External PSU for Technics - What Have You

[RobbieGong]

I'm looking at what we currently have. Also

1.What we think of it
2.What it has brought to the sonics / sound over the stock supply or others we've upgraded from.
3. Cost

Think this will be pretty useful for us beloved Techie heads at all levels of the upgrade path.

I currently have the base Timestep. Found it an improvement over the stock supply as would be expected, music cleaner and better organised. That said, I now sense it's time for an upgrade as I think the Timestep probably sounds slightly closed or reticent compared to other external psu's out there. These retail for over £300 I believe although I picked mine up used. :)

[jostber]

I am waiting for my new Lurcher psu from MCRU in the mail, so I can't tell yet. :)

[RobbieGong]

I am waiting for my new Lurcher psu from MCRU in the mail, so I can't tell yet. :)

You know what I'm gonna say dont you ? :eyebrows: Please give us all some initial feedback once you've got it up and running which would be great / useful - Cheers :)

[Artifolk]

I'm in a similar position as Jostein, but mine is a Paul Hynes SR7EHD(approx 1 month+ to go).

[jostber]

You know what I'm gonna say dont you ? :eyebrows: Please give us all some initial feedback once you've got it up and running which would be great / useful - Cheers :)

Will do! :thumbsup:

[Wakefield Turntables]

Paul Hynes SR7XL arriving any time now, its part built, just needs a case!

[jostber]

What are the most common PSU alternatives for the Technie now?

1. Timestep PSU
2. KAB PSU
3. Paul Hyner SR3, SR5 and SR7 PSUs
4. Lurcher MCRU PSUs
5. VantageAudio PSU
6. Origin Live PSUs

Are there more?

[Gromit]

Time Step HE.

Quite tempted to try one of Richard's Vantage Audio psu's next. :)

[RobbieGong]

What are the most common PSU alternatives for the Technie now?

1. Timestep PSU
2. KAB PSU
3. Paul Hyner SR3, SR5 and SR7 PSUs
4. Lurcher MCRU PSUs
5. VantageAudio PSU
6. Origin Live PSUs

Are there more?

Theres also this one http://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/technics_1210.html from Fidelity Audio which looks the part. I'm sure I've asked before but does the printed spec look potentially promising ? Dave's 'Mains R US' do a few too, I've always been tempted by this one from them http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/power-supplies/293-power-supply-for-technics-sl1200-1210.html but would take a lot of saving up :)

[Bwaze]

MCRU PSU. Still not connected, I'm waiting for a KAB fluid damper. But it looks it's been lost in post... Ordered on January 11th, and now it's nearing the end of February. :scratch:

[alex_san78]

MCRU PSU. Still not connected, I'm waiting for a KAB fluid damper. But it looks it's been lost in post... Ordered on January 11th, and now it's nearing the end of February. :scratch:

Hi Blaz,
I'd like to get your review on MCRU PSU ASAP. This is the main option that I'm considering for my techie. Second one is PH PSU. But Paul's PSU's are much more expensive...

[jostber]

Theres also this one http://www.fidelityaudio.co.uk/technics_1210.html from Fidelity Audio which looks the part. I'm sure I've asked before but does the printed spec look potentially promising ? Dave's 'Mains R US' do a few too, I've always been tempted by this one from them http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/power-supplies/293-power-supply-for-technics-sl1200-1210.html but would take a lot of saving up :)

The new one from Mains R Us(Lurcher MCRU) is the one I'm waiting for. :)

[RobbieGong]

The new one from Mains R Us(Lurcher MCRU) is the one I'm waiting for. :)

Not familiar with the Lurcher but yes looks well thought out and price is very appealing - roll on the reviews please ! I think this is the link to it if I've got the right one http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/power-supplies/380-technics-sl1200-1210-linear-power-supply.html

[MCRU]

the latest recipient of our PSU, simon form swansea:-

Excellent Service
I ordered a linear power supply from David. I had no previous experience of soldering, so David replied that he'd gladly do it for me ... for nothing!

He organised for the collection of my turntable and it was returned within days. The power supply is a quality piece of kit and the effect on the TT is immediately audible - improved dynamics especially in the bass where more detail is revealed out of a blacker background and a deeper soundstage allows you to hear further into the mix.

Super stuff - I'll be looking forward to doing more business with David in the future!

[cuddles]

the latest recipient of our PSU, simon form swansea:-

Excellent Service
I ordered a linear power supply from David. I had no previous experience of soldering, so David replied that he'd gladly do it for me ... for nothing!

He organised for the collection of my turntable and it was returned within days. The power supply is a quality piece of kit and the effect on the TT is immediately audible - improved dynamics especially in the bass where more detail is revealed out of a blacker background and a deeper soundstage allows you to hear further into the mix.

