PRODUCTS

RON'S POWER SUPPLY BLOG:

A current trend in audio design is the use of very inexpensive wall-mounted power supplies often referred to as wall warts. They are typically switching power supplies (as opposed to a linear regulated supply) and therefore can be made very small and dirt cheap. Now there is nothing wrong with switching power supplies if done right, but wall warts aren't done right... in fact they basically suck!

Now quite a few of the products that use wall-warts are considered mid-fi by many, but an inferior power supply may be the only aspect of the design that is earning the piece such a low ranking. At Welborne Labs we believe that power supplies can contribute 40% or more of the sonic quality to an audio design. While many think of a power supply as being a possible source of noise, a poorly designed supply can also increase total harmonic distortion, squash transient information, such as dynamics and deep bass, and in general cast a vail over the music.

In actuality, there are many sleeping-giant products out there on the market that just need a little help in the power supply department in order to realize their true potential. The Logitech Squeezebox and Sonic Impact T-amp products are just a few of the very prominent examples. We've had so many customers ask us if our Squeezebox power supply upgrade can work with product X or product Y that we have dedicated this page to serving your needs.

"A very nice upgrade for my SB3 and Channel Islands DAC. Thanks." Rodney - St. Paul

"I am very happy. Very good sound." Hiroshi - Osaka

"Excellent product! I'm glad I chose the Welborne Labs supply over your competitor's. I think I just saved myself a whole lotta money!" Bob - California

"I just upgraded to the Squeezebox Duet and added your power supply. I must say that I am truly impressed with the sound quality. I will tell all my friends" Jay - Hong Kong

"Quick and easy to build. The music is much better now" Erik - Denmark

"Hey Ron, what a nice surprise this supply made. Now I gotta get more music loaded onto the cpu" Eldon - Nevada

"Your power supply made a HUGE IMPROVEMENT even when I use the digital output" Jan - Sweden

"The PSU finally arrived a few days after your last e mail, following a long going back and forth from the post office to customs and back to post office (Greek Bureaucracy). I assembled it following the instructions and hooked it in my SB3. My system consists of magnepan mg12 sps and musical fidelity A3 amp driven by Sb3. First listening impressions wasn't quit satisfying, just a mild improvement in lower end volume and control. After a 3 day job trip, while the PSU remained on, I had a second listening and WOW!!!!!! there was an overall improvement in all aspects , I did a couple of A-B blind tests with the stock PSU and the difference was quite noticeable even for my 10 year old son. Thanks for this great product." Pantelis - Athens

SQUEEZEBOX POWER SUPPLY UPGRADE

NOW ON SALE - 20% OFF

The Logitech Squeezebox has become a very popular streaming music player however it is packaged with a very wimpy and noisy switching power supply that inhibits its true potential.

Our upgrade design incorporates a tightly regulated linear power supply featuring low noise Schottky rectifier diodes, low noise, low drop-out voltage regulator chips, Ultra low impedance Nichicon capacitors and a high-current-low-noise-split-bobbin transformer (get it? it's designed for very low noise). Our power supply measures less than 50 microvolts of ripple under full load resulting in very quiet operation with plenty of reserve current for good dynamics. Additional benefits are obtained with the use of a ceramic fuse, Vishay/Dale 1% metal film resistors, Wima polypropylene bypass cap, heavier gauge dc power cable and a detachable ac power cord.

The sonic results achieved include a blacker background with excellent low level resolution and detail, an expanded soundstage along with deeper and tighter bass. The Squeezebox sounds pretty good stock, but our power supply will raise the performance to the level you demand. We're confident you will hear the improvement!

The aluminum chassis measures just: 4.25"W(108mm) x 7"D(178mm) x1.8"H(46mm) and is available in red, black or clear silver anodized finish. All versions accept detachable AC power cords however the cord is NOT included and must be purchased separately.

We have Power Supply Upgrades for the Squeezebox Classic, Squeezebox 2 & 3, Duet and the new Touch. Please specify below when ordering. Available factory assembled for $265.00 or kit for $210.00. The factory assembled version is warranted for a period of three years.

NOW ON SALE - 20% OFF

Factory Assembled Power Supplies are warranted for 3 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are other enclosure colors available? Our stocked colors currently are red and black. Clear anodized aluminum is also available with an extra 5-7 day lead time but no extra charge. So if you don't mind the wait, we will be more than happy to provide this color.

Do you offer an upgrade to the umbilical cable? Our new umbilical cable uses 18ga. teflon insulated conductors. Because the Squeezebox products use the miniature dc power plugs it's nearly impossible to use a larger diameter wire. I guess you could get really creative and use big-wire with little-wire pigtails soldered to the end, but we'll let you do that mod on your own.

How long is the umbilical cable? The upgrade is shipped with 3 feet of umbilical cable. If we are assembling the Squeezebox upgrade for you, please specify your preferred length up to 5 feet. Longer than 5 feet is not recommended.

Will the Squeezebox Power Supply Upgrade work on international voltages? Yes, 115V and 230V operation are available.

What is the amperage rating of the supply? Our power supply can provide up to 3.5 amperes of current. I believe the Squeezebox 3 and Duet require 1 amp, earlier versions may have been spec'd 1.5 amps so our upgrade has plenty of headroom.

Seems like a lot of money for a linear supply, how come so much? Well our upgrade is not a typical linear power supply. From the circuit topology, circuit board layout and parts selection it has been designed for super low noise operation. Plus, you get a nice enclosure that is pre-punched, all shielded cabling and a step-by-step assembly manual... that's worth a little extra don't you think? You can find an off-the-shelf linear supply at your local surplus house or in many electronics catalog for $100 or less but it won't have the features our supply possesses, it won't necessarily be low noise nor will it sound as good. Read what our customers think.

OUR SQUEEZEBOX POWER SUPPLY UPGRADE CUSTOMERS ALSO PURCHASED THESE PRODUCTS
#1 U.S. Version Power Cord
#2 EURO Power Cord
#3 WLabs 4' Power Cord Kit
#4 U.K. Power Cord
For more details click above links

"This is my second power supply! Absolutely love the way the SB3 sounds with your power supply and want one for my second SB3 in another room." Ron - Massachusetts

"Hi Ron, I just finished the power supply and am hearing a very nice improvement even before it's broken in. I might have to try your CATO modules as the output stage for my Duet" Darren - Seattle

ECONOMICAL MOLDED CABLES WITH SHIELD

Most molded power cables are not shielded thus creating more harm than good! We offer these very good quality shielded power cables with molded ends at affordable prices. Shielding your AC lines can make a noticeable improvement without spending a lot of money! Available versions for the U.S., Continental Europe, the U.K. and Australia.

molded power cords

welborne labs power cords

You can also purchase our Squeezebox power supplies without the case. Click on the photo for more details of our PSX power supply.

"Wow,what an improvement" Jerry - Iowa

"This is a tremendous product. I can't believe my ears" Alex - California

"What a nice surprise! I wasn't really expecting that much since I am using an external DAC. But the music literally came to life with your power supply. Thanks for making such a great product at an affordable price.."Ben - Tennessee

"Thanks Ron. Another great product from you. The power supply upgrade really tightened up the bass and the background IS much blacker now." Edward - Minnesota

"This is a great improvement to the Squeezebox. The dynamics I was missing are back, the bass is better and it just sounds less 'digital' now. Keep up the good work!" Ted - California