More on the Evo and power supply

Posted by: Hot Rats on 15 October 2010

I did some more detailed listening comparisons using the Evo with the rechargeable lithium battery (Supplied by Purite Audio)and the Maplin 9v linear power supply. I was surprised by the differences.

When using the lithium battery the sound was open and detailed. When using the power supply most of the benefits of the Evo were lost. Imaging was much less defined and the sound lacked the detail and warmth that the lithium battery supplied Evo offers. This was most clearly evident when playing a high resolution file of 'Helpless' from Neil Young's 'Acrhives' (The file was ripped from Blu-Ray discs).

From my listening, it is clearly evident that the power supply makes a big difference to the Evo and I have no doubt that more options for powering the unit will soon become available. When I spoke with Keith this afternoon, he indicated that he had already disccused this with Marco at M2Tech and that he had had discussions with a couple of specialist power supply manufacturers. Keith did say that when using a different digital output interface, he had added a dedicated high quality supply and it had made no difference so it appears that there is not a clearly identifiable preference at present.

I am sure that Marco and the worldwide importers importers of the Evo will work on this issue and that in time, they will be able to advise on a wider range of options for powering the Evo.

There is no doubt that while we await further recommendation and/or product availability, the Evo powered by the rechargeable Lithium-ion battery provides a top quality interface. You won't be disappointed if you are currently a Hiface user!

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by AMA

quote:
and that in time, they will be able to advise on a wider range of options for powering the Evo.

and hope they will not be banned on the forum

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by MatthiasW

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=84407.0

KR

matthias

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by AMA

Thanks for the link Matthias.

Ferenc, I hope you will broadcast your findings on the Naim forum?

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by MatthiasW

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
Thanks for the link Matthias.

There is hope for the UnitiServe as well......

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by ferenc

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
Thanks for the link Matthias.

Ferenc, I hope you will broadcast your findings on the Naim forum?

Combined with nDAC/XPS2, I like EVO a lot. I did not find it very sensitive on the different power supplies to be honest, and I am yet to try it with a modified NAPSC, as suggested by js

It is used at the moment with an Ovator S-600 plus nDAC with Parasound JC1/JC2 amps, soon hope to use it with NAC282/NAP250 too. Side note: I found the Ovator working very well with non-Naim amps, like the mentioned Parasound.

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by AMA

ferenc, did you try Evo/PS against battery pack?

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by AMA

quote:
There is hope for the UnitiServe as well......

I think it's lost after the first trials.

Posted on: 15 October 2010 by ferenc

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
ferenc, did you try Evo/PS against battery pack?

I tried the battery power, but a spiral cell car battery, what I am using for my Altmann DAC. It was a bit different, a bit smoother, then the PH PS, but not a lot, so I am using it with the PS, which is way more comfortable.

Posted on: 16 October 2010 by AMA

quote:
It was a bit different, a bit smoother, then the PH PS, but not a lot, so I am using it with the PS, which is way more comfortable.

Ferenc, I definitely trust your (and Dr. Jazz) ears but it puzzles me a bit -- from technical point of view.

Batteries are obviously very good in linearity but they have very poor grip over varying input impedance of the load. ... Except the case when a load is miserable in consumption and impedance variation is not big.
Evo consumption is really mosquito but it's very difficult to imagine that Evo has a rock solid input impedance
when conveying the pulse-type waveform (output bitstream). But it explains why batteries work good on Evo.

Interesting...

Posted on: 19 October 2010 by Hot Rats

I've arrived at a compromise solution that offers both convenience and sound quality!

When I am working in my office adjacent to the listening room (Contains my audio system) or I am listening as background, I use the 9v linear supply. When I have time to sit down and dedicate my time solely to listening to music I use the battery.

Until such time as a suitable mains supply for the Evo is generally agreed, I'll stick with this arrangement.

Posted on: 20 October 2010 by ferenc

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
It was a bit different, a bit smoother, then the PH PS, but not a lot, so I am using it with the PS, which is way more comfortable.

Ferenc, I definitely trust your (and Dr. Jazz) ears but it puzzles me a bit -- from technical point of view.

Batteries are obviously very good in linearity but they have very poor grip over varying input impedance of the load. ... Except the case when a load is miserable in consumption and impedance variation is not big.
Evo consumption is really mosquito but it's very difficult to imagine that Evo has a rock solid input impedance
when conveying the pulse-type waveform (output bitstream). But it explains why batteries work good on Evo.

Interesting...

