Nenon Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 Nicely done @elan120. Congratulations!!! You may want to try to connect the last small Mundorf bypass capacitor directly to the output rather than having one lead going back to the star ground. It may help a little with the high frequency filtering. Or if you have space, move it to your computer chassis and connect it across the DC connector pins there (if you are using a connector). I have one more comment, but I will send you a PM. Enjoy. elan120 1 Industry disclosure: https://chicagohifi.com Dealer for: Taiko Audio, Conrad Johnson, Audio Mirror, and Sean Jacobs Link to comment
Dev Posted May 28, 2020 Share Posted May 28, 2020 29 minutes ago, elan120 said: This was a fun and rewarding project, and I hope you enjoy reading this build process along the way I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Totally awesome Elan. Very professional work 👍 elan120 1 Link to comment
elan120 Posted May 29, 2020 Author Share Posted May 29, 2020 29 minutes ago, Nenon said: You may want to try to connect the last small Mundorf bypass capacitor directly to the output rather than having one lead going back to the star ground. It may help a little with the high frequency filtering. Or if you have space, move it to your computer chassis and connect it across the DC connector pins there (if you are using a connector). That sounds interesting and I will give it a try this weekend along with other things. Time to move in to the "tweak" mode. Link to comment
bit01 Posted May 29, 2020 Share Posted May 29, 2020 @elan120 Congratulations and thank you for sharing the inspiring very disciplined workmanship. Simply terrific. elan120 1 Link to comment
Popular Post elan120 Posted June 21, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 21, 2020 Finally received all the parts needed to build the ATX power supply couple weeks ago, and while building the power supply, I also divert to work on few cables to connect the power supplies to the server. Below is more of an update on what I did with the ATX power supply build rather than detailed build process since most of the build process is similar to the EPS power supply. This ATX power supply will have a total of 4 rails, where 3 of them will be used for ATX connection, the 4th rail will be used to power the JCAT Net Card Femto. As a side note, the 4 Sean Jacobs regulator modules and the 2 ReCap modules are upgraded models, both ReCap modules are installed with Mundorf capacitors, and all wires used in this build is Moundorf solid core silver. The first step is getting all the metal work done, and the process is exactly the same as before. Here is the end result right before assemble key components. Next is having assemble all key components, but instead of leaving the transformer until the end, due to wiring from transformer secondary to pre-filter boards are space limited, it is decided to install the transformer in the beginning. Picture below show all 4 Sean Jacobs regulator modules, 2 Sean Jacobs ReCap modules (4 channels total), and a 400VA Toroidy Supreme Audio Grade transformer installed and secondary wires soldered to the 2 ReCap modules. With the transformer secondary wiring done, it is time to solder outputs from ReCap modules to the four regulator modules. On this build, I decided to add a 0.01uF MLCC bypass capacitor to the output connector for the JCAT Net Card. Before connecting output wires from the regulator modules, I close up the rear panel and soldered transformer primary wires to the power entry module. In this step, it is essential to stress the importance of connecting IEC power input ground to power supply chassis as a safety precaution. This is a simple step to add in the build, but often seen omitted in commercial power supplies. Below are two pictures showing how this power supply is done, where the first picture is the pigtail connected to the chassis, and the second picture show this wire soldered along with transformer primary wires to the power entry module. With the power entry wiring completed, the remaining wiring would be soldering wires from regulator modules to the two output connectors. Here are pictures showing completed left side wiring. Here are pictures with all output wires completed. Now with the wiring job completed, time to install the front panel, power up the supply using the same procedure described previously, measure adjust output voltages under load, and more pictures showing completed ATX power supply. This is the final episode of both EPS and ATX power supply build. It was a very fun project and I hope it was helpful sharing the details here. If you decided to build a power supply, please share some pictures here. For anyone interested in cable building, I post one of the cables build for this server here. motberg, austinpop, Nenon and 8 others 1 8 2 Link to comment
