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Well I did It! I managed to damage my phono pre-am (sigh)

So, I managed to damage my SimAudio Moon 110lp v2!

I am embarrassed to even be posting all this but whatever, perhaps someone could learn from my mistakes.

Recently I had made a post asking for feedback on Tube Phono Stages as I have been pondering about upgrading.

But I also wanted to see if I could perhaps squeeze out more performance out of the SimAudio and hence I also inquire about SUT's and what they can do.

One other aspect that I thought may improve the performance was getting a LPS.

So, I purchased the Ifi LPS as I had read good reviews of it (that unit is fine by that way). 

My SimAudio is 24vdc and I bought the Ifi 24v 2.5amp, thinking that would be the correct LPS.

It was delivered and I unplugged everything from the SimAudio.

The Ifi comes with different plug adapters but the default plug, plugged right in and I thought great, I won't have to use the adapters.

Plugged everything in and the SimAudio blue light came on but no sound!

Pugged the SimAudio back to its power adapter and all sounded fine.

Then I though, well maybe I do need to use one of the adapters and tried the correct one and same result, no sound. 

Went back to the default plug and then the blue light was flashing on the Sim and just a few seconds later, a puff of white smoke!

Unplugged everything immediately but knew right away the Sim was done for.

No other damage, the Ifi is fine and I will be returning that.

But my little SimAudio is no more.

Damn! I really liked that unit and was going to keep that around for a 2ndary system.

I feel horrible. At least it's not a terribly expensive unit but I just feel like crap about the situation.

Now for sure, I am going to have to get a new Phono Stage.

I just don't understand what went wrong, power wise, I thought for sure I was getting the correct unit.

Well, I'm just ranting here and getting it out as only you guys will understand.

Thanks for listening.

Jay 

 

jay73
jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
246 posts
 

I know I goofed by not using the correct adapter.

I still feel the Ifi LPS would have provided some benefit to the 110lp if only I had used it correctly.

I am going to be sending my 110lp to SimAudio for eval to see if it be saved because I hate to just toss it to the curb.

I might even ask SimAudio if I can send the Ifi along and perhaps they can test it to see if it works, if they are willing to.

Regardless of all this, I am also going to be acquriing another phono stage, just not sure which one just yet.

I appreciate all the feedback as it helps me to learn new things.

I am not by any means as knowledgeable when it comes to all the nuances of power applications as many on there.

Thanks

Jay

lewm
14,649 posts
 

As regards SMPS vs LPS, a well designed SMPS can do the job just fine.  Problem is that most of the low end "stuff" is using an SMPS to operate, and so we associate the SMPS with bad or mediocre sound.  David Berning has been using SMPSs in his amplifiers for decades, and his work competes with the best.  I can pick up his ZH270 with one hand. 

jay73's avatar
jay73 OP
246 posts
 

@dover Hi, I know you can't say for sure because you don't have the equipment in front of you but are you saying that I probably should have used the white adapter, which the ifi did come with?

dover
2,495 posts
 

@jay73 

Hi - short answer is I don't know.

Couple of things -

I checked on fleabay and found LPS for the Moon 110 - its 24v 1amp max.

It is possible your ifi at 2.5amps may have supplied momentarily too much current on switch on. One thing to be aware of is never switch gear on and off and on again straightaway because on switch on you get an inrush, and power supply caps that have not fully discharged can be overcharged if the power is turned off and on too quickly in succession.

With regard to polarity - you could get a tech to check your original moon SMPS for voltage, current and polarity - would only take a few minutes. If you don't know a tech, try companies that provide PA equipment - they usually have techs to service their gear. Alternately your local hifi shop may have a list of techs you could use.

I would try a local tech first as it is probably the cheapest option. 

 

 

 

 

devinplombier
1,635 posts
 

@dover

It is the device, in this case the phono stage, that determines how much current flows into it. If the device is asking 500 mA from a PSU that's rated for 50 A, only 500 mA will flow. In other words, there is no way a PSU can damage a device by supplying it with too much current, unless it's asking for it. For instance, if the device that normally uses 500 mA develops an dead short, then the PSU will pump 50 A into it and fry it to a crisp; but that's the device's fault, not the PSU's.

 

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