Audiophonics 25 VA, 16V

Ever since my positive experience with upgrading the power supply of our Cambridge DACMagic 100, I have been a firm believer in the effects of clean and abundant power, even in context with electronics that, at first glance, did not seem to be all too demanding. Changing from the cheap original switching unit to the ZeroZone 100 VA supply was an overkill perhaps, but it gave the DAC a substantially more wholesome sonic performance. Therefore, when we purchased our Thorens TD 320, I was not overly concerned when I found that the original power supply had been damaged and needed replacing.

The TD 320 was run on 16V, and the number of replacement choices was rather limited. Another factor to be considered was that modern power supplies were often equipped with digital displays that could have a negative effect when combined with genuinely audiophile devices. All the more, I was happy to find that Audiophonics, the French distributor of audio equipment, had a regulated linear power supply available that appeared to check all the right boxes: It had a special anti-vibration transformer, an AOP-controlled HEXFET IRF-type controller, as well as EMI RFI filters with chokes and film capacitors. It did not have an LED or LCD display and came in a high quality black anodised body that would optically fit our Thorens well. I loved the fact that it also featured a 3-prong IEC socket, which meant that I could use my own choice of power cord.

Having listened with the power supply for a few weeks, I was very happy with its performance. The device itself produced no detectable vibrations during operation. The power switch being located at its front made it easy to reach and the power supply therefore easy to place on any Hi-Fi rack. The body was heavy enough not to be tugged backward even by our heavy Lapp cables. Our Thorens TD 320 produced no audible background noise when connected to the Audiophonics supply. In this it was similar to our experience with the far more expensive TK Audio’s T500 isolating transformer that had also come equipped with network filters. The only downside to this supply was the brightness of the glaring white-blue LED power indicator. Considering the overall build quality of the supply, this seemed quite an oversight somehow. One might use a coloured pen to soften the effect, but this might feel a bit improvised, of course.

Specifications

• Supply type: low-noise, linear, regulated
• Output voltages: adjustable 5-24 volts, 25VA
• Output socket(s): 2x jack DC 5.5 / 2.1mm
• Features: EMI RFI filters with chokes and film capacitors
• Case: brushed and sanded aluminium
• Paint coating: black anodized
• Shielded moulded anti-vibration transformer 25VA
• AOP-controlled HEXFET IRF-type controller
• Power input: via 3-prong IEC socket
• Input voltage: AC 220-240V
• (D)174 mm x (w)100 mm x (H)51 mm
• Weight: 850 grams
• Country of manufacture: China
• Year(s): 2022

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