Paul Hynes SR7 and SR4 Build Calendar Thread

[austinpop]

1 hour ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

Have the owners of SR7 builds 14, 15, and 17 received shipping notices, or better yet, a power supply?

 

I'm the owner of build 17.

 

Nothing yet, but given the update you posted, I am hopeful I'll hear from @paulhynes any day now.

[austinpop]

5 hours ago, oilpaint said:

We haven’t connected since early May.

 

I am one of the guilty ones that took over someone else’s Build - go ahead folks, fire away.....I made a few minor (cable) changes to the original Build but nothing dramatic (as far as I know). I read what he said above but don’t really understand what the issue is or why it is specific to Build 16 - I just thought someone else might know.

 

Paul refers to "remote voltage switching." Does that ring any bells for you? I am not sure what that means, but perhaps it pertains to something you specified for your build?

 

Bottom line - I didn't really understand what Paul meant either.

[austinpop]

1 hour ago, oilpaint said:

@austinpop At some point Paul said he would add external attenuators (like the SR4 has for changing voltage) since a lot of people weren't comfortable opening the case to change voltage. I said that works for me.

 

I am now wondering if I am the only one that is getting the attenuators or, maybe there is something about my build that doesn't like them? 

 

Anyway, thanks for the responses.

 

Ok thanks. I am getting the external voltage selector too. So it seems to be a popular option since Paul offered it.

[austinpop]

Yes things are moving. Paul did send me an update on my SR7 build #17, regarding some challenges he's had with machining FC10 chassis'. Since it does not provide time lines nor help the overall status, I'm not going to post here.

 

But... work is definitely ongoing.

[austinpop]

I just received ship notification of my SR4-19s. 

• Ordered: Mar 19
• Slated for: May batch
• Shipped: Jul 12

[austinpop]

22 minutes ago, TopQuark said:

SR7MR4XL, ordered July 2017 - Build 15 received safe.  Excellent packing.

 

 

I hope you all will get yours soon.

 

Congratulations!

 

What voltage/current are the 4 rails? And what will you be powering?

 

Do let us know how it sounds after it’s settled in.

[austinpop]

Since @TopQuark will be smiling a lot, he may emit a photon and transform into a charm quark. This will make him very popular.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_quark

 

Just kidding around!

[austinpop]

5 minutes ago, oilpaint said:

@austinpop Are you still getting the external attenuators? Have you had any conversations about them with Paul?

 

Not yet, no. From the update posted some weeks ago, I got the impression that Paul has abandoned this idea as he found the quality loss unacceptable. To be honest, in recent times I've had several occasions to pop the lid of SR-7's and adjust voltage manually with the little blue potentiometer on the regulator board, and it's really not a big deal. In fact, I think it's very useful, as it allows you to set arbitrary values - like 16V, which I tried recently for something.

 

I've been using the tiny screwdriver that comes with the LPS-1.2 for these adjustments, but it would be nice to find a longer screwdriver in that same size.

[austinpop]

3 minutes ago, TopQuark said:

 

Thanks. 2 rails are 5-15v (3A each) and the other 2 are 9-19v (3 and 6A).  Just got an email from Paul this is the first Streacom FC9 chassis he built. He built an FC10 before. He has to use the chassis because the transformer mass is just too big for the specs I specified with the standard case.

 

I will be powering the entire chain from router, switch, NUC server, NUC Roon, SOtM regen, split cables, etc up to DAC together with 2 units of SR4-12 and a unit of SR4-19. Transparency, details, and instrument separation is what I am after for the type of music I listen to (instrumental) so PH power supply is very important for my set-up.

 

 

Awesome.

 

You will be doing some of the same tradeoffs I have, which is deciding where to allocate SR7 rails (and what current), and where to use SR4's. I've formed some opinions, but I don't want to bias your observations. Please do keep us posted on your listening results, and what allocations you like best.

 

These may be OT for this thread - which is about the build calendar - so feel free to post on the novel thread.

[austinpop]

Paul has my build #17 on the bench now, and is expecting to be complete soon. He's updated me a couple of times on progress, so I'm very confident he's operational.

