SB2/3 mods and PS

Nick B · « **on:** 1 May 2006, 08:21 pm »

I recently posted about power supplies I was auditioning with my analog modded RWA SB2. I compared Brand X with the Acopian. Brand X was outstanding and I bought it. I'll now identify Brand X as the $600 PS from Aberdeen Components aka Maui Mods. I found out about Anthony via the Slim Devices forum a few weeks ago. Because his PS was so excellent, I asked to audition his analog mod and he sent me his SB3. The analog mod is as good as his PS. Resolution, texture of vocals and instruments, soundstage size from front to rear are all very good. The workmanship (externally at least) appears excellent. I haven't opened my PS to look inside. I have an email to him about the price. I asked if he used different parts than my SB2 and was told the opamp, dac chip and caps are all different. Overall, the combo of my RWA SB2 is very musical and a bargain for the price. The Aberdeen analog mod just gives a bit more in all areas. Glad I spent my money on the SB wireless components rather than a new CDP or DAC.

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 May 2006, 08:29 pm »

I can vouch for Anthony's skill as well as his dedication.

He has been modifying my TacT 2.2x preamp and each time one of his mods gets installed, the level of performance goes up and up.

George

fly_fish_nz · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 May 2006, 04:42 am »

Thanks for the update Nick. Are you able to give a feel for how the Acopian compared to the stock unit, and then how the Aberdeen improved on the Acopian? Wondering how close the Acopian got you towards what sounds like great performance from the Aberdeen. Best, C.

Nick B · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 May 2006, 06:00 am »

Hi Chris Once I got the stock PS out of my system, I never put it back in. I had over 250 hrs on the RWA SB2 and with the stock PS, it was very unpleasant at decent volume levels. I listened to the "B" series Acopian ($115) and it was an improvement, but still somewhat harsh with vocals, strings etc. However, I did not burn it in all that much. It is a cluncky box without feet and has exposed terminals on the back. The "A" series would be at least another $60 or more. It does have better specs, but I just decided to go with the Aberdeen because it was that good. Going in, my budget for a PS was up to $150 or so, but I felt the RWA SB2 with new Aberdeen power supply was a great combination. The Aberdeen PS has a very quiet, detailed, larger and more musical presentation than the Acopian. The Aberdeen SB analog mod with Anthony's PS is even more than what I've just described. I am very tempted to have the Aberdeen SB analog mod, but I don't have a firm price yet and that would bite into my amp budget more. I was very surprised at the level of resolution with my old modded Metaxis amp. It helps to have Gregg Straley cables throughout

. Maybe an Elpac or something similar would be the safe way to go for you initially. Sorry I couldn't give you more specifics. If you lived within a reasonable distance, I'd send you my Aberdeen PS to try out. Nick

MauiMods · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 May 2006, 12:09 pm »

Quote from: zybar

I can vouch for Anthony's skill as well as his dedication.

He has been modifying my TacT 2.2x preamp and each time one of his mods gets installed, the level of performance goes up and up.

George

Thx George and Nick for the Kind words!

mr_bill · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 May 2006, 01:48 pm »

Hoe do I find out more about the Aberdeen or Maui Mods?
I have an SB3
Thanks,
Bill

tdangelo · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 May 2006, 02:58 pm »

I agree with you Nick about the Aberdeen PS. I've been using the Aberdeen Oscon version(also had the Jensen version). I prefer the Oscon to the Jensen version. Anthony's build quality of the PS is extremely high - the circuit board is very professional. Sound quality is outstanding. I've burned it in for about 2 weeks now and have to say that it really provides a nice improvement over my previous PS. Instruments just hang in the air - more seperation between them and better placement. I was listening to a Diana Krall song "black bird" - it gave me goose bumps. Switching immediately to my previous PS I just didn't get that. The previous was an entry level PS with Jensens and is very good but not quite up to the level of the Aberdeen - I'm sure the more expensive line would compete more equally. All in all the music is just more musical, hehe and enjoyable.

