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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
 
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
3,917 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.
mktracy's avatar
mktracy
91 posts
 
I agree with bkeske, I got the Swagman Labs LPS about a month ago I it made a difference to the Mani for sure. It to about 2 weeks to the US with no problems. I notice that the Mani has smoothed out and the bass tighten up and seems deeper, the highs have more air around them and the sound stage is wider and deeper. It worked out well for my modest Music Hall TT with a Nagaoka MP200 cart. Im now looking to upgrade the TT to a Clearaudio concept wood with a Nag MP200 but the Music Hall will be setup as a mono table. I recommend the Swagman LPS for sure.
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