Anyone Tried the Linear DC Power Supply for NAS / Router / Switch of the DS System ?

[HiViUser]

Linn DS supplied with the Linn Dynamik Power Supply which designed for reducing noise levels within the Switching-Mode Power Supply (SMPS).
(Improvements may be with EMI filters, RF shielding, or other devices to reduce the disruptive interference due to high operating frequency [~50 kHz ~ 1 MHz].)





However, within the Linn DS System Network, there are other key components which are still powered by Switching Power Supply, such as:

(1) Network Attached Storage (NAS)
(2) Router
(3) Switch
(4) Computer
(5) .......

Some high-end HiFi equipment are powered by separate DC Power Supply in another enclosure and linked with the DC power cables.



Anyone tried to use the Linear Power Supply to replace the factory supplied Switching Power Supply ?

Any audible improvements or sonic enhancements when using the Linear Power Supply as replacement ?

Which component(s) within the network is/are most important or significant when replacing with the Linear Power Supply ?



Hope some DS users can express their views and share their usage experience.

For example, I have recently found that an Israel DIY maker does produce dedicated DC Power Supply for musical equipment such as Logitech, Naim, M2Tech, etc.

I consider their Teddy 12/2 (12V/2A) and Teddy 12/4 (12V/4A) Linear DC Power Supply may be useful for NAS / Router / Switch / ....

http://teddypardo.com/Products/Power%20S...plies.html





   

   

[linnrd]

While there may be a few members that will likely disagree with me, I do not consider a NAS device or a switch to be "musical equipment such as Logitech, Naim, M2Tech, etc." They are computer/network components as such and that is pretty much what I treat them as. If the entire internet can rely on the power supplies that these devices come with, I tend to assume that the DS can function as designed with the rest of the network as is.

[starman62]

(2012-08-10 08:05)linnrd Wrote:  While there may be a few members that will likely disagree with me, I do not consider a NAS device or a switch to be "musical equipment such as Logitech, Naim, M2Tech, etc." They are computer/network components as such and that is pretty much what I treat them as. If the entire internet can rely on the power supplies that these devices come with, I tend to assume that the DS can function as designed with the rest of the network as is.

Personaly I would agree with that.
Cheers
Jo

[AMA]

I believe the data service components like NAS and routers contaminate the mains and should be isolated from the power line feeding the musical components like DS or amps. No matter how good is the Dynamik PS it still can not handle all the ripples and will benefit from the clean mains for sure.

I definitely do not support the idea of retrofitting the data service components with aftermarket power supplies.

The best way is to run a dedicated line for DS and amps which has a high impedance to the rest of the house mains and do not let the contamination reach the delicate components. This is what I did (three 10 mm copper cords, 30 m to the 62 A switch). The line is completely immune to anything going on in my house.

The alternative solution is to isolate the musical system by regenerator (like PS Audio Power Plant) if it can handle the system power. It seems making no harm to KDS in my friend's system but not really good for transient-hungry Naim electronics. I didn't try the new P10/P5 range though.

btw Teddy power supplies are amazing -- when used to power musical components.

[linnrd]

(2012-08-10 18:45)AMA Wrote:  I believe the data service components like NAS and routers contaminate the mains and should be isolated from the power line feeding the musical components like DS or amps. No matter how good is the Dynamik PS it still can not handle all the ripples and will benefit from the clean mains for sure.

+1. I would also add that the same applies to SMPS in mass market products. In the past, I've had serious issues of crud being thrown back by the Squeezebox wall wart, a Panasonic Blu-ray player, and an older OPPO. Since a NAS is generally best kept in another room, it's likely on a different spur; the thing to watch for is the wall wart on the network switch by the DS, which I have plugged into filtered outlet on a conditioner.

[HiViUser]

(2012-08-10 08:13)starman62 Wrote:  

(2012-08-10 08:05)linnrd Wrote:  While there may be a few members that will likely disagree with me, I do not consider a NAS device or a switch to be "musical equipment such as Logitech, Naim, M2Tech, etc." They are computer/network components as such and that is pretty much what I treat them as. If the entire internet can rely on the power supplies that these devices come with, I tend to assume that the DS can function as designed with the rest of the network as is.

Personaly I would agree with that.
Cheers
Jo

Thanks for your input and comments.

Linn also suggests to connect the DS with a dedicated Switch rather than direct connecting to a Router trying to minimize the possible interference.

Hence, the above suggestion just making sense as the Router handling many tasks while the Switch just has a fix task.

In any case, there is no harm to use a separate switch for the DS and the cost of the switch is insignificant.



For similar argument or approach, there is always potential noise or interference from the factory provided switching power supply units (PSU). For HiFi applications, we are always trying to avoid noise or minimize the external interference to contaminate the musical signals.

