custom power supplies: feasibility RE: RPTR issues

["Timothy Mungenast" <mungenast@earthlink.net>]

Do you guys think this Pete Toms fellow could do something like this: make
a power supply to replace the two 4-pound AC wallwarts for the Vortex
(complete with its oddball connector) and the VF-1? (I'd love to use my
lightweight-but-powerful Godlyke Powerall, but no dice! 14 volts AC indeed!
It's like a car maker building a vehicle that can only run on the musk of
the tree-dwelling elephant ;-)
My needs are simple: 3 outputs (9VAC, 1000 mA; 14VAC, 1000mA; and a
standard, ordinary 9VDC of around 800mA or so just in case). 
Always interested in shaving off a few pounds, either from my equipment or
myself,
Tim


> [Original Message]
> From: William Walker <billwalker@baymoon.com>
> To: <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
> Date: 12/14/2005 6:54:05 PM
> Subject: RE: RPTR issues
>
> Yes the Pete Toms power supply is noticeably quieter, though I haven't
tried
> his internal shielding mod yet. good suggestion.
> Bill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mech [mailto:mech@m3ch.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9:00 AM
> To: Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com
> Subject: Re: RPTR issues
>
>
> At 8:11 AM -0800 12/14/05, Zoe Keating wrote:
> >On Dec 14, 2005, at 12:55 AM, William Walker wrote:
> >>  regarding hiss and peaks, are you running the rptr in a parallel
effects
> >>loop with the input mute engaged?  you should be for optimal sound
> >
> >Yes, I've tried this one but don't do it because the back LEFT input
> >of the RPTR is very noisy (more ticking - forgot to mention this).
> >It ticks loudly when only one input is engaged, it ticks quietly
> >when both are engaged. Stephen said that the mod to fix output
> >ticking would also fix the input problem? Both the RPTRs do this.
>
> It really sounds like you need to look into some of the noise mods
> that have been developed for the RPTR, Zoe.
>
> The first was the power supply replacement, developed by Peter Toms
> at Condor Electronics up in Seattle (who may be the person your
> friend was referring to earlier).  Just regulating cleaner power
> reduced the noise by a few dB's.
>
> Then, a fellow in Massachusetts developed a internal mod to reduce
> overall noise, with a mind toward reducing the CFC card noise
> specifically.  From what I understand, the circuitry for the CFC (as
> well as the circuit for the front side guitar input) is too close
> physically to the output stage and produces unneeded noise.  This mod
> disables the front panel input entirely, and buffers the CFC stage
> resulting in quite a reduction in unit noise.
>
> Lately, I've seen Peter Toms announce that he figured out a new mod
> which incorporates both his improved power supply along with similar
> internal modifications to the unit.  This one supposedly reduces
> output noise by up to 25 dB(!).
>
> Finally, a well known but quick-&-easy workaround to the "CFC
> clicking" problem is to simply use the RPTR's digital SPDIF output
> which, from what I understand, bypasses the amplification stage as
> well as the noisy circuitry.  Of course, the caveat there is that you
> actually have to have a mixing board or adapter to plug the digital
> output *into*.
>
> Good luck with getting the noise tamed.  I seem to have gotten lucky
> with my RPTR, and don't seem to have the same level of noise you're
> experiencing (but there is still some noise, though).  I may send my
> unit in to Peter for the mod anyway, just because I'm a fidelity
> snob.  ;)
>
>       --m.
>
> --
> _______
> "Now Simulcast on Crazy People's Fillings"
>
>
>