sandyk Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 32 minutes ago, elan120 said: In this step, it is essential to stress the importance of connecting IEC power input ground to power supply chassis as a safety precaution. This is a simple step to add in the build, but often seen omitted in commercial power supplies For the less experienced members, do not forget that when earthing the metalwork to the IEC mains socket, that you should also scrape away any anodising around the hole(s) to make good electrical contact. It is also worthwhile to run another wire to the front panel as well as other screw fitted panels. Use your DMM to make sure that you have a very low resistance reading between panels of less than 1 ohm. Nenon 1 How a Digital Audio file sounds, or a Digital Video file looks, is governed to a large extent by the Power Supply area. All that Identical Checksums gives is the possibility of REGENERATING the file to close to that of the original file. PROFILE UPDATED 13-11-2020 Link to comment
Nenon Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 @elan120 Nicely done! 1 hour ago, elan120 said: This is the final episode of both EPS and ATX power supply build. You have to do a follow up on listening impressions Industry disclosure: https://chicagohifi.com Dealer for: Taiko Audio, Conrad Johnson, Audio Mirror, and Sean Jacobs Link to comment
Popular Post elan120 Posted June 21, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 21, 2020 1 hour ago, Nenon said: You have to do a follow up on listening impressions Sounds like a plan...will do that after some burn-in time. RickyV, austinpop and Nenon 1 2 Link to comment
HeeBroG Posted June 21, 2020 Share Posted June 21, 2020 An absolute work of art!👌 Nenon 1 PH SR7 > MacMini+Uptone MMK Mod > Audirvana 3.2 > re-clocked D-LInk switch/LPS1.1 > sMS-200Ultra/LPS1.2 > tX-USBUltra/PH SR7 > Chord BluDave > Focal Utopia(Norne Silver) or Voxativ 9.87/ Stereo REL G1 Mk II Link to comment
Dev Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Fabulous and very professionally done again Elan 👍 Kudos! Nenon 1 Link to comment
Tatomek7 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Hi @elan120, Do you have some first listening impressions? Particularly I'm interested with the first project with only 2 big Mundorf capacitors, which I personally would be afraid to install. Did you check, as a bypass capacitor Miflex ones? Duelund are the best, but Miflex adds speed and its on the lower budget side. Here is sound comparison of different caps http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Cap.html Link to comment
elan120 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 5 hours ago, Tatomek7 said: Do you have some first listening impressions? Yes, the initial listening impression after about a month of burn-in is very positive. At this time, the initial burn-in for the EPS power supply is either done or very close being done as the improvement started to become difficult to detect. Overall, without going into too much details, this power supply is a very significant step up in SQ compare to the different setups mentioned in my first post that I have tried. The details, background noise level, sound stage, dynamic, impact, all took a very positive step forward, and the music presentation is so much more enjoyable with this power supply. 5 hours ago, Tatomek7 said: Did you check, as a bypass capacitor Miflex ones? Duelund are the best, but Miflex adds speed and its on the lower budget side I only have tried a limited number of tweaks thus far, and I do have few more I plan to experiment once everything is settled a bit more, and different bypass cap being one of tweaks I plan to explore. 5 hours ago, Tatomek7 said: Particularly I'm interested with the first project with only 2 big Mundorf capacitors, which I personally would be afraid to install. Just curious, what reason(s) preventing you from considering these caps? Link to comment
Tatomek7 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 34 minutes ago, elan120 said: what reason(s) preventing you from considering these caps? Some apprehension it will slow down the sound. I just would go for smaller caps as more secure choice, but it’s only feeling, not knowledge. This is why I was curious listening impressions. Link to comment
Blackmorec Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Hey Elan really enjoyed the article and the photos were very good indeed. I will personally never be able to build such a thing but I really enjoyed watching you build it. The article exudes confidence and skill. I can tell you, my expectation bias is off the scale. So no pressure, but looking forward to hearing how it all sounds. Problem for you is, that little beauty is going to take an age to run-in. Some very heavy duty stuff in it that we know I can take months rather than weeks or days. But once it’s all run in I have a feeling it may surprise even you. Quality power supplies do seem to have an especially powerful influence on improving sound quality in digital systems. And this unit you’ve built exudes quality Link to comment
elan120 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 @Blackmorec, Thank you for the comment. I think you are right on regarding the lengthy burn-in needed for these components used in both power supplies. After a month of burn-in on the first one (EPS), although the improvement is slowing down, but I can still sense the change from time to time, and it is so much more fun and enjoyment having them in the system now. I will have more detailed impression updates later, but even at this point, I am very impressed with the result, and having inputs from Sean Jacobs on various questions really helps. 16 minutes ago, Blackmorec said: Quality power supplies do seem to have an especially powerful influence on improving sound quality in digital systems. Fully agreed! RickyV 1 Link to comment
