Oggo´s power supply shoot-out (using the example of an Uptone EtherRegen)

(Text translated from the original German version into English using Google Translate. You can find the German version in this thread: Niggo´s Netzteil-Shootout) 

 

 

Introduction:

 

Many smaller devices in the low to mid-price sector are now designed with an external power supply, especially when it comes to streaming music. The manufacturers here save an expensive implementation of the conversion of the AC – most common in the power grid – into the DC required in the device. Smaller manufacturers, in particular, then use inexpensive “off the peg” standard power supplies as external power supplies and refrain from constructing their own power supply solutions. For many of these smaller companies, such as Uptone, Sonore, etc., it would simply be too expensive to design different power supplies for various regions of the world, and then have them specified in the respective sales regions, or to apply for official approvals for them.

 

It is clear that a lot of (sound-)potential falls by the wayside. After all, the supplied cheap standard power supply at least ensures that you can connect and operate the device, you just bought, directly to the mains. From there on, there are no limits to an upgrade by replacing it with a higher-quality power supply from a third-party provider.

 

In this test I report on my experiences with various aftersales power supplies and their application into streaming music. E. g., I am using such power supplies for my internet router, LAN-switches, external hard drives, and even for my Melco combination of a N-100 (NAS-streamer) and a D-100 (CD-ripping-drive).

 

For this shootout, the main focus lies on the use of the power supply units in combination with my two Uptone EtherRegens, as the EtherRegen´s (= "ER") tuning measures are particularly strong and clear. However, these small devices look rather unspectacular at first. But they truly have an enormous potential for sound enhancement, if you bring this to light - and if you are ready to pull out your wallet accordingly. Like a fashion model, which often tends to look rather inconspicuous without make-up, the right dress, the right make-up, and the right photographer can transform her into an attractive eye-catcher. It's similar with the ER: With the right power supply, the right word clock and the right wiring, you can conjure things out of this small black box that increases the value of the device enormously - and also its sound capabilities.

 

Many users have also have achieved good results with cascading two or more ERs in series. In my setup chain, one Melco S-100 switch, followed by two cascaded ERs, do their work behind my router. Call me nuts, but the results of all of my sound tests were so clear that I don't want to go back today. Unless an even better technical solution might occur.

 

 

 

Disclaimer:

 

At this point, I would like to point out that the assessments, I have made, are based purely on my personal experiences in my private setups. However, different setups can lead to different sound results. Physical discussion of principles therefor may be held in other threads, please. A nice description with measurements of a selection of external power supplies can be found in this thread e.g.: Farad and other power supplies

 

I bought all the devices by myself at the usual retail price and rated them completely independently. I give my test results at this point purely for “fun sake” and look forward to a lively exchange of experiences afterwards.

 

And as always: YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)!

 

 

 

My little LPS-shootout includes the following LPS: (in alphabetical order)

 

 

- Farad Super 3, 12 V

- Ferrum Hypsos (variable voltage adjustment)

- Keces P3 (dual channel, different voltage presets)

- S120 R-Core Dual-LPS (60 + 60 W dual channel, 12 V)

- Uptone Original-PS (as applied with ER)

- Zerozone R-Core LPS (50 VA), 12 V

 

 

Since the ER basically is more or less an Ethernet switch, I used to listen to music over various ethernet connections during my sound-tests. Here, I had mainly streamed music via Qobuz-Studio (preferably in Hires) and via several internet radio stations, like "PopJazz-Radio", "101 Smooth Jazz", "Jazz Radio Berlin", "Top 70s Dance Station", "Jazz Radio Groov´up DJ Master Phil”, “Linn Radio”, “Linn Classical”, “BBC Radio 1”, “80s80s Radio”, etc.

