Black Lightning LFP Editions are coming soon...

Vinnie R. · « **on:** 11 Sep 2010, 12:45 am »

All,

I've received a lot of emails asking if Black Lightning will also be transitioning to LFP - and the answer is YES - starting early next month they will be in production. I've already been taking a lot of custom requests, and YES, they will also feature the AC/BATT switch to allow for pure LiFePO4 battery operation, as well as continuous playing/charging (with no time limit) - which is described in our LFP-V page:

http://redwineaudio.com/products/lfpv-edition

I'm in the process of updating all the product pages of the RWA website, and Black Lightning LFP Edition info and pricing will be up in a few weeks as well (the price of the Black Lightning will be going up with the LFP Edition - but will be well worth it vs. SLA).

I'll keep you all posted...

Vinnie

Socrates7 · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Oct 2010, 01:57 am »

Any updates?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Nov 2010, 09:33 pm »

Quote from: Socrates7 on 31 Oct 2010, 01:57 am

Any updates?

Yes - good news!

I received the RWA 12.8V, 10Ah LiFePO4 packs and the updated Black Lightning LFP website will be up this week.

I'm already backlogged on them for around 4 to 6 weeks (just from interest in the original post), so please email me (not PM) if you would like to be added to the build queue.

I apologize for the delay. Since this was the first round of custom packs (for the 12.8V), the set-up time and tooling at the factory took longer than what I hoped for. But they are here and they are sweet!

Best regards,

Vinnie

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Nov 2010, 07:05 pm »

Quote

the updated Black Lightning LFP website will be up this week.

And here it is!

http://www.redwineaudio.com/products/black-lightning

Socrates7 · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Nov 2010, 03:42 am »

Fantastic. Vinnie -- have you ever done one of these for a computer, like, say, a Mac Mini?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Nov 2010, 01:33 pm »

Quote from: Socrates7 on 9 Nov 2010, 03:42 am

Fantastic. Vinnie -- have you ever done one of these for a computer, like, say, a Mac Mini?

Not yet - but that's on the list!

Socrates7 · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Nov 2010, 01:09 am »

Any idea what this would involve? Something different from a standard set up?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Nov 2010, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: Socrates7 on 11 Nov 2010, 01:09 am

Any idea what this would involve? Something different from a standard set up?

It would involve voltage regulation (I believe the Mac Mini wants to see 18.5V - and the new ones use an internal power supply - but that can be removed and replaced with a direct feed from a Black Lightning LFP).

It will also involve the Mac Mini power cable, terminated on the other end with the mating plug for the output jack we use in the Black Lightning LFP...

Best regards,

Vinnie

bosrt · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Dec 2010, 08:01 pm »

I got my BL last week for a Virtue Two.2 and a Zodiac+ DAC.

This concept does wonders for the Virtue amp. Everything improved. Quite linear in tonal presentation with warmth that comes from less noise. The quickest tonal range to notice is the improved bass, but all tonal bands benefit. Microdynamics better. Soundstage filled in and more logical. And the amp gets out of the way to allow the preamp and phono preamp to shine.

I think the DAC also improved, but the Virtue amp now tells me my digital is unsatisfying. My vinyl set up wins today.

Nice work with this concept Vinnie.

I will probably harrass Vinnie about modding other components to get them off the grid. Olive 6HD or tubed preamps and tubed phono preamps. But these may get declined. Will try anyway. None the less, I will have a phono preamp off the grid soon. I really believe the benefits will apply nicely with a tubed phono pre.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Jan 2011, 06:53 pm »

Hi Bosrt,

Happy New Year!

Thanks for your feedback on your custom Black Lightning LFP Edition - and I'm really excited to work with you on your next custom off-the-grid solution. It's going to be hot!

Best wishes,

Vinnie

dspringham · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 12:09 am »

Bosrt

I've got a Zodiac+ on the way. The general feedback on this DAC seems to be that it lacks some body and weight initially but seems to "flesh out" with 200-300 hours playing time. I'm wondering how many hours you have on your unit and if you might elaborate on the impact of the Black Lightning as related to any added sense of fullness on the sound quality.

I've come across a few online comments suggesting that this DAC performs really well with Vinnies battery supply. Maybe Vinnie could also chime-in since he would be aware of other customers who have ordered the Black Lightning for this DAC.

Antelope has produced an outboard linear supply that will be available for the Zodiac+, however I'm pretty sure that if there is any benefit to be had from connection of an external supply then the Black Lightning would be the ultimate choice.

Comments appreciated.

