Paul Hynes DC Cable for SL-1210

[MartinT]

Please could you do this test as I have a Time Step HE as well and I would really like to know how it measures up against Paul's work.

Now this is interesting and important to understand. What exactly are you going to measure? All the PSUs should generate +21V as near as dammit off-load. If they have half-decent regulation they will also generate +21V while the motor is spinning. You could knock up a four component circuit using a 1.5A LM317 to achieve that and have current to spare. You might just catch a glimpse of voltage regulation on motor start-up on a digital voltmeter, but you'll have to be fast.

The only parameters that might give away the sound quality differences between the PSUs are tightness of voltage regulation while under load and noise performance, for both of which you'll need an oscilloscope.

The only way you're going to be able to differentiate is by listening, I'm afraid.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Hi Andrew,

Lol - no disrespect taken. It's all about opinions. I do what I do because I don't have the technical skills or patience you have

And I wouldn't doubt a word you have written, but the proof of the pudding is in the listening, and the Furutech carbon-fibre technology connectors (I'm not just talking here about the XLR plugs) are the best commercial products I've used so far.

I also use their IEC mains connectors throughout my system, and have tested otherwise identical mains leads, with 'ordinary' non-carbon fibre technology Furutech IEC plugs on them, swapped them for FI-50s, and the performance difference between both mains leads was frankly staggering, with the FI-50-equipped ones being significantly sonically superior!!

Theories are all well and good, but it's practical listening experience that ultimately matters most

However, if you've managed to design comparably good plugs yourself, then I would truly love to do a comparison with the Furutechs sometime

Marco.

Marco, I fully respect your opinion and look forward to reading your comments on all topics. You are 100% correct in that the main thing is to use your lug 'oles and make your own decisions. I just love talking all things cable and its nice to get some decent banter on the subject. I dont really want to spend the money on furutech stuff. The days of me spending copious amounts of wonga on hi-fi have long gone (But that still dosen't stop me from maybe buying a SR7XL power supply in the next week or two!!). Furutech stuff does look very pretty though

Now this is interesting and important to understand. What exactly are you going to measure? All the PSUs should generate +21V as near as dammit off-load. If they have half-decent regulation they will also generate +21V while the motor is spinning. You could knock up a four component circuit using a 1.5A LM317 to achieve that and have current to spare. You might just catch a glimpse of voltage regulation on motor start-up on a digital voltmeter, but you'll have to be fast.

The only parameters that might give away the sound quality differences between the PSUs are tightness of voltage regulation while under load and noise performance, for both of which you'll need an oscilloscope.

The only way you're going to be able to differentiate is by listening, I'm afraid.

Martin,

I'm not really sure what I want to be measuring that why I rely on people like you that have infinity more electronics knowledge than I. From what you say it looks like the integrity of the current is what i should be interested in and the ability of the powerpack to maintain a full 21V with extremely tight voltage regulation. But just a couple of questions.

1. Whats your definition of "load", and "noise peformance" this means differing things to differing people?

2. When do you sonically start to notice the effects of poor regulation, and how would these manifest themselves to my lug'oles?

Thanks

andrew

[MartinT]

1. Whats your definition of "load", and "noise peformance" this means differing things to differing people?

2. When do you sonically start to notice the effects of poor regulation, and how would these manifest themselves to my lug'oles?

Tough questions.

1. Essentially the load is the current draw when the motor is in normal operation and will be subtly different at 33 and 45rpm. It won't be a constant, either, as the motor has poles and so there will be spikes in the load during a single rotation. Not to mention the stylus drag being variable depending on its shape, tracking weight, the wiggle of the groove - in other words, the load is dependent on the music. Noise is anything except the DC that the PSU should provide: semiconductor noise overlaid with ultrasonics and other spurious crap, depending on how well the regulator is designed and its decoupling capacitors.

2. Impossible to say! A poorer PSU such as the Timestep demonstrates inferior pitch stability, a higher noise floor to the proceedings, higher surface noise and less insight into the music. Effectively, a good PSU like the SR5 gives a deep black background, greater dynamics and greater insight into the soundstage and micro-detail.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Tough questions.

1. Essentially the load is the current draw when the motor is in normal operation and will be subtly different at 33 and 45rpm. It won't be a constant, either, as the motor has poles and so there will be spikes in the load during a single rotation. Not to mention the stylus drag being variable depending on its shape, tracking weight, the wiggle of the groove - in other words, the load is dependent on the music. Noise is anything except the DC that the PSU should provide: semiconductor noise overlaid with ultrasonics and other supurious crap, depending on how well the regulator is designed and its decoupling capacitors.

2. Impossible to say! A poorer PSU such as the Timestep demonstrates inferior pitch stability, a higher noise floor to the proceedings, higher surface noise and less insight into the music. Effectively, a good PSU like the SR5 gives a deep black background, greater dynamics and greater insight into the soundstage and micro-detail.

Martin,

Thanks for taking time out to answer these questions. The answer to the second question is telling. I have now had the Timestep powersupply for about 10 months so I'm used to its behaviour. It would be very interesting to see if the SR7XL (which is the one I'm after) produces the effects that you describe especially the microdetail. I have designed my system to be as clinically forensic as possible. Microdetail is something that I crave. From what you say it sounds like the TimeStep is actually holding back these attributes. I think action is needed...

[MartinT]

Andrew: one correction. I had an original Timestep and you have an HE. I cannot speak for the HE as I've never heard it and neither do I know what's inside.

[Wakefield Turntables]

No worries mate. I'm gonna be making notes about its performance over the weekend so I can compare it against the SR7XL when it arrives. I'll be writing up a full report before the end of the year

[Mike_New]

Hi Ron

I hope you don't have the chassis moulding that I had to deal with

Two articles to help you:

CableMaker1: http://theartofsound.net/forum/searc...archid=1243228

Mine: http://theartofsound.net/forum/showt...988#post148988

Hi Martin,
From above are you refering to the cast-in lettering at the bottom part of the chassis. If so I now machine a relief under the Base Plate to clear this, for those who have this type of casting.

[leo]

Out of interest what type of regulation circuitry is the HE based on? is it series?

[MartinT]

If so I now machine a relief under the Base Plate to clear this, for those who have this type of casting.

Good news, Mike.