Is it possible for a power supply to affect sound quality?

[davide256]

On 6/18/2020 at 7:55 PM, SJK said:

I see a lot of talk, and a lot of expensive options on how this power supply is magical and this one even more so and that confuses me.

 

I'm not talking about snake oil, about taking a picture of your stereo and putting it in the freezer, or buying a nice little clock that will make everything sound better.  We all know how well those things work.

 

I'm looking at it more from a technical perspective - a basic I/O equation - money in, better sound out. 

 

When I grew up, a linear power supply was a full diode bridge with a zener for voltage regulation and maybe a choke/capacitor to smooth things out a bit.  It didn't really matter what the supply voltage was doing, it all came out as regulated DC anyways.    

 

Switching supplies?  Sure, the potential for a lot of noise that isn't easily mitigated but gives you a small package size.  Let's not get into that and stick with the linear side of things.

 

Am I missing something?  For those of you here far better informed than I will ever be, I would appreciate your input.  

 

Can a linear supply actually make any difference?  And if it did, then just use a gel-cell battery and charge it with a DC power supply set to the value specified by the battery manufacturer?

 

Confused,

 

Stephen

 

 

I can't offer you explanations, only the observation that in my gear improving DC power supply has been crucial for improved resolution of lower db level signals

and elimination of USB digital irritants. And that the cost /benefit equation (~$500 per power upgraded component) has been far cheaper

than any next equipment upgrade

[davide256]

5 hours ago, SJK said:

OK, now we're on the right track.  Someone who has made a change in an external power supply and believes that it has made a difference in the sound of the the system.  

 

I find it interesting on how people have a hard time staying on topic with this, and insist on wandering off mumbling about how this and that obviously has to make a difference.  

 

Davide, perhaps you could give us a bit more information on how the change in power supply made a difference to your system.  It doesn't have to be technical, we seem to have technical depth on the design side well covered.  

 

Remember, this is and Audiophile forum, not an Electrical Engineering forum.

Part of the battle with digital I find to be eliminating irritants and artifacts (a.k.a. from Galaxy Quest "thats not right"). I've been through a  stock SMPS, SoTM SPS500, HDplex200W and my last purchase an Uptone Audio JS-2. The sense of ease for my sound has gotten much closer to my vinyl playback solution. As I improved

power supply for NUC USB source, my ISO Regen became superfluous, hindered more than helped. I do think power supply affects sound quality, but its along

the lines of "how pure are the colors in your paintbox".. a poorer power supply means somethings added to the sound that doesn't belong,

that distracts from the music.