PSU upgrade?
Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: And the rest
Forum Name: Power Sources
Forum Description: Where the power comes from has always been a hot topic - even more so now with new World legislation
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2642
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 10:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: PSU upgrade?
Posted By: Richardl60
Subject: PSU upgrade?
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 1:30pm
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Hi, I suspect many of us have found the benefits of Graham's PSUs to our (largely) little silver boxes. Whilst the PSU is compact and pretty user friendly (and I would suggest not expensive in absolute terms, has any research been undertaken in to a 'PSU super' or similar? Whilst I am in no way suggesting there is anything wrong with the current PSU, but can it be improved? I am aware there are a few (larger tin boxes) which claim to be 'improvements' over the GSP PSU and wonder if this is something either Graham or Jon have investiated at all? Little in this life is perfect and everything comes at a cost but just wondered . . . Kind regards Richard
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Replies:
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 8:37pm
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Don't know about any research but I have been impressed by the PSU1 even powering several phono stages with a DIY cable. In terms of capacity I tried a DIY higher current regulated 24V PSU with my Solo UL and LCD2's but the PSU1 sounded better. IMO GSP got this right but I never underestimate Graham and John's ingenuity and engineering. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 13 Aug 2015 at 9:24pm
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Thanks Jon, yes I accept the point though as always striving for better, wondering if it is the ultimate? Will see if Graham has anything to addd. Kind regards Richard
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Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 6:35pm
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When trying to log on to the forum I clicked on to the wring website -fidelity audio from Doncaster. Having been intrigued I had a nosy round and stumbled accross their Graham Slee Power supply a significant upgrade . . . Apparently! Whilst I am sure Graham would not endorse this any thoughts as to whether this could harm any of our little silver boxes? Has anyone tried one? Richard |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 28 May 2016 at 8:59pm
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I'm not convinced by their products since I saw the parts 'upgrade' for the Novo that seemed to be like for like. That said I own one of their low noise 5 volt regulators which did a good job in my old 840C and is now fed from an SMPS into my Squeezebox Touch, with some good dc caps, and sounds considerably better than the stock Touch supply. I share your scepticism Richard. Connecting a 24V dc supply is unlikely to damage the GSP boxes but will it improve the sound... The GSP engineering and test gear is second to none, and the PSU1 is proven to give great results. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 9:04am
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If I were to try and sell a product called a Naim power supply and advertise it as such, how long do you think I would last before the summons? Graham Slee is not only my name but it is a European wide registered trademark!! ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 9:29am
| Yes the description does leave things a little blurred should we say! |
Posted By: Gary
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 4:45pm
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I had a Sonos Connect 'modded' by them a while ago. Lets just say the words barge pole would be in my advice. ------------- Solo ULDE, CuSat50, Spatia Links |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:02pm
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Duly noted. ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: Richardl60
Date Posted: 29 May 2016 at 5:47pm
| Given I have neither a barge nor a pole I should be safe I think!!! |
Posted By: garygillespie
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 1:16am
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I thought about changing out the power cord on my PSU1, and want your opinions. I'm wanting to swap it out with an https://www.audioquest.com/cables/ac-power-cables/2-pole/nrg-1-5" rel="nofollow - "Audioquest NRG-1.5 (2-Pole)" , or one of the upcoming models NRG-Y2 or NRG-Z2 (3-Poles) http://drive.google.com/file/d/14nDaIFUCCekFApwCsgVTFmJ1QWTNzflQ/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow - https://drive.google.com/file/d/14nDaIFUCCekFApwCsgVTFmJ1QWTNzflQ/view?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow - "specs on newer models" Do you think I would gain anything from swapping the power cord out with one of these?
Thanks Gary. |
Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 1:24am
Before you embark on a power cable journey, have you tried the existing cable by unplugging it at the PSU1 end, and rotating the end through 180° and reinserting it? Try it if you haven't .... Report back ....
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garygillespie wrote:Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 9:46am
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Big transformer; big reservoir capacitor(s) of the right kind. 78XX voltage regulator with 10uF directly across its output. With ground return taken to the right place. Must comply with Kirchhoff's loop rule. One day I will make one. Direct sale only because in some countries local dealers insist on approvals and I'm not willing to be judged by 'the lesser educated' and charged £20K ($30K) at today's prices, just to sell 63 pieces...  ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Ash
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 10:31am
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Definitely try what Chris has suggested. Where the mains power cord enters the PSU1, switch the polarity after listening to music for a few hours. Do it as quickly as you can when you do it. Click the wall switch off, quickly unplug, turn 180 degrees, plug back in, wall switch back on ASAP. Then resume listening for a while. You may notice a difference in clarity, stereo image position and bass positioning/presence, a bit like going to the opticians for a sight test and the optometrist asking you if the letters on the lit screen appear clearer with lens A or lens B and you being able to discern a slight difference. The kind of slight difference that makes a significant difference over extended listening. You may not hear a difference, which is certainly what logic tells you, seeing as this is alternating current. My only suggestion is that it could be explained by subtle directionality bias in copper conductors due to high voltage flash testing during manufacture but I honestly don't know. |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 11:07am
In the past power lines were one way - from generator/distribution station to sub-station. With solar and wind power diversity many are now two way. OK, they are high tension, but current flow direction switching saw some early catastrophies. (by the way HVDC is not 'flat DC' like a battery. It is still a waveform. I mention this because some of the power company research was using HVDC). Obviously this cannot happen, so it didn't, except that it did. ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: garygillespie
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 7:47pm
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I'll try switching the main 180% to see if that makes a difference, I didn't know that could change the sound. Also what is the name of the connector on the PSU1, not the DC plug 2.5mm?
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Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:18pm
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The figure of 8 thing is a Telefunken power connector. |
Posted By: garygillespie
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:28pm
I'm talking about the connector that looks like an XLR, or some kind of 3 pin midi plug.
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Posted By: Chris Firth
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 8:44pm
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DIN plug |
Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 10:13pm
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If this is about the twin fig.8 unshielded DC cord (3-pin DIN to 2.5 DC plug), the subject has been covered numerous times, including earlier in this topic, and has been discussed several times since the PSU1 was introduced some 18 years ago. Yes, I know it doesn't look up to much, but we tried all kinds of exotic looking wires to no avail, and decided to save the customer's money by not jazzing up something that didn't need it. ------------- That none should be able to park up and enjoy the view without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps |
Posted By: Fatmangolf
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 10:22pm
Save your money Gary, several years ago I did this and I don't think it made a difference, wish it had! It did make a difference on my Sky box. By contrast I do think turning the mains connector into the PSU1 as described above changes the sound slightly . ------------- Jon Open mind and ears whilst owning GSP Genera, Accession M, Accession MC, Elevator EXP, Solo ULDE, Proprius amps, Cusat50 cables, Lautus digital cable, Spatia cables and links, and a Majestic DAC. |
Posted By: garygillespie
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2018 at 10:29pm
| I just came across the other tread last night, and started reading through them today (there is a lot to read). I was just looking at these thin cables next to some of my thick ones, I started thinking about the quality of these cables, and if I should get some with more shielding and jazz. I've noticed with audiophile power mains, it does seem like they are over priced, so if you say I wont gain anything, then I may stick with these. Thanks for all the feedback, I really do appreciate it. |