Super stuff - I'll be looking forward to doing more business with David in the future!

Beat me to it :lol:. I'm really pleased with this. Of course I can't compare with the others on offer so maybe that would be a task for someone with plenty of time to contend with. However on hearing the results this thing's staying put. Next stop ... bearing!

[Tarzan]

Beat me to it :lol:. I'm really pleased with this. Of course I can't compare with the others on offer so maybe that would be a task for someone with plenty of time to contend with. However on hearing the results this thing's staying put. Next stop ... bearing!


David's customer service is second to none imvho.

[malvai]

sorry for asking a noob question, but how does a PSU affect the SQ on a TT????

[RobbieGong]

Hi, Hard to explain but there's been stuf on here about this. Trust me that it does. Starting from scratch then, lets just say that removing the stock power supply from inside the deck / under the platter removes the hum which by the nature of current passing through it will impart itself through the deck, platter arm needle etc which you really wont want or need. I have the base (and fairly basic)Timestep and noticed the difference (hoping to upgrade to a better one soonish). Aapparently there are better psu's where you will 'really' notice the difference - ask Martin or Marco who know the improvement to sonics realised through the amplication of a 'big' decent external psu - hoepfully someone will fill you in more to this regard :)

[Stratmangler]

sorry for asking a noob question, but how does a PSU affect the SQ on a TT????

It's not a simple question to answer.
There are a lot of electrical and mechanical causes and effects to consider.

Suffice to say that a better PSU will reduce the negative effects on the motor drive system, which in turn will allow the stylus an easier time to trace the groove, resulting in better sound quality :)

[indus]

Hi

As anybody compared the different PSUs back to back? Is there any consensus on which might be best?

Having just read the Timestep website their track record and experience with the techie seems hard to fault

[MCRU]

Hi

As anybody compared the different PSUs back to back? Is there any consensus on which might be best?

Having just read the Timestep website their track record and experience with the techie seems hard to fault

Well the cheapest tech psu I know of is £99.95, the most expensive one I know of is £995, if anyone has the money to test every known supply I would be surprised, even if they did it's on that person's system using their own records and personal listening tastes so not a true comparison. After listening to other people's systems at Scalford where some thought their's sounded awesome and others thought they sounded shit, it proves no 2 systems are alike just like no 2 people are alike.

Anything bought on the web can be sent back by law under the distance selling regulations so you have nothing to lose by getting one to listen to from whoever you like. :)

At least you have plenty to choose from.

[indus]

Well the cheapest tech psu I know of is £99.95, the most expensive one I know of is £995, if anyone has the money to test every known supply I would be surprised, even if they did it's on that person's system using their own records and personal listening tastes so not a true comparison. After listening to other people's systems at Scalford where some thought their's sounded awesome and others thought they sounded shit, it proves no 2 systems are alike just like no 2 people are alike.

Anything bought on the web can be sent back by law under the distance selling regulations so you have nothing to lose by getting one to listen to from whoever you like. :)

At least you have plenty to choose from.



Thanks. I appreciate the infinite variables that could be involved when comparing a piece of hardware. However sometimes a group of enthusiasts get together with a fixed combo of kit and just change around the piece that is being evaluated.

In other words, same deck, people, room, pre, amp and music and then just change the psu and see if a consensus emerges (which might not!) This is often done on other forums for CD players etc.

I was just wondering whether anybody had done anything similar for PSUs.

Thanks:)

[Wakefield Turntables]

Well the cheapest tech psu I know of is £99.95, the most expensive one I know of is £995.
At least you have plenty to choose from.

Less than a ton is cheap. There are more expensive PSU's than a grand ;)

[MCRU]

Thanks. I appreciate the infinite variables that could be involved when comparing a piece of hardware. However sometimes a group of enthusiasts get together with a fixed combo of kit and just change around the piece that is being evaluated.

In other words, same deck, people, room, pre, amp and music and then just change the psu and see if a consensus emerges (which might not!) This is often done on other forums for CD players etc.

I was just wondering whether anybody had done anything similar for PSUs.

Thanks:)

Difficult to do with PSU's as take mine as an example, its wired with a din connector so if A-B comparisons were done the other PSU would need to be wired the same way, the Tech PSU has to be soldered into place too so that makes it harder still to compare more than one at a time.

The more expensive one's don't necessarily offer massive sound improvements as you go up the ladder, I have heard 6 now and the differences are often subtle. The PSU is just part of the jigsaw, there is so much more that can be done.

[indus]

Thanks. That makes a lot of sense.

[Paul Hynes]

Dave,

When you tried the various alternative SL1200 power supplies how did you asses their performance?

