Best alternatives LPSU to Paul Hynes SR7

[ClothEars]

This linear power supply is brilliant.  Don’t be put off by the cheap price and Chinese build.  It performs far better than many exotic and expensive brands out there.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/STUDER900-Regulator-linear-power-supply-DC12V-2-5A-30W-tube-Preamplifier-Audio-Decoder-Professional-Power-Adapter/32822732608.html

[ClothEars]

10 hours ago, Lebouwsky said:

To which power supplies have you compared it to?

 

Over the past 2 years a group of us have been testing various power supplies to extract the best from our SOtM SMS-200Ultra's and Tortuga LDR preamps.  Staring with common LPS's like the Teradak, HD Plex, iFi iPower and some DIY builds.  We also borrowed some such as the Keces. SOtM's mBPS-d2s and the newer SPS-500.  A Gieseler, Uptone LPS-1 and Core Audio were also tested but an LPS from China the "Zerozone"  was purchased because it was so cheap and to our surprise it performed better than the aforementioned products.  However the best performer of the lot was a heavy duty 12V car battery (Optima Yellow Top) that trumped them all.  I used the battery on the SMS-200 Ultra and the Zerozone LPS's on the USB HDD caddy and the Tortuga.

 

We had happily settled on this battery power supply until about 8 months ago we started to see some chatter about the Studer 900 power supply on some other forums.  At $18 for the LPS kit from aliexpress one of us built a 12V 3A version and we checked it out.  Collectively we were stunned at the performance.  Whilst just a bit better than the battery it was considerably better than the others and you can buy a fully built one as recommended above for just US$60.  A bit of tweaking with cables and capacitors lifted it's performance further.  At the price it represents astounding value and worth a try if you are searching for a high performance LPS without the high price tag.

[ClothEars]

2 hours ago, Ralf11 said:

anybody measure the ripple?

 

No, we don’t have a CRO but we do have ears!

The O.P. was after some options for power supplies.  It’s just our collective opinion that’s all.

[ClothEars]

On 1/5/2019 at 1:00 PM, tims said:

If you could, please supply the link to this kit - I can't find it on the aliexpress site.

 

Thanks

 

I put the link in my first post.

@wanta911 has also provided a link three posts ago.

[ClothEars]

5 hours ago, tims said:

@Cloth Ears  Thanks but I was after a link for the kit(?) mentioned above for $18 unless I have misunderstood your post.

 

Cheers

 

Here you go.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TL072-Regulated-Power-Supply-DIY-Kits-based-on-STUDER900-For-Pre-AMP-DAC-/173230773542

 

I actually bought the assembled boards and built the power supply with it.  That way I could tweak the case, connectors, wire, capacitors and transformer to my liking.  I used a 50VA instead of the 30VA that comes with the completed units.

 

 

[ClothEars]

13 hours ago, wanta911 said:

 

Thanks! I have a fully built one now that is powering my Chord Qutest....I'm not sure if I've heard the Qutest sound this good but I'll give it a bit more time before I make any definitive statements. For the record - I own a JS-2, an Ultracap 1.2, an SBooster and an HDPlex 200W.

 

I look forward to your impressions. 👍

[ClothEars]

32 minutes ago, dmormerod said:

 

Anyone know of an alternative as the one referenced is showing as no longer available. 

 

The kits are still available here.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lusya-5-24V-STUDER900-Regulator-Power-supply-board-super-LM317-LT1083-LT1085-DIY-kit-finished-board/32948135430.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.288d54e1lu1zP5&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10065_10068_10130_10547_319_317_10548_10696_453_10084_454_10083_433_10618_431_10307_537_536_10131_10132_10133_10059_10884_10887_100031_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=c49fd9cf-28c5-4213-b78d-ceb9f7ed3a1c-1&algo_pvid=c49fd9cf-28c5-4213-b78d-ceb9f7ed3a1c

 

The built units using a 25VA transformer can still be purchased here.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/25W-HIFI-Ultra-Low-Noise-Linear-Power-Supply-DC-Regulated-PSU-Refer-STUDER900-5V-6V-7V/32802603807.html

 

If you google "Studer900" or "Studer 900" other options appear via Aliexpress.

[ClothEars]

10 hours ago, dmormerod said:

I did google and also look in AliExpress, but what drove my question was the fact that the images for all the other alternative look a very different layout to the original version that was suggested, and not being an electronic wiz I wasn’t sure if they would perform the same. 

 

There are some variations to the circuit board to allow mounting in a small case with the transformer soldered direct to the board.

You could also buy a twin supply board and just use one side.

[ClothEars]

35 minutes ago, greenleo said:

I do not know why, but whenever I click the  following link as shown in the 40th post, a tab comes out (which is good) but then nothing cones out.

