[bigbwb]

Hello guys,

I have been reading enough info that I am finally going to snag the PE power supply in hopes of improving the SQ of my SB Touch(stock).
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=120-536&ctab=1#Tabs


I have read some conflicting reports on the PS is not the exact voltage as the Touch's and so on.  Also that it runs very hot.

My questions to any of you,

what is the stock PS voltage/watts vs the PE one?
what setting would I use(the same I imagine...just being safe)

Does it really run that hot, can I get buy leaving the PS this way or does it need to be turned off each time?

Any other precautions I should take.  I am only considering this if its safe and no risk involved on damaging my Touch:)

Anybody have this with their Touch?

Sorry for all the questions, as you can tell I am not electrically inclined...ha!

Brandon

[jtsnead]

here is some infor on the PE on this page, I am going to order one too
also I saw somewhere that you have to order the adaptor conn. kit w/ it

http://http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=81381.60

[eclein]

Here's the power supply:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=120-536%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&FTR=120-536&CFID=24256478&CFTOKEN=42329450
Here's the adapter kit:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=120-537

**Caution as the voltages don't exactly match up...it can be done as others have done it, and others have tweaked it (the SBtouch) to be just right. I have only used this PS with a SB DUET...that is all the experience I have with it, sorry I couldn't be more help. The touch's
voltage is slightly different than the choices you have with this PS but it can still be done...other guys here will help you further.

edit-The touch takes 5V I seem to remember but the PE, PS only has choice of(3-4.5-6-7.5-9-12V DC)

[Wayne1]

FACTS:
The Touch requires a power supply that outputs 5 volts DC.

The stock Touch PS will supply 5 volts DC @ 3 amps.

The PE PS is not set up stock to output 5 volts. The max current it can output is 2 amps.

More Facts:

The PE PS CAN be modded to output 5 volts. You will need to either cut off the stock PS cable and use that or purchase or make your own cable and connector.

If you intend to use the Touch with a USB drive that does not have it's own PS, it will have to pull the power from the Touch. Thus you will need a PS that can output closer to 3 amps.

There are other PS that are less expensive and better built to use with the Touch if you do not intend to use an external HD. The Jerome Industries Supply is $10.00 and very well built. It allows you to use different power cables. The connector will have to be changed.

I do offer mods for the PE PS along with DC cable with the correct connector. Same thing for the Jerome Industries and the ELPAC WM-220, if you can find one.

Please note that there is quite a difference in the way power supplies are built and the quality of their components. This will have an effect on the sound of the Touch. Any of the PS mentioned here are better sounding than the stock supply. Mods will make them sound better. One of the PS I build from scratch will sound even better, but at a much higher price.

[bigbwb]

Wayne & others,
Thank you for the responses.  I figured there would need to be some changes to one of the aftermarket PS for the Touch.

Wayne,
With your expertise, I want to keep costs down so either the Jerome or PE supply fits the bill.  Which will will be easiest to adjust to fit the Touch?  I am not very good at these kind of things and need good advide/direction.

Do you sell the PE PS modded just to work with the Touch by chance?

Thanks!
 

FACTS:
The Touch requires a power supply that outputs 5 volts DC.

The stock Touch PS will supply 5 volts DC @ 3 amps.

The PE PS is not set up stock to output 5 volts. The max current it can output is 2 amps.

More Facts:

The PE PS CAN be modded to output 5 volts. You will need to either cut off the stock PS cable and use that or purchase or make your own cable and connector.

If you intend to use the Touch with a USB drive that does not have it's own PS, it will have to pull the power from the Touch. Thus you will need a PS that can output closer to 3 amps.

There are other PS that are less expensive and better built to use with the Touch if you do not intend to use an external HD. The Jerome Industries Supply is $10.00 and very well built. It allows you to use different power cables. The connector will have to be changed.

I do offer mods for the PE PS along with DC cable with the correct connector. Same thing for the Jerome Industries and the ELPAC WM-220, if you can find one.

Please note that there is quite a difference in the way power supplies are built and the quality of their components. This will have an effect on the sound of the Touch. Any of the PS mentioned here are better sounding than the stock supply. Mods will make them sound better. One of the PS I build from scratch will sound even better, but at a much higher price.

