|
|
Post by Bat Lanyard on May 18, 2023 20:38:18 GMT -6
Anyone have history or a summary of where the "underpowered" controversy on 500 series chassis came from? Even made today RND and API you can find that underpowered criticism out there.
Is that a real concern or just a bunch of nonsense? I've been running a CAPI chassis with a filtered psu, a Fredenstein two-channel unit and both have been great, but need another 6-11 channel chassis. Prefer the CAPI out of trust for Jeff's work but hard to come by. Leaning toward the BAE because I'd prefer the external psu.
Would like to know which made-today unit you prefer and trust (if that's even a real concern)?
|
|
|
|
Post by wiz on May 18, 2023 21:10:37 GMT -6
I had an API6B and never had an issue...
if buying again, I would probably get the JLM Audio one.
cheers
Wiz
|
|
|
|
Post by drbill on May 18, 2023 21:13:30 GMT -6
Power and Power Supplies are the lifeblood, the very soul of audio. It's very important. And it's not just about having "enough" or "more than enough" power. It's the quality of the power as well.
Not all 500 racks are created equal. Some of the "best" measure out poorly. CAPI and Purple Sweet 10 (LTL branded) have been good to me. Some of the others shall remain nameless.
|
|
|
|
Post by phdamage on May 18, 2023 21:45:54 GMT -6
I had an API6B and never had an issue... if buying again, I would probably get the JLM Audio one. cheers Wiz Have two of these (JLM) and they’re rock solid! And If you’re concerned about power, you can get that second supply. |
|
|
|
Post by Johnkenn on May 18, 2023 21:59:20 GMT -6
I have a pretty old API rack and it fades out occasionally with a Heider and BAE 1073 MPL. Bummer.
|
|
|
|
Post by traceaudio on May 18, 2023 21:59:58 GMT -6
Personally we use the RND racks at our shop. We also highly recommend the BAE racks. Both are very well built and offer a ton of current. I’ve got a BAE 11 slot in stock as well as a few 6 slot RND units if you are are leaning that direction
|
|
|
|
Post by Bat Lanyard on May 19, 2023 7:20:53 GMT -6
I appreciate all the suggestions and comments, thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by svart on May 19, 2023 7:51:36 GMT -6
Never heard of this before. I have a first edition CAPI 11 slot, a 2 slot DIYRE and an old API6B lunchbox and they've all worked fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by jaba on May 19, 2023 8:08:12 GMT -6
I'm looking at the Cranborne 500ADAT rack (its feature set is unique and pretty ideal for me).
I've read good things but it'd be good to know it underperforms in some way.
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on May 19, 2023 8:41:22 GMT -6
The first API VPR spec was a lower power amount, in the era modules needed to get VPR certified by API. Entropy ensued. Companies started making modules that used more power than the spec, non-VPR certified. Dozens of companies started making their own racks and supplies. There is no spec strictly adhered to. Gotta read and understand the specs….
|
|
|
|
Post by plinker on May 19, 2023 9:31:08 GMT -6
I had an API6B and never had an issue... if buying again, I would probably get the JLM Audio one. cheers Wiz Have two of these (JLM) and they’re rock solid! And If you’re concerned about power, you can get that second supply. I keep waiting for the JLM 8-slot to be in stock. Waiting… |
|
|
|
Post by deaconblues on May 19, 2023 9:33:22 GMT -6
I'm looking at the Cranborne 500ADAT rack (its feature set is unique and pretty ideal for me). I've read good things but it'd be good to know it underperforms in some way. The Cranborne 500ADAT has been rock solid for me and I dig all the extra features on it. The clock on it is excellent as well. |
|
|
|
Post by ab101 on May 19, 2023 9:39:03 GMT -6
Wes Audio Titan 500 racks have been working great for me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Darren Boling on May 19, 2023 10:17:25 GMT -6
I've been through a few brands, settled on 3 RND R6's. Solid boxes and I love having 7-8 come up on the patchbay when using db25's, handy to patch in non permanent gear. However, I had one power supply go noisy and RND blew me off on getting it fixed, said they don't do that?! Hasn't been an issue as I haven't needed it but made me wary on internal supplies when they basically left me with a doorstop until I hunt down a tech. Decided when I eventually move to a 10/11 slot option I'm going external supply.
