SBooster

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Cressy Snr
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#1 SBooster

Post by Cressy Snr »

It's nearly a year since Chris (Stratmangler) recommended this little device to me, at Colin's place.
I finally got around to buying one last week during my "absence"

It gives a worthwhile boost (sorry) to the sound quality of the SBT ecosystem.
I'm not going to be evangelical about this product, those days are gone, but I thought it worth a mention.

A good recommendation Chris.

http://markgrantcables.co.uk/shop/index ... cts_id=270


EDIT: here is a review from HFC. It is in agreement with my findings although I have only just found it now.
http://www.squeeze-upgrade.com/images/H ... review.pdf
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Neal
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#2

Post by Neal »

Yes they seem to work, about a 25db reduction in SMPS noise. Subjectively the one I use on a BushMaster DAC smoothes the sound a touch removing a bit of grain...not bad for £30.
Last edited by Neal on Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Nick
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#3

Post by Nick »

I did some measurements. This is the touch SMPS as it is and with a sbooster.
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SB Touch SMPS + Sbooster FFT
SB Touch SMPS + Sbooster FFT
SB Touch SMPS FFT
SB Touch SMPS FFT
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#4

Post by Neal »

Good result.
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Nick
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#5

Post by Nick »

For comparison, a linear supply
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Touch Linear supply FFT
Touch Linear supply FFT
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Cressy Snr
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#6

Post by Cressy Snr »

I've got my SBooster on the end of a linear supply.
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Neal
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#7

Post by Neal »

That puts into context Nick! BTW getting some listening time this week on your loaner supply, all positive so far on my brief listen today.

BTW what is the s/w you used there?
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Nick
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#8

Post by Nick »

Some of the low frequency harmonics was pick up, it was a bunch of wires on my desk into a Pete Millet sound card input buffer, 0dB = 200mV.

The software is from http://www.audiotester.de/
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Dave the bass
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#9

Post by Dave the bass »

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question/observation but comparing the graphs above am I right in thinking the linear PSU shows less noise on the DC supply out? Even with the SBooster in-line the noise is more than a linear supply output innits?

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Mike H
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#10

Post by Mike H »

Certainly looks that way, speshly the treble end
 
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Neal
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#11

Post by Neal »

Have to say a good linear supply knocks the sBooster/SMPS into a cocked hat, no comparison really...been listening to Nick's loaner and its a big step up IMHO.
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The Stratmangler
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#12

Post by The Stratmangler »

Neal wrote:Have to say a good linear supply knocks the sBooster/SMPS into a cocked hat, no comparison really...been listening to Nick's loaner and its a big step up IMHO.
Have you tried the SBooster on the linear supply?
Chris :happy3:
Cressy Snr
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#13

Post by Cressy Snr »

Aye,
My linear supply was improved by the SBooster, but then again it was thrown together in a short time and is not as well designed as Nick's unit.

However the linear supply on its own is better than the SMPS I had been using previously. The Sbooster was the icing on the cake with my own LPS.
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#14

Post by Neal »

Nope not tried it and can't for the life of me see how it would improve Nick's carefully thought out design. ;)

If it was a simple 317 regulator cct then it may help at HF where the 317 offers no regulation and passes any HF noise straight through...still never say never!
Cressy Snr
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#15

Post by Cressy Snr »

Neal wrote:
If it was a simple 317 regulator cct then it may help at HF where the 317 offers no regulation and passes any HF noise straight through...still never say never!
That'a precisely what my PSU is, a 317 regulator, which is probably why the SBooster works on it.
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