Solar Powered Stereo?

Thank you TWL. When I initially discussed it with Davehrab, I thought it made perfect sense. Are you using any additional power "purification" components, whether they be active or passive, and is there a specific type of inverter designed to work specifically with sensitive electronic components? Is there such a thing as an "audio grade" inverter?

I am presently auditioning several passive and active types of power conditioning. For many years I used on old antique API power wedge 116. Extremely effective given it's year of introduction and somewhat antiquated design criteria. Although, I'm finding that most types of passive power conditioning are pretty much doing the same thing.

I'm wondering if solar allows you to circumvent typical means of power conditioning. I'm finding that whether it be active or passive conditioning, they all seem to have their own sonic signature.

Yes, there is an "audio grade" type of inverter. It must be a pure sine-wave type, with no collateral noise generated onto the line. I use one that is made for powering remote-site mastering decks, made by Studer in Switzerland. As you know, they have been making fine recording systems for many years. It is called the Studer AJ401, and has 400watts continuous capacity, with 800 watts available on surge, like dynamic headroom. I use it only under the minimum rating. There are several units from them that go up higher in wattage ratings, up to 2Kw or 2.5Kw. Cost is a little over a dollar a watt.

I use hospital grade outlets wired directly to the inverter output, and my regular power cords from there. Of course any good audiophile power cord will help to keep any corruption from entering the signal through the power cord, so that is still a good idea. The power conditioners are not necessary, since the power is already conditioned when it leaves the inverter, to less than 0.5%THD and clocked perfectly at 60Hz, with no drift.

The only unit that I run from the inverter is my preamp. My power amp and turntable are run directly from their own individual batteries, on 12vdc. They are designed this way. So each of my components are totally isolated from each other in terms of power supply, so there is zero intermodulation of each other's power supplies, which is always present whenever you have multiple components plugged into the wall.

The direct DC power feed on TT and amp are the most perfect power feed possible. A totally flat DC feed. The preamp has a circuit that is difficult to feed with 12vdc, because it was not designed for that, and has high voltage in some of the tubes. So I use the inverter to power that.

I find this method to be very satisfactory.

Thanks again TWL. Now when can you do the install? Connecticut can be lovely this time of year....

I think the methods you've used are by far, the most logical.
I feel like I'm trying to compensate for something that shouldn't be there in the first place. But, that's my "perfect world" method of thinking. Not very logical.

My experience to date with power conditioning is not extremely extensive, but what I am finding is that I am using a "band aid" in one form or another. It also seems that depending on the type of conditioning I ultimately decide to use, I will have to also decide on the sound, presentation, etc. Another tone control.

It must be nice to not have to filter what isn't there.

Really excellent thread!

TWL, are the batteries you're using rechargeable? from the grid, that is, not from solar.

I checked out your system and it's obviously unique. can you describe the sound advantages you think you've achieved with this setup?

under the assumption that cleaner power means better sound my ultimate question would be where do you think the tipping point is? in other words, if you were to create a $10,000 system off the grid how much more would you think you'd have to pay to create a system on the grid that would sound as good?

do you have other solar aspirations besides your system?

congratulations on thinking for yourself and coming up with your own unique solutions.

Kublakhan, yes the batteries can be recharged automatically from a grid source, or generator, or solar, or other alternative sources such as wind, or hydro. I have spec'd out some grid-charged systems for some people already.

The sonic improvements are nice. They are what would be expected when removing the "nasties" from a power source, and removing the interactions where the power supply from one component is modulating the power supply to another component. It's clean, and solid.

The comparison question is hard for me to say. It depends greatly on the components chosen. My system is around $10k, and I think it sounds as good or better than many systems costing far more. Also, I'm sure there are some systems powered by the grid that would sound better in some aspects than my system. I don't claim the ultimate system. But it is quite nice, within its design parameters.

Regarding other solar projects besides my system, my whole house is solar powered. Also I have spec'd and installed hundreds of alternative energy systems, using solar, wind, hydro, and combinations of those. Also various generator systems. I worked for a time in an alternative energy company owned by a friend of mine. I've been off the grid for over 7 years now.

Thank you for your kind words.