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lusya-5-24V-STUDER900-Regulator-Power-supply-board-super-LM317-LT1083-LT1085-DIY-kit-finished-board/32948135430.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.288d54e1lu1zP5&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_3_10065_10068_10130_10547_319_317_10548_10696_453_10084_454_10083_433_10618_431_10307_537_536_10131_10132_10133_10059_10884_10887_100031_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_51,ppcSwitch_0&algo_expid=c49fd9cf-28c5-4213-b78d-ceb9f7ed3a1c-1&algo_pvid=c49fd9cf-28c5-4213-b78d-ceb9f7ed3a1c

 

 

 

 

I don't know why you are having a problem but I just used the link to order 2 more kits for future projects.

Try this one and see if it works for you.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Lusya-5-24V-STUDER900-Regulator-Power-supply-board-super-LM317-LT1083-LT1085-DIY-kit-finished-board/314284_32948135430.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.4.6c4a76acsNDSs1

 

[ClothEars]

5 hours ago, dmormerod said:

 

Curious which transformers you used?

 

I used a 50VA Nuvotem toroidal with two 15V 1.7A secondaries wired in parallel to give 15V 3.4A output to the modules.  As I was building a twin unit I then encased the two transformers in a galvanised iron shield made from a 50mm gutter strap flattened out then rolled into a cylindrical casing and gaffer taped around each transformer.

 

[ClothEars]

On 1/27/2019 at 5:21 AM, dmormerod said:

Also can I be a pain and ask what case you’re using? It’s amazing how hard it is to find a decent enclosure!

 

Try here.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Breeze-Audio-BZ2409H-Full-aluminum-amplifier-enclosure-rounded-preamplifier-headphone-chassis-amplifier-diy-amplifier-chassis/32416791135.html

[ClothEars]

21 minutes ago, Superdad said:

 

I have previously tested a variety of the popular ZeroZone and other Chinese supplies and found them to fall far short of their claimed current ratings (somewhere on the forum you can find photos of at least one Zerozone load test).  

So based on interior construction photos of the ones you have been linking to I was skeptical of your above claim.  But I figured, what the heck, these "STUDER900" units are cheap enough, and a 2.5A 12V supply can come in handy.  So I ordered one from your exact link--and even splurged for DHL delivery.  It arrived about an hour ago so I hooked it up to my programable electronic load.

 

Sad to report that this 12V supply, rated for 2.5 amps, can barely be considered reliable as a 1.5A supply.  Below is the photographic proof.  At 1.0A you get 11.66V; at 1.6A we are at 10.9V; by 1.65A its outputting 10V and falling; at 1.7A its 8.3V and dropping rapidly, and it is basically shutting down by 1.8A.

 

 

Just for fun and comparison, here is a JS-2 happily putting out 7.2 amps at 12V.  Admittedly this comes with a much higher price--and higher performance in many other areas.

 

Certainly the STUDER900 is a deal, just not the one they claim it is.  It surprises me that these companies don't even bother to put their own products on the bench before making even simply output current performance claims.

 

What size transformer does your unit use?

[ClothEars]

Just now, Superdad said:

 

Sorry, do you mean the 12V/2.5A rated STUDER900 you linked to that I just tested, or do you mean the UpTone Audio JS-2?

The Studer 900 unit you purchased.

[ClothEars]

22 minutes ago, Superdad said:

Here is a pic I took just now so you know we are talking about the same product:

 

Yes, that's the unit in question however I ordered the kit and built my own unit using a 50VA transformer instead to get the spec closer to 2.5A.  I also ensured my unit has a fuse and is earthed correctly.  There is a picture of it in post# 33.

 

Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to try out your JS-2 unit as it costs $1,300.00 here in OZ and that is beyond my budget.  I have no doubt it would sound great but the Studer 900 is about 1/10 the cost to build and does a great job in lieu. 

[ClothEars]

2 hours ago, Lebouwsky said:

No matter how low the price is, safety first. It should be capable of running 24/7 without any risk. Parents know what I’m talking about. What’s the risk we’re dealing here and how big is that risk? 

 

 

 

I agree wholeheartedly - that's why I built my own.  It's a pity the workmanship on Superdad's unit leaves much to be desired.

[ClothEars]

14 hours ago, Lebouwsky said:

If I understand you correctly you have forseen this risk and modded the psu to your standard.

 

If I were in your position I’d at least have mentioned safety is an issue with this unit, so all can decide for themselves if they’re willing to take that risk.

 

Thanks for sharing btw @Superdad

 

I did not build one because of any foreseen risk - I could not buy a built unit that met my needs so I built one that did.  I certainly could not foresee the insides of the unit Supdad bought!