[satfrat]

Hi Jeff, I just finished up reading your Bolder Power Supply review and I was curious as your final thoughts as written here,

There have been other companies that have developed modification packages and power supplies for
the Squeezebox, but all of them have dropped out of the arena.

Now it seems to me right off the top of my head that Channel Island right here on AC has the VDC-SB power supply which is specifically made for the SB3. I just happen to own one infact that I use for my Trend UD 10.1 USB transport and with quite excellent results when compared to the Trends own rechargeable battery pak.

There is also another company "across the bay" in Great Britain called Paul Hynes Design who even tho flying low under the radar are quite highly regarded in the diy community for their ultra fast regulator modules and custom built power supplies built per application. I've only seen 1 review from tnt-audio here that infact revolves around a Paul Haynes power supply for the Squeezebox.

So your quoted statement above isn't quite accurate at all and it's because of this inaccuracy that I ask if you might if you'd consider doing reviews on the other Squeezebox power supply choices that are indeed still alive and well, even if they tend to remain ignored. I retain an interest at the moment specifically for the Paul Hynes SR3-12 power supply that I've ordered to use with the Empirical Off-Ramp 3 USB transport w/Superclock 4. Paul Hynes states that his power supply will outperform an Optima Red Top battery so I'm very curious as to how it'll match up with Steve Nugent's Off-Ramp 3. In my research for possible power supplies, I ran across your last month's Bolder Ultimate review and I thought this might make for a good topic of discussion and maybe possible future review options for the ever so popular SB line.

Cheers,
Robin

[denjo]

Hi Robin

Excellent posts! Yes, inquiring minds want to know how these various PSUs stack up against each other. I am using Paul Hynes' PSU for my SB3, in fact it was a prototype which I had requested Paul to custom make for me.

Best Regards
Dennis

[BPT]

Don't forget our friends at Welborne Labs. They have a very good sounding DIY SB3/Duet supply. You can also order it assembled and tested. http://www.welbornelabs.com/squeeze.htm
Chris H.

[Mister Pig]

I will have to say that the quoted sentence is only 1/2 right. Yes there are other power supplies being built for the SB. However, to the best of my knowledge, no one else is currently producing the internal mods to the SB besides Bolder Cable.

I will say that I am not familiar with the Paul Hynes products, but will look into them.

I have had requests into Channel Islands for a VDA.2 DAC, and have not been able to wrangle a review sample for the magazine. I would suspect that they would not part with a PS for the SB either. Maybe something will change in the future.

Wellbourne has had issues in the past. A search at Audio Asylum will show a rocky history for the company the last couple of years. I would be hesitant to work a review up that might steer readers towards an rocky transaction.

Regards
John Hoffman

[satfrat]

Thank you very much John, that's all one can ask. From what I've read from the diy community and heard from PS owners like Dennis I think the Paul Hynes Design PS is worthy of at least a look-see.

Cheers,
Robin

[Paul Hynes]

Hello John,

Ask and you shall receive.

Regards
Paul

[satfrat]

Hello John,

Ask and you shall receive.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul, I didn't know you posted here on AudioCircle. Had I known, I would have PM'd you as to my intentions here.

Back in august of 2008 you stated;
(quote)"I am working on a multi-section master power supply, all in one case, for this application which can be used with high performance local regulation upgrades inside audio equipment. I will post details on my website when the design is finished."

So hows that working for you? Definitely this sounds like interesting stuff where any product details could make for good reading. I also like looking at pictures too.

I am so totally looking forward to my SR3-12 power supply for my Empirical Off-Ramp 3, who's power supply requirements were mentioned here and which uses a 2.1mm pin jack for it's power connection. I use a very short 20" Bolder Cable Nitro DC with 2.5mm barrel plugs on both ends. I now wish I had gotten Waynes Summit DC silver cable tho. The next 4 weeks can't go by quick enough Paul.

Cheers,
Robin

[Paul Hynes]

Hi Robin,

I post occasionally on topics that interest me. I posted quite a lot on the line source array thread but unfortunately the general interest in this topic lapsed, and the thread was archived, just as I was about to prepare a dedicated diy power amp project for enthusiasts who wished to wire their array drivers in parallel. This is a punishing load for normal amplifiers so the power amp has to be designed for loads of less than 1 Ohm.