[Wayne1]

I do not sell the power supplies already modded. They would have to be shipped to me and then I would mod them and ship to you. Both the PE and the Jerome Industries can be shipped to me directly from their respective sellers.

I would suggest the Jerome. It is a very nice circuit with a heftier transformer than the PE.

[bigbwb]

I am thinking of ordering the PE PS and modding the resistors to match the voltage of the Touch's stock PS.  How does your PE one sound with your Duet?

Thanks,
Brandon

Here's the power supply:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=120-536%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20&FTR=120-536&CFID=24256478&CFTOKEN=42329450
Here's the adapter kit:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=120-537

**Caution as the voltages don't exactly match up...it can be done as others have done it, and others have tweaked it (the SBtouch) to be just right. I have only used this PS with a SB DUET...that is all the experience I have with it, sorry I couldn't be more help. The touch's
voltage is slightly different than the choices you have with this PS but it can still be done...other guys here will help you further.

edit-The touch takes 5V I seem to remember but the PE, PS only has choice of(3-4.5-6-7.5-9-12V DC)

[eclein]

bigbwb-all I can say without creating a huge, huge, firestorm is: For me-it was a serious game changer. Other folks have shared my opinion
and have posted about it:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=80949.0
They are actually cheaper in price now then when I purchased, so its pretty much almost zero risk, FWIW
**Caution this is a hot, hot topic**

[bprice2]

**Caution this is a hot, hot topic**

And, for the life of me, I don't know why.  The difference is so glaringly obvious.

[bigbwb]

well,
I ordered the PE PS and will make the resistor mod(my father in laws an EE) when it arrives.  Alex in this forum has been very helpful on how to do the mod and what to buy for it.
http://www.amazon.com/KOA-Speer-Thru-Hole-Resistor-Carbon/dp/B002UPEJAU/ref=sr_1_3?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1277488844&sr=1-3

After the mod, i imagine the new PS will run cooler, but will it still work if I were to plug in a thumb drive with some music on it?  I think Wayne had mentioned using the USB feature on the touch with the PE PS was not good.

Brandon

[Wayne1]

Just a couple of more facts 

The circuits used in the Touch are completely different than those used in the DUET Receiver. The DUET uses quite a bit less current so it will present less challenge to a small power supply such as the PE.

The Touch pulls more current and has a lot more going on with the display, running the server software and supplying current to the USB part. It needs a bit more heft in it's PS.

The PE supply is fine for the DUET. I think it is great for the money. It is inexpensively built with a small transformer, filter cap and reservoir cap. The heatsinking for the regulator is also minimal. Sonically it is quite a step up from the stock supply, but it really can't provide the current to run the Touch if used with a USB powered HD.

The Jerome Industries PS has a much larger and higher current rated transformer. The heatsinks for the regulator are larger and can dissipate more heat. It also uses larger and better quality caps.

My favorite for inexpensive PS is the ELPAC WM-220. You still might be able to find some on E-Bay. It does not provide enough current for an extenal USB drive, but everything else is higher quality than the other two supplies. When modded, it is the best sounding of the three.

If you do want a PS that offers greater current output, you will probably end up at one of the custom supplies that start at a few hundred dollars. They all use very high grade parts and metal cases. They all sound better than any of the stock surplus PS or the PE supply.

Using a thumb drive should be okay as far as power consumption. Using a USB powered HD could cause some current issues.

[bigbwb]

Wayne,
Thanks for the explanation.  I may send you the PE PS for the mods down the road:)  I cannot forsee ever using an externally powered HD into the USB of the Touch, maybe just a thumb drive but odds are rare for that even.  Put it this way, so far I have not used the Touch's USB input yet....I stream all music off my imac via wireless.

I guess if I were to need to use the USB input, I still have the stock PS to utilize.

So I should be covered either way

Just a couple of more facts 

The circuits used in the Touch are completely different than those used in the DUET Receiver. The DUET uses quite a bit less current so it will present less challenge to a small power supply such as the PE.

The Touch pulls more current and has a lot more going on with the display, running the server software and supplying current to the USB part. It needs a bit more heft in it's PS.

The PE supply is fine for the DUET. I think it is great for the money. It is inexpensively built with a small transformer, filter cap and reservoir cap. The heatsinking for the regulator is also minimal. Sonically it is quite a step up from the stock supply, but it really can't provide the current to run the Touch if used with a USB powered HD.

