones always sound better than 12 volt and dc atx better than a pico

hd plex whom I have no affiliation for makes very good lps cheap and dc atx boards.  

For me PAUL who I have one of his lps is very well made but to wait that long at my age is hell no lol.  If I were to order one of his it would be as follows 

19 volt 

12 volt 

5 volt X2 

3.3 volt 

and make my own atx cord 

[BMCG]

1 hour ago, ALRAINBOW said:

I have tried using a few brands of lps units 

also other dc atx boards I know paul

has a great rep and well deserved too. 

Having said this I think the use of his device in its inplimentation is where I think it can be used better. 

A reg full size atx board and an dc to atx board converter.  Also 19 volt ones always sound better than 12 volt and dc atx better than a pico

hd plex whom I have no affiliation for makes very good lps cheap and dc atx boards.  

For me PAUL who I have one of his lps is very well made but to wait that long at my age is hell no lol.  If I were to order one of his it would be as follows 

19 volt 

12 volt 

5 volt X2 

3.3 volt 

and make my own atx cord 

+1 ...indeed that would be of distinct interest.  

[jelt2359]

For those who are looking at the SR7 (as opposed to the SR4). The SR7 can be adjusted downwards, at 0.1V increments, by up to 10V. So for example if you're looking to use 3.3V or even 5V, you may as well get 12V for more flexibility. When you adjust the voltage downwards the excess is given off by the regulator as heat so there may be some heat management issues which may necessitate a different chassis like the Streamcom FC9 or FC10, however Paul will calculate these for you and give you the best suggestion for what you're looking for.

[kopelli]

On 22/12/2017 at 6:35 PM, tapatrick said:

Just in case make sure to use this email address: 

[email protected]

Paul has always replied to my questions etc within a few hours

 

I would love to have a SR7 but the wait is too long, so when the SR4 came along I couldn't resist as I've always wanted a PHynes (even though I don't really need one)

Thanks @tapatrick, that is the email address i have been using. As mentioned, I sent Paul one email in early October and another in late November, asking for status, and got no response. Based on people’s feedback, it seems that Paul always comes through and I am sure the SR7 will be amazing but it’s kind of frustrating to commit all this money upfront, only to be in the dark about progress and ETA - especially in view of the fact that SR4s are being shipped and people are getting updates about those.

[beautiful music]

1 minute ago, kopelli said:

Thanks @tapatrick, that is the email address i have been using. As mentioned, I sent Paul one email in early October and another in late November, asking for status, and got no response. Based on people’s feedback, it seems that Paul always comes through and I am sure the SR7 will be amazing but it’s kind of frustrating to commit all this money upfront, only to be in the dark about progress and ETA - especially in view of the fact that SR4s are being shipped and people are getting updates about those.

+1

[octaviars]

On 2017-12-22 at 9:23 PM, Cornan said:

 

Well, I am up the same challenge as well. Anyone in Sweden with a trifecta just pm me. I would love to wrong! ?

 

I might get the tX-USBUltra and run that with my sMS-200ultra but they will be powered by Paul Hynes SR4 not a SotM sPS-500.

If UPS finds my SR4 that has been missing for almost 2 weeks now.......they wrote that it can take 2-5 weeks before they close the case and then I will see how Paul deals with it and when he can build a new SR4.

[Cornan]

6 minutes ago, octaviars said:

 

I might get the tX-USBUltra and run that with my sMS-200ultra but they will be powered by Paul Hynes SR4 not a SotM sPS-500.

If UPS finds my SR4 that has been missing for almost 2 weeks now.......they wrote that it can take 2-5 weeks before they close the case and then I will see how Paul deals with it and when he can build a new SR4.

 

Great stuff! Sorry to hear that you're SR4 seems to be lost. I am waiting for the first reviews before I decide if I will order the SR4 or not for my Brooklyn DAC. I really hope they'll find it! 

[octaviars]

10 minutes ago, Cornan said:

I really hope they'll find it! 

 

Well they say lots of bad things about Postnord but they never lost a package that I have sent or was going to receive and that must be hundreds during many years.

This is the second time I deal with UPS and they lost the package so no good start.....

[Cornan]

10 minutes ago, octaviars said:

 

Well they say lots of bad things about Postnord but they never lost a package that I have sent or was going to receive and that must be hundreds during many years.

This is the second time I deal with UPS and they lost the package so no good start.....

 

Yeah, I have actually got only good things to say about PostNord. I send with them on a daily basis through work and they almost never loose a package. Unfortunately that happens considerable more frequent with both UPS and TNT IME. However, usually they find it within a month or so (after a strange package route via customs), which ofcourse is annoying enough. Very rare that they dissapear completely IME though.

