I just thought I'd add a little on improving (or trying to minimise losses) of either downloading audio/video files or moving them from one media to another via USB.
As contributors thus far in this thread are familiar with using linear power supplies to aid sound quality it will come as no surprise that using the same to replace the 5v USB bus supplies can also be beneficial. Therefore I use a simple linear supply, augmented with ripple rejection boards to replace the bus feed. These are virtually identical to those used to replace 5v/3.6v/3.3v supply lines in varous stages of a DAC, as mentioned previously.
The USB leads used to make the essential connections are of good construction (to the recoginsed standard), kept as short as possible and have their +ve5v conductor disconnected at the supply end, in some cases you can also disconnect the -ve but this can cause "hand-shake" difficulties on various pieces of equipment so is something that requires hit or miss experimentation. Others have found costlier cables to work a little better still here but it was not my experience after experimentation. I have found better USB drives to of benefit however.
Which makes me think! (quite an occasion for me) COLIN! If you are even well enough to think about such things, maybe a little design of your own to improve on this setup and other linear supplies for PCs? I say this remembering a couple of conversations asking you if a ripple rejection board wouls assist in a design of yours and your reply to the effect of, my design is already extremely low ripple so not required.
Here is the little box I use for this function. It literally just inserts ("injects") the necessary clean 5v supply.
I Have a similar unit but not as sexy which I use for the same perpose.
maybe you could add a link to the JLH Ripple eater and mention how you've managed to get them working at such low voltages.
I use a Constant Current Diode (can't remember which one) to trick my Ripple eaters up for 3.3-7V but maybe you have another way.
I use my units for any USB device that needs a clean supply and also for the SSD in my PC's.
it's really a coincidence that I'm about to start playing with some in line with my IFI Purifier 2 and may also be good for the Regen but that's for later. But I think Alex may have beaten me to that but no big surprise on that as he always seems to.
''I say this remembering a couple of conversations asking you if a ripple rejection board wouls assist in a design of yours and your reply to the effect of, my design is already extremely low ripple so not required.''
OK, for those unfamiliar with this very useful board here are some details on the John Lindsey Hood "power supply ripple rejection" board, AKA JLH psrr, AKA ripple eater, AKA shunt regulator.
This is a small board used immediately after a standard linear power supply and immediately before the board or circuit to be powered and result in an audible improvement. These have been reproduced and fine tuned by members on other forums (most notably Alex Kethel, Will Woodvine and Greg Erskine). They are solely to reduce the effect of ripple on the circuit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripple_%28electrical%29
They have been made in both single track and dual track versions and can handle +ve and -ve power lines. In their standard form they work best on circuits being powered by 10 - 20 vdc. For higher voltages some components must be upgraded and for lower voltages R13 (see build manual link) can be replaced with a current regulating diode to stabilise it, I've used a J506. This is especially useful at the 5v and 3.3v power levels.
Shoom, thanks for the links. When I can get some time I may just try the second one. I watched the "paradise" GB grow from a "simple phono stage" to something rather more special along with great impressions thereafter.
I have to agree the Simplistic is imho an excellent phonostage and a relatively simple build with the boards and bits and pieces from Teabag. Teabag being a nice guy to deal with.
It's the Xono that I built not the Pearl Shaun. An excellent phono amp which caters for both MM and MC cartridges and even does balanced out. I was a happy user of the JLH phonostage for a good few years.
Boards are available from Ralph Stens in Germany. A very nice guy to deal with.
Hmmm, not sure about a linear for the main PC (the PC I use at the moment is all purpose, my MPC was given to wifey when her PC died). That's why I was thinking of the going the drive route first....thoughts?
Comments
As contributors thus far in this thread are familiar with using linear power supplies to aid sound quality it will come as no surprise that using the same to replace the 5v USB bus supplies can also be beneficial. Therefore I use a simple linear supply, augmented with ripple rejection boards to replace the bus feed. These are virtually identical to those used to replace 5v/3.6v/3.3v supply lines in varous stages of a DAC, as mentioned previously.
The USB leads used to make the essential connections are of good construction (to the recoginsed standard), kept as short as possible and have their +ve5v conductor disconnected at the supply end, in some cases you can also disconnect the -ve but this can cause "hand-shake" difficulties on various pieces of equipment so is something that requires hit or miss experimentation. Others have found costlier cables to work a little better still here but it was not my experience after experimentation. I have found better USB drives to of benefit however.
Which makes me think! (quite an occasion for me) COLIN! If you are even well enough to think about such things, maybe a little design of your own to improve on this setup and other linear supplies for PCs? I say this remembering a couple of conversations asking you if a ripple rejection board wouls assist in a design of yours and your reply to the effect of, my design is already extremely low ripple so not required.
Here is the little box I use for this function. It literally just inserts ("injects") the necessary clean 5v supply.
Naked during testing...
and in use...
[ houston we have a problem, cannot find ]
Complete
Lid on
This is a small board used immediately after a standard linear power supply and immediately before the board or circuit to be powered and result in an audible improvement. These have been reproduced and fine tuned by members on other forums (most notably Alex Kethel, Will Woodvine and Greg Erskine). They are solely to reduce the effect of ripple on the circuit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ripple_%28electrical%29
They have been made in both single track and dual track versions and can handle +ve and -ve power lines. In their standard form they work best on circuits being powered by 10 - 20 vdc. For higher voltages some components must be upgraded and for lower voltages R13 (see build manual link) can be replaced with a current regulating diode to stabilise it, I've used a J506. This is especially useful at the 5v and 3.3v power levels.
Single
Build manual & details http://theleftoverz.com/stuff/JLH%20RE%20Build%20Manual%20v1.1.pdf
Dual version details http://users.tpg.com.au/users/gerskine/greg/default.htm
click on "power supplies" and then click on "JLH add on shunt regulator".
J506 http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/84166/LINEAR/J506.html
I've have incorporated these into many designs and they are very worthwhile.
I remember his friendly disposition and patience with my green horn Telephone questions well.
Shaun, do have a link and details for that JLH phono board, I've been meaning to make a phono stage for my SCAK Aclass pre for ages.
Teabag being a nice guy to deal with.
I was a happy user of the JLH phonostage for a good few years.
Boards are available from Ralph Stens in Germany. A very nice guy to deal with.
http://www.rstaudio.de/en/pass-xono-nachbau/#xono_en_pcb
Busy bee refers to work unfortunately, not much time to play