 

Most of the issues we've been discussing have been logistical, and irrelevant to the larger group, but a couple of points are worth repeating.

1. As was reported earlier, he has indeed decided to scrap the external voltage selectors. Per Paul:
   • The stray pickup caused by the extension wires for the chassis mounted 
     stepped attenuators was causing sufficient noise and interference pickup 
     to give me concern so I have decided not to fit them. The aim of these 
     DR power supplies was always to provide the finest sound quality I could 
     within the realms of reality so it does not make sense to fit a 
     compromise. Anyone who has paid for the stepped attenuators will receive 
     a refund and this can, of course, be offset against any outstanding 
     costs yet to be paid.
2. He is also incorporating a new DR module, which fits on a single circuit board. Per Paul:
   •  ...the new DR module printed circuit boards have arrived,
     that have both DR regulator circuits on the same module which minimises
     wiring and gives a tidy installation in the FC9 and FC10 chassis...
   • I do expect a small increase with sound quality as two lengths of wire 
     and four connector terminals have been removed from the path of the 
     electron flow.

[austinpop]

25 minutes ago, oilpaint said:

In your conversations with Paul did he happen to mention the status of Build 16?

 

Sorry - no.

[austinpop]

3 hours ago, oilpaint said:

Paul does reply to my emails, although like everyone else, a lot of time can go by before he answers. And I understand this based on everything that he has had to deal with. 

 

What confused me about austinpop's post above is the fact that Build 15 went out 4-5 weeks ago and mine (Build 16) should be next out the door. Since austinpop seems to have an open dialog going with Paul I thought he could inquire for me. I have no doubt Paul will be in touch with me at some point.

 

I don't have a special line to Paul. I experience the same response time as others do.

 

The last I heard about your build was what @auricgoldfinger posted back in June - look back in the thread. Your best bet is to reach out to Paul. Usually, the reason he appears to skip ahead with later builds is if he's waiting for parts. Ultimately, he's the only one who can give you an update.

[austinpop]

On 6/27/2019 at 7:11 AM, auricgoldfinger said:

June 12, 2019

 

I have a problem with build 16 due to an interaction issue using remote voltage switching. I have decided to stick with on regulator board switching of output voltage as used in the SR4 as there is no interaction issue with this. I am having new PCBs made for this.

 

@oilpaint

 

Sorry if I gave offense. I was referring to the above.

 

My intent was merely to point out that Paul often ends up out of sequence when builds are stuck awaiting parts. Additionally, he appears to progress builds in parallel.

 

It also appears that he’s more communicative as the build nears completion.

 

Next time he emails me, I will certainly ask about yours. It’s all I can do.

[austinpop]

5 hours ago, guillaume31 said:

Has anyone heard from Paul about the builds that were "ready to ship" ? it seems the situation is not improving, I enquiried about my build (#24) around 2 weeks ago but still has not heard anything....

 

Well, mine was on the bench (among others?) being constructed. Going by history, I expect the next I'll hear from Paul is when it goes into soak test.

[austinpop]

I just wanted to pass along the fact that Paul's standard PSU line, that until now comprised the SR-4 model, has been expanded to include the SR-5 in a few standard configurations, with the first batch shipping this month. I knew this was in the works, but learned of its operational status when a local friend of mine, who was looking for a high-current 15V PSU for his iFi Pro iDSD DAC, inquired.

 

Please note: I have no firsthand experience with SR-5 units. My friend did place an order for a SR5-15F, so when his unit arrives, I will certainly be borrowing it to listen!

 

I asked Paul if it was OK to post details here, and here are his comments:

 

Of course you can post about the SR5 on the AS forum. The information
you have is current. I would appreciate if you could state that
enquiries should be directed to [email protected] as the SR5 is
now part of PHD Ltd product range and I would prefer not to have people
e-mailing me with sales enquiries as it distracts me getting on with the
outstanding custom build orders. I only provide technical support for
the staff at PHD Ltd now and do not get involved with running their
business (PHD Ltd is shortly to morph into a workers cooperative and
they are now in charge of their own destiny).

