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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
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.
tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
If you can't do it now, do it when you can.
Consider a better phonostage. The table deserves it. You're not hearing what the setup is capable of doing.

I bought one of those piece of Schiit's- great for the price, while my tubed unit was being repaired. 

Even with an LPS, it won't perform like the next level of phonostages.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
You can’t compare the quality of a wall-wart transformer to a LPS containing a large toroid or R-core transformer.

OP...If you plan on keeping the Mani for awhile, get a LPS with quality internal components.

OTOH, your Well Tempered deserves a better phonostage.


bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
@lowrider57 

You can’t compare the quality of a wall-wart transformer to a LPS containing a large toroid or R-core transformer. 

Yep. I went with one that had the R-Core transformer, as a ‘cheap’ toroidal can cause noise, and figured the R-Core was a safer bet.
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