I have been using allo Shanti lps with allo usb signature . Recently I experimented with having 4nimh batteries to run the allo usb signature and I was surprised. The whole presentation changes for better. Though batteries are not feasible in long run as full charge just runs it for half an hour or so. What are the options can we have similar performance to batteries using any lps. Anyone upgraded from allo Shanti or tried a better lps.
lps alternatives to Allo Shanti
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If you prefer the battery way, get a Li-Poly battery HAT that will fit atop the pi.
Something like this with additional 40 pin header to connect you digione Signature board also.
https://hubtronics.in/li-poly-power-backup-hat-raspberry-pi
I would not recommend another LPS. Shanthi is very good, you need to scale quite a bit up in price for any further improvement.
Those batteries are 3.2v or 3.7v and have bms inside. I suppose they use a dc converter to output 5v for pi. That is switching type and introduces noise. I have tried the power banks and they don't sound good. The eneloop nimh batteries are 1.2v and 4 of them in series work and sound best. So it's the native batteries i found that work best, 5v is awkward voltage for a native battery.
no...that was just an example. You also get that support lifepo4 batteries which are considered the best. Check out Waveshare products......
ok...looks like they all use DC-DC switching. Possibly you can get an external battery pack and use.
All kind of batteries will use native cells inside them and will produce a voltage that's either equal to or only multiple of cell voltage if in series. Native voltage for lead acid cell is around 2v, alkaline about 1.5v. A native lifepo4 cell is always 3.2v. li ion cell is 3.7v. So native output can only be multiple of these values. All such power packs and battery banks that will use such batteries which use a noisy dc to dc converter to convert to 5v for use. It's very difficult to get 5v from native batteries. Nimh is 1.2v and 4 of them produce 4.8v which is working for usb signature though it's still under 5.2v that's ideal. Problem is that they will discharge quickly as there are not high capacity.
You can use around 6-8 NiMH batteries in series behind a low noise LPS like LM317 regulator. It is just Rs 210 or so. Replace the capacitor with a better one from Keltron, adjust the trimmer to give you 5.2 v and you will be done.
Regarding Shanti, you many be getting more noise compared to NiMH because Shanti is connected to Mains. The Shanti has better low noise regulator than LM317. Try connecting a thick wire from the Shanti earth terminal to the earth terminal of your usbridge (both have earth terminals). That will eliminate any ground loop that you may be having in your setup.
I'm using shanti with a thick wire connecting my shanti, usbridge, allo revolution dac (all have the earth terminal) and my Preamp. It totally eliminates ground noise.
There is another option. Open your Shanti. Connect your NiMH battery pack output to the rectified output inside Shanti. There will be lot of molten wax inside Shanti. You will have to remove it if you want to attach the battery pack on the top. But the bottom of the PCB is accessible. You could connect your battery pack to the bottom. With a bit of ingenuity, you could make a hole in the face plate, put a DC socket that connects to the rectified output. In that case you can connect the battery plug to the shanti using a DC barrel plug allowing you to use the SHanti without the mains.
You will require some DIY skills, circuit tracing skills, Drilling skill and soldering skill to pull this off. Your post has inspired me to try this. Just need to kick my lazy ass into action. From your replies in other posts, I believe you have good electrical knowledge
Regarding Shanti, you many be getting more noise compared to NiMH because Shanti is connected to Mains. The Shanti has better low noise regulator than LM317. Try connecting a thick wire from the Shanti earth terminal to the earth terminal of your usbridge (both have earth terminals). That will eliminate any ground loop that you may be having in your setup.
I'm using shanti with a thick wire connecting my shanti, usbridge, allo revolution dac (all have the earth terminal) and my Preamp. It totally eliminates ground noise.
There is another option. Open your Shanti. Connect your NiMH battery pack output to the rectified output inside Shanti. There will be lot of molten wax inside Shanti. You will have to remove it if you want to attach the battery pack on the top. But the bottom of the PCB is accessible. You could connect your battery pack to the bottom. With a bit of ingenuity, you could make a hole in the face plate, put a DC socket that connects to the rectified output. In that case you can connect the battery plug to the shanti using a DC barrel plug allowing you to use the SHanti without the mains.
You will require some DIY skills, circuit tracing skills, Drilling skill and soldering skill to pull this off. Your post has inspired me to try this. Just need to kick my lazy ass into action. From your replies in other posts, I believe you have good electrical knowledge
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For nimh I don't need to do all this as 4 of eneloop batteries are able to power the allo usb signature and works fine but they discharge so quickly in around half an hour. So for nimh dont need the voltage regulation but high capacity nimh batteries are not available to could power on for atleast 4-5 hours.
One option is to have multiple 4cell packs of eneloops (let's says total 40 batteries) and putting them in parallel to each other but it would be a hassle to charge them all and beyond my diy skills to make a charger for it.
The options you offered would be useful for lifepo4 and li ion and other batteries where voltage is above 5v and need to be regulated. But then these batteries are not as charge friendly as nimh (that's why you will always find them coming with bms) and i dont want to make a blast in my room. But mind you any regulator in front of battery will cause noise (only that it would be isolated) but not keen to go that route if i want to just operate on battery.
Looks like I was trying to find an upgrade to allo Shanti but the thread has now gone in battery space, not that i complain
I have experimented lot with allo Shanti, try to change the dc cable and make it shorter. It also helps. The 1a output is little more cleaner but not according to my taste it takes all juice away from music. Getting to the bottom of circuit board is a problem as the transformer needs to be taken out after desoldering wires. There is choke at ac input which can be bypassed also ( I dont like chokes in my ac input)
The 4 eneloops gives the best sound possible. I don't think anything can come closer to it but still wondering.
Yes. Putting in parallel will allow you to run it longer.
Putting 6-8 batteries in series behind a low noise regulator will also allow you to run longer
So you have two methods. One is to put multiple 4 packs in parallel. The other is to put more than 6 batteries in series behind a LPS. The first method requires zero diy skills. The second requires DIY skills.
vinothkumar
Well-Known Member
LHY 80w LPSU, works the best to get the best out of allo digione signature. Better dynamics, silent background especially after an hour, golden tone is guaranteed.
Allo shanti, ifi, types nothing infront of it.
Allo shanti, ifi, types nothing infront of it.
Seems like it's Chinese, have you compared directly to allo Shanti.
miniscule difference. Just audiophile hype. I have directly compared. Just not worth its asking price.
vinothkumar
Well-Known Member
ABed with the mentioned power supplies. I wouldn't recommend anything that does not give a significant change in the system.
vinothkumar
Well-Known Member
I dont have to hype, no need to as well, probably in your system it wouldn't have made any differences. My system shows the differences upfront.
Good for you Vinod. Enjoy.
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