The Mark Grant 'The Power Works' Mains filter + SBooster Linear PSU coming very soon

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

I'm very excited as I will soon be getting the all new mains filter 'The Power Works' from Mark Grant. It will also include the new spec power cables too!

https://markgrant.co.uk/mains-filters-and-regenerators/295-tube-distinctions-mains-power-filter.html

Also I'll be giving the new SBooster linear PSU a spin too.

https://markgrant.co.uk/linear-power-supply/187-raspberry-pi-linear-power-supply-by-sbooster.html

Both units will be powering my Raspberry Pi / IQAudio DAC+ which will be very interesting indeed as I'm currently using the standard Raspberry wallwartythingie.

I'll keep you guys updated.

:)
Jo

[Marco]

Nice one, mate. You'll love the filter - I wouldn't be without mine! :)

Marco.

[struth]

Show-off:ner:

[vegman1973]

Nice mains filter, shame they don't do a bigger block? What power cables are you getting Jo?
I'm using a SBooster of Mark Grant but it's the older model. Still getting amazing results with my Regen
I'm sure you'll hear massive improvements once the Linear power supply has burnt in

[The Black Adder]

Nice mains filter, shame they don't do a bigger block? What power cables are you getting Jo?
I'm using a SBooster of Mark Grant but it's the older model. Still getting amazing results with my Regen
I'm sure you'll hear massive improvements once the Linear power supply has burnt in

Hi Scott.

Thanks... Yes, I'm confident that it will be an upgrade from the wallwart for sure. The power cables are a new version that are not listed yet so it will be great to give them a go.

I'm glad your still getting great results with your Regan. :)

[The Black Adder]

Hi all.

As you know I've been using the RPi/IQAudio Dac+ for quite a few months now. The configuration is basically using a USB drive plugged directly in to the RPi. The HDD is powered seperately to avoid any power drain on the Pi itself.

I wanted to know what improvements a better PSU would make together with a top quality mains filter.

So, first off, with using the standard white Raspberry Pi wallwart PSU straight from the distribution bar I began to look in to two units that (I hoped) would improve things with the superb Pi/IQDac+.

Out of the box:
The sound was as 'out of the box' as you can get using the wallwart. I've always been impressed with the Pi/IQDac+ and for the layout it's one of the best little things I've purchased in years.

From the off, the bass was good with a decent weight. The mids on occasion did tend to sound a little threatening, a little too forward and a little harsh. The high frequencies were always great too but again occasionally they became sketchy and confused. With these setbacks the central image could occasionally lose it on complex parts like if the drummer got a little over zealous with the crash cymbals causing it to lose focus slightly. On a whole I felt that the mids were the major part of the problem as they needed to be calmed down and so it was this area to which I wanted to improve upon the most.

Enter the Mark Grant The Power Works mains filter:
So using the wallwart plugged in to the new mains filter, an improvement in clarity was the first impression. Please note, this was the first day use of the mains filter and brand new so no burn in time was given here. The next thing that struck me was them troublesome mids, they had become smoother and more relaxed presentation which was great and the highs were certainly more precise.

The bass had almost stayed the same but after a while it started to become more focused and tighter to the center and less flabby around the edges. Sub bass improved in right areas too bringing space in to the picture.

All of these improvements were mains related (before the filter), so I guess I must have some noise on my mains. The Pi PSU is a switched mode type so this (as we shall see) is the next thing to improve upon.

In all, the difference was certainly positive and so the first impressions of 'The Power Works' mains filter was very good indeed.

The SBooster Linear PSU:
Okay, so moving on. The Pi's wallwart is a switched mode PSU (Gah!) so by removing this from the chain and plugging a quality linear PSU (in this case by 'SBooster') in to the mains filter, any noise from the Pi's PSU has now been removed from the forward chain. This is where things got very interesting indeed.

First off, a marked improvement in the image was apparent and the stage opened up nice and wide with an increase in depth too. The bass improved in focus yet again incorporating an air about it bringing increased realism. Oh and it's deadly silent too!

The mids were much more fluid and set in place, cleaning up that forwardness. They seem to just roll in time much easier and more realistically executed. High frequencies have been cleaned up too, no sketchy grain/noise in complex music and everything sticks together in time very nicely indeed.

The ambiance/air around instruments has improved greatly. You can really hear the surroundings and the tape hiss on analogue recordings sounds correct, that is it almost has a physical sound and not just a hiss if that makes sense. This may be seen by some as a bad thing but I've tried some poor-ish recordings/mixes and it copes with the presentation superbly.

When you get sonic improvements in the imagery of how for example a synthesized drum sounds or improved ambiance around a strum of a guitar and the sense 'squeeze' of a trumpet then for me, you know your heading in the right direction.

The combination of the Mains filter and a decent linear PSU for the Pi is certainly ticking all the boxes. Recommended.


Cheers
Jo

[brian2957]

Nice write up Jo . It will be interesting to see how your set up sounds in a week or so . If my past experience of these things is anything to go by I would expect a very worthwhile improvement . The Mark grant block looks superbly built and very good VFM .
Please keep us posted on this and thanks for taking the time to write this post :)

[The Black Adder]

Thanks, Brian. :) I'll keep it updated.

[wee tee cee]

Great write up Jo.

The PI set ups are on my radar sadly my computer skills are complete pish-it would all end in tears and snotters!!!

[danilo]

Interesting results.
I was wondering if you've experimented with a Battery power source ? Consequently having a view on the relative differences.
Asking cuz ~5 v is a relatively easy to source battery, using round cells.

[The Black Adder]

Hi Danilo.

