Surprising turntable upgrade. Increase PSU output voltage.

Nine months ago the PSU for my Manticore Mantra gave up the ghost. Luckily the Hercules board fits nicely into the MB6 case with only minor alterations.

 I found the Hercules didn’t sound the same as the MB6, it’s not as dynamic, but smoother with more bass output. Not as good, but pleasant to listen too.

The Hercules is designed as a direct drop in replacement for the Linn Valhalla board and is therefore supplied with the output voltage set to 85v, last week I discovered the recommended voltage for the Mantra is 106v. Increasing the Hercules voltage to 106v has totally transformed the sound, very dynamic, more detail, separation and prat. Although the bass output seems to have dropped.

 The reason the improvement is surprising is the perceived wisdom, certainly with regards to the LP12, is lowering the voltage reduces motor vibration and improves sound quality. The Mantra uses the same motor as the LP12 yet the opposite is true.

 If you’re using an external PSU, (Mose, Heed etc) with adjustable output, it may be worth experiment at a higher voltage. Be interesting to know what effect upping the voltage has on an LP12.