AudioCircle
Audio/Video Gear and Systems => Owner's Circles => Virtue Audio Owners => Topic started by: Rclark on 26 Aug 2011, 08:08 pm
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Ok so at this point adding a battery ps is about the only thing I can do to this amp now. As of now running an Astron LS-10a linear supply and I love it.
About the only advantage I can think of is maybe it might somehow bring less noise into the system(batteries) and that I'll have a lower power bill.
Other than that, is a battery kit going to be worth the $250? I could put that money into other places in the system.
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About the only advantage I can think of is maybe it might somehow bring less noise into the system(batteries) and that I'll have a lower power bill.
While we're waiting for some feedback from Virtue owners that have actually tried batteries vs. the Astron LS-10a power supply that you have, your power bill won't be any lower unless you're using a solar-powered, wind-powered or some other kind of battery charger that is powered by a free energy source rather than your power grid.
Steve
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According to this reviewer (http://www.sonicflare.com/archives/review-the-virtue-audio-sensation-m451-integrated-amplifier.php) there is a big difference in the noise floor when comparing the JT Dynamic PS and batteries. I would think the same would hold true for the Astron. Having recently switched amps from an M901 with the JT Dynamic PS to one with highly regulated, well designed power supplies (nameless out of respect to the circle), I would have to agree. Good power makes a huge difference.
Cornelis
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From what I understand the Astron draws big power at idle. A charged battery is a charged battery right ? It's not going to keep pulling power like the linear. Just a guess on that.
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From what I understand the Astron draws big power at idle. A charged battery is a charged battery right ? It's not going to keep pulling power like the linear. Just a guess on that.
First, I was not aware that the Astron is a regulated linear power supply. The majority of linear power supplies used in audio amplifiers are capacitor-smoothed and not regulated, but the Astron is a general purpose supply that happens to be powering an audio amplifier in this case.
In addition, the Soneil is a relatively efficient switch-mode charger with automatic cut-off and true float. So I have to reverse my thoughts on this and agree that you may be saving energy here!
Beyond the obvious downside of wearing out a battery and having to recycle it at end-of-life, a battery supply seems to have all positives relative to a noise free, ripple free output as well as being able to deliver greater transient peak current than any reasonably sized linear AC supply.
Still, it would be interesting to hear about comparisons between batteries and your specific model power supply. I can understand not wanting to spend another $250 on a supply, but on the hand if the battery supply is better, you can probably recoup 65% of the Astron price on resale, as some people just don't want to mess with batteries. I thought I was one of them, but now I'm not so sure.
Steve
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Oh there's no way I would sell the Astron, I love that thing. It would be backup power.
Only really interested in battery if it's an enormous upgrade. If it's something I have to strain to notice, or that provides a minimal improvement, then I'd probably pass at this time and maybe try later on.
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Batteries sure made my day in listening to the Sensation. I will never go back to AC.
RWA use to have a webpage on why batteries sound better, but I cannot find it anymore.
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Well, batteries, charger, etc are en route. We shall see.
I will most definitely post a battery vs linear supply "shootout".
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Rclark, did you order the Dodd battery kit from the Virtue site?
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Due to liability concerns, we will no longer sell batteries that are not sold with a fire-proof metal case. If you want to save money you can buy your own batteries and charger. We'll sell you the wiring harness and charger if you want turn-key, but it's not a finished product.
We had a scare with the Chinese chargers and at the time offered to upgrade any, for free, to Soneil (Canada). If you are out there and have one of our blocky Chinese chargers (branded "Virtue") and have safety concerns about possible SLA over-charging, we'll upgrade it free; that's a standing offer.
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I think I have the soneil, looks like. Can I buy a fireproof case from you separately?
Spent about five minutes listening to it. Was busy so couldn't really gauge an improvement over the astron.
It did spit at me a bit (some distortions from the speaker) but my guess is it produces bigger peaks and i.needed to turn it down? I was at my normal 'loud' level so well see.
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:o wow!
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Batteries are amazing, everyone should run their amp on batteries, it's the best. Ls-10a is pretty close on many levels but needs aftermarket help (power conditioners, cables, etc) to possibly match it. It's bassier, more effortless, more detailed, more dynamic, blacker, liquid.
..... no, this is much better. I'm listening "critically" (lol), and the low level detail is astonishing! I thought I understood the term "microdetail" before, but I had no idea.
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I too am intrigued by batteries, but I'm running power hungry speakers (Mark & Daniel). I use the JT Dynamic PS. I'm concerned about the drop from 30V to 24V. Any comments on that?