 

As a test repertoire, I had chosen the following songs by Donald Fagen (“Trans-Island Highway”, “Teahouse on the Tracks” and “Morph the Cat”), Sade (“Paradise”), Frank Sinatra (“Come fly with me "and" Fly me to the moon ", Live at The Sands), Westernhagen ("Zieh´ Dir bloss die Schuhe aus" on "Das Pfefferminz-Experiment"), Gregory Porter ("Concord" and "Hey Laura"), Nils Landgren (“House Party”), Tchaikovsky (“Piano Concerto No. 1”) and Gershwin (“An American in Paris”, jazz band version = symphony orchestra + saxophone) as well as everything else that was played “alive“ on those internet radio stations, during my test sessions.

 

And here now is my ranking in ascending order (the grades correspond to those of German vocational schools and cover the range from 0 - 100):

 

 

6th place: Uptone original power supply

 

 

 

 

What to say? Yes, this device delivers DC. And many users will even be very satisfied with it, because the ER can already achieve a sound-enhancing effect. But once you have connected a higher quality power supply to the ER, it quickly becomes clear that the supplied standard power supply might be sufficient enough to check the electrical function of the ER. But IMO, this unit is not suitable for audiophile needs and should be replaced quickly in order to uncover the excellent sound spectra slumbering in the ER.

 

Test result: Sufficient, 51 points (upgraded due to the fact that the device is provided free of charge with each ER)

 

 

5th place: Keces P3

 

 

 

The Keces P3 is a dual power supply, which means, it can supply two individual devices with DC at the same time. Various voltages can be selected and there are two versions available, one that delivers 5/7/9 V + 12/15/16 V and the other that delivers 12/15/16 V + 12/15/16 V, therefor the P3 can be used relatively universally. The device comes with a power cord and two DC-cables and retails for about € 450 at this time.

 

The disadvantage of the device is that the two channels of the P3 are not completely separated from each other. Even if Keces points out that the output channels have separate grounds, IMO, mutual interference or influences between the connected devices cannot be ruled out completely. That´s why I would not recommend operating two audiophile devices with one Keces P3 at the same time.

 

In operation, my P3 - even if it was set up freely - got very hot. So hot, in fact, that I burned my fingers on it several times. To be on the safe side, the device was then checked by the German distributer, but they did not find any faults in the device. Since the device did not convince me sound-wise either - yes, there was a small gain in sound quality compared to the original power supply, but this was purely subtle - the Keces P3 was not allowed to stay with me and had to go back to the provider. For me, the price/performance ratio wasn't right here, and I can understand why the Keces P3 didn't really satisfy the author of the power supply thread in the What'sBest forum either.

 

Test result: Sufficient, 57 points (devalued due to the strong heat development)

 

 

4th place: Zerozone R-Core LPS (50 VA), 12 V

 

 

Since the ER can withstand voltages of approx. 7 to 12 volts, I had purchased the linear power supply from Zerozone, via Ali-Express. According to the recommendations of many forum-users I had opted for the 50 watts 12V version. Alternatively, it can also be ordered with other voltages and other performance data, too. You can even determin the color of the front panel (silver or black).

 

The device usually comes without a power cord, but a DC cable is included, which I had exchanged directly for a Gotham UltraPro in JSSG360 version from GhentAudio. As a power cord I used, among others, a cable from AudioConnexion with Furutech plugs and a silver-plated 2.5 anniversary edition of the Supra LoRad.

 

With the Zerozone, the ER started with a completely different vigor. The sound spectrum "opened up" and the sound stage increased both in width and depth. Instruments now sounded more precise, more separated from one another and clearly locatable one behind the other. Voices showed more body and sounded more alive. All in all, the Zerozone turned the digital ER into an "analog" ER, if I can put it that way. The heat development of the device was also kept within limits, so the Zerozone can be used hidden in a closet, if needed.

 

The purchase price of the Zerozone was about 115 € plus shipping, customs and import sales tax. In addition, there were costs for the power cord (approx. 130 € for the AudioConnexion or approx. 155 € for the Supra) and approx. 70 € plus express shipping, customs and import sales tax for the GehntAudio DC cable in 0.5 m length.