I decided that the multi-section master power supply is best offered on a custom basis as there are so many variations possible depending on the equipment to be powered. It is available and there is a photo of the case I use on the current website home page. I can fit multiple power supplies in this case comfortably as long as the overall thermal dissipation remains within the limits of the front panel heatsink.

I have been re-writing the website as there are a number of new regulator modules, power supply products and a phono stage to include, as well as the Paypal payment option notification. The SR3 power supply you have ordered is one of these new products. The website revision has to be completed in my meager spare time. It has been so busy this Autumn/winter that I am still only half way through with this. Each product has to be production engineered, built, tested and photographed and this can be rather time consuming.

Regards
Paul

[denjo]

Hi Paul

Great to see you back here on AudioCircle!

As you know, the PSU you custom built for me to power the SB3 was a "prototype" )I think mine was the first!). How have your new PSUs changed, if any, from the first generation ones?

Keep well!

Best Regards
Dennis

Robin: I know you are going to love the PSU which Paul is building for you! Its worth the wait!

[Paul Hynes]

Hi Dennis,

I have been a little lax keeping up with Audiocircle threads.

The power supplies I made for your SB3 and Altmann DAC were customised for you but I first used this shunt regulator design in 1988. I decided to production engineer it as the SR1 because of interest shown in the power supply from your comments about the performance. Unfortunately there is a limit to how much current can be provided in the chosen case when using shunt regulation because of the heat generated by this topology. I had a number of requests to provide a solution for more current hungry products like the Altmann BYOB, Trends T10 and Charlise power amplifiers. This is where the SR3 power supply that Robin has ordered comes in. It is a high performance low noise series regulator. The 12 volt version can do 3 amps continuously and 10 amps peak and it is the same size as the SR1 type power supply. It also makes a good analogue power supply as it has a fast transient response/settling time and is dead quiet.

I have not had chance to compare the SR1 and the SR3 in the same circumstances yet but I will do so very shortly with the Altmann Attraction DAC you sent to me. Incidentally, as we are at present unable to conclude the arrangement we have with this, until you have finalised your system, would you mind if I replaced the two on-board three terminal regulators on the Altmann with high performance power supplies? This will void the warranty but it is an excellent upgrade.

Regards
Paul

[richidoo]

Paul, I have the Attraction DAC too, so I'm curious about your proposed upgrades. Are your onboard regulators still valuable if an external Hynes 12V supply replaces the battery?

Separate topic: Can your 100W shunt regulator handle a Pass F5 (class A 25W) amp? +/-24VDC rails, 6A continuous, 10A peak. Stereo of course, so I imagine 2 regulators would be necessary, and separate heatsinking for the regulator.
Thanks,
Rich

[Eugene]

Hello Paul,

I have your PS on my Altmann Dac and am very curious about the mods. Also curious about the differences the two power supplies.

Regards
Eugene

[denjo]

I have not had chance to compare the SR1 and the SR3 in the same circumstances yet but I will do so very shortly with the Altmann Attraction DAC you sent to me. Incidentally, as we are at present unable to conclude the arrangement we have with this, until you have finalised your system, would you mind if I replaced the two on-board three terminal regulators on the Altmann with high performance power supplies? This will void the warranty but it is an excellent upgrade.

Regards
Paul

Hi Paul

Sure, please go ahead! If it will improve the Altmann Attraction DAC why not! Yes, I have been pretty busy too! Still in a quandary whether to go for the Wadia i-Transport.

As with others here, I will be very interested in your comments about the SR1 v SR3 and the Altmann Attraction DAC upgrades.

Best Regards
Dennis

[Paul Hynes]

Hi Denjo, Eugene, Richidoo, et al

I think it would be inappropriate to continue this discussion on the Affordable$$Audio circle as I would have to discuss my products to answer your questions. I will set up a thread in the Industry Talk and Events circle so we don't break the site rules and upset Affordable$$Audio.

Regards
Paul