 

Here is the info. The contact email is [email protected]

 

SR5 power supply information sheet 22/08/19

The SR5 power supply is now available alongside the SR4 via Paul Hynes Design Ltd.
The SR5 is being manufactured in batches of five units per month initially with the first
batch available during September.

The SR5 uses the same ultra low noise high performance discrete component voltage
regulator as the highly regarded SR4 and SR7 power supplies. The SR5 mains
transformer is configured as a balanced mains isolation transformer to provide
exceptional mains born common mode interference rejection like the SR4 and SR7 power
supplies.

 

SR5 chassis dimensions – W = 224mm, H = 90mm, D = 226mm

The following specification options are available :-
 

The SR5 with a fixed output voltage up to 12v are all rated for 6A continuous output
current and 30A transient :-
SR5-03v3F
SR5-05F
SR5-09F
SR5-12F
 

The SR5 with a fixed output voltage of 15v or 19v are rated for 5A continuous output
current and 30A transient :-
SR5-15F
SR5-19F
 

For the switched output voltage options the continuous current rating should be restricted
as voltage settings are reduced, due to the increase in voltage across the voltage regulator
output stage, which generates more heat in the output stage. Due to the finite thermal
capacity of the chassis the current de-rating should be adhered to, to avoid running the
power supply at high temperatures. Transient current delivery remains the same at all
voltage settings and this is typically > 30A.

SR5-12S switched voltage settings and continuous current rating for each setting :-
5v – 2.4A
7v – 3A
9v – 4A
12v – 6A
 

SR5-19S switched voltage settings and continuous current rating for each setting :-
9v – 1.8A
12v – 2.4A
15v – 3.3A
19v – 5A

 

 

[austinpop]

3 hours ago, oilpaint said:

Build 16 here.

 

Paul contacted me and indicated that he plans to ship my LPS out in the next couple of weeks. His email confirmed he was on top of the last few email requests I had made (for cable length changes and another minor request). I’ll let folks know when it ships.

 

Dan

 

Glad to hear this.

[austinpop]

In corresponding with @Mark (Paul Hynes Design LTD), I just learned that the standard SR-7 (non-custom) line has just been launched by PHD. Mark sent me the product sheet, hot off the presses. This stuff will also be up on the website soon, I'm told. Here's a few snippets:

 

The SR7 power supply is now available alongside the SR4 and SR5 via Paul Hynes
Design Ltd. The SR7 is being manufactured on a build to order basis. This is because the
mains transformers are custom manufactured for us to Paul’s highest specification and
until we know your specification requirements we cannot order in a transformer for your
specification...
 

The SR7 uses the same ultra low noise high performance discrete component voltage
regulator as the highly regarded SR4 and SR5 power supplies. The SR7 mains
transformer is configured as a balanced mains isolation transformer to provide
exceptional mains born common mode interference rejection like the SR4 and SR5 power
supplies. The SR7 is currently only available in fixed output voltage versions designated
SR7S-**F in the silver anodized chassis or SR7B-**F in the black anodized chassis,
where S and B refer to the anodizing colour, ** is the output voltage rating and F denotes
a fixed output voltage rating.

 

...

 

The SR7 is built into the Streacom FC9 chassis
SR7 chassis dimensions – W = 350mm, H = 110mm, D = 310mm
 

The SR7 chassis can accommodate two galvanically isolated supply rails
The following specification options are available :-
SR7-3.3F rating 3.3vdc @ 10A continuous, 40A transient
SR7-05F rating 5vdc @ 10A continuous, 40A transient
SR7-12F rating 12vdc @ 12A continuous, 40A transient
SR7-15F rating 15vdc @ 10A continuous, 40A transient
SR7-19F rating 19vdc @ 10A continuous, 40A transient

 

This looks very promising, even though it obviously excludes some of the custom options like dual regulation (DR) and XL. Mark tells me that they can actually accommodate 2x 10A rails in the FC9 chassis, and the nominal voltage of each rail can be independently specified. That's actually more flexibility than I expected. Assuming they can get these units delivered in a reasonable time frame from order to delivery, this will raise the availability status of SR-7 from unobtainium to not-too-hard-to-obtainium. PHD are shooting for under 12 weeks from order to shipment. Obviously, they need to demonstrate this in action, but from all accounts, this operation is not gated by the availability of one individual, i.e. Paul.

