Hi all,
I know a little bit of electronics and have seen many awesome projects, but have never created my own… why? Well I have no clue where to start when it comes to PSU units. Sure I can buy a preconstructed linear PSU, linear because I keep hearing those produce less noise. I still need many hours to train my hearing, so I have trouble hearing the difference at some points… Back to topic, a preconstructed PSU gives you a little less freedom in your design, plus they can be quite expensive.
Then it hit me! The Volumio forum has many like minded audio lovers and they might (want to) point me in the right direction… 
right?
So the basics first, we’re going to need a (ring) transformer to transform 230V to ca. 15V, then we need to fuse and rectify it (AC > DC). Now we have around 15V DC, we can tone it down to 5V using a (heat sinked) regulator, after which we can filter some more using appropriate capacitors (Panasonic/Nichicon) and maybe some resistors.
So far so good, I can understand the needed components, but how do we go about calculating the values actually needed and why does it affect the sound really?
For example, I’ve seen some people use the NT-25HQ PSU. Looking at the picture it doesn’t look like a difficult design. Hence my question here, it looks relatively simple to make your own linear PSU.
Well if I have so much info already, what do I need?
I’d like to be able to determine what components work good together so that I can create my own PSU to fit in a case. This gives the creator virtually limitless flexibility in making new nice audiophile projects. 
So I’m looking for info like this:
- What transformators are best to use; I see alot of Talema’s, are those OK and they state 115V input, how does that work with 230V (Europe)?
- What rectifiers are advised?
- There are lots of regulators out there, is there a noticeable difference? For example is the LT323AT any good and why so?
- Where do the capacitors come in and which ones are low noise? Also the uF values are kind of new to me, can I calculate this? E.g. I read somewhere the UPW1C103MHD (10000uF low ESR 16V) were pretty good, but I have no clue why.
Maybe I’m asking too many questions, but I thought I’d give it a try, since I really wanted to do my own project one day. I already found some amp boards (TPA3118) and am close to a tube pre-amp (with VU meters; for example a 6N3 variant), so the PSU is biggest challenge by far.
Thanks in advance.
