BPT Battery Power Supply for Squeezebox

RSquires · « **on:** 24 Nov 2008, 04:41 pm »

All,

I wanted to put out a post for a product that I think is exceptional in its category. Chris Hoff from BPT brought over one of his battery power supplies for my Bolder modded Squeezebox back in early Nov when I held the Fall Audio Party. For those that listened at the party to the before and after switch with the battery supply, it was a huge improvement over the other power supplies I had on hand. Several of the guys at the party commented on the great extent of the improvement. Over the next couple of weeks I started doing some more critical listening with the supply and it is a definite winner!

The sound with the battery in my system is dead quiet with details being displayed that were not audible with my other after market supplies. Everything from the bass to the high frequencies improved along with reduced listener fatigue. The depth of my system also improved with images appearing out of a completely quiet background behind the plane of my speakers. I enjoyed the sound I was hearing to a point where I decided to go ahead and purchase the unit from Chris. Since that time, Chris has brought over some other goodies as well

My system is now wired up with his BPT power cords and interconnects which have transformed my system yet again. The Dynaudio's were a bit bass heavy in my rig and the interconnects and power cord changes brought out just the right amount of detail to dial things in. I would highly recommend giving them a try

I'm always up for small get togethers, so if anyone is interested in hearing the new pieces shoot me a PM and we can set something up.

Thanks,

Rick

maxwalrath · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Nov 2008, 05:14 pm »

Which other power supplies did you try? Do you know how it might differ from a RWA mod?

Exciting stuff...

arthurs · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Nov 2008, 05:21 pm »

Is this a formal BPT offering now?

RSquires · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Nov 2008, 02:40 pm »

Arthurs,

That is more of a question for Chris but I believe he will be offering it. If you are interested I would give him a call or PM him for details.

Thanks,

Rick

satfrat · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Nov 2008, 06:52 pm »

Just 1 more reason why it's ashame Chris Hoff didn't get a Circle of his own here on AudioCircle. I remember and participated in the forum BPT had on Harmonic Distortion, the forum that AudioCircle was a spinoff from. Chris was very active back then.

Just curious, did you compare Chris's battery pak with Channel Island's VDC-SB power supply that's specifically made for the SB-3? Thanks.

Cheers,
Robin

BPT · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Nov 2008, 11:04 pm »

No formal offering yet. I want to get a couple more units built for locals, so we can give the supplies a good workout in different systems for a few months. If no unforeseen problems arise, I will then offer units through my website.
Chris

cruz123 · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Nov 2008, 01:10 am »

I too would be interested in a battery PS for the Squeezebox, at the right price of course.

I have already gone off the grid with my pre (Dodd) and phono-pre (Phonomena Nova) with excellent results. Can you share any details of the PS, such as type of battery, charge time, play time, etc?

BPT · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Nov 2008, 02:53 pm »

It is a BASIC SLA design followed by regulation and a nice bank of low impedance capacitors with high quality bypassing. Play time is a good 8 hours with a 4 hour charge time. One area I focus on more than others is high current delivery of the DC, with 12 gauge wiring and 30 amp connections where possible. It may seem overkill, but because we are talking about raw DC power, low impedance is important for the best sound. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Chris

jedi35 · « **Reply #8 on:** 5 Dec 2008, 07:30 pm »

Hey guys,

Just wanted to pipe in here and say that I bought a BPT battery power supply from Chris a few months ago. He designed and built it for a couple of Audio Alchemy digital processors I've owned for many years. The AA guys put out a batt. power supply in limited production(called the Robyn) way back when the company was still around, and I didn't get a chance to buy it before it was out of production. They essentially said that I could build my own, and sent me a rough schematic. Chris took that and came up with something I could use, and it even included a charging system, which the schematic did not. He's doing some additional work on the unit right now, but I can tell you that it improved my digital playback immensely. I agree that the background was blacker and quieter, dynamics improved, bass was cleaner and tighter, and the highs took on a more extended yet less fatiguing sound. I've been battling upper midrange brightness and harshness in my room, and the battery power supply put me a huge step forward. I can't wait to get it back in the system.

Chris figured out how to power and charge two AA boxes at once. One unit is called the DTI Pro, which reclocks the digital signal to one master clock, and can upconvert to 18 or 20 bit resolution, using DSP. The other box is their version 3 D to A converter, with HDCD processing. I also found that the BPT unit sounded better as a regular plugged in power supply than the prized PS2 power supply built by AA. Switch it over to battery power, and all the better. Great job, Chris.

Adrian

cruz123 · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Mar 2009, 09:22 pm »

Any further word on this battery supply? Is it still in the works?

bpape · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Mar 2009, 09:29 pm »

I've been playing with one of Chris' battery supplies that he was nice enough to leave with me. It's very clean and deadly quiet. I'm not sure it's going to leave my house.

