Comparison of Eurorack DIY PSUs
A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper linear power supply and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.[1] Switch-mode power supplies are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient than linear power supplies but produce more noise, (above audio range) on their output.[2]
Safety
Mains voltages can kill and capacitors in disconnected power supplies can still deliver quite a jolt. Unless you're qualified to work with mains electricity, ready made external transformers are safer.
| Brand | Model (& web page) | Type | Volts & Amps | Transformer type | Main components | Distribution | Licence | Comments | Further info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Befaco | Power bus DIY kit | hybrid | +/-12V @ 0.7A, 5V @ 0.3A | internal switched +/-15V DC unit | LM317TL, LM337TL, 78M05 | Regulators are on a bus with 14 headers | CC-BY-SA | Linear regulators supplied by switched +/-15V unit. Sold as PCB and components kit. | schematic, assy instructions, Eagle files |
| Clicks & Clocks | PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.2A | toroidal attached to PCB | LM317, LM337 | Separate bus with 14 headers | With permission of Doepfer | Modelled on Doepfer A-100 PSU2 | A-100 Technical Details |
| Dintree | D112 Power Supply | switching | +/-12V @ 0.625A, 5V @ 0.5A | external 12V DC brick | VBED15, 7805 | 12 headers on PSU PCB | for non-commercial use only | Uses ready made DC to DC converter | schematic |
| Eowave | DIY PSU | switching | +/-12V @ 1.5V, 5V @ 0.5A | external 15V 4A DC brick | 2xLM2576T, 7805 | Separate bus with 15 headers | proprietary | Sold as PCB and components kit | Muff Wiggler forum |
| Erica Synths | 12V bipolar 1.5A PSU | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | toroidal attached to PCB | LM317, LM337 | Separate bus with 14 headers | proprietary | PCB, hardware and components kit | Muff Wiggler forum |
| Frequency Central | FC Power DIY | linear | +/-12V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 0.1A | 12V AC wall wart | 7812, 7912, 78L05 | 1 header or solder pads | PCB only. Inexpensive solution for small Euro system. | FC Power Build Doc | |
| L-1 | 12V bipolar linear PSU+busboards | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | Includes 5V regulator | |||||
| MFOS | Adjustable LM317/LM337 1.5A Supply | linear | +/-12V @ 1.5A | ||||||
| MFOS | Wall Wart Power Supply | linear | +12V @ 1A | ||||||
| stroh | modular power supply | linear | toroidal mounted on PCB | LM317T,LM337T,LM1086 | Detachable 2"x6" 12 header board with 5x10-pin Euro, 4x16-pin Euro, 8x6-pin Dotcom/MU and 8xMOTM/Frac headers. | PCB only and full kit. | Muff Wiggler forum | ||
| Synthrotek | Deluxe Power Module | linear | |||||||
| Synthrotek | Eurorack 5A Power Supply | linear | +12V @ 2.2A, -12V @ 1.3A, +5V @ 1.5A |
References
- ^ Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Muff Wiggler forum, 23 Feb 2014
- ^ Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies
External links
- Linear Power Supplies!, Muff Wiggler forum, Jun. 2013
- Power supply battle: TipTop,Elby,Doepfer,MakeNoise,4ms etc, Muff Wiggler forum, Oct. 2013
- Best Eurorack Power Supply (PSU) for your buck?, Muff Wiggler forum, Feb. 2014
- New Doepfer Power Supply A-100PSU3, Muff Wiggler forum, Oct. 2015
- The big eurorack PSU list, for a wider comparison both DIY and ready made