Regards,
Dave

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Jan 2011, 03:54 pm »

Hi Dave,

My customers have found the Black Lightning LFP to be a really nice power supply for the 18V Zodiak+ dac. I've sold quite a few (in the USA and overseas) and my customers find it to help remove some of the "thinness" in the stock sound (which I speculate has some part to do with the very cheap stock switch-mode power supply), improves bass weight and remove grunge imposed from the AC line and AC/DC conversion process (no matter if it is switch-mode, linear, etc.) The LiFePO4 battery is "DC-direct" - so the AC/DC conversion is removed from the equation, and LiFePO4 is very low impedance and a big step up from SLA.

I have the plugs to make custom-length cables to connect between the Black Lightning and Antelope - seems to be working out very well

Quote

I'm pretty sure that if there is any benefit to be had from connection of an external supply then the Black Lightning would be the ultimate choice.

Thanks for your confidence in me and the Black Lightning LFP!

Cheers!

Vinnie

bosrt · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Jan 2011, 12:57 am »

I have 600-700 hours on the Zodiac+.

It just seems a little dry to me.

I have a Pure Sound CDP with tubes that is more enjoyable.

bosrt · « **Reply #13 on:** 5 Jan 2011, 12:58 am »

I should add that the Zodiac is better with the BL, but I like vinyl better.

And vinyl is better with the Virtue amp and the BL.

mamba315 · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Feb 2011, 08:37 pm »

Quote from: bosrt on 25 Dec 2010, 08:01 pm

This concept does wonders for the Virtue amp. Everything improved. Quite linear in tonal presentation with warmth that comes from less noise. The quickest tonal range to notice is the improved bass, but all tonal bands benefit. Microdynamics better. Soundstage filled in and more logical.

Which PS did you use on the Virtue before the Black Lightning?

Really want to get a BL this year for my Virtue Sensation and Mac Mini. Jack from Holistic says the BL is a big improvement on these Virtue amps even from SLA batteries, which is what I have now.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Feb 2011, 05:36 pm »

Hi mamba315,

Quote

Really want to get a BL this year for my Virtue Sensation and Mac Mini. Jack from Holistic says the BL is a big improvement on these Virtue amps even from SLA batteries, which is what I have now.

The Black Lightning LFP offers a big improvement over what I have been able to do with SLA batteries in the past. Our LiFePO4 pack is 10x the cost, but its performance easily justifies the cost. Yes - Jack at Holistic Audio has compared his Virtue powered by large SLAs (I forgot how many Ah, but A LOT) to the Black Lightning LFP and bought the Black Lightning LFP because it was very clear to him how much better the LFP sounded. And with his very revealing H3s, you hear everything: http://www.holisticaudio.com/HolisticAudio/The_H3_Speaker.html

I was very impressed with the Virtue / Holistic room at RMAF 2010!

And a Black Lighting LFP can be made for the Mac Mini

All the best,

Vinnie

mamba315 · « **Reply #16 on:** 28 Feb 2011, 09:44 am »

Hey Vinnie,
Thanks for the response. I had one question about user habits and battery lifespan. See, I use the Mac Mini everyday, and I play a lot of music. 2-6 hours/day, average. If I left my the BL LFP always plugged in and only disconnected the AC charger for certain "higher quality" music experiences, would that degrade the batteries quickly? My 5ah SLA batteries have much lower capacity already in just 8 months use (AC charger always in), but sound quality still seems good. What is the "optimal" treatment for the LFP batteries if battery longevity was the goal?

Thanks!

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Mar 2011, 01:46 pm »

Hi mamba315,

If you wish, you can leave the black lightning LFP always ON in AC mode (running from the battery and charging at the same time). And when You want to listen only on battery, simply flip the switch to BATT mode and the charger will be disconnected internally.

This will not degrade the LiFePO4 battery pack(s) - they are much different than SLA in this and other regards.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best regards,

Vinnie

mamba315 · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Mar 2011, 08:18 pm »

Are daily deep discharges also OK on these batteries, or will that reduce lifespan?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Mar 2011, 09:26 pm »

Quote from: mamba315 on 6 Mar 2011, 08:18 pm

Are daily deep discharges also OK on these batteries, or will that reduce lifespan?

Deep discharge cycling does not reduce lifespan of our new LiFePO4 battery packs (as it does with SLA).

As long as you charge when you are finished your discharge cycle (i.e., do not leave the battery in the discharged state), it is not an issue. And with our SMART module, recharging is all automatic so it is also not an issue...