 

From Mark:

 

...Paul, in conjunction with the CMC (Contract Manufacturing Company), has

re-designed the standard SR5 and SR7 power supplies to remove the

requirement for staff technical training as everything is simplified

internally on a modular basis. 

 

Hopefully that makes the operation more scalable. "We'll see what happens."

 

I have no more info than the above. Please contact Mark at [email protected] for pricing, shipping time lines, etc.

[austinpop]

1 minute ago, auricgoldfinger said:

 

Is your pre-owned SR7 an XL model?

 

Since it's a 5-year old unit, it's hard to say. It's certainly not DR, and not XL in the sense it does not use Jaeger connectors. However, the internal DC cabling seems to be silver, so it has that aspect of XL.

[austinpop]

11 hours ago, your momo said:

Strange about the standard SR7 chassis size (W = 350mm, H = 110mm, D = 310mm) as it's much wider and different than the one Paul told me on September 10, 2018 he do fit my custom SR7DRMR2...

PH: The SR7DRMR2 uses the SR7MR4 chassis to allow the fitting of the four regulator modules. This measures W = 224mm, H = 130mm, D = 346mm.

 

This line in the standard SR-7 description explains the difference:

 

23 hours ago, austinpop said:

The SR7 is built into the Streacom FC9 chassis

 

https://streacom.com/products/fc9-fanless-chassis/

[austinpop]

10 hours ago, your momo said:

Yes, but then the "standard SR7" chassis size as listed above post #164  (W = 350mm, H = 110mm, D = 310mm)

doesn't match with the FC9 chassis size from the Web site - Streacom FC9 chassis W = 348mm, H = 100mm, D = 289mm ?!?

 

 

Those differences are rather small. I suspect it is accounting for protruding connectors, perhaps a heatsink. @Mark (Paul Hynes Design LTD) is the right person to ask.

[austinpop]

Build #17 is in the house!

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, this is what the Streacom FC10-based units look like. It'll be a few days before I get to play with this, as I'm still waiting on some cables, and an appropriate fuse (Paul was out of 10A fuses). I haven't yet popped the hood, but Paul tells me this beastie has 800VA of transformers in it! 💪

 

Hang in there, y'all. Good things come to those who wait.

[austinpop]

9 hours ago, Adyc said:

Are there any markings in the case saying it is SR7?

 

Not on the exterior. If you pop the hood, the transformers themselves have Paul's name on them. I guess his OEM supplier now marks them that way. Also, Paul puts name tags on the transformers to remind him for whose build they are. I prefer to think of them as monogrammed transformers!

 

[austinpop]

If anyone on the current custom SR-7 build calendar is looking to cancel their order, I might be interested. Please PM me.

[austinpop]

4 hours ago, sakso136 said:

Guys , i need some help for my newly bought sr5t second hand.

i bought the unit with 110 v fuse, and i forgot to switch it to 230 v when i connected it to my system.

the fuse appearently blew up, and i hope the ps is ok.

i need to buy a new fuse now and i m asking some clarifications.

at the back of the lps it is written :

fuse 1,6 A time delay

110v/240 v.

is it normal to have same specs for 110v/230v?

should i order 1,6 A slow bow?

any idea wich brand should i go with, thinking qsa blue….

thks a lot!

 

These are generic comments, I don't have an SR5T. But assuming your unit has a slider or a knob to select between 110/120v and 220/240v, this is the first thing to get right. I believe that sets the transformer to the right winding ratio. It sound like you left it at 110v, then applied 220v, and your fuse has blown. Hopefully — hopefully — the fuse blowing protected your unit from any damage. The best way to test it is:

• Set the voltage slider or knob to 220/240v
• Replace the fuse with a generic one of the same rating: 1.6A, slow blow. Plenty of time for boutique fuses later. Right now, you want to see if the unit is working
• Turn it on, and test the voltages out of the 2 rails with the DC volts function of a multimeter
• If you get the correct voltage on both rails, breathe a sigh of relief that you dodged a bullet
• If it's inoperative, and the fuse is still OK, then the unit needs repair.

Good luck.