Going Battery Powered


I have a number of components that run off of 12V DC power. This includes my DAC, preamp, tube buffer, etc. I’m looking into powering them with batteries instead of 120V AC power supplies. Does anyone have any input on if this is worth my time? Seems like DC power is the cleanest power you can get in this situation. I’ve heard batteries can have reduced dynamics but I plan on using as big of a battery as is reasonable, most likely a large sealed AGM type battery. Do I need power supplies/voltage regulators if I use a large battery and only power low draw components (no power amps); e.g. the max amp draw is probably around 1-2 amps, if that. If I do, does anyone have a link to a design for the power supply/voltage regulator? Thank you.
128x128mkgus
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Are there any Class-D amps with "warmer tube" SQ that can be powered with DC?

This probably isn’t what you’re after, but have you considering “higher end” class D car audio amplifiers? They can connect directly to a 12V DC battery source. Just something to consider for your situation. Otherwise, you can build or purchase DC regulators and modify a 120V piece of equipment to run off a DC power source. 

The OP seemed to ask in the original post if bypassing the AC to DC PS in his equipment and connecting a battery would benefit his playback. 

A battery power supply converting 12 volt DC to 120 volt AC is not the same topic.

Ron Sutherland use to use battery power for his phono stages.  He says he gets better performance with 120 volt AC power supplies.   I don't see many equipment manufacturer use battery.   Some do.  Dartzeel on the preamp.  My Lino Channel D phono pre.  They are used.  I don't know of any amps that use them.

Batteries are current limiting.   Lithium less so than led acid.   A deep cycle lead acid is very slow to release power.  

 

There are so many variables you can not make a carper statement one is better than the other. You could modify a piece of equipment and make a judgement on that one piece.  

As to wall power vs a battery, most people have crap wall power.  Even those that add circuits usually have some issues.  An isolation transformer is also a benefit.  But you need a good one.  Not some deal you scored off ebay. 

Getting your electrical to a premium level is money.  So is a true battery system providing 120 volt to a rack.  I calculate it to about $18k in parts if your  going to drive a whole home system.  The battery are the lion share.  The inverter is a critical link.  

And after all that, you still have not addressed RF that is entering through the equipment itself.  

FWIW.  The best inverters I have seen have about 3%thd.  Depends on the load to some extent.  The worst houses I have measured have about 5%thd.  Most are about 3%.  

Low frequency inverters give better peak power than high frequency.  Never use a modified sine wave inverter. 

Remember, lithium batteries do have a tendency to burst into a fire ball durring charging.  Don't buy some cheap piece of crap and use it in your house.  Buy a good one.  And get the $500 charger they want to sell you that is made for that battery.

You can also just buy a Tesla powerwall and plug directly into it.  Or a Stromtank.  Or a PS Audio.  Or a Pure Power.  Funny how so many people have owned and sold that gear because they like the wall better.  And yet audio forum members who may or may not have any relevant understanding of electrical components are going to cobble together some parts and outclass a full scale corporation. Not saying it cant be done.  Just saying, real business are trying and partially succeeding.  

Due to my summer home location I am off the grid so I am using a fairly substantial solar installation ie six 425 watt panels four 465 AGM amp hr batteries a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter the system has no issues powering an Audis Fortissimo integrated tube amp a Sugden a21se signature pure class A amp and Goldnote PA10 mono blocks and DS 10 pre/dac/streamer I also have an AYON S10 MK ll signature pre/dac/streamer I have had nothing but pure listening pleasure on my Audiovector R6 Arette speakers I just purchased a Nordost QB8 MK 3 power bar for fine tuning 

It’s been awhile so I feel like I should chime in with my findings. What I’ve found is that I get better sound with the following setup rather than going direct to a 12V battery with my equipment that can take 12V DC. It seems counterintuitive because it’s adding so many extra components compared to just a battery but I swear it sounds better. 

For example, here is how I have powered my preamp which needs 12V DC to run:

12V DC 75 Ah sealed AGM battery -> 600 watt, 120V AC, pure sine wave power inverter -> 12V DC extra low noise power supply -> preamp.

It know it seems funny to start with 12V DC and end up with 12V DC but it just sounds better than plugging the 12V DC battery directly into the preamp. If you think about it, it’s not all that different than a PS Audio Power Plant, and it seems to avoid many of the problems with direct battery powered systems.