From your comments in post 24 it sounds like everyone is building similar power supplies for the SL1200 out there, although I find this hard to believe, as the various manufacturers are unlikely to all be using the similar circuits and materials. The “me too” purveyors may well be operating at this level but I can’t believe that the market if full of “me too” operators.

I currently make three power supplies for the SL1200/SL1210 at various levels of engineering. Of course the cost of each supply varies according to the level of engineering. There are very noticeable differences in the audible performance of each of the three power supplies, as the engineering level is raised, and this would be expected considering the cost difference. If there were little difference in performance I can assure you I would only be producing the one lower cost power supply.

Regarding your earlier comments about comparisons between the power supplies, I think you are wrong to say that comparisons are invalid. They do need to be carefully conducted, and as long as the person doing the comparisons is experienced and unbiased I think this is a useful benchmark to start with. It certainly helps weed out the products that are not particularly beneficial and saves people a lot of time for those looking for a short list within their budget. I have lost track of the number of requests for such a comparison of SL1200 power supplies that have been posted on this forum. Neil (Dalek Supreme) has volunteered his services to conduct a trial of power supplies to help other interested parties on the forum. I think this is to be applauded considering the amount of time involved with such a comparison.

Comparisons keep manufacturers on their toes. If their products fails to make the grade they have two options, fall by the wayside or up their game. Only by upping their game can the Art of Sound progress forwards.

[jostber]

Dave,

When you tried the various alternative SL1200 power supplies how did you asses their performance?

From your comments in post 24 it sounds like everyone is building similar power supplies for the SL1200 out there, although I find this hard to believe, as the various manufacturers are unlikely to all be using the similar circuits and materials. The “me too” purveyors may well be operating at this level but I can’t believe that the market if full of “me too” operators.

I currently make three power supplies for the SL1200/SL1210 at various levels of engineering. Of course the cost of each supply varies according to the level of engineering. There are very noticeable differences in the audible performance of each of the three power supplies, as the engineering level is raised, and this would be expected considering the cost difference. If there were little difference in performance I can assure you I would only be producing the one lower cost power supply.

Regarding your earlier comments about comparisons between the power supplies, I think you are wrong to say that comparisons are invalid. They do need to be carefully conducted, and as long as the person doing the comparisons is experienced and unbiased I think this is a useful benchmark to start with. It certainly helps weed out the products that are not particularly beneficial and saves people a lot of time for those looking for a short list within their budget. I have lost track of the number of requests for such a comparison of SL1200 power supplies that have been posted on this forum. Neil (Dalek Supreme) has volunteered his services to conduct a trial of power supplies to help other interested parties on the forum. I think this is to be applauded considering the amount of time involved with such a comparison.

Comparisons keep manufacturers on their toes. If their products fails to make the grade they have two options, fall by the wayside or up their game. Only by upping their game can the Art of Sound progress forwards.

:thumbsup: Yeah, some detailed comparisions would be great. There should be many possible designs for a psu and quality of components differs as well.

[Spectral Morn]

Paul is correct I am indeed working towards that goal and having more or less finished a lot of reviews recently for my online magazine (Adventures in High Fidelity Audio.com http://www.adventuresinhifiaudio.com/), due to be published in a few days time and once I finish a speaker review again due to be concluded end of this week I will be starting my long promised/hinted at Technics related reviews and as Paul says up first is PSU's.

So I will be contacting two further suppliers in the next week to arrange getting samples of their PSUs to add to the ones I already have at hand. This promises to be interesting.




Regards D S D L

[MartinT]

There is certainly a big difference between Paul's SR3 and SR5 power supplies and I have every reason to believe my deck would improve again with an SR7. Watch out for different connectors making direct comparisons difficult - there are DC, DIN, 3-pin XLR and 4-pin XLR variants out there.

Also watch out for different voltages - the 'native' voltage required by an SL-1210 is 21V but if your deck is modified with internal regulators like mine, then it requires 27V.

[Spectral Morn]

There is certainly a big difference between Paul's SR3 and SR5 power supplies and I have every reason to believe my deck would improve again with an SR7. Watch out for different connectors making direct comparisons difficult - there are DC, DIN, 3-pin XLR and 4-pin XLR variants out there.

Also watch out for different voltages - the 'native' voltage required by an SL-1210 is 21V but if your deck is modified with internal regulators like mine, then it requires 27V.

Hi Martin

No internal regulators on my Technics TTs (I have two for the forthcoming tests) and adapters will have to be made to cover non standard connectors.


Regards D S D L

[MartinT]

That's the most level playing field then, Neil. I'll be very interested in your results.

[indus]

Sounds like that will be a great review. I look forward to the results.

[Dinodale]

Looking forward to that review too:eyebrows:

Btw I just my hands into a used KAB-PSU (got an offer I couldn't refuse). How good/bad is that compared to the others?