Absolutely fascinating, Paul! :eek:
How would you fancy a couple of visitors sometime? We love the highlands and Islands and always wanted to go back up that way some day :)
Marco.
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Absolutely fascinating, Paul! :eek:
How would you fancy a couple of visitors sometime? We love the highlands and Islands and always wanted to go back up that way some day :)
Marco.
Hi Marco,
Unfortunately we do not have spare room for visitors at present.
We are part way through a house renovation, and the loft/garage conversions, for additional bedrooms and dedicated music room, have not started yet. It will be several years before we get to this, as we will have to accumulate the funds that will be required before going ahead. At the moment all the ground floor accommodation is in use. This is somewhat inconvenient because when family and friends visit we have to find accommodation for them elsewhere. This can be a problem at certain times of the year, as there are so few hotels and B&B establishments on the island.
Regards,
Paul
Hi Paul,
Lol - I didn't mean actually staying with you; just coming to visit :)
I presume there is at least one hotel or perhaps a few B&Bs in the area - oh and somewhere to hire a car would be good, too... :cool:
Marco.
Hi Marco,
There are three hotels within a 10-15 minute drive and a number of B&Bs around but they are small and often fully booked in summer depending what is going on locally. Car hire is available but be careful where you book a car as my lass’s family were given one that would have been at home on the scrap heap. Most of the roads are single track so don’t expect to go anywhere quickly. All the islands from Eriskay in the South to Berneray in the North are connected by causeway and the others have ferry connections, so island hopping is relatively easy and well worth doing for the stunning scenery
Regards
Paul
You might have problem getting a pint up there but i bet your mains supply is clean as a whistle
Hi Colin,
Unfortunately the mains supply here is not that clean. We get the usual domestic interference from other homes and my computer UPS supply monitor shows wild variations in voltage on the mains supply. We get a lot of power cuts especially during the winter storms where gale force winds and lightening strikes can take the local grid out. We also suffer from repetitive trip-outs of protection equipment on the local grid, which is why I had to install the UPS on the computer.
Regards
Paul
Oh. Sorry to hear that. I guess i was thinking of RF which i had a real problem with when i lived in Crystal Palace ( until recently)
I would love to have a go at your PSU for my technics Paul. I used to be a spark and i love having a fiddle with my soldering iron. It looks really straight forward but then i thought that about a mates video intercom i installed. I blew a cap and he had to get another one so im not as confident with electronics now. It does look easy though.
Hi Martin,Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinT
You should be ok with the Techie, the Paul Hynes module doesn't even run warm running the Techie so you should be ok too where as something like the SB3 as mentioned by Ian would be a much heavier constant load
Cheers,
Leo
Its a doddle to wire up Colin, Paul couldn't have made this module any user friendly than this (well done that man) the hardest bit is drilling the holes in the case, wiring things up is easy too.Quote:
Originally Posted by colinB
If you do fancy a bash you could just post on here if you need any advice or whatever :)
Thats great Leo , i will get going at the end of the month.:)
Finishing the build:
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/PSU Project 3.jpg
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/PSU Project 4.jpg
http://www.mtc.me.uk/images/PSU Project 5.jpg
I am aborting this implementation for the SL-1210 because I soon realised that the Superteddy runs out of regulation using a 9-0-9V transformer. I was getting 20.6V out for 23.5V in and ran out of adjustment range (i.e. adjusting the pot further gave no increase in voltage under load). I did try it out for sound against the TimeStep and it didn't sound as good - the dynamics were somewhat softened. Interestingly, the start-up speed was faster than the TimeStep indicating that there is no lack of raw current.
So I've now readjusted it to 15V (plenty of regulation now) and will continue this project as a Caiman PSU once I make up an adapter lead. I have good hopes for it in this application due to the ultra low noise and many forum reports of success with DACs. I'll start a new thread once I've had a proper listen tomorrow.
Oh, and well done Sound Hi-Fi. The TimeStep has so far beaten my own PSU and been the equal of Shuggie's Paul Hynes PSU in my system.
Hi Martin,
Good stuff - at least you've found a use for it in the end :)
Yes you mentioned that to me, and it's very interesting. In my system (and the one we set up at Scalford Hall), using my SL-1210, the Paul Hynes was clearly superior to my Time Step PSU, but as is always the case with these things, results vary from system to system and/or possibly T/T to T/T, depending on what arm and cartridge are used.Quote:
Oh, and well done Sound Hi-Fi. The TimeStep has so far beaten my own PSU and been the equal of Shuggie's Paul Hynes PSU in my system.
What it clearly shows is that no matter anyone's opinion, there is no PSU universally 'the best' in all applications, so perhaps Dave C should've been more confident in allowing me to audition an HE PSU when they became available, as no matter what I found best in my system, others and you might have obtained different results and preferred something else........