 

This puts you at 300-400 € with the Zerozone, but IMO you will get a tonal added value that definately justifies the price which, BTW, is still below that of the Keces P3.

 

Test result: good, 82 points

 

 

3rd place: S120 R-Core Dual-LPS (60 + 60 W), 12 V

 

 

 

This device is a linear power supply too, but in contrast to the Zerozone described above, it has 2 "separate" channels with two independent ring cores, so that 2 devices can be operated individually at the same time. I have, or used to have in use two units of this model alternately on 2 cascaded ERs, my router plus one Melco S-100 (switch) as well as on a combination of one Melco N-100 (NAS-streamer) plus one Melco D-100 (CD ripping drive).

 

In terms of price, the S120 sells for 205 € plus shipping, customs and import sales tax and can be purchased from AliExpress. Again, the S120 comes without a power supply unit, but 2 DC cables are included, which I immediately exchanged for Gotham cables in a JSSG360-version from GhentAudio.

 

With the S120, the user can specify the required voltages for each channel individually during the ordering process. In terms of sound, there isn't much going on between this device and the Zerozone. If you are very critical, you might be able to notice minor differences in favor of the Zerozone. A little more transparency here, a little bit more of “black” background there, may be discernible in a solo zerozone. However, these are more of subtle nuances. A better cable can achieve bigger approvements here, so that´s why - in total - I see the sound spectrum of the S120 almost on the same level as that of the Zerozone, which  actually is some kind of remarkable, since this LPS can supply 2 individual devices without significant mutual interference at the same time.

 

In simple terms, the S120 consists of two zero zones packed in one housing which share one single socket on the input side. On the output side, it then runs mainly separated from each another in parallel. I have to mention that the heat development of my S120 is higher than that of amy Zerozone, but stills remains below that of the Keces P3. Therefore it´s possible to operate the S120 hidden in cabinets.

 

And that´s why, I rate the S120 a little higher than the Zerozone due to its broader range of application. And I would recommend anyone, who wants to supply 2 individual devices, such as 2 cascaded ERs, or one ER and one router with DC at the same time, to take this dual PLS in account. Especially since an S120, for which only one power cord is required, is cheaper and takes up less space on the shelf than e. g. 2 Zerozone power supplies.

 

Test result: good, 82 points (upgraded due to its 2 channels) 

 

 

2nd place: Farad Super3, 12V

 

 

 

The Super3 contains super capacitors (hence the name) and is manufactured by Pink Pro from the Netherlands, and is distributed via its own Farad website. During the ordering process, you can specify the required voltage level and, if need, you can even order some upgrades that are subject to a surcharge, such as various higher quality fuses, a Furutech junction box with rhodium alloy, and various higher quality DC-cables. Again, I had opted for the 12V version, and I had chosen a Supreme 3 fuse and the manufacturer's own Level 2 DC-cable in the more expensive silver version. A standard power cord was also included, which I immediately did exchang to a Supra Lorad in the silver-plated anniversary edition.

 

When I connected the Super3 to the ER, in contrast to all the other previously tested power supplies, new sound spheres opened up immediately. Based on the sales price, I had hoped for that to happen, but I had not honestly dared to expect that. E. g., the sound pattern opened up into all directions (also in height) and the audibility increased dramatically. Instruments could be heard separated from each other more clearly than ever before and voices seemed even more natural than with the Zerozone. The bass gained in conciseness and highs sounded clear and bright. It goes without saying that no interfering noises were audible with a power supply unit in this price range (the basic version of the Super3 costs about 585 €, the version I had ordered costs about 890 €) and the background was deep black.

 

Wow, one or the other might say now. The Farad version I had ordered already costs more than an ER. However, the ER achieves tonal spheres that are not possible to reach with the standard power supply. This is just streaming music on a different level. With this combination, for the first time I had the impression that I had come a good deal closer to my long-cherished wish to be able to enjoy digitally streamed music as if on an analog level.