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My Astron would be considered comparable to your supply, except that it's a big regulated linear supply and yours is a switching unit.
in every way the batteries are superior. And I have very power hungry speakers as well (Magnepans). It really is the ultimate way to run these amps. I've tried the 30/90 as well.
Also, fully charged and on the charger, it's really up around 28 volts, but far more current than your supply and mine. You can tell by the better transients and the absolute lack of strain. Ear candy.
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My Astron would be considered comparable to your supply, except that it's a big regulated linear supply and yours is a switching unit.
The JT Dynamic power supply is not a switch-mode power supply. It is a linear unregulated supply based on the Antek PS-3N30.
It is also a 10A unit, so aside from the regulated vs unregulated aspect, I would agree they probably give very similar performance, and one could probably assume that if you preferred the battery supply to your Astron you would likely also prefer the battery supply to the JT Dynamic.
Steve
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The JT Dynamic power supply is not a switch-mode power supply. It is a linear unregulated supply based on the Antek PS-3N30.
It is also a 10A unit, so aside from the regulated vs unregulated aspect, I would agree they probably give very similar performance, and one could probably assume that if you preferred the battery supply to your Astron you would likely also prefer the battery supply to the JT Dynamic.
Steve
Steve
thanks for clearing that up.
Batteries do sound good and for the most part give you almost the same power.
I run 12ah batteries in my rig and can run them on my somewhat inefficient speakers for over 8 hours at good volume.
I've been trying to creatively fit these batteries and a charger inside one box but the cost is proving to be the kink in the project.
Once the Three shows up I'll have to put all 4 in a single enclosure.
I'm thinking of using smaller batteries (7 or 9ah) in a 6" x 5" x 12" enclosure but will need to find something practical for the enclosure.
Hopefully when the three is available ill have battery kits and linear psu's available.
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Can someone guide me on how to use battery with my early Virtue Two (not Two.2)?
Thanks in advance!
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hey! It just plugs in like a normal PS. There's a plugin that goes to your charger as well.
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Can someone guide me on how to use battery with my early Virtue Two (not Two.2)?
Thanks in advance!
we first need to make sure you have a soft start circuit before you can use batteries on your original Two.
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I bought a used Virtue 2 which I believe doesn't have the soft start. It gives a bit of a bump on start up. Does that rule out batteries?
Are there other power supply options (better and or cheaper) than the 30v power supply sold on the Virtue site?( I am in Canada so getting the ps from Virtue will ended up being 200$).
Great amp btw!
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The 2 doesn't have the soft start, though I believe that there was an dongle you could get to add that functionality to the amp.
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The 2 doesn't have the soft start, though I believe that there was an dongle you could get to add that functionality to the amp.
I do have the sofstart external dongles if you want to go that route.
There is a specific way to power the amp on when using one.
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I am a relative newbie so information on what a dongle may be, how to use it and pricing would be appreciated.
Sounds kinky...
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I am a relative newbie so information on what a dongle may be, how to use it and pricing would be appreciated.
Sounds kinky...
Its an external soft power on device to keep the amp from receiving a large current rush/spike from the batteries when its powered on.
here are a few pictures, it just plugs in inline with the battery power supply wire to the amp.
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=52565)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=52566)
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Note! That thing only worked when you left the amp on and plugged the cable into the back of it to turn it on! What a train wreck. Thanks for picking the wound, Jason.
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:thumb:
Just don't turn the amp off! Turn off your computer or cdp if you want... the amps' batteries will charge to top off and hold, there's no reason to shut off your amp or unplug. So maybe once or twice you with an older amp you'll have that slight inconvenience.
Whatever you owners of older Virtue amps have to do, TRUST it's worth it. In my rig, and I've listened to the amp on three PS's so far, with batteries it's like getting a whole new amp, just a level of refinement and ease and detail.. and and and.. I'll be happy for many many years to come.
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Note! That thing only worked when you left the amp on and plugged the cable into the back of it to turn it on! What a train wreck. Thanks for picking the wound, Jason.
I'm kind of confused, are you an employee of the company and is that a sales pitch?
How much does this marvel go for? :green:
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Note! That thing only worked when you left the amp on and plugged the cable into the back of it to turn it on! What a train wreck. Thanks for picking the wound, Jason.
I've actually found the unit to work properly if...
1. leave the dongle plugged into the amp at all times
2. never turn the amps power switch off
3. when you want to power the amp on plug the battery power cable into the back side of the dongle.
this allows the soft start to function properly and protect the amplifier.
sorry but this is the only full proof (almost full proof) way to run batteries on one of our older amps.
NOTE: if you have a sensation you do not need a soft start of any kind because it is built into your amp.
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I can live with that.
How much is the dongle?
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Dongle on the way :D!
Batteries hopefully very soon...