I recently had a chance to compare many of the different versions of the power supplies I have been offering in the same system at the same time.
In most cases, I build a supply, test it to make sure it is working and send it on it's merry way. I do prototype testing, but the prototypes always seem to evolve into something else.
The past weekend I had a Basic Rev 1, An Updated Basic Rev 1 with Jensen Caps, A Deluxe PS with Panasonic caps ( with many hours on it), my latest prototype, Double Ugly's Ultimate and mgalusha's version of the Ultimate.
We listened to these on Mik's highly modded SB2 which has all the latest updates including Sonicaps with Platinum and Gen 2 Bypasses and Silver Slipstream Bybees in the signal path. He has the latest BlackGate cap changes in the internal PS of the SB. The SB was run direct to his pair of Modded LNPA-150s and a modded pair of Meadowlark Blue Heron 2.
The first up was the Basic Rev 1. It sounded a lot better than the stock wallwart. It was fairly close to the sound of the better CD transports I have heard. The next was the same outer case but with the Jensen caps inside. This was just built and had NO time on it. It made a MAJOR difference in overall tone and quality of the sound. Now there was music coming from the sprakers. When the Deluxe was put in, the sonics reverted back to very good CD player.
The Protoype was next and it took things to an even higher level. It is now using 4 Bybee purifiers. Subtleties were coming through that were never heard on this track before. The low end also opened up. Dynamics were greater, perhaps because of the lower noise floor. We put in the Ultimate and it was not quite as clear or dynamic.
Mike had recently made some changes to his PS. He removed his Felicia transformers and added another pair of Bybees. His was closer in sound to the prototype than the Ultimate.
The end result of this listening session is that I have rebuilt Double Ugly's Ultimate. I removed the one pair of Silver Slipstream Bybees and replaced them with two pair of copper Slipstream Bybees in different places. I believe this will lower the noise floor even more and allow greater dynamics and better imaging. The entire Ultimate is now wired with the Solid Silver wire, before only the AC was solid silver. It is breaking in right now and hopefully in a week or so, we can listen again, Then it will go off to Mississippi.
All of the cases for the "Superior" power supplies have arrived. I have dropped them off to be machined. All of the parts to construct the power supplies are on hand. I am low on the Solid Silver wire, but some more is on the way to me.
We have also done some listening to DC cables from the SB PS to the SB. We have found audible differences. The "standard" cable that I have been supplying is a coaxial design based on the M-80 interconnect. I have also built one using the shielded, twisted pair design of the Nitro. I build a prototype using the solid core silver I use in the Summit but the same design as the Nitro. In listening evaluations on the same system described above, the Summit cable sounded quite a bit better then the Nitro cable. The Nitro cable was head and shoulder better than the M-80. The Silver based cable seemed to be more harmonically correct. There was less "grit" or "grundge" in comparison.
After hearing the major differences between the Panasonic caps and Jensens, I am not going to offer the Panasonics after the present orders are filled for the Basic Rev 1. If any of the present owners of the Basic Rev 1 PS or any of the folks who have orders outstanding, wish to upgrade, I can use a small pair of Jensen cap in the same case. This would cost an EXTRA $250.00 for the parts and labor to use the Jensens in the same case. Please contact me by e-mail if you wish to upgrade. I will also offer an upgrade to the Nitro DC cable for an additional $75.00 to owners of the Basic Rev 1. I may need the power supply back to do some internal wiring changes to it.
I have built three of these and shipped them out to their new owners. Hopefully comments will start to come in within a week or so.
Based on this latest round of listening test, I am going to be offering power suppies with a good, better, best options.
The "GOOD" power supply will be offered in the same anodized aluminum case as the Deluxe.
It will have the Jensen caps and use the Nitro power cable. Internal wiring will be Teflon insulated, Solid core, copper cored silver. The DC cable will be the "Nitro" It will sell for $750.00
The "BETTER" Supply will be in the same case. It will be made with the same wire. and caps, It will have 4 Bybee Purifiers added in appropriate locations. It will come with the Nitro DC cable. It will sell for $1150.00
The "Best" Supply will be made with the Pure Silver internal wire, Jensens, 4)Copper Bybees and the Summit Silver DC cable. It will sell for $1400,00. You can upgrade to 4) Silver Slipstreams for an additional $400.00. I have not heard this configuration, so I do not know how it would sound in comparison to the copper Slipstreams.
All of the power supplies do not come with AC power cables.
These power supplies will only be available on special order. They will be offered on a pre-order bassis every few months.
The current offering is sold out. I will hopefully offer a new round in a month or so.
