Dynavector P75 Mk111 and power supply

Posted by: eagle3333 on 04 May 2016

There are a couple of threads in relation to this but they're old and relate to older models of the P75. I thought it might be helpful to folks to bring the story up to date with my recent experience :

In my quest to squeeze as much as I can from my system with no more big boxes I read a couple of threads here about the little Russ Andrews PSU which fits the P75. P75 owners will be aware that Dynavector say there's absolutely nothing to be gained by using anything more than the wallwart that comes with the unit. So it was with some doubt that I found myself plugging in the relatively inexpensive little PowerPak 11 and connecting to my P75 mk111. And - it didn't work. At all. It was powerless. Turns out that whilst the references in the forum to centre negative configuration were correct for mk1 and mk11, Dynavector changed the mk111 to centre positive. (N.B.) Back it, apologetically, went and a replacement was sent immediately and in time for the bank holiday. Very nice people. It took just one track to know that it makes a significant difference, most noticeably in detail. Simply, instruments came out of the comparitive shadows and made themselves better heard, better focused; nuances in vocals I hadn't heard before, were present. This, without any added brightness/harshness - my personal devil. In fact, I'd say the sound is degrees smoother. Key test moment was (always is) the musical, but objective, bordering on 'for god's sake just leave it all alone' g/f force-fed a couple of tracks a to b and announcing, without any priming, that she could hear instruments more clearly - 'it's much sharper'. I'd add that the soundstage is bigger, too. Job done. Cheapest sound improvement I've ever made - bar the Mogami cables. (Though, out of curiosity, I'm going to borrow a Chord Chorus Reference IC to compare to the Mogami from p75 to 252.)  

Posted on: 04 May 2016 by Marksnaim

I noticed a similar improvement on my DV P75 MKIII with the MCRU iFI Audio Power 12V Wall Wart. A great value upgrade for under £45 inc postage and packing. 

It does worry me though that a manufacturer insists that changing the power supply won't make a difference. Have they not tried it? Do they have a vested interest in their existing power supply supplier? Are we nuts and imagining things? I'm sure that last is not the case as my wife could hear the difference too and her interest level in this kind of thing could best be described as "tolerant". Anyway, odd. I don't understand the discrepancy.

Posted on: 04 May 2016 by Mike-B

Not disagreeing Marksnaim,  sand, head & large flightless bird comes to mind.  It might be the iFi iPower is not putting switching or regulator noise back into the mains,  but whatever & why,  who cares when it just makes it better. 

Good to see another Mogami fan Eagle3333   ..............  I'm 2549 

 

Posted on: 04 May 2016 by eagle3333

'..tolerant..'  +1!  At least we can count on a bi-partisan view, Mark. Good to hear you've experienced similar - even if your solution was half the cost of mine!

I find it odd, too. Presumably they could generate more sales revenue from selling their own PSU upgrade. If they've got a 'special' relationship with their PSU supplier, he could make the thing? Anyhow, chief thing is, the P75 is a great unit, better PSU's are available at very reasonable prices and we benefit from the better SQ they deliver.