Nick B · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 May 2006, 05:53 pm »

Hi Tony Your description of the sonics on the Aberdeen PS is right on. Very enjoyable to listen to. I have the Oscons. I'm looking forward to trying new amps in a while and that should be fun. Mr Bill, Anthony can be reached at http://www.aberdeencomponents.com/
http://www.aberdeencomponents.com/

Nick

tonyptony · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 May 2006, 06:47 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo

I agree with you Nick about the Aberdeen PS. I've been using the Aberdeen Oscon version(also had the Jensen version). I prefer the Oscon to the Jensen version.

td, was the Jensen version using the Jensen 4 pole caps, or their standard 2 pole 'lytics? If you had a 4 pole Jensen supply and chose the Oscon instead, I would appreciate hearing how they were different.

tdangelo · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 May 2006, 10:25 pm »

Quote from: tonyptony

Quote from: tdangelo
I agree with you Nick about the Aberdeen PS. I've been using the Aberdeen Oscon version(also had the Jensen version). I prefer the Oscon to the Jensen version.

td, was the Jensen version using the Jensen 4 pole caps, or their standard 2 pole 'lytics? If you had a 4 pole Jensen supply and chose the Oscon instead, I would appreciate hearing how they were different.

I believe it was the 4 pole caps. The Oscon was much clearer in its presentation - the instruments were seperated better with more air. Just a more refined sound that was more musical. The difference was pretty apparent in my system.

tonyptony · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 May 2006, 11:13 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo

I believe it was the 4 pole caps. The Oscon was much clearer in its presentation - the instruments were seperated better with more air. Just a more refined sound that was more musical. The difference was pretty apparent in my system.

That's interesting news. I'm actually just about to build a 5V linear supply for my SB3 (LT1085 based) and was investigating cap options. I spoke with someone who built one using the Jensen 4 poles. He indicated that they did not sound their best until the supply had about 200 hours on it. When broken in he said they were way better than Nichicon KZ Muse caps, which is what he had in the design originally. Had your Jensen variant been broken in?

tdangelo · « **Reply #11 on:** 16 May 2006, 02:50 am »

Quote from: tonyptony

That's interesting news. I'm actually just about to build a 5V linear supply for my SB3 (LT1085 based) and was investigating cap options. I spoke with someone who built one using the Jensen 4 poles. He indicated that they did not sound their best until the supply had about 200 hours on it. When broken in he said they were way better than Nichicon KZ Muse caps, which is what he had in the design originally. Had your Jensen variant been broken in?

The Aberdeen Oscon PS had maybe 75 hrs and the Jensen version about 60 - the Bolder with Jensens had over 200 hrs. I've made a few system changes since the PS and it's getting a bit confusing. My system at least is getting better sounding so I must be going the right direction, hehe

MauiMods · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 May 2006, 01:10 pm »

Clarafication time!. The Main Caps used are Not, OSCON, but they are High grade Sanyos, that make Black Gate / Jensen Specs look broken. I do however use a few Oscon for bypassing. and to improve the ripple/noise measurments with the regulator I use.

Keep in mind, I am a Sanyo, Jensen, and Blackgate Distrubutor, and supply other modders with supplies. So I am not biased in any way of a brand. Jensen 4 pole work great as a Main Filter cap for a SMPS. As in my Sig SMPS, for TacT/Meridian. For Linear Use, I found using a 4 pole Jensen, did not fit the application right. It has to do with the Specs and design of the cap. I have seen a few linear designs, that used SEVERAL 4 poles, in many wrong areas of the supply, and the reports I get from the end users are not favorable.

Just because a part is a HQ part, it does not mean, it is the answer for all applications. You need to find the right HQ part, for the application.
This is what my work is all about. I can not tell you enough, when a DIY'er, or Mod company, installed, say a super clock /super cap / super Reg, and actually, decreased performance! Sure it gave them a false illusion of sounding diffrent, but!, question is, Is it proper..... ??
You never know till you hear it RIGHT!

Best regards!
Anthony
Mauimods / Aberdeencomponents
"In a world of compromise, WE DON'T!"

tonyptony · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 May 2006, 03:39 pm »

Anthony (hey, good first name!) there's been something that I've always wanted to ask of commercial modders who offer power supplies or mods to existing supplies. Is the design based solely on listening (which I do NOT discount as crucial, BTW) or is any circuit analysis done using real test equipment, or a circuit simulator package in conjunction with test equipment? Are things like THD, noise, ripple, impedance actually modeled and then measued? As an example, many D-I-Y'ers will add multiple parallel caps in a PS design, and while the sound ultimately is of greatest concern doing something like this often creates non-ideal impedance behavior. While this may not always explain it, it may be part of why "just adding more caps" doesn't always help the sound.

