Choosing a UPS
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=5713
Printed Date: 26 Mar 2026 at 10:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Choosing a UPS
Posted By: peterb
Subject: Choosing a UPS
Date Posted: 03 May 2024 at 11:38am
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Does anyone have any experience of their HiFi supplied by a UPS? Our mains supply fails a couple of times a year, wind and overhead cable problems mostly, and it causes havoc with my HiFi. I think if it was just a clean break it would be OK but too often it is rapid on/offs before it goes off completely. The Preamp load is not great even when on so the UPS does not need to be a large expensive one, and I am not trying to protect the Power Amp when it is on. Thanks ------------- Peter --------------------------------------- Dual 505-1, Cyrus CD T, DIY 80W MosFet amp and PreAmp, 2xKEF 103.2 |
Replies:
Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 04 May 2024 at 5:38pm
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I started to look at one, and was after a pure sine wave version, and that really bumps the price up, so I did not go any further. ------------- Kevin European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France. Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ |
Posted By: peterb
Date Posted: 05 May 2024 at 10:33am
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I know a little about their design; a battery, some Mains detection circuitry, DC to AC conversion electronics and a power output stage. If the Mains detection system just let the UPS supply when it sensed a Mains issue and otherwise let the load be Mains fed until then, that would work for me. But I think they become to only source of power for the load. ------------- Peter --------------------------------------- Dual 505-1, Cyrus CD T, DIY 80W MosFet amp and PreAmp, 2xKEF 103.2 |
Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 05 May 2024 at 10:42am
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The other issue is getting a model that allows sufficient peak power for your power amplifier. Back to the sine wave - https://blog.tripplite.com/pure-sine-wave-vs-modified-sine-wave-explained - https://blog.tripplite.com/pure-sine-wave-vs-modified-sine-wave-explained It depends how sensitive your equipment is as to which would be best. Something like a 1500VA should be ok.
------------- Kevin European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France. Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ |
Posted By: peterb
Date Posted: 06 May 2024 at 6:45pm
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OK I have taken the plunge with this one. https://upscentre.co.uk/onlinestore/product/powerwalker-vi-2200-va-1320-watt-stl-lcd-uk-ups/ - https://upscentre.co.uk/onlinestore/product/powerwalker-vi-2200-va-1320-watt-stl-lcd-uk-ups/ I am not expecting to keep the Pre and Amp running, I just want to protect the Pre from spikes so a low power requirement, in standby. My choice is a model which only supplies the load when the Mains is outside the trigger parameters so is not supplying in 'normal' conditions. If it ruins the sound I will use it to protect my NAS.
 ------------- Peter --------------------------------------- Dual 505-1, Cyrus CD T, DIY 80W MosFet amp and PreAmp, 2xKEF 103.2 |
Posted By: CageyH
Date Posted: 06 May 2024 at 6:49pm
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That should give you plenty of time to power the system down in the event of a.power cut. ------------- Kevin European loan coordinator, based near Toulouse, France. Funkified SL1200 Mk.II, BB3, Firebottle Kin , ADI-2 DAC FS, Modulus 686, PD-S703, Solo UL, Triangle Antal EZ |
Posted By: peterb
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2024 at 11:54am
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A quick update. To my ears the UPS is not audible when I am using my setup, which is as it should be as it is not part of the supply. I have had the Mains circuit trip since it was put in when I was trying to wire a replacement cellar light where the previous owner had used the socket circuit and blacks as live ! The UPS did its job and stopped the corruption of my PreAmp firmware, so as far as I am concerned a worthwhile investment. ------------- Peter --------------------------------------- Dual 505-1, Cyrus CD T, DIY 80W MosFet amp and PreAmp, 2xKEF 103.2 |