At the end of the day, no one person's opinion on a piece of equipment is ever definitive ;)
I'll look forward to Paul sending me one of his PSUs so I can audition it at length at home. I also believe that Anthony TD is going to produce a PSU design of his own for the Technics and throw it into the ring too for assessment, so that should also be very interesting :cool:
Marco.
Excellent stuff. At least I am resting easy about PSUs now as I've tried three and I'm guessing the TimeStep is near the upper part of the performance curve for my deck. Of course, the new platter could shake all that up again.
Indeed - when the new platter and HE PSU are available, we need to do some in-depth comparisons with both our T/Ts using the new platter and various PSU combinations.
Hopefully by then I'll have a sample of Paul's PSU and also Anthony's design to bring with me chez-toi. I think Hugo and Snoops should sit in on that one too, as it has the makings of an excellent sesh - with the results very interesting for everyone concerned, not least of whom the Techy fans here! :cool:
Marco.
I guess theres no details for the HE yet?
None yet - all I could glean from Dave is that he is going to put a much larger energy store (i.e. reservoir capacitor) in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by leo
Do you know if that was originally planned, Martin, or something Dave has decided to implement recently?
Marco.
I've no idea, Marco, all I can tell you is that he is ramping up for production using some local assemblers.
Can I ask a very cheeky question (Marco, please delete if you feel it best...)
WHY do we need a new platter on the Techie? The rubber lining underneath and the Herbies mat seem to do a good job as they are, especially with the MN bearing and carefully regulated power supply. Is the extra mass needed to increase isolation from the surroundings perhaps?
I mean, the traditional performance of the 1200 motor unit is close to state-of-the-art as it is, except for isolation, where it shows its one remaining weakness compared to the heavyweights or sprung belt drives - and this can be well sorted with decent feet..
Hi Dave,
That's not cheeky at all, mate. I guess the answer is *if* I consider that it makes a significant sonic improvement over the stock item in conjunction with one of the new PSUs.
I asked Mike New the question before here:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...?t=5903&page=3
To which he answered:Quote:
What sonic benefits do you foresee will be brought about with the forthcoming (much thicker) platter upgrade and what, in your opinion, are the technical/engineering reasons behind its design?
The key bit is in bold. If that's the case, then I'll be having one :cool:Quote:
Marco,
My objective is to produce a platter that really complements the potential of the direct drive system, and has far greater sonic qualities than the very inadequate standard offering.
I am machining the platters from quality aerospace aluminium, which in itself is not imune from ringing, however because the platter is machined from a solid blank It is expected that the resonant energy will be low. Also there are five brass inserts which are a shrink fit into the platter, these are designed to absorb and counteract resonance. There will be a groove machine under the main 300mm dia, of the platter for lifting purposes.
I have attempted to get some weight below the spindle support but this is controlled by the existing components on the circuit board which would appear to vary between models.
The new platter presumes the use of an external PS, the exisiting transformer and wiring will need to be removed and the top cover can no longer be used as it obstucts the lower part of the platter.
I guess this platter represents something of a radical departure from the norm. Dave will shortly be getting the first production unit for sonic evaluation using his test equipment.
Martin,
Interesting... Perhaps recent events have caused him to 'up the ante', as it were? ;)Quote:
I've no idea, Marco, all I can tell you is that he is ramping up for production using some local assemblers.
If so, then Paul and Anthony providing healthy competition, by chucking their designs into the ring for me to assess, will have been a good thing.... As far as I'm concerned the HE PSU is still in the equation, but I will only settle on it *if* I consider it sonically superior in my system compared to all other options.
I suggest that you also remain similarly open-minded on the matter :)
Marco.
I still believe that my Powerplant modifies PSU performance (or, more accurately, improves PSU performance up to a higher level) due to its ultra-pure mains waveform and very low output impedance. There is always the effect of the motor dynamics mod to consider too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco
Indeed, Martin - those are very valid points.
I guess the best way of analysing what's going on is in that respect is when I come down to yours with my T/T, and (hopefully) by then a Paul Hynes and Tube Distinctions PSU, once you've taken delivery of the HE PSU and new platter.
I've already heard the Paul Hynes fitted to my SL-1210 outperform the Time Step PSU, both in my system at home and at Scalford Hall. Therefore if that's not the case in your system, and we hear no difference between the two, just like Shuggie and you did, then we'll know that your Powerplant is levelling the playing field, which will of course significantly impact on the outcome of our findings.....
Basically it'll prove what we've always thought, which is that no one PSU is universally superior in all applications.
Like I said, it's shaping up to a very interesting (and enlightening) session! :cool:
Have a think about some suitable dates and PM me, will you?
Marco.
Martin - do you know what is the optimum input voltage for the Caiman? I see that it states 15v to 18v on the back panel. My Paul Hynes Design PSU should be adjustable down to 15v (certainly 18v) and I'd be very interested to know how it fares on the Caiman, since I have been considering getting one myself.
