Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes

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Geoff-AU

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #20 on: 27 Oct 2005, 12:14 am »
Quick one - would a linear regulator (LM317 or similar) remove any switching noise created by the diodes?  Talking about a pre-amp supply here, I'm not about to suggest adding regulation to an amp power supply ;)

NealH

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #21 on: 27 Oct 2005, 01:39 am »
The three terminal regulators do not directly reduce any switching noise created by the imput diodes.  Their supporting circuitry (passive components) will likely mitigate or reduce most of this noise, assuming there is any in the first place.  

I don't think you need to be concerned, because in a 60hz system, with the typical impedance of the home distribution feed, the waveform speed and current availability just do not lend support to the diode exhibiting switching noise.  There is nothing fast about 60 cycles.  Standard off the shelf and cheap power diodes like the 4000 series are faster than necessary for this duty.    

Whatever is there can be tamed by adding a simple RC snubber across each diode.  This will mitigate any snappiness that might exist, but probably doesn't.  

It's really a law of diminishing returns.  Yes, there possibly is some noise but, it's so minute that if you own an amplifier that is being effected in some way, then I recommend that you return it and get your money back.  There is too much out there to choose from that isn't affected by this phenomena because the product is properly engineered.

Geoff-AU

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #22 on: 27 Oct 2005, 02:07 am »
Yeah, I'm sure the difference is negligible, a 50/60Hz sine wave is a very slow and smooth waveform.  Was just curious.  It was tempting to try some schottky's in my pre-amp's bridge but they won't stand up to the full reverse voltage so I didn't bother.  The CD player is the other place some people report schottky's sounding great but judging by the other discussion that was linked to you can just as easily go backwards as forwards it seems!

Occam

Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #23 on: 27 Oct 2005, 02:22 am »
While the perodicity of the switching noise is, depending on the topolgy of the retification 1x or 2x the line frequency, decomposition of resulting spikes by Fourier, etc... will show the spectrum is not. I do believe you're talking about the spikes and not the ripple.

stvnharr

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #24 on: 6 Feb 2006, 11:47 pm »
Quote from: AKSA
Hmmm, SiC diodes, I ordered some from Cree in the US about a month ago, but still nothing has turned up.

I'll let you know the instant I have something, sorry about delays....

Cheers,

Hugh


Anything ever happen with these Cree SiC diodes?

AKSA

Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #25 on: 6 Feb 2006, 11:56 pm »
Nope, Steven.  Not impressed.  Nothing arrived.  There order process was complicated and bureacratic, and it seems there was a reason......

AND their product is hellish expensive!

Cheers,

Hugh

ctviggen

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #26 on: 7 Feb 2006, 01:18 am »
Occam -- you've given me something to test with my new spectrum analyzer!  Thanks.

andyr

Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #27 on: 7 Feb 2006, 07:42 am »
Quote from: Geoff-AU
Quick one - would a linear regulator (LM317 or similar) remove any switching noise created by the diodes?  Talking about a pre-amp supply here, I'm not about to suggest adding regulation to an amp power supply ;)
Geoff,

I think a more important point about the LM317 and its ilk is that, yes, it "gives great ripple-reduction" ... but it sounds like s**t!   :o

I proved this to my satisfaction, at least, by replacing the LM317-based power supply in my (non GK-1) phono stage with an emitter-follower regulated PS designed by Hugh.

I then lent mine to a mate who had the same phono stage, unmodified, and he was amazed at how much better mine sounded!!   :D  "Quieter" ... "blacker background" ... "better bass" was what he said.

So I say "keep away from LM317s and their cousins if you want the best sound"!!   :)

Regards,

Andy

Tinker

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Fast recovery vs. Schottky diodes
« Reply #28 on: 7 Feb 2006, 09:04 am »
I concur with Andy. I built a DAC with 3 337s and 3 317s to regulate power. They sound pretty ordinary for analogue circuits. Probably something to do with the substantial impedence rise with frequency.

T.