Reviews

The World’s Best Audiophile Linear Power Supplies

Paul Hynes SR4T

Contents

Price: $675

Product link: Discontinued.

Update 9/11/2023: Paul Hynes has gone under a lot of scrutiny for misappropriating funds and customer deposits. Many have lost their deposits, including myself. There’s recent speculation and some confirmed accounts of Paul stealing deposits from unsuspecting customers for potential power supply builds. I’m just keeping this here for posterity, but please do not attempt to purchase a power supply from Paul Hynes.

Overview

Unfortunately, PHD Ltd is now closed because of insolvency. I figured I’ll keep their power supplies in this comparison if you’re looking for it in the used market – or if you’re simply curious like I am.

The “T” designation has been nicknamed Turbo as it provides a performance boost over the standard SR4.

Build & Specification

  • The SR4 configuration uses two rectified and smoothed supply rails prior to the regulator circuitry, one for the output stage and one for the error amplifier and output stage driver stage. Both of these pre-regulator rails are configured in balanced rectification mode.
  • The SR4T adds an additional low power voltage regulator powering the error amplifier/output stage driver resulting in better overall regulation, better transient response/settling time and lower dynamic and static noise.
  • The SR4T is not the same as the DR configuration used in Paul’s SR5 and SR7 custom-build designs, as the DR configuration uses two high power voltage regulators in series. However, the SR4T version moves the performance closer to the performance of the standard SR5 and SR7 PHD Ltd products.
  • The SR4T has the same power rating as the standard SR4 and is also in the same chassis. For those looking for higher performance without a large cost penalty the SR4T is an excellent solution for power ratings up to 2.5A continuous (SR4T-12) or 2A continuous (SR4T-19).

The Sound

I was actually pretty surprised at how different the SR4T sounded in comparison to the original SR4. First, for such a small package, the SR4T has a similar ability to realistically 3D mold the music like the Sean Jacobs DC4 and SR7. But it’s not as expressive or faithful. But still impressive for the price. For what it’s worth, these are the only three power supplies that have a convincing corporeal body – and they all have a very similar neutral tone.

The SR4T has good intent, decent texture, and air. Treble is tuneful and has adequate shine. The midrange has plenty of clarity and resolution. It’s dense, but a little glossy. Bass has decent volume and momentum but is more even even-keeled than forceful. Where it shines is in representing textural cues and opening up the soundstage. Imaging is spot on and everything flows with variability in density.

Overall, each part of a recording has body and weight. Even the tiniest of details. It’s pure analog, no gaps, no grain. It’s a heavier grey sound rather than a stringy one. In other words, it’s more heavy-handed and tangible but still embraces a good level of detail and nuances.

Tradeoffs

I’m not a huge fan of the tone. It’s a greyish neutral. But everything does sound truer to life in an analog way. However, it’s more condensed than it is open sounding. It also doesn’t have authoritative, wham-bam lower octaves or highly energetic top end.

Who Should Buy the Paul Hynes SR4T?

I think you’ll have to be a huge fan of a dense and neutral tone. You’ll get a taste of what the higher-end power supplies can do at the cost of color. Otherwise, the SR4T embraces vocal realism, is dynamically expressive, and connects music with lifelike timing. It has a high-end sound without the exorbitant price.

Pros

Cons

  • Top-tier corporeality

  • Lifelike timing

  • Midrange detail and clarity

  • Fantastic pacing and presence

  • Tone is very neutral, not a soulful brown

  • Not the punchiest sound

  • Brilliance is a little subdued

Comparisons

vs. Uptone Audio JS-2

  • JS-2 has more brilliant shine
  • JS-2 has better tonality
  • SR4Tis chunkier and meatier
  • SR4T has more analog realism

vs. Paul Hynes SR4-12

  • Has more shine and vibrance over the SR4-12.
  • The SR4T is more colorless in comparison.
  • SR4T has far better bass and sub-bass
  • SR4T is smoother.
  • SR4T is quieter, more focused, and more articulate.
  • SR4t has more variance in density.
  • SR4T is more dynamic and crunchy
  • The SR4T does everything better aside from tone.
  • The SR4-12 just has more essence and soul.

vs. Sean Jacobs DC4

  • The SR4T actually reminds of the DC4 in some ways. They both have a similar tone and approach to shaping out the music. The DC4 does this at another level, but gradients and curves gives the impression of “They’re there.”

vs. JCAT Initio 3

  • SR4T has more shape.
  • Initio 3 has a much darker tone

vs. Plixir Elite BDC

  • The SR4T is more forward, denser, and more molded. The music has more weight.
  • The SR4T has a chill more shaped sound.
  • The Elite BDC has a lot more edge and shine.
  • The Elite BDC has much better outlining.
  • The SR4T is neutrally toned in comparison.
  • Elite BDC isn’t as meaty, especially in the midrange.

vs. HDPLex 300W

  • The HDPlex has much better tone (more golden).
  • The SR4T has more shape and tangibility.
  • The HDPlex is more “musical” but is dimensionally flatter.
  • The SR4T has realistic molding and is smoother.

vs. Paul Hynes SR7

  • The SR7 is better in every way. Although they’re both neutral, the SR7 is still more organic sounding.

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Jay Luong

Mr. Audio Bacon himself. An open-minded electrical engineer and software developer by trade. I have an obsession with the enjoyment of all things media - specifically in the realm of music and film. So much heart and soul (and money) go into the creation of this artistry. My aim is to find out which products get me closer to what the musicians and directors intended.

