NoFlyZone
2008-03-29, 22:18
Thought I'd share my experience with a recent test/upgrade to my Welbourne power supply.
Having the SB3 since it's inception, I thought to try and improve on its already good design. I've changed the DAC to the 1748KE version and upgraded the Op amp to the latest low noise design. Upgrading these 2 components had a mild effect and although positive I'd hoped for more. I ordered and built the Welbourne Power supply. Nice kit! It too had a mild effect, a little cleaner picture slightly better soundstage but knowing the limitations of my speakers (Def Tech BP2000's) I decided that to reach what I'm after, I need to save for some better speakers, an outboard DAC or maybe the TP at the very least.
Recently I decided to build a VH Audio power cord with some Furutech AC plugs. This cable was to feed wall power to my Power Pack V conditioner. This turned out to be one of the best upgrades I've done in my 40 years of "tweaking". I was very skeptical about doing this coming from an engineering/physics background but the proof was undeniable. I now had the makings of a soundstage. It wasn't perfect but better than I thought possible. Every aspect of sound had improved very much to my amazement. Since then I've built a few more power cables trying various Furutech connectors and VH Audio DIY cable. All with amazing results. We've really been enjoying our music as of late - a sort of rediscovery if you will.
I moved 2 of my upgraded power cables to the stock ones feeding the Nuforce amps although mismatched (Flavor 2 smaller gauge and Flavor 4 large gauge) another leap forward in sound was achieved. Now I had a solid central image and although still contained between the speakers my Def Techs had taken on a life I'd thought they never could. Not liking the idea of having mismatched cables to my amps I ordered/built another large gauge Flavor 4 cable for my amp which gave to me a spare. I thought I'd use this on my pre/pro but got to thinking about that Welbourne PS. After all, I'm a 2 channel guy. 3 nights ago while my wife, dad and I were enjoying some music through the SB3 I stopped the music and wanted to "experiment with this spare power cable. I explained that given the fact this P.S. is supplying low voltage and by it's very nature of design we shouldn't notice any sort of improvement, I wanted to put in service this ~$70 cable. So off I went Welbourne in one hand and a soldering iron in the other. An hour later the deed was done (PITA!). I plugged her in and sat back. We played just where we left off. "Is that the same song?" my wife asked. We sat and listened in disbelief. How could this be? There's no more imagining my soundstage, it's there, it's solid, it's layered, it has great depth, don't know how else to describe. Depth, music is no longer contained in the speakers. Sound emanates from behind, in front and around. Instruments occupy spaces in the room, not in the perfect sense and not the best I've heard as I heard/auditioned many fine systems. Midrange, voices where my speakers weakness was evident now had blossomed like I'd not thought possible. My speakers possess powered subwoofers which I've always deemed woeful. Now I've got tuneful bass! I'm listening now and still in disbelief.
Many discussions have ensued with colleagues regarding the effect power cables have in the digital/analog domain. I had one fellow come to audition. Now he has some cables on order although different from my DIYers. I cannot AB the power cable my linear PS as it's too painful to replace but on other equipment it was painfully evident from an aural standpoint, and on my system, it's transformation in a very good way.
All of this gibberish to say or share, the power cable running TO the linear PS had a FAR greater effect than the PS itself - in my system - in My experience. Yours will vary I'm sure, if you believe in such voodoo. I do now.
Next test, my Classe's ;-)
Having the SB3 since it's inception, I thought to try and improve on its already good design. I've changed the DAC to the 1748KE version and upgraded the Op amp to the latest low noise design. Upgrading these 2 components had a mild effect and although positive I'd hoped for more. I ordered and built the Welbourne Power supply. Nice kit! It too had a mild effect, a little cleaner picture slightly better soundstage but knowing the limitations of my speakers (Def Tech BP2000's) I decided that to reach what I'm after, I need to save for some better speakers, an outboard DAC or maybe the TP at the very least.
Recently I decided to build a VH Audio power cord with some Furutech AC plugs. This cable was to feed wall power to my Power Pack V conditioner. This turned out to be one of the best upgrades I've done in my 40 years of "tweaking". I was very skeptical about doing this coming from an engineering/physics background but the proof was undeniable. I now had the makings of a soundstage. It wasn't perfect but better than I thought possible. Every aspect of sound had improved very much to my amazement. Since then I've built a few more power cables trying various Furutech connectors and VH Audio DIY cable. All with amazing results. We've really been enjoying our music as of late - a sort of rediscovery if you will.
I moved 2 of my upgraded power cables to the stock ones feeding the Nuforce amps although mismatched (Flavor 2 smaller gauge and Flavor 4 large gauge) another leap forward in sound was achieved. Now I had a solid central image and although still contained between the speakers my Def Techs had taken on a life I'd thought they never could. Not liking the idea of having mismatched cables to my amps I ordered/built another large gauge Flavor 4 cable for my amp which gave to me a spare. I thought I'd use this on my pre/pro but got to thinking about that Welbourne PS. After all, I'm a 2 channel guy. 3 nights ago while my wife, dad and I were enjoying some music through the SB3 I stopped the music and wanted to "experiment with this spare power cable. I explained that given the fact this P.S. is supplying low voltage and by it's very nature of design we shouldn't notice any sort of improvement, I wanted to put in service this ~$70 cable. So off I went Welbourne in one hand and a soldering iron in the other. An hour later the deed was done (PITA!). I plugged her in and sat back. We played just where we left off. "Is that the same song?" my wife asked. We sat and listened in disbelief. How could this be? There's no more imagining my soundstage, it's there, it's solid, it's layered, it has great depth, don't know how else to describe. Depth, music is no longer contained in the speakers. Sound emanates from behind, in front and around. Instruments occupy spaces in the room, not in the perfect sense and not the best I've heard as I heard/auditioned many fine systems. Midrange, voices where my speakers weakness was evident now had blossomed like I'd not thought possible. My speakers possess powered subwoofers which I've always deemed woeful. Now I've got tuneful bass! I'm listening now and still in disbelief.
Many discussions have ensued with colleagues regarding the effect power cables have in the digital/analog domain. I had one fellow come to audition. Now he has some cables on order although different from my DIYers. I cannot AB the power cable my linear PS as it's too painful to replace but on other equipment it was painfully evident from an aural standpoint, and on my system, it's transformation in a very good way.
All of this gibberish to say or share, the power cable running TO the linear PS had a FAR greater effect than the PS itself - in my system - in My experience. Yours will vary I'm sure, if you believe in such voodoo. I do now.
Next test, my Classe's ;-)