[octaviars]

7 minutes ago, Cornan said:

Very rare that they dissapear completely IME though.

 

Well with Black Friday and Christmas packages perhaps december is just a bad month to get packages. 

On the other hand my package from Ghent in China came to Sweden on a couple of days even with the massive amount of packages being sent in December. 

[Cornan]

11 minutes ago, octaviars said:

 

Well with Black Friday and Christmas packages perhaps december is just a bad month to get packages. 

On the other hand my package from Ghent in China came to Sweden on a couple of days even with the massive amount of packages being sent in December. 

 

Black Friday and Christmas is not the best months to get packages in time for sure. You can get lucky or unlucky. I do think (and surely hope) your SR4 will arrive. They probably just need to find in which pile it is hiding. Good luck!

[jelt2359]

On 12/27/2017 at 5:23 AM, kopelli said:

Thanks @tapatrick, that is the email address i have been using. As mentioned, I sent Paul one email in early October and another in late November, asking for status, and got no response. Based on people’s feedback, it seems that Paul always comes through and I am sure the SR7 will be amazing but it’s kind of frustrating to commit all this money upfront, only to be in the dark about progress and ETA - especially in view of the fact that SR4s are being shipped and people are getting updates about those.

 

If anything, that tells me that the SR4s and SR7s are being manufactured differently, ie assembled and tested by different people. The SR7s are all hand-built by Paul himself, but the SR4s are not.

[ismewor]

15 hours ago, jelt2359 said:

 

If anything, that tells me that the SR4s and SR7s are being manufactured differently, ie assembled and tested by different people. The SR7s are all hand-built by Paul himself, but the SR4s are not.

Of course not, that is why he now got a "helper" or "admin" etc. Otherwise those SR4 will have to ship much delay. However, I still think that lack of response and not able to deliver with multiple delays is not the best way for business. but it may get by on audio business.

[mozes]

Any feedback on the SR4 from those who received it?

[limniscate]

12 minutes ago, mozes said:

Any feedback on the SR4 from those who received it?

It seemed a little better than my HD-Plex.  I didn't get to test it against the LPS-1 because I have 12V SOtM sMS-200 Ultra and dX-USB Ultra.

[mozes]

16 minutes ago, limniscate said:

It seemed a little better than my HD-Plex.  I didn't get to test it against the LPS-1 because I have 12V SOtM sMS-200 Ultra and dX-USB Ultra.

Thanks for the quick reply!

[Cornan]

46 minutes ago, limniscate said:

It seemed a little better than my HD-Plex.  I didn't get to test it against the LPS-1 because I have 12V SOtM sMS-200 Ultra and dX-USB Ultra.

 

Not too optimistic then, or did I read words between the lines wrong? ?

[savjam]

2 hours ago, limniscate said:

It seemed a little better than my HD-Plex.  I didn't get to test it against the LPS-1 because I have 12V SOtM sMS-200 Ultra and dX-USB Ultra.

Based on what I have seen reported from owners, it could take up to two weeks before full performance is realized.

[austinpop]

2 hours ago, limniscate said:

It seemed a little better than my HD-Plex.  I didn't get to test it against the LPS-1 because I have 12V SOtM sMS-200 Ultra and dX-USB Ultra.

 

I retrieved my SR4 from Eric, and am burning it in for at least another 100 hours before doing any comparisons.

 

1 hour ago, Cornan said:

 

Not too optimistic then, or did I read words between the lines wrong? ?

 

Don't give up just yet!

[Emcee]

I got a price and lead-time quote from Paul on an SR3-05. He estimated 20 to 30 working days with the disclaimer ''Circumstances beyond my control may affect lead times...''

I could order an sPS-500 today and receive it by tomorrow. The fact that it's a switch mode PSU bothers me a bit plus I'm still debating whether either of these would be a significant upgrade over my CIAudio unit. Do power supplies really make that much of a difference on streamers or could the money be better spent downstream (DAC, amp, speakers)?

[octaviars]

42 minutes ago, Emcee said:

I got a price and lead-time quote from Paul on an SR3-05. He estimated 20 to 30 working days with the disclaimer ''Circumstances beyond my control may affect lead times...''

 

Have you considered the SR4? That is a better design than the SR3 or do you need more than 2A? The SR4 is 5, 7, 9 and 12v 2A selectable via a selector at the backside.

 

I also decided between Sotm sps 500 and other PSU but when I talked to Paul he just had put out the SR4 for sale and based on the spec (same regulator design as in the SR7) I thought that it would fit my needs (driving a Sotm SMS Ultra) and was less money than Sotm PSU and I really did not want a SMPS supply no matter how good it is.

