DC regulated linear power supply -- circuit board
Advantages of linear power supply: small output ripple (the smaller the output ripple, the higher the purity of the output DC power, which is also an important symbol of the quality of the DC power supply) The high-frequency interference is small, and the aluminum alloy shell is generally used, with shielding and anti-interference effects it is good. Some high-end wires are grounded separately for each set of outputs.
Disadvantages of linear power supply: a relatively bulky and bulky toroidal transformer is required, which is large in size and requires a heat sink for high power consumption. The production cost is high and the production process is relatively difficult.
I believe that seeing this, the old fans can clearly see the difference. Maybe the disadvantage of switching power supply is not a big problem in other fields, but in the HIFI field, it has become a fatal weakness. The main purpose of making the power supply part into a switching power supply is to save production and R&D costs, reduce the price of equipment in the market, create a phenomenon that good products are not expensive, and maximize profits.
Many devices come standard with plastic switching power supplies. The resulting disadvantages are obvious. The first is the small size and insufficient power supply current. Especially when the current is required for large dynamic moments. This kind of external power supply seems to be stretched. Due to its small size and compact circuit, it is prone to serious heat generation when used for a long time. The plastic casing also cannot isolate the interference from the outside world. The power supply introduces the interference source into the HIFI equipment, resulting in large current noise. The sound effect is naturally greatly reduced. A set of high-quality HIFI system is dragged down by such an inconspicuous little thing.
The power supply has always been a very important link affecting the audio system. A stable and low-noise power supply can make the existing equipment play its true strength. Unfortunately, in terms of cost, efficiency, or marketing strategy, most of the DC Adapters used with audio equipment are basic switching power supplies. Since it is a basic model, you can’t ask for too much. The situation has evolved into the fact that the audio equipment itself has good performance, but the overall performance is dragged down by a poor power supply. It is really a pity!
Short summary: more and more brand equipment adopts external switching power supply, mainly to reduce equipment cost and reduce equipment volume, so as to realize equipment composed of various high-parameter parts and chips, but the price can be relatively low, thereby improving Product price competitiveness. However, this kind of external switching power supply often brings more negative effects to the equipment, which is why many enthusiasts upgrade the linear power supply by themselves after buying this kind of equipment. There are many positive points (in fact, it should be said that a good linear power supply can make the potential of the device better displayed).
