X-PSU dead...worth repairing with only 1 X unit?

[gnostic19]

I run an X-Pre (with your upgraded parts) that had been running off of a the wall wart for some time. My X-PSU crapped out some time ago. Is there benefit in me opening it it up and exploring a repair job or is the wall wart suitable enough (sonically) for running the X-Pre?

thanks

[PinkFloyd]

Oct 28, 2021 23:10:00 GMT gnostic19 said:

I run an X-Pre (with your upgraded parts) that had been running off of a the wall wart for some time. My X-PSU crapped out some time ago. Is there benefit in me opening it it up and exploring a repair job or is the wall wart suitable enough (sonically) for running the X-Pre?

thanks

Hi,

Welcome to the forum gnostic19. The X-PSU is nothing more than an 80VA toroidal transformer with 4 x 20VA secondary outputs. There is no secondary fusing system so if the 80VA toroidal decides to go into meltdown then the whole toroid is pretty much toast. A very bad design BUT only when things go wrong, the X-PSU is a great power supply but if one of your X-Ponents goes tits up it blows the X-PSU toroids internal fuse (non replaceable) and you are looking at replacing the entire toroid (80VA with 4 x 20VA secondary outputs) VERY expensive and I truly doubt MF could supply one considering they went out of business a couple of years ago.

If there was a fuse (of any sort) inside the X-PSU I would advise you to check the fuse but, as I say, when an X-Ponent goes tits up it takes out the non replaceable fuse inside the transformer so your X-PSU is essentially toast.

The stock 500mA wallwart is fine, it will get you up and running but to get the best out of your X-PRE you need a PSU with a bit more juice on tap........ most of the "off the shelf" transformers are sold out / awaiting stock at the moment but This one is a lot more beefey than your stock 500mA wallwart and is a plug and play (all ready to go) good / cheap upgrade for your stock 500mA one.

Ideally I would go with this one but they are out of stock..... may be worth e-mailing them to ask when they are expecting fresh stock but lead times (waiting times) at the moment are very long due to the f**ked up state of the world at the moment.

Bottom line...... your stock MF 500mA wallwart will do the job but if you want it to do it's job properly and get the best sonics out of it then definitely go with a beefier power supply.

My Little Pinkie ticks all the boxes but it doesn't come cheap: www.rock-grotto.co.uk/pinkiev2.htm


Hope this helps,

All the best,

Mike.