 

But then UPS lost my package so the SR4 have been missing since 20th of December 

[Emcee]

33 minutes ago, octaviars said:

 

Have you considered the SR4? That is a better design than the SR3 or do you need more than 2A? The SR4 is 5, 7, 9 and 12v 2A selectable via a selector at the backside.

 

I also decided between Sotm sps 500 and other PSU but when I talked to Paul he just had put out the SR4 for sale and based on the spec (same regulator design as in the SR7) I thought that it would fit my needs (driving a Sotm SMS Ultra) and was less money than Sotm PSU and I really did not want a SMPS supply no matter how good it is.

 

But then UPS lost my package so the SR4 have been missing since 20th of December 

I relied on what Paul recommended. I don't know where to get info as I can't find any on his website other than for the SR1 models.

[octaviars]

27 minutes ago, Emcee said:

I relied on what Paul recommended. I don't know where to get info as I can't find any on his website other than for the SR1 models.

 

The SR4 is a brand new design that was made available in November.

 

If you search for SR4 or send Paul a message here I am shure you will get more information.

 

That website is not up to date so no new stuff there.

 

Here is the latest information from Paul. 

 

The SR4 is now currently on the production line and units should be ready to ship out as soon as the rear panels arrive from the chassis manufacturer, which I am told should be later this week. The SR4 is the first product to be designated a stock item rather than a custom build product. I have programmed production of 10 units per month initially. If demand increases production will increase although there will be a lag whilst additional material orders are processed by the manufacturer from their suppliers.

 

Details of the SR4 have been added to the SR power supply information sheet and I have copied this below for you.

 

Paul Hynes Design

 

SR Power Supplies

 

The SR range of high performance power supplies were designed for powering both analogue and digital audio and video equipment. The same proprietary ultra low noise high performance discrete component voltage regulator circuit topology is used in the SR3, SR4, SR5 and SR7 power supplies. The SR3 and SR4 use a standard 50VA mains transformer, the SR5 uses a custom manufactured 160VA mains transformer and the SR7 uses a custom manufactured 250VA mains transformer. The SR7MR uses a custom manufactured mains transformer with up to 500VA rating depending on the overall rail requirements. The custom manufactured mains transformers use oversized grain orientated silicon steel cores and are wound to avoid core saturation in use and to operate quietly both electrically and mechanically. Schottky Barrier rectifiers are used throughout the range, as they do not generate reverse recovery transients and their associated harmonic distortions.

 

The error amplifier used in the voltage regulator modules has the following specification :-

 

Noise voltage < 0.5 nanovolts root Hz

Operating Bandwidth > 300 Mhz

Supply line rejection > 80 dB DC to 100 KHz

Output impedance < 3 milliohms DC to 100 KHz

Transient response and settling time < 100 nanoseconds

 

As the SR3, SR4, SR5 and SR7 all use the same high performance PR3 regulator circuit topology they all have a similar sonic signature musically. Moving up the range allows better quality lower impedance mains transformers and up-rated rectification and regulator output stage providing a reduction in power supply output impedance, which in turn reduces interaction with the load. The increased energy storage capacitor bank also reduces rectifier ripple noise and RFI break through from the mains supply. Another benefit of the increased energy storage capacitance is with transient response and settling time. The net effect musically is to provide progressively larger, more stable and more robust soundstage particularly where large dynamic load current swings occur, as well as, a lower noise floor revealing more low level information and improved timbre and temporal accuracy.

 

The supply rail voltage regulator modules used in these power supplies have progressively higher power ratings and are designated :-

 

S – up to 3A continuous, 20A transient current with a maximum output of 25W continuous

HD – up to 6A continuous, 30A transient current with a maximum output of 80W continuous

EHD – up to 10A continuous, 40A transient current with a maximum output of 125W continuous

 

The actual current rating will depend on the configuration of the supply rail voltage. For example the HD module with an 80W rating will provide 6.6A continuous at 12vdc output but only 4.4A continuous at 18v output.

 

Continuous power output ratings – For fixed output voltage versions the SR3 provides 25W, the SR5 provides 80W and the SR7 provides 125W and the SR7MR chassis can support up to 200W spread across the rails. The SR5 can support one HD module and the SR7 can support one EHD module. The output voltage and output current can be specified within this power rating using the formulae :-

 

V = W/I

I = W/V

 

Where V is output voltage, W is the available power in Watts and I is the output current in Amps.

 

A new product introduction available November 2017 is the SR4 power supply. This is a scaled down version of the SR7 single rail supply with voltage selection switch covering the range 5v, 7v, 9v 12v with an output current rating of 2A continuous 20A transient. It uses the same components and energy storage capacitance as the SR7 and it is ideal for powering most of the digital interface equipment currently available like the microRendu, SOtM sMS200, etc.