|
|
ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
Posts: 16,107 
|
Post by ericn on May 19, 2023 10:28:46 GMT -6
The first API VPR spec was a lower power amount, in the era modules needed to get VPR certified by API. Entropy ensued. Companies started making modules that used more power than the spec, non-VPR certified. Dozens of companies started making their own racks and supplies. There is no spec strictly adhered to. Gotta read and understand the specs…. Yeah there are to parts to this issue, manufacturers who don’t care about the VPR spec and the fact that a couple of modules will draw to much current. Manufacturers who are to cheap to realize VPR spec is a bare minimum current capacity because in many cases the rack won’t even have enough current capacity if filled with their own modules ( a good hint on this one is if there Demo racks are partially filled). Solution, CAPI 11 space powered by a trimmed Midas XL / DDA Q2 supply! |
|
|
|
Post by Bat Lanyard on May 19, 2023 11:30:18 GMT -6
I ended up going with an R6 from traceaudio along with their thumb screws which I like a lot and their L/R shrink tubes. Great service and shipped quickly today. Thanks, Ben! |
|
|
|
Post by jaba on May 19, 2023 16:43:01 GMT -6
The first API VPR spec was a lower power amount, in the era modules needed to get VPR certified by API. Entropy ensued. Companies started making modules that used more power than the spec, non-VPR certified. Dozens of companies started making their own racks and supplies. There is no spec strictly adhered to. Gotta read and understand the specs…. What's the spec(s) that tells if a rack will generally work with a wide variety of modules? For example: Total Power Consumption: 24v, 5A DC, 120w 500 Series Slot Current: 250mA per rail Total Available 500 Series Slot Current: 2A |
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on May 19, 2023 17:50:25 GMT -6
You add up the module current, see if the supply can hang
|
|
|
|
Post by plinker on May 21, 2023 14:57:28 GMT -6
The first API VPR spec was a lower power amount, in the era modules needed to get VPR certified by API. Entropy ensued. Companies started making modules that used more power than the spec, non-VPR certified. Dozens of companies started making their own racks and supplies. There is no spec strictly adhered to. Gotta read and understand the specs…. What's the spec(s) that tells if a rack will generally work with a wide variety of modules? For example: Total Power Consumption: 24v, 5A DC, 120w 500 Series Slot Current: 250mA per rail Total Available 500 Series Slot Current: 2A I think the "250mA per rail" is an average across the rack. I'm guessing that rack provides a total of 2 Amps that is shared across all modules. So, if you have one hungry module that uses 400 mA, then you have 1.6 Amps (or 1600 mA) left to spread across your other modules. I haven't checked in a while, but I think most modules use less than 250 mA |
|
|
|
Post by Ward on May 21, 2023 17:33:08 GMT -6
The older 500 chassis were notorious for undersupply but the recent quality brand ones are far more robust and everything seems solved!
CAPI, API, purple, RND are just a few of the highly regarded quality brands on the market.
|
|
|
|
Post by ninworks on May 21, 2023 19:01:32 GMT -6
I have a Capi 11 space and used to have an API 6B. Both never gave me any indications they are or were underpowered. I did have a hum with the API in the slot next to the PSU. I talked to API about it they said that was pretty normal. I really had to crank the output level to ungodly settings but it was there. It was still usable. I built the 11 space Capi a few months ago and it is dead silent.
|
|
|
|
Post by jaba on May 22, 2023 8:17:36 GMT -6
What's the spec(s) that tells if a rack will generally work with a wide variety of modules? For example: Total Power Consumption: 24v, 5A DC, 120w 500 Series Slot Current: 250mA per rail Total Available 500 Series Slot Current: 2A I think the "250mA per rail" is an average across the rack. I'm guessing that rack provides a total of 2 Amps that is shared across all modules. So, if you have one hungry module that uses 400 mA, then you have 1.6 Amps (or 1600 mA) left to spread across your other modules. I haven't checked in a while, but I think most modules use less than 250 mA It's surprising how many don't list their draw at all. From the ones that do, mostly EQs, it seems they're only around 100-120mA. Even the more power hungry ones don't get close to 250 but I'm sure they're out there. I'd wager 250mA per rail is plenty for most people. |
|
|
|
Post by matt@IAA on May 22, 2023 10:31:04 GMT -6
I suspect most of the problems are going to be startup related like inrush or intermittent vs steady state.
|
|
|
|
Post by EmRR on May 22, 2023 11:46:10 GMT -6
Off the top of my head, 2520's are something like 25mA draw at idle but can draw 75mA when running in distortion. Lots of cases like that.
|
|
|
|
Post by msamper on May 23, 2023 10:37:32 GMT -6
Off the top of my head, 2520's are something like 25mA draw at idle but can draw 75mA when running in distortion. Lots of cases like that. API 2520 are around 10-15mA on each rail, a few mA more when under full load. They will never draw 75mA unless they are kaputt.
|
|
