Post by cooksferry on Mar 16, 2018 6:12:16 GMT 12
One of the last items on my final hardware upgrade is to address the power supply to my Project Phono RS which at the moment is using the default switch mode wall wart. Besides any sound considerations I have a dislike of this type of supply due to the space they take up on my power box. I had been looking at the Project Battery supply for the Phono RS but have some hesitation over cost and local availability. I have seen some reports of early failure of the battery unit so local purchase and warranty would be a must. Since that option appears to have little chance I've turned my attention to a Linear power supply and searches bring up the Swagman unit which is made specifically for my phono stage. www.swagmanlab.com/Product_PSU?product_id=669I have inquired with Swagman about their premium Signature version and received this reply "As each of our PSU is divided into 2 versions, Regular & Signature Edition. Signature edition means all the parts will be upgraded in order to maximize the performance toward more AUDIOPHILE e.g. Nuvotem Talema transformer, Furutech Gold plated IEC socket, Japan branding capacitors, Dale resistors, silver plated internal wiring & silver soldering etc. Also, the EMI filter and Ceramic fuse will be installed as well." cost with freight is US$450 for the Signature V US$310 for standard. My knowledge of these things would fit onto a pin head so any feedback is welcome. Would it be a waste of time, any improvements minimal, or another step toward audio heaven. Swagman appear to have very good feedback online forums etc but I can't find anything that relates directly to my particular need.
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Post by simon on Mar 16, 2018 13:04:07 GMT 12
I have a Swagman Signature LPS that I bought to charge the batteries in a Sotm Dac-preamp as they are suppled them with a smps power supply . Sotm sell their own LPS but was to expensive for me. I do not have the Sotm any more but I thought at the time that it did improved the sound, even though it was just charging batteries which you would think would not make much difference .
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Post by cooksferry on Mar 16, 2018 13:07:03 GMT 12
I have a Swagman Signature LPS that I bought to charge the batteries in a Sotm Dac-preamp as they are suppled them with a smps power supply . Sotm sell their own LPS but was to expensive for me. I do not have the Sotm any more but I thought at the time that it did improved the sound, even though it was just charging batteries which you would think would not make much difference . Any reliability problems with the Swagman?
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 16, 2018 14:44:35 GMT 12
My experience with battery power for a TT was not encouraging. I'd go with the regular version 'linear supply', if it was me. Get rid of the nasty Switch Mode, injecting more noise into your mains. If you can, then swap in a 15A IEC cable in place of the usual 10A cord.
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Post by simon on Mar 16, 2018 16:37:15 GMT 12
I have had the swagman for 3 to 4 years and have had no trouble with it
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Post by cooksferry on Mar 17, 2018 4:35:28 GMT 12
My experience with battery power for a TT was not encouraging. I'd go with the regular version 'linear supply', if it was me. Get rid of the nasty Switch Mode, injecting more noise into your mains. If you can, then swap in a 15A IEC cable in place of the usual 10A cord. Bypass the Signature version Owen and go with the cheaper option?
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Post by Owen Y on Mar 17, 2018 12:36:07 GMT 12
Yes that would be my thinking. The Audiophile version offers a European transformer (better than a China-made one?), a small amount of silver plated wiring (I like copper myself), better caps/resistors may offer improvements, Furutech make good stuff & EMI filter is hard to criticise - but I'd see if the PSU change makes any fundamental difference first. It can always be easily modded later. IMHO 
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 12, 2018 7:31:15 GMT 12
The Swagman PSU arrived yesterday and I have very small issue with it that wiser heads my be able to answer.
When I set it up and turned the power on I noticed a very faint hum from the unit which was noticeable up to about a metre away. I must stress that it is a low level noise and certainly can't hear it from the listening chair without any music playing. At the moment the Swagman is sitting on a separate shelf to the phono stage but directly above it. I have checked all connections and moving it about a little without changing anything. As an experiment I tried pushing down on the top case with my thumb and the hum virtually vanished. Just for fun I placed the centre weight from the turn table on the middle of the PSU and the noise totally disappeared.
I have had similar issues with a couple of other devices over the years. My Mapletree headphone amp I ended up sending to Clarry in Akld who could find no issues with it and my ESound cdp always had a very low level hum or buzz. The latter was never an issue in the music room but around 2am on a quiet night in the bedroom setup it was enough to distract me.
Anyway, back to the Swagman. I did contact the builder who basically said they were not responsible for how their units were setup and used and there could be many causes.
While it's not a huge issue I can see that it will niggle away until I do something. I intend to take the top cover off in the weekend and check for anything (very) obvious and failing finding anything may just resort to placing a weight similar to the Project one on the top cover.
Any ideas and suggestions most welcome.
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Post by foveaux on Apr 12, 2018 8:35:37 GMT 12
 ...hey Cooks, STOP this trainspotting.... hmmmm...but does the PSU improve sound quality delivered overall? good luck sorting this!
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
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Post by Owen Y on Apr 12, 2018 12:08:47 GMT 12
Hi Robin - if not too loud, yes I would just put a weight on top of it. The TX is buzzing & transferring to the chassis, which has a sizeable top plate to vibrate. Adhesive sound-dampening material inside the top plate might also work - but it needs to be heavy-ish bituminous stuff or such, to be effective. (I have used peel-and-stick bituminous sheet waterproofing in the past.) Manufs in USA (& similar 110v/60Hz countries) have difficulty easily checking what happens when a device is powered up on 50Hz mains freq.
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 12, 2018 12:26:01 GMT 12
Hi Robin - if not too loud, yes I would just put a weight on top of it. The TX is buzzing & transferring to the chassis, which has a sizeable top plate to vibrate. Adhesive sound-dampening material inside the top plate might also work - but it needs to be heavy-ish bituminous stuff or such, to be effective. (I have used peel-and-stick bituminous sheet waterproofing in the past.) Manufs in USA (& similar 110v/60Hz countries) have difficulty easily checking what happens when a device is powered up on 50Hz mains freq. Thanks for the advice Owen. I had considered whether some dampening material under the hood would work so may look at that later.
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Post by michaelw on Apr 12, 2018 12:31:41 GMT 12
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Post by cooksferry on Apr 12, 2018 12:52:07 GMT 12
Looking at the VPI price it would most definitely be DIY.
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Post by jon on Apr 12, 2018 12:59:14 GMT 12
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