I've not heard it but linear supplies generally don't have some of the noise associated with SMPS. If Sutherland deem it an improvement, it most likely will sound a fair bit better.
How important is a Linear Power Supply Versus a Switcyed one?
I recently purchased a used Sutherland Insight phono stage to replace the built in one in my Plinius8200 MK II integrates amp. I was amazed at the improvement in openness and presence. It comes with a switched power supply but there is an option for a Linear Supply for about 35% of what I paid for the Insight ($350). I have a Van den Hul One Special cartridge (if that matters). Is it worth it?
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It really depends. Good switch mode power supplies can have phenomenally low noise and high current.... but !! the concern now is how much noise they inject into the AC. This is why I suggest a dual-zone power configuration. https://inatinear.blogspot.com/2019/04/power-management-for-frugal-audiophiles.html |
Both are switching producing high frequency noise, but SMPS done poorly can be really bad, much worse than linear PS. On the other hand SMPS can be much quieter than linear PS if designed for low noise (zero current, zero voltage switching). Jeff Rowland uses SMPS even in preamps, where power losses are insignificant (where he used batteries before). Benchmark reduced noise by 10dB in DAC2 by using SMPS instead of linear PS, they used in DAC1. They also claim that such low level of noise wouldn’t be even obtainable with linear PS. If Sutherland offers this option, then linear PS is probably better, but I would look for reviews, or check return policy. It is always possible that they offer this option only because people demand it (SMPS has bad rap from crude, very noisy computer PS). |
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