 

If you require help with power supply specification I will be pleased to help you where possible.

 

The SR3, SR5 and SR7 power supplies are available with fixed voltage output from 1.6v to 30v or variable voltage output with a 10 volt span on voltage setting, within this range, using the precision adjustment potentiometer internally situated on the regulator module. For variable output voltage versions of the power supplies, set at the maximum output voltage of the range, the SR3 provides 25W, the SR5 provides 80W and the SR7 provides 125W. Lower voltage settings than maximum will increase the voltage across the regulator output device, which will increase the heat generated in this device. To maintain safe operating temperatures and long term reliability the current rating should be de-rated by 8% per volt when reducing the output voltage level on variable output voltage versions.

 

The SR5 and SR7 power supplies are available in Multirail versions SR5MR and SR7MR with galvanic isolation between the supply rails to avoid ground return current intermodulation (ground loops) where more than one item of equipment is powered from the same power supply. The SR5MR can support one HD regulator module and one S regulator module or two S modules. The SR7 can support one EHD module. The SR7MR can support one HD module and up to three additional S modules.

 

XL ultra low impedance (< 1 milliohm) connectors and fine silver internal wiring between capacitor banks, regulator modules and the output connectors, can be fitted to the SR5 and SR7 power supplies.

 

I usually fit Switchcraft DC plugs at the equipment end of DC leads as they are sturdy and have a current rating of 5A continuous unlike most of the DC plugs available. I can fit also Oyaide 2.1mm and 2.5mm DC plugs on request and the charge for this is £25 per fitted connector. Alternative connectors can be fitted and I can quote for these on request.

 

The SR5 and SR7 single rail supplies are also available in DR versions where two of the high performance voltage regulators are cascaded to a give supply line and rectification interference rejection exceeding 150 dB from DC to 100 KHz. This provides lower overall noise levels than the standard power supplies and better dynamic performance. Unfortunately DR rails require two regulator modules per rail so the SR5 chassis can only support 1 DR rail, the SR7MR2 chassis can only support one DR rail and the SR7MR4 chassis can only support two DR rails.

 

From 10/08/17 SR5 and SR7 power supplies now have revised chassis. In order to remain cost conscious the earlier chassis were fabricated from silver anodised extrusions and silver pre-anodised aluminium sheet. The front and back panels were 2mm thick and the panel edges were not machined giving a less than optimal visual aspect to the chassis. The front and back panels are now fabricated from 3mm aluminium plate with milled edges and a brushed aluminium anodised finish. This has enhanced the visual aspect or the power supply chassis to a much higher level and improved the structural integrity of the chassis. The latest price list reflects the additional material and machining cost increase of the new chassis with the silver anodised finish. Black anodised chassis are special order and add £50 to the cost shown in the price list.

 

Customers asking for alternative chassis and materials for their custom build should note that this will incur additional costs to the prices shown in the price lists. If I accept any modification to the normal build specification I will assess the additional cost and provide a revised quotation for these specification changes.

 

Power supply dimensions are :-

 

SR3 – W = 110mm, H = 50mm, D = 170mm

SR4 – W = 110mm, H = 50mm, D = 230mm

SR5 – W = 224mm, H = 90mm, D = 266mm

SR7 (6A) - W = 224mm, H = 130mm, D = 206mm

SR7 (10A), SR7MR2, SR7MR3 – W = 224mm, H = 130mm, D = 266mm

SR7MR4 – W = 224mm, H = 130mm, D = 346mm

[Emcee]

My CIAudio is 2.5A but the SMPS that shipped with my streamer is 3A. So I suspect 3A would be preferable to 2A especially if I decided to connect a USB drive later on.

From Paul:

''The SR3-05 will provide 5v @ 3A continuous. This uses the same high performance discrete component voltage regulator circuitry used in all the SR power supply range.''

Of course I'd like to get the best quality PS within reasonable cost. So if, as you mention, the SR4 is better than the SR3-05 then I need to decide if I'm willing to gamble on less amps vs better quality. All these options are making thirsty.

[jean-michel6]

On 22/12/2017 at 7:01 PM, kopelli said:

I ordered mine about 5 months ago, i did write to Paul a couple of times the last 3-4 weeks but had no response. So I am being patient.

@kopelli @beautiful music

I am in the same situation as you and I start to be quite uncomfortable with this situation. 

To pay upfront such a lot of money for a PS and not a mail to inform you on possible delivery.... 

First time in my life I have such an uncomfortable buying experience and I question myself about the wisdom of my choice.