Do not forget, I tried it with spiral cell car battery, an Optima, which drives my Altmann amp quite happily wthout any problem. Spiral cell car batteries are very strong and powerful animals

Posted on: 20 October 2010 by AMA

quote:
car battery

ferenc, I agree that car battery is a different animal. It's like a huge tank of energy where you can promptly bleed whatever power the source needs. What puzzled me (just a bit) is that Li-Ion batteries are small and not that fast -- but seems to be good enough to make Evo sings better than linear PS. I wonder if there is a linear PS which can compete with batteries in these tests.

Posted on: 20 October 2010 by ferenc

quote:
Originally posted by AMA:
quote:
car battery

ferenc, I agree that car battery is a different animal. It's like a huge tank of energy where you can promptly bleed whatever power the source needs. What puzzled me (just a bit) is that Li-Ion batteries are small and not that fast -- but seems to be good enough to make Evo sings better than linear PS. I wonder if there is a linear PS which can compete with batteries in these tests.

The linear PS I use seems to be as good ( by the listening and by the measurements as well) as the most expensive spiral cell car battery gets. I have never tried but I ust can not imagine that a Li-Ion battery can be as good as the spiral cell car battery.

Posted on: 20 October 2010 by Hot Rats

What sort of linear PS are you using ferenc. make and model number would be handy.

Thanks

Posted on: 20 October 2010 by Aleg

quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
What sort of linear PS are you using ferenc. make and model number would be handy.

Thanks

It might be still the one he mentioned here ?

Posted on: 21 October 2010 by ferenc

quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
What sort of linear PS are you using ferenc. make and model number would be handy.

Thanks

It might be still the one he mentioned here ?

Yes.

Posted on: 21 October 2010 by MatthiasW

quote:
Originally posted by ferenc:
quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
What sort of linear PS are you using ferenc. make and model number would be handy.

Thanks

It might be still the one he mentioned here ?

Yes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgwYf1Tt0dU

????

matthias

Posted on: 22 October 2010 by ferenc

Yes, too.

Posted on: 22 October 2010 by MatthiasW

quote:
Originally posted by ferenc:
Yes, too.

ferenc,

I suppose you have the PH SR3 PS. Did you try the bigger SR5 as well ?
http://theartofsound.net/forum...p=132138&postcount=1

KR

matthias

Posted on: 01 December 2010 by Robert Horowitz

I just added the Paul Hynes SR3-09 to the EVO. It made a huge difference from the wall wart. I’m very happy with the performance gains.
Anyone have a favorite USB cable they are using with the EVO? I’m using a MH DAC with a lot of mods and a PC.

Posted on: 01 December 2010 by Hot Rats

quote:
Originally posted by Robert Horowitz:
I just added the Paul Hynes SR3-09 to the EVO. It made a huge difference from the wall wart. I’m very happy with the performance gains.
Anyone have a favorite USB cable they are using with the EVO? I’m using a MH DAC with a lot of mods and a PC.

When I last spoke with Keith at Purite Audio, he indicated that Paul Hynes had been commissioned to develop a dedicated power supply for the Evo. I was just about to email Keith for an update.

I wondered if the USB cable made any difference Robert. I am using a bog standard USB cable from my local PC store. Can you please elaborate further on your experience with USB leads and the Evo and maybe provide a link to the one that are now using. Thanks

Posted on: 01 December 2010 by Robert Horowitz

Kimber Kable USB
USB

I must say that I'm not unhappy with this USB, just curious about what else might be out there. I'm very happy with the setup.

Glad to hear Paul is involved in the project. You can tell that this is a labor of love for him.

Feel free to email me if you want any other information.
rbhorowitz@msn.com

Posted on: 01 December 2010 by jlarsson

I'm also using a Hynes with the Evo (+ DC1 into nDac) and to my ears it delivers about equal to the Transporter but just slightly colder and slower. I'm using a short USB-cable, tried different USB-cables but no difference.

/Jan Larsson

Posted on: 02 December 2010 by AMA

Jan, how do you value TP vs HDX as transports into nDAC?

Posted on: 06 December 2010 by Hot Rats

Thanks to members who have confirmed that Paul Hynes' power supply works well with the Evo.

I spoke with Paul this morning and have the SR3-09 +DC3C on order. It will arrive in mid January. Paul confirmed that he offers a full refund within a 56 day period to any customers who are not satisfied with the product.

I'll post on this thread as soon as the power supply is installed in my system.