Can SMPS based preamps/amps sound organic ?


Lately I have been reading about some well known companies who make amps and preamps based on switch mode (digital) power supply. Nagra, David Berning, Linn, Crayon Audio comes to mind. I have heard a couple of their products but I always seem to hear some kind of switching noise which comes through as "digital" sounding. The organic quality is somewhat robbed and replaced with some hash. I wonder if there are any designs using SMPS that can actually sound natural and organic ?

To me it seems mostly a matter of convenience to use SMPS but I would love to discuss.
pani
Thanks, Bombaywalla.

Let me first make clear that I was not implying anything negative about Mr. Sanders or his design. I was just reporting that I looked for the patent or patent application, in the hope of finding further detail about the design, and couldn’t find it.

The mention of "patent pending" appears in numerous articles on the web, as well as in Mr. Sanders white paper that you referenced earlier. Presumably all of those statements were based on inputs he provided, at the times the articles were written.

Regarding the unrelated patent application you linked to just above, which was filed in 2003, I can find no indication that a corresponding patent was ever issued.

I suppose there are all kinds of possible explanations for these non-findings, ranging from issues with the Patent Office’s website and/or its search functions to decisions he may have eventually made to not pursue the applications, for whatever reasons.

Best regards,
-- Al

Thanks for the clarification, Almarg.
The fact that the 2013 patent application (I believe it was 2013 & not 2003) has not issued seems par for the course. I had one patent application issue in 2015 when it was filed in 2011. 
Re. the 'patent pending' on his Magtech regulated power supply - not finding any patent application or issued patent is a mystery indeed....
Like you wrote - maybe he never pursued a patent & the other press is now old & written words cannot be retracted today? 
Thanks, Bombaywalla. Yes, a delay of a few years between application and grant would certainly be understandable. My reference to 2003 for the "encapsulated composite electrostatic loudspeaker stator" application you had found was correct, however. As can be seen on the left side of the page, a short way down from the top: "Filed: October 30, 2003."

Best regards,
-- Al

Patent does not mean much (I have couple of them).  Patenting new principle of operation is practically impossible, so the most of people patent specific use.  You can come up with any weird stuff and register it.  Patent office does not check validity of the idea. They only check if it was used before - no matter how stupid.  The word "Patent" suggests originality.  

Ralph,  
I am familiar with the very high sound quality of your products, are you suggesting that they'd sound even better if you could use SMPS rather than LPS?
Charles,
I think its very possible. SMPSs have the advantage of better regulation over traditional supplies.