I guess I'm wondering how much measurement correlation is made to any of these improvement by guys who seem to have been doing this for a while?

Nick B · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 May 2006, 07:09 pm »

Per my request, Anthony just sent me his SB2 (analog mod only) and revised PS. I had been running the RWA SB2 and Aberdeen PS. The sound was quite good, but with occasional minor harshness on some vocals, horns, violins. I am breaking in both new Aberdeen units now rather than using my original Aberdeen PS. The sound is more refined. The resolution is better and instruments sound more natural. The soundstage is wider and deeper. The occasional harshness is gone. I played many of the cuts that displayed various levels of harshness and the improvement is significant. I have CD's that have compilations of songs that were recorded in the 50's and 60's and some of the recordings were not of stellar quality. Not only is the resolution on these cuts rather amazing, but the presentation is not fatiguing. I have less than 10 hours break in right now. When I have enough hours, I'll sub in my original Aberdeen PS and check for differences. Right now, the sound is so good that my next step is to audition amps. Great work, Anthony.

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 May 2006, 07:11 pm »

Quote from: Nick B

Per my request, Anthony just sent me his SB2 (analog mod only) and revised PS. I had been running the RWA SB2 and Aberdeen PS. The sound was quite good, but with occasional minor harshness on some vocals, horns, violins. I am breaking in both new Aberdeen units now rather than using my original Aberdeen PS. The sound is more refined. The resolution is better and instruments sound more natural. The soundstage is wider and deeper. The occasional harshness is gone. I played many of the cuts that displayed vari ...

Nick,

Did Anthony say what he revised?

You mentioned auditiong amps, are you taking about Anthony's modified S2150 TacT amps or something else?

George

Nick B · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 May 2006, 02:33 am »

George I believe he put in some bigger caps in the revised PS. About 3 weeks ago, I briefly had the Tact S2150 (I think that was the model) and it sounded good. It was an unmodded unit and I only did a brief audition. It was getting too cumbersome (and confusing) to switch between power supply, amp and SB3. The amps I'm thinking of auditioning are the Butler 2250 and the AVA ultra 350 or 550 and possibly the CIA D200's. I believe I can get excellent results from those stock units. I'm unsure about the Tact because it will cost me extra to have it modded by Anthony, although that would be money well spent. I also am trying to think ahead as I want to do HT in a couple of years. The idea of a Tact preamp with room correction and Anthony's mods sounds very appealing, but that's a long way off.
Regards Nick

zybar · « **Reply #17 on:** 28 May 2006, 02:37 am »

Thanks Nick.

Having heard the Butler amps, I can say that they are good and I just bought a pair of D-200's and they are very good. The AVA amps always are talked about in a positive fashion as well.

Looks like you will end up with a good amp regardless of which one you choose.

George

tonyptony · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 May 2006, 12:00 pm »

Nick, I also have heard good things about the Butler amps, but I actually own an AVA 550EXR. I have heard in my system over the last 20 years the likes of Krell, Bryston, Conrad Johnson, Melos, ARC, VAC, Bedini (the amp I owned during all that time), Threshold, Rowland, and a few more. Many of these did many things very very well, and some were admittedly a small amount better but at a phenomenal cost. But the 550EXR is the first one that got me to unseat my Bedini. Word on the van Alstine circle is that the Ultra is (of course

) better.

Nick B · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 May 2006, 09:37 pm »

Tony I guess it's a good problem to have a choice of such good amps. The problem is, I really can't audition all 3 and maybe not even 2 of them (why....wife and money). The sound is excellent right now with my modded Metaxis amp and I could live happily as is. But the Metaxis is a heavy beast and I can screw up my back just moving it. Plus I've had it over 10 years and I'm curious for something new. Glad that youy're so happy with the AVA. I'm familiar with the Bedini by reputation as I had the Shahinian Diapasons for 10 years. Had to sell them when I moved a few years ago. Nick