Battery Noise

[Paul Joppa]

Here's some interesting data I ran across today:

http://www.tnt-audio.com/clinica/regulators_noise4_e.html

It appears that alkaline cells are much quieter than NiCd or lead-acid batteries. Unfortunately no other types (NiMH, Li, etc) were tested. Note that this is page 4 of an article on quiet regulators, the rest is interesting if you are into that stuff.

I wish I could claim to have chosen alkalines for the Quickie on this basis, but this is the first real data I've seen.

[earwaxxer]

Hey Paul - I had seen that 'observation' before. Interesting topic. I have also seen claims that LiPo4 sounds the best (possible a Jeff Rowland reference). I have played around with different chemistry's a bit. No difference that I can tell. I thought I heard a difference in sound when I was running my t-amp on battery, between a 500mah NMH pack and 3000mah NMH pack, both 30v. It turned out to have more to do with the chemicals in my brain at the time.

[Jim R.]

I know of at least one dac manufacturer who has also found huge differences in sonics between li ion packs from different manfacturers -- and at very different price points as well.

This is one reason why I use a Pi Battery buss filter/regulator between my SLA battery and my mac mini (that has been modified for a dc supply.)

I've also heard that there are sonic differences between some of the NiMH batteries -- there are some low self-discharge niMHs that are supposed to be better for audio than the standard types -- and of course they cost about twice as much -- or about $6 for a rectangular 9v cell.  Not sure how much difference it would make in the filament circuit though.

Thanks for the link Paul -- nice to have.

-- Jim