2. amps-preamps
  3. 1247008529

battery powered with 'vivid' sound

I am looking for battery powered amp options that have a sound signature more vivid in nature than refined. I'm basically looking for a battery powered version of a Manley tube amp operating in triode mode (connected to a pair of ProAc 1SC). My real objective is to get my components off the grid and save the thousands of dollars I would otherwise spend on re-wiring the house, power conditioning, and cables.

I have a Red Wine Signature 30.2 that I'm trying out and there is a lot to like about it; detail and staging blow away the Manley and my acoustic jazz on vinyl is wonderful. But it comes up shy to what I want with rock and pop, it's not as emotional or involving compared to the Manley.

Suggestions?
shazam
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
I have a battery-operated preamp from another manufacturer. The point of disconnecting the power cord from the preamp during operation is to address RF issues that would otherwise result from being connected to the AC grid, or even having an unconnected power cord dangling from the back of the preamp.
shazam OP
205 posts
 
Rottenclam; you can indeed disconnect and take a battery amp like the RWA with you. The lit that tells you to leave it plugged in is should probably be clearer and let you know "you can unplug it if you like, but you don't have to and it is still running off the battery." Most leave it plugged in for simplicity sake (if the snarl of wires behind your rack is like mine, it's a pain to unplug something).

In the case of RWA, SLA batteries work best when fully charged at all times, so it makes sense it charges up every time after any use. Some batteries (like Lithion, I believe) will charge and power equipment better after being fully drained and can actually go bad if kept charged all the time.
cruz123
586 posts
 
The RWA products have a "smart" module that causes the charger to engage when the batteries are drained to a certain level. The concern with SLA batteries is that if you drain them too much at one time they cannot fully recover and it significantly reduces their useful life. The reason the reviewers - and RWA - tell you to leave the RWA's plugged is so that the smart module will kick in when needed and save the batteries. They will certainly operate without being plugged in, but you risk excessive discharge if you listen too long. I owned a competing battery product without the smart module feature and battery maintenance was an issue.
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
What is the advantage of battery power if you're still plugged in to the AC grid, and therefore have done nothing to reduce RF?

The battery that comes with my preamp can go days without being recharged. It all depends on the technology the manufacturer uses.
redwineaudio
32 posts
 
Hi Jimjoyce25,

Again, I cannot speak for all manufacturers who implement battery power, but with Red Wine Audio products, even when the charger is plugged in, it is completely disconnected from the batteries internally (via our SMART board), so you ARE isolated from the grid.

You only need to plug into the grid when you need to charge the batteries (but at that time, the unit is turned OFF).

As the others mentioned above, I recommend to keep it plugged in all the time for convenience, so when you turn OFF, the charging automatically begins. However, you certainly can run our equipment with the chargers not plugged in.

Hope this makes sense,

Vinnie
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