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Power Supply for Schiit Mani Phono Preamp

I've been reading about linear power supplies and it struck me the Schiit Mani phono preamp that's feeding my Schiit Freya preamp has what appears to be a really cheap power supply.  I wrote to Schiit asking whether a linear power supply would improve dynamics or transparency and they said they didn't know because they had never tried it.

I've got a Well Tempered Refence turntable with a recently rebuilt Lyra Clavis, so I'm starting with a fairly high quality signal.

If linear power supplies dramatically improve streamers, why wouldn't one help a Mani? 

The specs on the current power supply say:  16VAC transformer, regulated +/- 5V rails. Power consumption is 4 watts

If a better power supply would provide a significant improvement, what should I buy?

dougthebiker
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Do it. I got one recently through AliExpress. Selected one that looked to have a good build (there are many who build them). Unfortunately, unless you want to spend a fortune for a $130 phono stage, these Chinese built options are, IMO, the best bang for the buck. $110 shipped, and really made a nice improvement to my Mani. Well worth the money.

Just checked, the person/company who built mine was named ‘ SENGTERBELLE HIFI Audio World Store’
smrex13
645 posts
 
The linear power supplies are usually meant to replace switching DC wall warts.  The Mani uses an AC transformer - the only external power supply made for the Mani that I know if is the following:

http://www.swagmanlab.com/Product_PSU?product_id=670
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
I inquired with swagman, unfortunately their shipping time could not confirmed and to expect long delays, which is why I went in another direction. I really don’t think swagman offers any more that others can, at a less cost.

Swagman is not the only maker of these LPS’s that will work with the Mani.
oldears
386 posts
 
I went to the Schiit website to look into the Mani.The wal-wart is specified as a transformer with 16 VAC output.The chassis shows the input should be 16 VAC.The FAQ says the power supply is linear.The photo of the circuit board shows a diode bridge and filter caps near the power switch, confirming the PS is linear.
If you were to plug an external linear power supply into the Mani, it would be a bad thing for the Mani and the lps. ( It would void both warranties.) It can't possibly improve the sound.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
Yes, you are correct about the Mani’s power circuitry. But believe me, the LPS makes a positive difference, and does not hurt the Mani. Many folks have been using the Mani with a separate LPS for a long time now, and all agree it improves its overall sound. And it does. For the cost or each/both, I’m not too worried about the warranty. The Mani may not be in my system anymore without the sonic benefit the LPS has provided as I stopped looking for a $500-$1,000+ replacement.

Not to say the Mani is ‘bad’ without it. It’s a steal either way.
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