Clean power supplies and phonostages

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys, I'd like to try and get a general consensus of opinion. I'm in the process of altering my current setup. My valve setup runs through a PS Audio P10 regenerator to very good effect but I've run out of sockets into the P10. So, my question is, do you think a clean power supply into a Paradise phonostage will improve it's performance? If the answer is no then I'll simply use the good old wall sockets, else I'll look into a solution to get a clean power supply into the Paradise. Thanks in advance

Andy.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Hi Andy
What are the power requirements ? ie Voltage AC or DC and amperage

I would recommend the rectifier instead of diodes be a LT4320 with 4x N channel mosfet
https://www.analog.com/media/en/tech...ets/4320fb.pdf

i am presently designing a pcb for the LT4320

[Clive197]

I think a good power supply, preferably linear is crucial. I’ve just upgraded my SMPS to a linear SBooster supply on my Qutest Dac and even out of the box the difference was there to hear, it can only get better.
On owning and trying out different phono-stages over the last couple of years with and without SMPS I’m convinced linear is best. Earlier this year I owned a Whest phono-stage and I couldn’t get it to sound as good as I had hoped but a friend and I spent a day playing about with different ways of getting power to it, and were surprised to find that plugging straight into a wall socket with the standard cable gave the best result but no matter what it was not a keeper.

[walpurgis]

People seem keen to remove SMPS units from their systems and replace them with linear power supplies. I'm not sure I understand why, DC is just DC. If the current is adequate and the voltage right, there's surely no benefit. A decent SMPS will add no more artifacts than an LPS.

[YNWaN]

I think you gents are misunderstanding Andy’s query - he doesn’t make any mention of a SMPS and for good reason, because there are none! Nor is Andy asking advice regarding application of rectifiers (that one just strikes me as bizarre).

All he is saying is that he normally powers his Paradise phonostage via a PS Audio mains regenerator but now, because it has a limited number of outputs, he is having to, instead, plug his phonostage directly in to the wall. The Paradise phonostage already has an elaborate and sophisticated linear power supply of its own so he is wondering if not using the PS Audio regenerator will really make any difference. My opinion is it will not.

[Clive197]

People seem keen to remove SMPS units from their systems and replace them with linear power supplies. I'm not sure I understand why, DC is just DC. If the current is adequate and the voltage right, there's surely no benefit. A decent SMPS will add no more artifacts than an LPS.

Geoff, if you read my post to the end, I made it clear that plugging straight into a wall socket with a standard mains cable gave the best result (in those circumstances). Which was an answer to the OP’s post.
However I beg to differ with you about even well designed SMPS’s being the same as a well designed LPS.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

I think you gents are misunderstanding Andy’s query - he doesn’t make any mention of a SMPS and for good reason, because there are none! Nor is Andy asking advice regarding application of rectifiers (that one just strikes me as bizarre).

All he is saying is that he normally powers his Paradise phonostage via a PS Audio mains regenerator but now, because it has a limited number of outputs, he is having to, instead, plug his phonostage directly in to the wall. The Paradise phonostage already has an elaborate and sophisticated linear power supply of its own so he is wondering if not using the PS Audio regenerator will really make any difference. My opinion is it will not.

Not everyone would know the specifications of a Paradise phonostage, or a PS audio regenerator and ideally a link should be provided explaining its specifications and features to acclimatise those wishing to assist.
Does that sound like a good idea ?

[YNWaN]

Honestly, I think a more careful reading of Andy’s original question would have been more useful (not just for you). It would then have been clear that this isn’t a question about power supply topology (although your recommendation is quite a controversial one even then).

Personally, when people ask advice about components I don’t know I don’t vouch an opinion as.....it’s about gear I don’t know about...... (if I’m particularly interested I Google the components in question - just as I did for this thread to make sure that the PS Audio component does not use a SMPS and within a few seconds it was clear that it does not).

[Lawrence001]

If it was me I'd have a think about which component is probably least susceptible to mains noise and plug that one on the mains. Intuitively I would think that a phono stage would be rather susceptible since it amplifies very low voltages but I've no technical knowledge to back that up. If it had a very good power supply already inside then it might be pretty immune to noise.

Trial and error in the weekday daytime might be the best way to tell ( l believe this is when the mains supply is noisiest but again I could be wrong). If you can't hear any difference then forget about it and enjoy

[Mr. C]

Without question YES