This is one of the reasons why I consider the possible ways to reduce potential noise within the Linn DS Network. When I notice Teddy Pardo and other producers do supply dedicated Linear DC Power Supply (Low Voltage and High Current) to the HiFi equipment or associated units, I have the idea to try these Linear DC PSU.

Therefore, I would like to seek the comments or usage experience from the Linn DS users or community.

[HiViUser]

(2012-08-10 18:45)AMA Wrote:  I believe the data service components like NAS and routers contaminate the mains and should be isolated from the power line feeding the musical components like DS or amps. No matter how good is the Dynamik PS it still can not handle all the ripples and will benefit from the clean mains for sure.

I definitely do not support the idea of retrofitting the data service components with aftermarket power supplies.

The best way is to run a dedicated line for DS and amps which has a high impedance to the rest of the house mains and do not let the contamination reach the delicate components. This is what I did (three 10 mm copper cords, 30 m to the 62 A switch). The line is completely immune to anything going on in my house.

The alternative solution is to isolate the musical system by regenerator (like PS Audio Power Plant) if it can handle the system power. It seems making no harm to KDS in my friend's system but not really good for transient-hungry Naim electronics. I didn't try the new P10/P5 range though.

btw Teddy power supplies are amazing -- when used to power musical components.

Thanks for the comments and recommendations.

In fact, I have already used 2 separate power line (each 32A) directly from the Main Power Switch.

(1) Power Line 1 --> Source (Linn Klimax DS/1) + Preamp (Mark Levinson No.32)

(2) Power Line 2 --> Power Amp (Krell FPB250Mc Mono-Block)

Besides, I use and add a dedicated Power Regulator (CSE E-500) to provide a better supply (Power Regeneration Plant) and sufficient power (500W) to the Linn Klimax DS.

Please note the Mark Levinson No.32 has its separated Power Generation Plant (Controller) supplying the DC Power to the Preamp.

Furthermore, the NAS, Router and Switch are placed in a study-room while the Linn DS HiFi system is at the sitting room and linked via a CAT 7 S/FTP LAN Cable. So, their power sources are different and separated from each other.

Hence, the entire HiFi power supply is separate from other electrical appliance within the house.





I use a Switch to connect the Linn DS with 2 units of QNAP NAS linking them with good quality Screened Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP) CAT7 LAN Cable.



Typical construction of Screened Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP) LAN Cable - reduce noise or interference



   

   

[HiViUser]

(2012-08-11 00:54)linnrd Wrote:  

(2012-08-10 18:45)AMA Wrote:  I believe the data service components like NAS and routers contaminate the mains and should be isolated from the power line feeding the musical components like DS or amps. No matter how good is the Dynamik PS it still can not handle all the ripples and will benefit from the clean mains for sure.

+1. I would also add that the same applies to SMPS in mass market products. In the past, I've had serious issues of crud being thrown back by the Squeezebox wall wart, a Panasonic Blu-ray player, and an older OPPO. Since a NAS is generally best kept in another room, it's likely on a different spur; the thing to watch for is the wall wart on the network switch by the DS, which I have plugged into filtered outlet on a conditioner.

Both of you getting the point --> Trying to avoid ripples or noise going to affect or interfere the Linn DS. Noise interference can be transmitted via LAN cable from the network components.

As pointed out above, the cheap factory supplied Switching-Mode Power Supply is a source of generating EMI & RF and other noise to the Linn DS network.

If we are able to do something to avoid or minimize the noise generation, there will be a positive effective to the musical quality from the Linn DS.

In any case, using a good Linear DC Power Supply unit to replace the noisy Switching Power Supply Unit will have no negative effect. Besides, the investment on these Linear DC Power Supply is not huge when comparing to the price of the Linn DS or other HiFi equipment or high-end gears or cables or conditioners.

Why not we try to consider or check out whether the use of these Linear DC Power Supply Units will provide possible improvements or enhancements for the Digital Streaming Network ending up with better musical quality ?

[HiViUser]

I may try to do some exercises and comparisons to see whether the Linear DC Power Supply can benefit to my Linn DS System.



I have 2 units of QNAP NAS (TS-239 Pro II and TS-259 Pro).

Besides, I have 2 units of Gigabit Switch (TP-Link SG1005D and SG1008D).

Therefore, a direct comparison can be made with one NAS and one Switch powered by Linear Power Supply while another set of NAS and Switch is powered by the factory supplied Switching PSU.



Linn DS Network Associated Equipment - Router, Switch, NAS


Network Attached Storage (NAS)


Gigabit Router and Switch


Schematic for Comparing the Performance with Linear DC Power Supply


Schematic for Comparing the Performance with Switching Power Supply