There was a fairly long thread about the Clearaudio optional battery supply, and the OP eventually bought it, for $1200, even after he received tons of advice on alternative approaches for fewer dollars. You might want to check out that thread. IF you were to rig up your own battery supply so as to save money over the Clearaudio optional supply, then you would need to know some very specific info about the Clearaudio TT motor and the onboard components of its existing power supply that runs off wall AC, apparently. See the older thread for that information. Like sryeager mentioned above, an AC power regenerator would solve your problem and probably supply enough AC watts to take care of some of your other components, which must also be suffering if your line voltage gets down as low as 113V. You can buy a used PS Audio P10, which makes around 1200W of pure 120VAC, for between $2000 and $2500. I use a P15, the current version of the P10, really, on my basement audio system, and the results are superb. What's more, PS Audio takes good care of its customers.
Smart power supplies for turntable
I've read a number of threads on Audiogon that address the importance of having an appropriate power source to maintain turntable speed. I live in an area with terrible power stability, at the end of a utility company's service area. We have lots of little blips, evidenced by audio equipment, tv's, etc. shutting off. I have a power conditioner (Niagra 1000) to deal with noise in the dedicated circuit for my turntable and other audio gear and a conditioner/UPS for my computer equipment.
My question is whether devices like the Clearaudio Smart Power 12v and 24v battery power supplies are a good approach to maintain turntable speed stability. Are there other conditioners or devices that can be used for a broader range of brands that perform a similar function?
Your feedback is sincerely appreciated.
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@millercarbon I will not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Just looking for a reasonable solution. @lewm I will look for the thread on the CA battery supply. Its relative cost to serve just one device is why I started this thread. The power regenerator seems like a better option given its ability to run multiple devices. Thx again for the advice. |
That's the spirit. I've done what you're contemplating, convert motor to battery supply. Many years ago, didn't know near what I do now. Also my AC was dedicated line, well above average. Battery was several feet away, long wires. Even so the battery was a worthwhile improvement. Later on I modified the motor pod to enclose the battery. Nowadays, better batteries, should be even better. Rens Heijnis in The Netherlands is modding my strain gauge to lithium battery, along with some other things. It is a sound approach and in your case a good candidate for DIY as well. |
The operating range on the ClearAudio AC supply makes it sound like a switcher? That is not inherently bad. It will mean it will handle your 113V or pretty much anything you throw at it without too much issue. Depending on how it is designed, the output voltage may be totally independent of the input, or slight variation. The turntable also has active speed control based on a speed sensor, so that is ultimately setting the speed, and will also adjust up and down as needed. I don't think you would see any variation in turntable speed if you tried to measure it. Not even a tiny bit. You would need a wow and flutter meter. Realistically, the bearing are causing more speed variation, not to mention non perfect placement of the record hole, etc. etc.
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