Bryan

BPT · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Mar 2009, 02:50 pm »

Update.
I have been tweaking my own system quite a bit lately which has led to a couple minor sonic improvements for my BAT supply. It also led to a nice little power supply improvement for SB3s. This is done to the SB3 itself and improves sonic performance in all aspects (bass extension, high frequency extension, soundstage depth, width, an increase in space between instruments, better silence between the notes and especially overall resolution of information--it just sounds more like the real thing). It will improve the sound from stock units as well as maxed out Bolder units and anything in between. This is a relatively minor modification and does not replace anything being done by talented guys like Wayne, but compliments their already fine work. Of course, the more refined the unit, the more apparent the sonic improvements. Definitely a step in the right direction for any SB3 enthusiast. I did this mod to Rick's SB3 on Friday at his place and the improvement was immediate. It will get even better as parts break-in. I'm sure he'll report after he's had some time to assess the overall performance. Lots of fun!

Chris H.

G · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Mar 2009, 09:32 pm »

Quote from: BPT on 8 Mar 2009, 02:50 pm

Update.
I have been tweaking my own system quite a bit lately which has led to a couple minor sonic improvements for my BAT supply. It also led to a nice little power supply improvement for SB3s. This is done to the SB3 itself and improves sonic performance in all aspects (bass extension, high frequency extension, soundstage depth, width, an increase in space between instruments, better silence between the notes and especially overall resolution of information--it just sounds more like the real thing). It will improve the sound from stock units as well as maxed out Bolder units and anything in between. This is a relatively minor modification and does not replace anything being done by talented guys like Wayne, but compliments their already fine work. Of course, the more refined the unit, the more apparent the sonic improvements. Definitely a step in the right direction for any SB3 enthusiast. I did this mod to Rick's SB3 on Friday at his place and the improvement was immediate. It will get even better as parts break-in. I'm sure he'll report after he's had some time to assess the overall performance. Lots of fun!
Chris H.

Hi Chris! Is this a analog out mod strictly or will it also improve the digital out?

BPT · « **Reply #13 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 01:20 pm »

Gavin:
It is on the 5VDC power input, so it affects (improves) both digital and analog.
Chris H.

mikef · « **Reply #14 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 03:12 pm »

There's nothing listed about the Squeezebox battery power supply on the website. Can you give us some more details, including pricing?

Thanks

Mike Fox

BPT · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 04:02 am »

Mike:
Not much other information other than what I already posted. Current price is $500. Unit is 14"W x 8"D x 6"H. Battery is a 12V 12AH SLA. Let me know if you any other specific questions.
Chris H.

RSquires · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 01:19 pm »

All,

   I wanted to report on my findings thus far with my Bolder SB3 modified further by Chris from BPT. Chris performed the update on my unit last week and it has been burning in now for a few days. The mod is performed on the 5VDC input of the SB3 and according to Chris should make an improvement on both modded and unmodded units with analog or digital outs. The updated parts are still not fully burnt in but I wanted to give an early report to those interested. I will post an additional follow-up in a few days. So, how does the mod sound?

   First, I should say that my Bolder enthusiast modded SB3 already sounded fantastic. At first, I was skeptical about Chris being able to get more out of the unit. However, when the BPT modded unit was put back in my system following Chris' work the impact was immediately noticeable. The first thing that was obvious was that the bass dug deeper and with more authority. There was an eerie silence between notes and high frequencies were more extended but not in a fatiguing way. I noticed a wealth of additional detail on several tracks that I play regularly. Overall system transparency took another large step forward.

   I am fairy sensitive to listener fatigue but this was not a problem with Chris' tweaked unit. Further listening revealed a larger and deeper soundstage as well. Performers playing deep in the stage were now more focused in space. I was able to clearly hear individual performers on certain tracks that were more meshed together before. Obviously, considering that the new parts have only been burning in for a couple of days I am very impressed. I'm not sure what the cost will be for this mod but it clearly took my unit to another level.

   Bryan, I would like to do a side by side with your statement modded unit if interested. I know yours sounded better than mine in past shootouts so it would be interesting to do another comparison.

Rick

bpape · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 01:40 pm »

Sure - we can do that. Just have to figure a time to do it. Been pretty buried lately.

Bryan

BPT · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Mar 2009, 04:25 pm »

Cost is $75 for mod.
Local GAS guys get an additional discount.

Chris H.

G · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Mar 2009, 05:11 am »

Quote from: BPT on 12 Mar 2009, 04:25 pm

Cost is $75 for mod.
Local GAS guys get an additional discount.
Chris H.

Can you mod a SB2 Chris? Let me rephrase that stupid question. Are you familiar enough with SB2s to do the mod and will the mod apply to SB2s. There. I think that made sense.