Replacement transformer
 

"Anton Gÿsen" wrote in message
...
David Looser wrote:

The DAC sounds great for £200. I'm happy with it

But you said you get audio drop-outs when other things are swiched on or
off, are you happy about that?

(transformer aside).

I still don't understand what's supposed to be wrong with it. OK, so it gets
warm in use, that's entirely normal for transformers!

David.

Replacement transformer
 

"Anton Gÿsen" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I am wishing to build a replacement transformer for my Cambridge Audio
DacMagic DAC (the new one that's just come out). I am unhappy with the
original PSU because it is inefficient

Why is it inefficient? What tests have you done and what have you compared
it to?

Any advice is appreciated, my electronics knowledge is GCSE standard
(i.e. not very good).


I think that says it all, don't fix it unless it is broken. You will not
improve the
audio unless you redesign the amplifier or use different speakers. Changing
power
supplies (unless broken) and using big fat leads does absolutely nothing !
It's one massive con. The market for such products only exists because of
daft
people who believe all the crap adverts they see.

For a power supply you will need a case, fuse/holder, mains switch,
transformer,
bridge rectifier, capacitors, voltage regulator, surge and over voltage
protection etc.
You will also require some ferric chloride to etch a circuit board, a 1mm
drill bit,
solder and soldering iron. You could always try a switching mode type which
will
be more efficient but would require some seriously clever designing to stop
any
noise, buzzing, humming etc.

Replacement transformer
 

"Anton Gÿsen"

I am wishing to build a replacement transformer for my Cambridge Audio
DacMagic DAC (the new one that's just come out). I am unhappy with the
original PSU because it is inefficient and doesn't have a physical
on/off switch so it's constantly drawing a current unless you unplug it,
and I like to save evergy where I can.


** You cannot legally build your own AC "plug pack" - such items require
specially design transformers and must be made and ** agency approved **
to meet the Class 2 safety standard.


So I was wondering whether I could build a new transformer for it based
around a toroidal core transformer,


** Worst possible choice.


Would something like this do?

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6q5ceu (eBay item # 270286161572)?


** No - a standard toroidal like that cannot possibly meet Class 2 safety
requirements.


What else would I need, other than a circuit board, a rocker switch and
some kind of housing? Or should I just give up on the idea and stop
wasting my time?


** Yep.



...... Phil

Replacement transformer
 

David Looser wrote:
"Anton Gÿsen" wrote in message
...
David Looser wrote:

The DAC sounds great for £200. I'm happy with it

But you said you get audio drop-outs when other things are swiched on or
off, are you happy about that?

I can live with it because it only happens for a fraction of a second
when I switch something on. I'm happy because I think the DAC is good
value for money. It's not perfect, but nothing is.

(transformer aside).

I still don't understand what's supposed to be wrong with it. OK, so it gets
warm in use, that's entirely normal for transformers!

Yes but it consumes electricity when it is doing nothing useful
whatsoever. That, in my mind, is extremely poor design. Why couldn't
they have integrated it into the DAC itself so the power switch on the
DAC actually cuts all power to it? It's not rocket science. This poor
design is ****ing the planet up.

Replacement transformer
 

Tim wrote:
"Anton Gÿsen" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I am wishing to build a replacement transformer for my Cambridge Audio
DacMagic DAC (the new one that's just come out). I am unhappy with the
original PSU because it is inefficient

Why is it inefficient? What tests have you done and what have you compared
it to?

It's inefficient because it draws 2.4 watts when it's just sitting there
doing nothing. I don't think this is good.

Any advice is appreciated, my electronics knowledge is GCSE standard
(i.e. not very good).


I think that says it all, don't fix it unless it is broken.

That seems like the consensus.

For a power supply you will need a case, fuse/holder, mains switch,
transformer,
bridge rectifier, capacitors, voltage regulator, surge and over voltage
protection etc.
You will also require some ferric chloride to etch a circuit board, a 1mm
drill bit,
solder and soldering iron. You could always try a switching mode type which
will
be more efficient but would require some seriously clever designing to stop
any
noise, buzzing, humming etc.

Yeah, it's a drag!

Replacement transformer
 

Phil Allison wrote:
"Anton Gÿsen"

I am wishing to build a replacement transformer for my Cambridge Audio
DacMagic DAC (the new one that's just come out). I am unhappy with the
original PSU because it is inefficient and doesn't have a physical
on/off switch so it's constantly drawing a current unless you unplug it,
and I like to save evergy where I can.


** You cannot legally build your own AC "plug pack" - such items require
specially design transformers and must be made and ** agency approved **
to meet the Class 2 safety standard.

Balls to health and safety.

So I was wondering whether I could build a new transformer for it based
around a toroidal core transformer,


** Worst possible choice.

Why?

Would something like this do?

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6q5ceu (eBay item # 270286161572)?


** No - a standard toroidal like that cannot possibly meet Class 2 safety
requirements.

See above.

What else would I need, other than a circuit board, a rocker switch and
some kind of housing? Or should I just give up on the idea and stop
wasting my time?


** Yep.

OK, but I'm still not happy :(

Replacement transformer
 

"Anton Gÿsen"

Yes but it consumes electricity when it is doing nothing useful
whatsoever. That, in my mind, is extremely poor design. Why couldn't
they have integrated it into the DAC itself so the power switch on the
DAC actually cuts all power to it? It's not rocket science. This poor
design is ****ing the planet up.


** Oh dear - we have yet another rabid, Green Nazi ****wit.

That tiny AC adaptor is warming up the WHOLE planet !!!

Wanna bet he drives a real petrol guzzler.

ROTFLMAO !!!



..... Phil

Green Nazi on the LOOSE
 

"Anton Gÿsen"
Phil Allison

** You cannot legally build your own AC "plug pack" - such items
require
specially design transformers and must be made and ** agency approved **
to meet the Class 2 safety standard.

Balls to health and safety.


** No - a standard toroidal like that cannot possibly meet Class 2
safety
requirements.

See above.


** Oh **** - we REALLY have another rabid, Green Nazi ****WIT.

That tiny AC adaptor is warming up the WHOLE planet !!!

And this ****ing lunatic would rather KILL someone with a dangerous POS he
built himself.

Pray to god it kills him.




..... Phil

Replacement transformer
 

Anton Gÿsen wrote:

Hi all,

I am wishing to build a replacement transformer for my Cambridge Audio
DacMagic DAC (the new one that's just come out). I am unhappy with the
original PSU because it is inefficient and doesn't have a physical
on/off switch so it's constantly drawing a current unless you unplug it,
and I like to save evergy where I can.

So I was wondering whether I could build a new transformer for it based
around a toroidal core transformer, in the hope that it will reduce
power consumption and, if I'm lucky, make the DAC sound better.

And how exactly would it make the DAC sound better ? Details please ?

Do you think you know more about high-end audio electronics design than
Cambridge Audio ?

If you don't like it, sell it and buy something else FFS !

Graham (pro-audio design engineer for 37 years)

Replacement transformer
 

Adrian C wrote:

Use a PC switchmode power supply?

To make it sound REALLY crappy ?

MORON