k27R Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Beautiful build! Why the 0.01uF MLCC bypass capacitor to the output connector for the JCAT Net Card? Why just for that output and not the others? Link to comment
elan120 Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 26 minutes ago, k27R said: Why the 0.01uF MLCC bypass capacitor to the output connector for the JCAT Net Card? The main purpose for 0.1uF MLCC cap is for HF filtering. 27 minutes ago, k27R said: Why just for that output and not the others? They were installed on the ATX cable connector side but not on the power supply output connector due to physical space constraints. It should work better with caps on the receiving end in general, so it was decided to place them there. k27R 1 Link to comment
Fourlegs Posted August 13, 2020 Share Posted August 13, 2020 @elan120 congratulations and nice work. I have various SJ power supplies and just so I can get your ATX supply in context with them, is what you have built essentially a DC3 build but with an enhanced spec transformer (now used I think in the SJ DC4 builds) ? I have been curious about just how much difference using the Toroidy Supreme Audio Grade transformers will make as opposed to sticking with the Toroidy Audio Grade transformers. I have two identical SJ power supplies built to power a Chord Dave (5v, +15v, -15v), one with and Audio Grade and the other with the Supreme Audio Grade and I'm doubtful that I can hear any difference. There is of course quite a difference in cost. Owner Wave High Fidelity digital cables : Antipodes Oladra (WAVE Storm BNC spdif RF noise filtering cable to Mscaler) Dave (with Sean Jacobs ARC6 and SJ Cap Board) + WAVE Storm dual BNC RF noise filtering cables ATC150 active speakers. Link to comment
elan120 Posted August 13, 2020 Author Share Posted August 13, 2020 14 hours ago, Fourlegs said: I have been curious about just how much difference using the Toroidy Supreme Audio Grade transformers will make as opposed to sticking with the Toroidy Audio Grade transformers. I have two identical SJ power supplies built to power a Chord Dave (5v, +15v, -15v), one with and Audio Grade and the other with the Supreme Audio Grade and I'm doubtful that I can hear any difference. Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide more information on this, as I only used the Supreme Audio Grade transformers. As for the difference, the Supreme transformer is made using slightly higher grade steel, that is the main functional difference. Shielding is the same on both models, as is size of core. The Supreme has the steel can that should help with noise reduction, and be quieter. The cost of the Supreme is about 50% more, but the total cost compare to all other components, I thought is fairly insignificant. Link to comment
Fourlegs Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 9 hours ago, elan120 said: Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide more information on this, as I only used the Supreme Audio Grade transformers. As for the difference, the Supreme transformer is made using slightly higher grade steel, that is the main functional difference. Shielding is the same on both models, as is size of core. The Supreme has the steel can that should help with noise reduction, and be quieter. The cost of the Supreme is about 50% more, but the total cost compare to all other components, I thought is fairly insignificant. Thanks. I will try to find time to do some more listening comparisons between the two supplies that are identical apart from the two types of transformers. It might be possible to involve Sean Jacobs in this as he had been booked in to come to me for a day to listen to as many versions of his power supplies that we could out together between us but it was postponed due to lockdown just the day before we were due to get together. Maybe we can reconvene soon. Owner Wave High Fidelity digital cables : Antipodes Oladra (WAVE Storm BNC spdif RF noise filtering cable to Mscaler) Dave (with Sean Jacobs ARC6 and SJ Cap Board) + WAVE Storm dual BNC RF noise filtering cables ATC150 active speakers. Link to comment
elan120 Posted August 14, 2020 Author Share Posted August 14, 2020 11 hours ago, Fourlegs said: Thanks. I will try to find time to do some more listening comparisons between the two supplies that are identical apart from the two types of transformers. It might be possible to involve Sean Jacobs in this as he had been booked in to come to me for a day to listen to as many versions of his power supplies that we could out together between us but it was postponed due to lockdown just the day before we were due to get together. Maybe we can reconvene soon. That will be an excellent data point. Looking forward to your listening impressions and hopefully Sean's as well when this pandemic is behind us. Fourlegs 1 Link to comment
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