AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Anything to do with computer audio, hardware, software etc.
nige2000
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AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by nige2000 »

note: direct power 12,5,3.3v into 24pin (pico bypass) is superior sq wise (will start another thread)

mark from itemaudio says the Leadex SuperFlower Gold 750W betters the pico + power brick
definitely one to consider
i have not tested it (yet)

{will add bits and pieces now and again}

Image


the pico psu is likely the most used power supply in audio pcs, the pico and power brick has given a sq advantage over most/many std atx supplies. the pico can be purchased without the power smps brick power supply.
pairing the pico psu with a linear psu has provided a further substantial upgrade, we recommend the maplin xm21x which is good value for its sq advantage
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-97w-dc ... pply-xm21x
here below is two maplins bolted together and with a 5v psu inside as well

Image

the reasoning behind this build is that it provides three rails 2 x 12v and a 5v
12v for pico
12v direct for 4pin psu which helps stop cpu noise going into the pico and visa versa
5v for the operating system whether ssd or usb 3, operating system media is very sensitive to noise (i recommend batteries where possible now)

the maplins need to be adjusted to 12-12.5v so turn this pot below
Image

this is ok psu for ssd or usb 3 (batteries are better)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STONTRONICS-T ... 1e88608a7b

ok this gets lots of laughs
this was testing battery vs linear for pico psu
Image

long story short; battery is better and didnt seem to matter if it was floating charged during playback from a maplin xm21x
these were put in series between the psu and the pc same as what yould do with a capacitor
this also had the added benefit of only requiring one maplin psu to power two 12v sla 7ah (one for 4pin cpu another for pico) no loss in sq afaik
Last edited by nige2000 on Tue Jun 10, 2014 10:47 am, edited 3 times in total.
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
nige2000
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Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:47 am
Location: meath

Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by nige2000 »

reserve
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
tony
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Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by tony »

Thats good now since you are finished insulting nice arty old men from scotland can you move on to the picoless photo's and instructions. Please make sure they are comprehensive and in big bold writing to I can see and understand it.
GroupBuySD DAC/First Watt AlephJ/NigeAmp/Audio PC's/Lampi L4.5 Dac/ Groupbuy AD1862 DHT Dac /Quad ESL63's.Tannoy Legacy Cheviots.
nige2000
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Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:47 am
Location: meath

Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by nige2000 »

tony wrote:Thats good now since you are finished insulting nice arty old men from scotland can you move on to the picoless photo's and instructions. Please make sure they are comprehensive and in big bold writing to I can see and understand it.
you need direct supply into mobo sockets to improve your sq any further
that will be part 2,
the next will be part 3 "a trip to insanity" (two clks is ok really the third is really pissing me off
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
tony
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Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by tony »

nige2000 wrote:
tony wrote:Thats good now since you are finished insulting nice arty old men from scotland can you move on to the picoless photo's and instructions. Please make sure they are comprehensive and in big bold writing to I can see and understand it.
you need direct supply into mobo sockets to improve your sq any further
that will be part 2,
the next will be part 3 "a trip to insanity" (two clks is ok really the third is really pissing me off
Looking forward to part 2 as it should spur me on to get on with the job. The two clocks and Ppang card and that's it then honest! Seriously after hearing yours with ppang/picoless and maybe one clock? that tangible leap in sonics is so worth it for really what is relatively beer bucks money in this hobby. Pearse's is probably the pinnacle of it but cost wise it is not effective and my hunch is it would be difficult to tell them apart. But I reckon Pearse's is more stable and neater solution.
GroupBuySD DAC/First Watt AlephJ/NigeAmp/Audio PC's/Lampi L4.5 Dac/ Groupbuy AD1862 DHT Dac /Quad ESL63's.Tannoy Legacy Cheviots.
2channelaudio
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Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by 2channelaudio »

Interesting stuff. Cheers for the links.

FYI I can vouch for this 5vdc supply.
Very suitable for USB 5vdc supply, as it is adjustable... probably SSD too.
http://www.ab-system.hk/index.php?route ... duct_id=64
2channelaudio
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Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by 2channelaudio »

got some links to appropriate battery packs? for SSD, usb cards, etc
I'm curious
nige2000
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Location: meath

Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by nige2000 »

2channelaudio wrote:Interesting stuff. Cheers for the links.

FYI I can vouch for this 5vdc supply.
Very suitable for USB 5vdc supply, as it is adjustable... probably SSD too.
http://www.ab-system.hk/index.php?route ... duct_id=64
very interesting supply think ive seen it mentioned before on the jplay forum
Image

these seem to be popular
http://www.amazon.co.uk/13000mAh-Portab ... s=anker+5v

ive the older model that turns itself off if current draw is too low sounds ok/good

this is ok too and works oob no issues and you can float charge during playback via usb port with not too much sq loss
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Raptor-30-NiM ... 337dba6489
but i prefer lifepo4
Image
my usb3 os is fully operational at 3.3v

battery chemistries sound different? think so
Last edited by nige2000 on Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
sd card player, modded soekris dac, class a lifepo4 amp or gb class a/b amp, diy open baffle speakers based on project audio mundorf trio 10's
sima66
Posts: 872
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 7:35 pm
Location: Canada

Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by sima66 »

tony wrote:
nige2000 wrote:
tony wrote:Thats good now since you are finished insulting nice arty old men from scotland can you move on to the picoless photo's and instructions. Please make sure they are comprehensive and in big bold writing to I can see and understand it.
you need direct supply into mobo sockets to improve your sq any further
that will be part 2,
the next will be part 3 "a trip to insanity" (two clks is ok really the third is really pissing me off
Looking forward to part 2 as it should spur me on to get on with the job. The two clocks and Ppang card and that's it then honest! Seriously after hearing yours with ppang/picoless and maybe one clock? that tangible leap in sonics is so worth it for really what is relatively beer bucks money in this hobby. Pearse's is probably the pinnacle of it but cost wise it is not effective and my hunch is it would be difficult to tell them apart. But I reckon Pearse's is more stable and neater solution.
Tony, I can change the clocks for you. You'll just have to point them to me!
Ask Nigel about my "fine" work! :))))))))
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tony
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Re: AUDIO PC: Pico psu based power

Post by tony »

have visions Adam of a sledgehammer or 9 inch angle grinder.

The teradak I have seen mentioned previously maybe worth checking out for me but afaik is it either expensive here or requires import from non eu. Nigels method because I have heard and seen it is my preferred route tbh.
GroupBuySD DAC/First Watt AlephJ/NigeAmp/Audio PC's/Lampi L4.5 Dac/ Groupbuy AD1862 DHT Dac /Quad ESL63's.Tannoy Legacy Cheviots.
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