The Jerome Industries PS has a much larger and higher current rated transformer. The heatsinks for the regulator are larger and can dissipate more heat. It also uses larger and better quality caps.

My favorite for inexpensive PS is the ELPAC WM-220. You still might be able to find some on E-Bay. It does not provide enough current for an extenal USB drive, but everything else is higher quality than the other two supplies. When modded, it is the best sounding of the three.

If you do want a PS that offers greater current output, you will probably end up at one of the custom supplies that start at a few hundred dollars. They all use very high grade parts and metal cases. They all sound better than any of the stock surplus PS or the PE supply.

Using a thumb drive should be okay as far as power consumption. Using a USB powered HD could cause some current issues.

[mfsoa]

Does the connector on a stock Elpac WM-220 fit into the Touch?

-Mike

[Wayne1]

Does the connector on a stock Elpac WM-220 fit into the Touch?

-Mike

Nope. It comes with a five pin DIN connector. It needs to be cut off and a DC power connector soldered on to the correct wires.

[drmike]

wayne,
which jerome ps do you modify fp\or the duet?
thanks,
drkmike

[Wayne1]

The Jerome Industries PS is used only for the SB3/Classic and the Touch. The DUET receiver can use the PE supply. As it does not have any display, the current requirements are quite low. The PE is the only inexpensive supply I am aware of that outputs 9 volts.

[adydula]

Hello!

Well I have one and am using it and its working just fine and sounds great...
I opened it up and changed one resistor to get the 6 volt setting to be 5 volts.

Its only a 2 amp supply as its rated.
The Touch is a very small 5vdc/3amp capable supply.

I DO NOT use an external USB drive that need or draws current from the supply.

I do use an external SOLID STATE SSD drive plugged into a POWERED USB external enclosure.

So I dont need anywhere near 3 amps!!!

I have the PE sitting on a very small and very quiet (inaudible pc hard drive fan) its mates so nicely for cooling.

Its not hot or warm at all, without the fan running its does get warmer.

I never leave it on all the time. When I listen I turn it on play for several hours etc and turn the stuff off.

Being an engineer the resistor was in my parts bin and its was 'free' and free is good...been that box for years looking for a home! 


All in all it works for me and works well.

Maybe I will cut into the power cord to the touch and put a ampmeter in there to see what
the touch really needs OR is drawing.

All the best
Alex

[adydula]

Ok inquiring minds want to know:

While booting up the Touch it never gets much above 500 ma of current.

After it is at the main menu, settles out...its .470 amps or 470 ma.

If I turn on my external powered SSD USB drive the current draw increases to 520 ma.

Seems that there  is plenty of headroom in the PE 2amp solution to spare.

Now inside of the PE supply the heatsinking is a little lacking and to output regulator could be
beefed up abit...but for the bucks it it what it is. This can be fixed, but for me its not really necessary with my
cute little nosieless fan! 

Better than the switching supply it come with...and sounds better for sure.


Alex

[srb]

Alex,
 
Thanks for taking the time to measure the current draw.  But if you are using a small fan with a 500mA load, I can imagine that sucker qetting quite hot in applications that require the full 2A rating!
 
Steve

[Steidl Guitars]

Yesterday, I assembled a linear power supply for the Touch built around a Sola / Hevi-Duty SLS-05-030-1T:

http://www.galco.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/WA/WCat/itemdtl.htm?pnum=SLS-05-030-1T-SOLA&source=AdWords&gclid=CPDmktbRwKICFRd7gwodPgF96A

I didn't buy it from Galco, but they had the best photos--many places online sell it for about the same $55.

All you have to do it connect the mains and the pair of output wires to the Touch, and you're making 5 volts at 3 amps.  I put it in a box, added a fuse, switch, and IEC inlet. 

I know little about power supplies, but I found this unit satisfyingly built.  The transformer is heavy and the rest seems well put-together.  Much higher quality build than the PE supply, which I also have.  Of course, it should be nicer as it costs 3-4 times as much and does only one voltage...

As for whether it changes the sound of the Touch, I'm going to let it run for a week or two, then compare to the stock switcher.