Cheap linear 230v - 9v VS Step down transformer

Paulo83 · 3872

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Offline Paulo83

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on: August 14, 2018, 12:06:23 PM
Hey all,

I have recently snapped up a used Bottlehead DAC and wanted to sound you all out on the best way to go in terms of power supply when it turns up (shipping from US to UK).

I believe it will turn up with the original 110v psu but wondered what the trade off would be between picking up a cheapish 230 - 110 step down transformer vs a cheap 230v - 9v DC linear supply like this https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/desktop-power-supply/4006945/

While I have read a bit about the battery PSUs that were released I haven't been able to track any down for sale.

I'm not afraid of a little DIY if there are significant gains to be had elsewhere but ideally I don't want to spend much more money to get the DAC up and running.

Paul Cawley


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #1 on: August 14, 2018, 01:13:08 PM
The power supply you linked to is not rated for sufficient current to power the DAC.

The cheap-ish 230-110 transformer is a good idea.  10VA would be plenty, but you'll probably end up not finding much under 50VA.

-PB

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline Paulo83

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Reply #2 on: August 17, 2018, 12:40:30 PM
Thanks for getting back to me. So would something like this be more suitable? https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stepdown-voltage-converter-version-240V/dp/B000H9HU5C/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1534545272&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=230v+to+110v+transformer&dpPl=1&dpID=41ULDTS0rPL&ref=plSrch

Seems concerningly cheap! I assume it being rated to 45w isn't an issue, will the DAC just draw what it needs?

Paul Cawley


Offline Paul Birkeland

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Reply #3 on: August 17, 2018, 04:40:01 PM
The 45W rating is more than adequate for the DAC, but your suspicions about quality are well founded, I'd look for the 100W model!

Paul "PB" Birkeland

Bottlehead Grunt & The Repro Man


Offline mcandmar

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Reply #4 on: August 17, 2018, 11:43:40 PM
Go big, i tried the 50w converters and they used to overheat and trip the thermal protection after a few hours.  Go for a 75w or 100w.

M.McCandless


Offline Paulo83

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Reply #5 on: August 20, 2018, 05:55:52 PM

Paul Cawley


Offline mcandmar

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Reply #6 on: August 20, 2018, 11:03:52 PM
Decent looking bit of kit, should do the job nicely.

M.McCandless