I've not actually tried a battery source. So that is something to try for sure. I've heard good things about them. The linear PSU is very good though, a marked improvement over the wallwart.

[roob]

Thats nigh on £600 to improve the £60pi combo:eek:

[The Black Adder]

lol... Here we go again. What gives with all this £60 + £600, "oh, well that must be nonsense" lark?

Sure, but it will blow away a player that would cost considerably more!... So I figure it's a good deal. In fact, a bloody good deal. Remember, the mains filter (having two sockets) will work with anything digital, not just the Pi. It's not specifically made for the Pi.

So, PSU aside the filter is proper VFM.

Me likes it sez I... end of. :)

[struth]

Hi Danilo.

I've not actually tried a battery source. So that is something to try for sure. I've heard good things about them. The linear PSU is very good though, a marked improvement over the wallwart.

These are good size and price jo. Was thinking of getting one myself for odds n sods etc
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016NUNZVQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_2&smid=AJO923PALZV7X

[The Black Adder]

Hmm.. sounds good, thanks Grant... so would that work with the Pi then?

[struth]

Yup.. Just need a usb to micro usb cable.

[Hudz]

Great post Jo, but are you getting any noise fed back into the Pi from your HDD's power supply?

I only ask as my Seagate HDD psu was definately noisy and Grant pointed me in the direction of a PI hub http://thepihut.com/products/7-port-usb-hub-for-the-raspberry-piwhich for 11 quid was an absolute no-brainer in my setup. It's apparently designed to stop any noise being fed back into the PI and seemed to do what it said on the tin very well indeed

[The Black Adder]

Hi Martin.

Hmm... interesting.. I had no idea it could be feeding back. Thanks for the tip, Martin :)

[Hudz]

Deffo worth a try, I only found out by chance as I had headphones plugged into my IQ dac and changed from the radio to HDD and the the noise was instantly noticeable.

[Carlos-UK-2016]

These are good size and price jo. Was thinking of getting one myself for odds n sods etc
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016NUNZVQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_2&smid=AJO923PALZV7X

Hi Grant, I ordered a 10,000 mAh dual output one for just under £6 delivered (UK delivery was free & super fast).
It outputs 5V 1A & 5V 2.1A, it easily charges my iPad & phone.
Build quality is top notch. Here is a link http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262340714901

Here is a review of a slightly different model, sold by the same Ebay seller. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtU-cBYs_Y8

Hope it is some use to you guys. For me it's been great, been charging my phone, vaping battery, all week & I've only just put it on for it's second recharge.
:) Bargain price

[danilo]

Hi Danilo.

I've not actually tried a battery source. So that is something to try for sure. I've heard good things about them. The linear PSU is very good though, a marked improvement over the wallwart.

Was recently reading results of a *genuine* lab test of batteries for noise injection.
Seemingly, venerable Nicads produced so close to Zero noises that the accuracy of the test gear was called into question.
Other battery technologies while still good were nowhere near as 'clean'. Some tested as not so clean as well.
Interesting bit of trivia :-)
However IF fastidious about clean power, the Best of Breed in batteries (and effectively all other sources) are Nicads.

[rikardo1979]

These are good size and price jo. Was thinking of getting one myself for odds n sods etc
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B016NUNZVQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_sfl_title_2&smid=AJO923PALZV7X

Are you sure about this? Especially with new RPi3 which is more power demanding its a bit tricky.
I have an issue at the moment as the RPi3 is still suffer from under voltage(rainbow square on screen) and that is fed from 2.4A! So I have to upgrade and buy something over 2.5A

[The Black Adder]

Was recently reading results of a *genuine* lab test of batteries for noise injection.
Seemingly, venerable Nicads produced so close to Zero noises that the accuracy of the test gear was called into question.
Other battery technologies while still good were nowhere near as 'clean'. Some tested as not so clean as well.
Interesting bit of trivia :-)
However IF fastidious about clean power, the Best of Breed in batteries (and effectively all other sources) are Nicads.

Hi Danilo.

Sounds interesting... in a geeky way.. lol - Do you have the link to that?
So if Ni-Cad tech is best, do we know who makes a reliable Ni-Cad based battery pack that would be worth trying out?

[The Black Adder]

Are you sure abut this? Especially with new RPi3 which is more power demanding its a bit tricky.
I have an issue at the moment as the RPi3 is still suffer from under voltage(rainbow square on screen) and that is fed from 2.4A! So I have to upgrade and buy something over 2.5A

Sounds like a hungry little blighter.

Just found these... they look interesting.

http://www.quawin.com/?c=products&cid=0962a6178b8941cfacaa8799edffddd5&page=1

Not sure if any would work with the Pi though... maybe the Pi3?

[rikardo1979]

Sounds like a hungry little blighter.



yup..and even more noisier with BT and WiFi on board. So RPi 2 is still best for audio solutions. Luckily I have few at home and that what I use in my RaspDAC (http://www.runeaudio.com/forum/audiophonics-i-sabre-v3-dac-es9023-tcxo-t3377.html) and Roberts 747 (http://www.instructables.com/id/Roberts-747-DIY-Raspberry-Pi-internet-radiostreame/)
And the new RPi3 is good for multimedia front end with XBian (http://www.xbian.org/)(Kodi (https://kodi.tv/) fork)

[rikardo1979]

Just found these... they look interesting.

http://www.quawin.com/?c=products&cid=0962a6178b8941cfacaa8799edffddd5&page=1

Not sure if any would work with the Pi though... maybe the Pi3?

look interesting. Put some DC<>DC converter with it to drip the voltage to 5V