PSU Upgrades. Why?

[RothwellAudio]

No, I don't think there is - other than listening to the equipment. The difference between a 50 watt integrated amp that sounds sublime and one that's just ok has very little to do with how expensive the components inside are and everything to do with how elegant and well-implemented the design is.
I remember seeing years ago a DNM pre-amp with what appeared to be a ludicrously complex circuit board with not many components on it but a vast number of tracks. Now I appreciate what it was all about.

[Firebottle]

..... everything to do with how elegant and well-implemented the design is.

Oh how true

Combine with the KISS principle and you're on to a winner.

[Edward]

No, I don't think there is - other than listening to the equipment.

Oh - I had hoped there would be a simple test - such as a continuity test - to test for and then correct any grounding issues.

But yes I agree that listening is probably the best way.

On the DAC I use there is a ground lift switch - it makes zero difference either way - so I guess there is no ground issue there. Correct? Or is a ground lift switch simply eliminating a ground loop and if one does not exist there will be no difference?

E

[Stratmangler]

On the DAC I use there is a ground lift switch - it makes zero difference either way - so I guess there is no ground issue there. Correct? Or is a ground lift switch simply eliminating a ground loop and if one does not exist there will be no difference?

E

Yup!

[RothwellAudio]

Oh - I had hoped there would be a simple test - such as a continuity test - to test for and then correct any grounding issues.

But yes I agree that listening is probably the best way.

On the DAC I use there is a ground lift switch - it makes zero difference either way - so I guess there is no ground issue there. Correct? Or is a ground lift switch simply eliminating a ground loop and if one does not exist there will be no difference?

E

Perhaps we're talking at cross purposes. By "correct grounding" I wasn't referring to the way a collection of sources/preamps/amps are connected, rather the way that individual elements within a circuit are connected on a PCB, ie the way the 0V tracks are routed. It's an easy mistake to think that 0 volts (or earth, or ground or whatever term you prefer) is a black hole that all the rubbish goes into and all points at 0V are the same, but that's not true. Current flows down those tracks and one end of a track can be very different from the other.

On the macro scale yes, you're correct that if a ground loop doesn't exist then it can't be broken by using an earth lift switch.

[Arkless Electronics]

No, I don't think there is - other than listening to the equipment. The difference between a 50 watt integrated amp that sounds sublime and one that's just ok has very little to do with how expensive the components inside are and everything to do with how elegant and well-implemented the design is.
I remember seeing years ago a DNM pre-amp with what appeared to be a ludicrously complex circuit board with not many components on it but a vast number of tracks. Now I appreciate what it was all about.

Indeed. Audiophiles obsess far too much on "component quality" and "boutique capacitors" etc. The design of the circuitry itself, the ground layout and the correct provision of power at Point Of Load completely swamps any effects from fancy components.

[fatmarley]

correct grounding practice

Here's the correct grounding practice In a Naim preamp

Star Earth Mod

[Arkless Electronics]

Perhaps we're talking at cross purposes. By "correct grounding" I wasn't referring to the way a collection of sources/preamps/amps are connected, rather the way that individual elements within a circuit are connected on a PCB, ie the way the 0V tracks are routed. It's an easy mistake to think that 0 volts (or earth, or ground or whatever term you prefer) is a black hole that all the rubbish goes into and all points at 0V are the same, but that's not true. Current flows down those tracks and one end of a track can be very different from the other.

On the macro scale yes, you're correct that if a ground loop doesn't exist then it can't be broken by using an earth lift switch.

Ah beat me to it! It's sometimes regarded as a bit of a "black art" but it's certainly something that is usually the biggest cause of problems in home made kit etc... It's surprising how often less than good grounding practice is found in commercial kit as well! It can be hard for the lay man to get his head around why you cant get a piece of bare wire, connect it to ground at one end and run it the length of the amp and then connect all the things that need to go to ground to this piece of wire... not if you want good performance anyway... sometimes the unit will not even work properly and burst into oscillation!

At its extreme, in ultimate quality voltage regulators I've designed and built, the exact manner in which earthing is done is so critical that even though the ground connections are of very thick wire and only an inch or so long they have to be just right for it to work at all!!

[Arkless Electronics]

Here's the correct grounding practice In a Naim preamp

Star Earth Mod

Oh dear..... Naim are actually very good at getting the grounding right!

[RothwellAudio]

Here's the correct grounding practice In a Naim preamp

Star Earth Mod

That's beautiful

... sometimes the unit will not even work properly and burst into oscillation!

I learned that one the hard way!