ohbythebay
New member
- Thread Author
- #1
There are certain components (phono stages, headphone amps, etc.) that really run on DC power. How do you know? They come with a walwart designed to convert AC power to DC. The inner workings are supposed to filter any residual ac, variances, etc. but inherent in much of these is noise and sometimes, ground hum.
Well, I have learned and used straight battery DC power with phenomenal results. And nothing could be simpler.
For example, I have a phono stage that list 7-12 volts DC. So, I used an ordinary wal wart connector (the little barrel end) and cut it off an unused wall wart. The wire that had a dashed white line was positive or the center terminal. The other was negative. If you are not sure which is which, use a meter to check continuity. Set it for continuity, hold one probe inside the barrel, the other on a wire. The one that beeps is positive.
Okay, so you have one end, what about the other ? Attach it to a simple 12v lantern battery or in my case a rechargeable 12v battery. Plus to plus, minus to minus.
The advantage? Clean DC power that lasts for months on a charge (usually the mA draw is low) and no hum, no signal noise and it is amazing how the sound can change for the better.
what if it needs 24vdc? Okay, two batteries. Connect the + on one, to the minus on the other. Now you have a remaining + and - terminal which go to your two wires. Viola....24vdc.
Some pictures but the real proof is the better sound...
Typical connectors (far right most common)
My batteries (recharge easy in a few hours but they last me at least 6 months on a charge). Mine were from a video light kit where the light was powered by rechargeable battery packs with a nice cover
Well, I have learned and used straight battery DC power with phenomenal results. And nothing could be simpler.
For example, I have a phono stage that list 7-12 volts DC. So, I used an ordinary wal wart connector (the little barrel end) and cut it off an unused wall wart. The wire that had a dashed white line was positive or the center terminal. The other was negative. If you are not sure which is which, use a meter to check continuity. Set it for continuity, hold one probe inside the barrel, the other on a wire. The one that beeps is positive.
Okay, so you have one end, what about the other ? Attach it to a simple 12v lantern battery or in my case a rechargeable 12v battery. Plus to plus, minus to minus.
The advantage? Clean DC power that lasts for months on a charge (usually the mA draw is low) and no hum, no signal noise and it is amazing how the sound can change for the better.
what if it needs 24vdc? Okay, two batteries. Connect the + on one, to the minus on the other. Now you have a remaining + and - terminal which go to your two wires. Viola....24vdc.
Some pictures but the real proof is the better sound...
Typical connectors (far right most common)
My batteries (recharge easy in a few hours but they last me at least 6 months on a charge). Mine were from a video light kit where the light was powered by rechargeable battery packs with a nice cover