View Comments

  • Well Jay, you have only just gone and done it again. Another mammoth review. Don’t you ever sleep!?

    As a Dave owner I was lucky to obtain the first production version of Sean Jacobs DC4 and have been using that ever since with a big grin on my face every time I use the Dave. It has possibly been the biggest improvement to the sound of my system (with the possible and honourable exception of my own Wave High Fidelity STORM dual BNC cables of course!).

    However all of that is about to change because Sean has been kind enough to loan me a prototype of his new ARC6 version of the DC4 power supply. Having had the Dave all this time I was not aware of any deficiencies. That was until I plugged in the ARC6. As you say in your review the DC4 is a master at revealing the texture of instruments but now the ARC6 version has a transient speed to go with that textural information. It is a quite uncanny combination. The bass is also deeper and more powerful and yet manages to more detail and information in it at the same time.

    You will gather that I like the ARC6 upgrade to the DC4 for the Dave. It is a huge upgrade to the Dc4. I understand that existing owners of the DC4 can have theirs upgraded to the ARC6 version by returning to Sean or to one of his agents in the USA or EU.

    But that is not really why I was minded to put pen to paper in response to your review. A few months ago I did my own private shoot out of power supplies powering the Qutest. These included the Sbooster with Ultra Mk2 upgrade, Farad Super3, Allo Shanti, MCRU, Sean Jacobs DC3, PowerAdd battery, iFi, a cheap LPS from China and of course, because I could, the 5V rail from a DC4. Broadly I agree with all your comments and in the end I used the Farad Super3, not because it was the best but because it was a reasonable amount of money to spend for the performance gain with a Qutest. One thing to say about the value for money Allo Shanti is that if one has the necessary skills it takes a leap forward in sound quality if the supplied captive leads are removed from the circuit board and GX16 sockets are installed allowing after market DC leads.

    I have more recently listened again to a DC4 powering the Qutest and although first time around I rejected the idea of a single rail £4,000 DC4 powering a £1.200 Qutest as being any where near a sensible decision I have now begun to wonder whether in fact it brings the £5,200 combination up to a level of similarly priced DACs and I think it might just do that. Such is the benefit of the DC4 with a Qutest.

    So, thanks once again for the huge undertaking and it is nice of course to see you still using my WAVE STREAM cables with your Dave. 👍

    Nick.

    • I would be curious to hear the ARC6! Is there a tonal color difference between DC4 and ARC6? More shine?

      I agree, the Farad Super3 is a great value, especially if you enjoy that more liquid and smooth sound. From memory, I thought the Mojo Illuminati V3 paired well with the Qutest. And I could definitely hear the potential of the Shanti, the price is incredible for its performance (but critical listeners won't be happy). GX16 sockets with custom cabling would be interesting.

      Have you tried batteries?

  • I run my RME ADI-2 fs DAC and streamer on pure LiFePo4 cells (without any battery management electronics of course). The DAC uses 4*3.2V 20AH cells in series, and the streamer 2 of the same in series. The batteries last more than a day so I charge at night when sleeping.

    It would be interesting to know how batteries like these compares to the better power supplies.

    • Yeah, I was thinking about including batteries as well. Which specific ones would you like to see?

      • I think the more "pure" cells you use the better, and not small AA or similar batteries. Here is the ones I use:
        https://shop.gwl.eu/LiFePO4-cells-3-2-V/LiFePO4-High-Power-Cell-3-2V-20Ah-Alu-case-CE.html

        Of if you want one ready made for RME DAC, this one works (its just 4 cells in series), should be similar available in NA if that's where you live: https://shop.gwl.eu/LiFeYPO4-batteries-12V-1-1/Lithium-Battery-LiFePO4-12V-20Ah.html

        But basically you want low internal resistance in combination with pure cells. For example, a power pack used for mobile phones sounds a lot worse (they have switched DC regulators inside to get to 5V).

        It also important to stay away from "battery management", even if you risk damaging the cells if overcharged or undercharged. Those battery managements are filled with switched cheap electronic.

        I then have 18 awg OCC coppar cables with cotton sleeves as only insulation, soldered to a DC connector of copper.

          • Yes, it is. I like the sound of my LiFePO4 batteries though, and LPS manufacturers often use batteries like those as "reference" to compare with (or so I have heard).

            It's also worth mentioning that Stromtank (a really expensive HiFi power gear) uses LiFePo4 cells for their "magic", but enough of them to also drive power amplifiers.

    • Not even a Contact Us email address. Doesn't infuse confidence unless you're inside Australi and can call them.

  • great work - thanks a million!!

    comment to the Sbooster PSU: i kind of relate to your findings (using mk 1 version), adding (now unavailable) Padis fuse and Furutech Absolute Power adds LIVE to it. yet, possibly also to all other PSUs tested here

  • Hi there,
    I know you cannot review everything under the sun, but I’ll selfishly propose you review the ISOL-8 Prometheus LPSU. Their power conditioners are great and I would be curious to see how their power supply compares with the others.

    Amazing amazing review; very well done! Thank you!

  • My Farad Super 3 is custom modified, but I think it performs very well. Along w/ Jay I am factoring in price and its incredibly diminutive size.

    I am also curious about the remarks in comparison to other PSUs, which cable was used: silver or copper?

    • Listening was primarily done with the copper cable. Still great for the price, especially if you enjoy a full bodied and smooth sound.

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Jay Luong
Tags: LPSUShootout
3 years ago

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