Fully DC-Powered Home Audio System


I’ve been experimenting with battery-powering various pieces of my audio system for the last 6 months. It started with front end gear such as sources and preamps and I got good results. Due to poor in-wall wiring which greatly limits current delivery to my amplifiers (and the lack of time to run new wiring), I was compelled to try my hand at battery powering my speaker amplifiers. These were the last components to be powered by batteries, effectively making my system 100% DC-powered, off-grid.

What I have noticed with battery power is that the sound is very organic and natural which makes certain musical pieces like cello and piano works sound wonderful. With faster paced music that has lots of “dynamic slam,” the music seems a bit tamed. A tad boring.

It seems that battery power has a sonic signature. I’m wondering if it is just an intrinsic quality of “battery sound,” or if the “dynamic slam” can be improved upon. A few ideas that have crossed my mind include using larger batteries or incorporating large capacitors somehow.

Really I think what I am asking is how do you make battery powered gear have the slam and authority of good AC-powered gear while maintaining the naturalness and off-grid benefits that batteries offer?

Thanks!
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Showing 1 response by patrickcarey

On occasion I run my entire stereo from a Yeti 1000x.   Depending on the equipment, cabling and music there is a usually an audible difference in the quality of the sound.  Sometimes it is subtle, sometimes the difference is impressive.  

Interesting that my digital sources are generally most improved by running from a battery, and the power amps not so much.  

Next stop a synchro Uni DC filter from Isotek.  

And sound engineers have experience and are willing to comment ?