[radarnyc]

For those of you out there that believe in the benefits of battery powered components, how would rank the importance of battery power for each component in your system? For example, is it more important to have your sources (e.g. Squeezebox, DAC), your preamp or amp off the grid?

All responses welcomed. If you can provide your theory as to why one is more important than the other...that's all the better.

[Rclark]

 Between my amp and my preamp (WS), going battery powered on the amp provided the biggest improvement, but nearly equal. My friend and I both noticed that going to back AC power on the amp, and using an AC powered preamp (my dac), it was a very unpleasant experience and we hooked the battery stuff back up very quickly after that. 

 When you first go battery you need to settle in and give it a good listen, adjust to the changes, and then you can never go back to gross yucky  (untreated) AC after that.

 I don't think it matters which component you start with, you will notice it sounds a lot better. But if I were you I would start with my amp.

[dBe]

For those of you out there that believe in the benefits of battery powered components, how would rank the importance of battery power for each component in your system? For example, is it more important to have your sources (e.g. Squeezebox, DAC), your preamp or amp off the grid?

All responses welcomed. If you can provide your theory as to why one is more important than the other...that's all the better.

I tend to be a do the small signal stuff first kind of guy, but it all depends upon the level of quality of the power supplies that you will be replacing with battery power.  Power supplies are the most expensive part of an amps internals and replacing one with a battery can be very effective UNLESS it is a monstrously overbuilt supply in an amp that needs lots of rail voltage.

I have heard the greatest improvements in the front end parts and pieces because their S/N ratio is typically much lower.  Especially when you compare PS noise to the output signal.  The output signal can be from a few millivolts (some MC cartridge head amps) to a few volts (DACs, preamps, etc)  Remember that a preamp is a voltage (usually) amplifier and can multiply the noise as well as the signal.  If you have ever played with guitar amps you will know what I'm talking about.  A Dumble style preamp has gain of over 1,000,000 and that can bring the noise.

I agree with Mr. Clark.  If you can do the whole thing - voltages allowing for this - I ould suggest that you do so.

My .02 - YMMV

Dave

[bpape]

I personally think it's a combination of small signal and anything like a squeezebox that has a lot of high frequency hash going on that I'd like to keep out of the AC system.

Bryan

[dBe]

I personally think it's a combination of small signal and anything like a squeezebox that has a lot of high frequency hash going on that I'd like to keep out of the AC system.

Bryan

Bryan, I couldn't agree more on the Squeezebox or like units.  Digital hash that leaks back up the wire just sucks.  Anything with a switching PS should be a target for battery or VERY HEAVY DUTY noise control.  Noise is getting worse by the day.  Just wait for "Smart Grids" in your own backyard!  They (the local power provider) installed a  SG ready meter on my house three months ago.

Dave

[jtwrace]

They (the local power provider) installed a  SG ready meter on my house three months ago.
Dave

Is it not true that you have the right of refusal on them?  I thought I remember reading that somewhere.

[MttBsh]

As much as I appreciate the sonic benefits of being off the grid, the price I paid was having to send for (expensive) replacement batteries on a regular basis because of accidently leaving my amp on overnight. I got really tired of having to turn off the music during a gathering to recharge. I know there are now adaptors that can automatically switch a component over to AC once a battery gets down to a minimum charge, but the whole thing just became more of a hassle than I was willling to put up with. I now have the best mono amps I have ever heard - they are powered by that nasty, grungy electricity and they sound absolutely amazing!

[Rclark]

We use chargers that you can leave permanently attached.

[dBe]

Is it not true that you have the right of refusal on them?  I thought I remember reading that somewhere.

True.  Since I don't care about power quality coming in because I can handle that issue I really don't care.  It is the person that has no idea about what is going on concerning power quality that is screwed...  Royally... 

Dave

[cheap-Jack]

For those of you out there that believe in the benefits of battery powered components, how would rank the importance of battery power for each component in your system? For example, is it more important to have your sources (e.g. Squeezebox, DAC), your preamp or amp off the grid?

Yes, the heateres of the tubes inside ALL my phono-preamps are powered by a 6V NiCd cell rechargeable by a switch mode powre pack (SMP). IMO, the heaters/filaments of tubes in phono-preamps must be DC powered to eliminate
AC contimination into the music signal from our vinyls.

FYI, my latest 1-stage RIAA phonostage is also powered by a bank of NiMH batteries which are smaller size & much more efficient than NICd cell.

Battery powered phonostages shound better !!!!!


c-J