 

In a cross-comparison on my Melco N-100, the Super3 also ensured a significant increase in sound quality, so that this power supply had convinced me so much that I had ordered a second Super3 in the meantime. Now both Super3s are supplying my two cascaded ERs in parallel and are waiting for new things (= Audioquest power cords) to come and which I have already ordered recently.

 

BTW, the heat development of this device is okay too. E. g., my two Super3 units are working side by side in one cabinet without any concern. To "calm down", both units – like my two ERs – additionally are weighted down with stainless steel door stoppers from HRB.

 

Test result: very good, 94 points

 

 

1st place: Ferrum Hypsos (variable voltage setting)

 

(The black bars on the two halves of the display are not an error, but are conditioned by the lack of synchronicity between the image refresh rate of the display and the exposure time of my iPhone when taking photos)

 

 

The Hypsos from the Polish company Ferrum is relatively new on the market and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer's website. Interestingly, it is a hybrid of a linear and switched-mode power supply, which Ferrum advertises as a kind of best-of-both-worlds. The device currently costs about € 985 and is supplied with a standard power cord and a DC-cable.

 

Incidentally, I found out about this device through Hans Beekhuyzen's YouTube channel, from which I had already taken a lot of good tips. Hans has posted a nice video, in which he presents the Hypsos in detail.

 

What I find practical about the Hypsos is that you can set different output voltages on the device in steps of tenths of a volt, so that this power supply can be used for many different devices. Ferrum even applied pre-installed presets for many common device types, which can be called up via the dimmable and switchable display and a control knob on the front. E. g., for the ER you have a voltage-preset of 9 V, which I had initially changed to 12 V for reasons of comparability. In addition, the device has a "sweetspot" setting option, which lets you determine the optimal voltage value for a single device very easily by sound testing and which can be saved in the Hypsos.

 

Due to the implemented switching elements, with this power supply unit the heat development is consequently lower than with pure linear power supply units, which might speak for a long service life. For the sake of completeness, I don't want to go unmentioned by the way that my wife was very impressed with the color scheme of the device – therefor the womanizer factor is already given with the Hypsos. 😍

 

And how does it sound? Quite simply: Excellent! The sound spectrum, the Hypsos helps to represent, is, in my ears, even more extensive than with the already superb rated Super3, even though you might need an appropriate equipment to be able to hear the differences here. My setup 2 (Denon PMA150h on two B&W 706 S2), e. g. is not able to reproduce these differences when I use the Hypsos to drive the fiber optic media converter (FMC) used in this setup (normally this task is done by a 30 W Zerozone power supply).

 

However, the stage that is set up by the Hypsos in my setup 1 (MP3100HV + PA3100HV from T+A + 2 Gauder "Vescova mk2 Black Edition") is beyond any doubt. Voices sound mainly sibilant-free, and instruments basically sound as one would expect, regardless which instruments the music is played from, e. g. electrically amplified guitars, or acoustic strings.

 

Of course, everyone has to decide for himself, whether a power supply, which costs about 1,000 € (if you add a good power cord, even significantly more) is an appropriate gadget for a EtherRegen. However, in my experience the ER in terms of sound technology is absolutely capable of benefiting from devices in this price range, and of increasing this. IMO, it is important that you look for a suitable power cord too, which, in addition to an additional external word clock, rounds off the entire ensemble (or as you might say: “piece-of-art”).

 

That´s why I call the Ferrum Hypsos my test winner, even though I am convinced of the quality and the sound-optimizing properties of the Farad Super3, and - in a price/performance comparison – those of the S120, too. However, for me, the Hypsos´ precise voltage adjustment feature makes this device a universal tool, which, BTW, fits perfectly with my Melco N-100 (NAS-streamer), too.

 

 Test result: very good, 96 points (upgraded due to the unit´s variable voltage setting)