It took a long time to shift from linear power supply to SMPS in high end audio producs. Nowadays, SMPS seem to have completely replace linear ones except in some niche areas.
I've often heard the advice to beginners to not touch SMPS and stick to linear supply for DIY projects, because designing for SMPS is too difficult. What is it so tricky? Why couldn't we just put the switching frequency well outside the audible range and be done with it? I'm sure there will be some problem somewhere but I don't know exactly which one.
For comparison, I tore down my RME UFX II interface to find a XP Power VCT60US12 inside. It's not a particularly quite one (max 1% ripple p-p), switching at 60kHz, and I didn't see any massive filtering downstream. It seems they are quite ok leaving a reasonably high amount of noise in their power supply rail. The negative power supply is created using an other switch-mode inverter IC. I'm aware this is quite low power (max 36W) device, but it's also a low signal one, with mic preamps inside. How is it possible on such a high end interface?
Thanks
I've often heard the advice to beginners to not touch SMPS and stick to linear supply for DIY projects, because designing for SMPS is too difficult. What is it so tricky? Why couldn't we just put the switching frequency well outside the audible range and be done with it? I'm sure there will be some problem somewhere but I don't know exactly which one.
For comparison, I tore down my RME UFX II interface to find a XP Power VCT60US12 inside. It's not a particularly quite one (max 1% ripple p-p), switching at 60kHz, and I didn't see any massive filtering downstream. It seems they are quite ok leaving a reasonably high amount of noise in their power supply rail. The negative power supply is created using an other switch-mode inverter IC. I'm aware this is quite low power (max 36W) device, but it's also a low signal one, with mic preamps inside. How is it possible on such a high end interface?
Thanks