Marco - I think Martin has put his finger on why there appeared to be a level playing field between the Timestep and Paul Hynes PSUs in his system.
Hi Folks
Shuggie and MartinT have been comparing power supplies and found little difference between Shuggie’s SR3 and the Timestep in Martin’s system. This is likely to be that the difference in power line interference rejection between the two power supplies is less obvious with a Powerplant in the system, as the power feed will be much cleaner. Of course you have to factor the additional cost of the Powerplant into the equation. To compare the Techie power supply capabilities requires a stand-alone comparison test as well as most people would run without a Powerplant.
There are a number of circuit subsections on the Techie pcb that are all being powered together by an external remote power supply. I think there could be a lot of board interaction that a remote psu would be unable to deal with effectively because of its distance from the load. To do it properly would require good local regulation on each separate circuit function on the Techie printed circuit board. Maybe one day I will get a Techie and do a definitive internal regulation job on it.
Regards
Paul
Hi Shuggs,
Oh I don't doubt it, I simply want to hear the effect with my own ears, so that will happen at our forthcoming bake-off :cool:Quote:
Marco - I think Martin has put his finger on why there appeared to be a level playing field between the Timestep and Paul Hynes PSUs in his system.
Marco.
Hi HugoQuote:
Originally Posted by Shuggie
See the other posting on my PSU for the Caiman. I have set it to 16V so that, after the diode drop, there is about 15.5V available into the 12V Dexa regulator in my modified Caiman. This keeps things safe with the 16V electrolytics inside the Caiman. It sounds just great, so I'll leave it alone for a while and just listen.
Hi Paul,
Yes that seems to be the case. However, a subjectively lower perceived noise floor, greater overall clarity, and thus more insight into music, were indeed some of the benefits your PSU exhibited over the Time Step both in my system at home and at Scalford Hall where no Powerplant was used.Quote:
Shuggie and MartinT have been comparing power supplies and found little difference between Shuggie’s SR3 and the Timestep in Martin’s system. This is likely to be that the difference in power line interference rejection between the two power supplies is less obvious with a Powerplant in the system, as the power feed will be much cleaner.
On top of that, the SR3 appeared to give music more impetus and drive, and a seemingly greater sense of speed stability being more rigidly 'locked into position'.
The Powerplant thing is interesting... When I receive your PSU for evaluation, I will try both it and the Time Step through Anthony TD's mains filter to help eradicate the issue of power line interference rejection - in fact, both PSUs can be plugged into the filter at the same time, and I can simply swap between one and the other in seconds when listening to music (thanks to the super-fast start up time of the 1210), so that should be interesting.
Indeed. Trust me, I intend to be as thorough as possible in that respect, which is why I must hear all PSU options through Martin's Powerplant in order to come to an accurate and definitive conclusion. I never do things by halves! ;)Quote:
Of course you have to factor the additional cost of the Powerplant into the equation. To compare the Techie power supply capabilities requires a stand-alone comparison test as well as most people would run without a Powerplant.
You should certainly do that, Paul, as I'm sure you'd have plenty of interested parties in such fundamental power supply modifications, not least of all me.... I suspect that your relationship with AOS and our promoting of Technics T/T modifications will be a long, happy, and fruitful one....Quote:
There are a number of circuit subsections on the Techie pcb that are all being powered together by an external remote power supply. I think there could be a lot of board interaction that a remote psu would be unable to deal with effectively because of its distance from the load. To do it properly would require good local regulation on each separate circuit function on the Techie printed circuit board. Maybe one day I will get a Techie and do a definitive internal regulation job on it.
Here's to the future! :cool:
Marco.
Hi Folks,
It looks like I will soon be the proud owner of a Technics SL1210.
I will look into the on board regulation possibilities once I have taken some measurements.
Regards
Paul
Mmmm.... Now things get interesting! :eyebrows:
;)
Marco.
hi paul,Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Hynes
you have beaten me to it!:eek: nice one, i was discusing this with marco just the other day and i think as you say there are a few circuits in there that can greatly benefit from individual bespoke regulation, i had already decided to take on this chalenge but seen as your keen to do the ground work i will opt out [gracefully] on this one at the moment,its all yours.:)
A...
Hi Anthony,
Sorry, I wasn’t aware of your plans. Please do not alter them on my behalf. There is room on the planet for both of us. A collaboration would be another interesting option. I can get on with a man who likes Marshall and Vox guitar amplifiers. I used both in the 1970’s.
Regards
Paul
hi paul,
you have a PM.:)
A...
Mmmm... Now things get even more interesting!! :eyebrows:
I must admit this 'working together thing' is very refreshing and rather different to what we've been used to from other parties in that respect ;)
Marco.
This will be far more interesting than any shit flinging:whistle:Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco