[bhobba]

Hi All

It has been a while since I posted.  I have had a few money issues to get sorted out before continuing with my hobby.  I have also started working on some papers to help gain admission to a research masters in applied math. Nothing related to audio - its on what are called Hida distributions - applications in many areas - unfortunately - at least at this stage -audio is not one of them - but you never know.
http://front.math.ucdavis.edu/0303.4712

Anyway that is just by the by.  The final upshot is my financial situation is slowly improving so I can look at continuing my hobby.  I am still entranced by the DEQX and will look at getting the new version when it is released.  Which brings me to my question.  Last time I was active Hugh had created the lifeforce amp and was looking at a commercial version of it.  I have had a look at the history of posts and couldn't sort out the state of play.  Anyone know exactly what is happening? 

I have had a chat to the guys at DEQX and if anyone is interested they are working on a significant upgrade using linear supplies that is supposed to be sonically superior.  It is due for release January.  Although they have class d in their OEM designs, and it is a matter of taste, the guy I was speaking to says he prefers good old properly implemented analogue - except for subwoffers.  He recons class d is great for subwoffers.  Strange (or maybe not so strange?) how is it very similar to Hugh's view.

Thanks
Bill

[AKSA]

This is really interesting......

Wayne of Bolder Cables (more on this later) has remarked that the Behringer is filled with low cost components.  I would expect the DEQX is vastly superior because it's not built for the budget market.  That they are moving to linear supplies tells us that SMPS are perhaps not suited to high end, and I agree, but there is no reason the SMPS cannot be used as a pre-regulator, in which role it can accept any mains voltage or frequency.  This is a huge advantage.

I have developed a linear supply for the SqueezeBox which does not use feedback regulation, but error feedforward control.  Wayne and I met at RMAF in Denver and are collaborating to combine his Ultimate SB power supply with my Hologram III - I'm not sure what he's calling it but I think it might be Ultimate Nirvana (Buddhist monks stand aside!!).  You can catch a few comments on this new supply n the Bolder Cable forum.  I'm jubilant to be associating with Wayne, he is very highly regarded in US Audiophile circles and I hope it continues many years.

I have finished development of my own SB supply and will be soon offering it for sale.  It uses a SMPS as a pre-regulator, with industrial strength filtering with common mode chokes to remove the switching frequencies.

Cheers,

Hugh

[kyrill]

interesting Hugh

as it will be "high end " priced for a "DIY" pws is their a chance you can order different voltages or range of voltages as output?  for instance -xV, 0, +xV?

[AKSA]

Kyrill,

Therein lies a story.....

I originally designed such a supply for the active crossover market, notably the product named after that fascinating star, double entendre intended.  You might recall Aurelius and I tested it on his system a couple of years ago.  But it met with such hostility, and I had a few issues with implementation, that I decided to withdraw - I dislike animosity as it damages potential customer relations - and concentrate instead on the SqueezeBox.  This has met with good press, and I'm very happy about it, but I forsee, as does Wayne, that eventually SlimDevices will produce new models which will have internal, possibly linear supplies, and this will alter the strategic landscape very considerably.

In the interim I have tested the EFF regulation concept on a range of audio circuits, and the effects are no less spectacular.  I am resolved to encapsulate this electrotrickery into modules, and this will slow development of course, but the broad answer is yes, I will make such a circuit available, but my preference will be as supplies for established products, as the DIY market is not very profitable.

Cheers,

Hugh

[kyrill]

why OR if you can choose AND ?

ah well
 

[RonR]

Hugh,

You wouldn't by any chance have tried your new supply on the SS section of a GK-1 would you?

Cheers,

Ron

[AKSA]

Ron,

A crude version of the EFF design on the SS section of the GK1 was in fact the inspiration behind it!

Hugh

[PT914]

Hi Hugh,

Please put me on the list for a Paris head amp.  I emailed you last week but it must not have reached you.

Still amazed at what I am hearing through my system:  GK-1, active crossover with Hugh's special power supply, Life Force 55s and Orion+.

Changing to a turntable source, so things will be even better.

Cheers,
Philip