LPS-80 Dual 6V+6V

Reviewer: Srajan Ebaen
Financial interests: click here
Main system: Sources: Retina 5K 27" iMac (i5, 256GB SSD, 40GB RAM, Sonoma 14), 4TB external SSD with Thunderbolt 3, Audirvana Studio, Qobuz Sublime, Gustard U26 USB bridge, LHY Audio SW-8 & SW-6 switch, Sonnet Pasithea; Preamp: Hattor Audio ARP-S; Active filter: spl Audio Crossover MkII; Power amplifiers: Vinshine/Kinki Dazzle & mono NC500 Nord Acoustic amps on subwoofer; Loudspeakers: Qualio IQ [on loan]; Subwoofer: sound|kaos D15; Cables: Exact Express Flame, Furutech; Power delivery: 2 x Kinki/Vinshine Tai Hang on amps and source stack, Furutech DPS-4.1 between wall and conditioners; Equipment rack: Artesanía Audio Exoteryc double-wide 3-tier with optional glass shelves, Exoteryc amp stands; Sundry accessories: Acoustic System resonators, AudioQuest FogLifters; Room: 6 x 8m with open door behind listening seat; Room treatment: 2 x PSI Audio AVAA C214 active bass traps
1st upstairs speaker system: Source: FiiO R7 into Soundaware D300Ref SD transport to Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe with POW; Preamp/filter: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box 2; Amplifier: Kinki Studio EX-B7 monos; Loudspeakers: sound|kaos Vox3awf; Subwoofer: Zu Method; Cable loom: Exact Express Earth; Power delivery: Vibex Granada/Alhambra, Akiko Audio Corelli Corundum & Castello Solo; Equipment rack: Hifistay Mythology Transform X-Frame [on extended loan]; Sundry accessories: Furutech cable lifts, Furutech NFC Clear Lines; Room: ~3.5 x 8m
1st upstairs headfi system: DAC: Cen.Grand DSDAC 1.0 Deluxe with POW; Headamp: Cen.Grand Silver Fox; Headphones: Raal 1995 Magna, HifiMan Susvara
Desktop system: Source: HP Z2 workstation Win11/64; USB isolator: LHY UIP; LAN distributors: LHY AS6 Pro & SW6-SFP; Ethernet reclocker: Stack SmoothLAN; DACs: Gustard R26II & Audalytic DR70; Preamp: Topping A900; Speaker amps: Topping B200 monos; Headphone amp: Enleum AMP-23R; Loudspeakers: Virtual Hifi Viper; Headphones: Final D-8000, aune SR7000, FiiO FT7, HifiMan Susvara Unveiled
2nd upstairs headfi system: Shanling EM7; Headphones: Meze 109 Pro, Fiio FT3, HifiMan HE1000 Unveiled
2nd upstairs speaker system: Source: smsl PL200T CD transport, 1TB microSD; DAC: Shanling EM7; Crossover: Lifesaver Audio Gradient Box II;  Amplifiers: LAIV Crescendo Chorus monos; Loudspeakers: MonAcoustic SuperMon Mini with Dynaudio S18 subwoofer
2-channel video system: Source: Oppo BDP-105; All-in-One: Gold Note IS-1000 Deluxe; Loudspeakers: ModalAkustik MusikBoxx; Subwoofer: Zu Mission; Power delivery: Furutech eTP-8, Room: ~6x4m
Review component retail: $394

Proof of life. Even though nobody got kidnapped or shanghaied, today that's all we're on about. Enter my little Route 66 challenge. I had two 6VDC wall warts in one system which audiophile housecleaning meant to retire. One powers the remote control and display of a balanced autoformer passive preamp. The other animates the guts of an active analogue crossover. A recent altercation—of a class D amp going into protection in what due to earlier such behaviour with other gear I assumed was some injected DC from these warts—had suggested that I finally do something about my gauche little switchers. Whilst 5V linear supplies are readily sourced, my 6V needs only chanced upon one option whose looks I didn't fancy. Also, it'd take two units to service my two specimens so twice the ransom. LHY's catalogue had filled many a past personal hifi hole. So I inquired whether their LPS-80 Dual linear supply could be custom-configured for 6V/4A+6V/4A rather than the listed 5V/4A+5V/4A. Their 24-hour reply was affirmative. For the price of the competing single-port unit, I could now power both my 6VDC components off one AC receptacle. Bull's eye!

The two wall-wart components in question were the two top boxes on the sidewall rack.

Why then mere proof of life? Because sonically I'd have zero change. The passive-magnetic pre's readout and remote couldn't care less about linear vs switching power. The same would be true for the basic frequency-divider job of the active filter. Would potential absence of two generic wall warts no longer injecting UHF switching noise into the powerline register at the ear? I didn't bank on it. Again, the trigger for this power supply addition was elimination of potential DC on the line to prevent a switch-mode amp from shutting itself off. So today is merely a public service notice to shoppers with atypical DC-power values. LHY Audio are flexible. As long as one of their existing power supplies can deliver the total single or dual voltage you need, they're happy to configure them to your requirements. So next time you shop for a 16V+4V or other non-standard solution and can't find one… pop off an email to LHY. They can most probably sort you out.

Proof of life? Delivered!