Synclavier/Synclav.com Synclavier Power Supply Replacement/Upgrade for Yamaha TX216/TX816

[Toby]

Anyone tried Synclavier/Synclav.com Synclavier Power Supply Replacement/Upgrade for Yamaha TX216/TX816? According to the manufacturer it will eliminate the poor Yamaha power supply to TX216/TX816. Seems interesting...

http://www.synclav.com/tx816psu/tx816psu.html

[John Wieczorek]

Thanks for sharing this.
I've got a TX chassis or two that have transformer whine....

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[John Alongi]

I bought a TX216 with the Synclav.com power supply a couple of months ago specifically because years ago I had a TX816 with a whining power supply. So far, so good. No problems.

John

John M. Alongi
jal...@math-law.com
(773) 348-8172
(312) 515-9342

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John M. Alongi
jal...@icloud.com

[Jonas]

Hi everybody,

I'm currently overhauling my TX516 (5 TF1 units, still looking for 3 more) and now that my TF1 modules are brand new (battery holders and new Nichicon 105°C rated caps) I'm wondering whether I should recap my Yamaha PSU or replace it with a new one. After looking at the Synclav website it seems that the kit is based solely on a standard HBB1515A analog PSU (1...@1.5A and -1...@1.5A) + an industrial 5V unit so it won't be to difficult to mod. The real question is, is it worth the hassle ? I'm willing to agree to synclav claims about the Yamaha PSU but at least with my 5 modules I find it decent enough (no whine nor significant ripple on power lines) so I'm wondering whether I should bite and do the upgrade or just do a capkit and be done with it !

Also if anybody wants their TXn16 and or TF1 modules to be fixed/modded I'll be willing to do that for no money but just for one (or up to three) TF1 modules in exchange! Let me know ; )

Jonas

[Jeffrey Needham]

I just got back both of my TX chassis with the Synhouse Synclavier power supply.

So far very happy. I am running 2 chassis both in TX 416 mode to give the TF-1s some breathing room.

My TF-1s have also had their analog sections upgraded by audio upgrades.

• I had 1 done and lived it for 6 months with the stock modules
• My take:  The high end shimmers, the harmonic richness in the midrange doesn't turn to mush and the bottom end is cavernous
• Your take might be way different.  At $125/module, it might be stunning ROI.
• Doing these upgrades was part of a larger TX81x restoration project to see if I could modernize them.

Unrelated:

I saw someone was looking for some TF-1s.

I have 7 stock TF-1s leftover and 1 TF-1 that I dropped on a cement floor (not recommended), if anybody needs some TF-1s

I have never used Ggroups, so haven't figured how the PM stuff works yet.

[Jeffrey Needham]

Oops, I meant to say NOT stunning ROI. 

If you can do the de-soldering and socket install, then you can use TL081s if you like, then that level of investment would drive ROI up.

I suspect the AD8030 is lunacy overkill, but I did not experiment with other parts. In some ways, it has modernized their sound.

My TF1-s are a perfect compliment to my PolyEvolver and I program each TX814 as a 4 "OSC" synth, not as 8 DXs, but that's just what I do. 4 TF1-s doing bass under the PEK adds a lot of authority to the PEK and most people wouldn't ever think a DX could be the bottom end  for a PEK.

People who own DEXed are probably rolling their eyes, but if you do deep sound design on the DX (ironically with DEXed), the mods help you see deeper into the architecture. And if you don't, the mods make things a little more modern sounding. I would say that the vast majority of DX programs out there are kinda crappy. They almost all need their mod indexes dialed back; unless you want that 80s DX sound.  A DX doesn't have to sound like that.

TF-1s definitely benefit from the best pre-amps you can afford.

The first time I put the TF-1s through a good lunchbox pre, I was surprised at how huge a TF1 could be.

Don't run them through that Mackie you have lying around on a shelf. It does not even do the stock TF-1s justice.

The higher the resolution the pre-amp, the more you can hear the benefits from the analog mods.

You get to really hear the original personality of 1st gen DX..  The JRC parts were impairing all that funky wonderfulness. 

Again, only my €.02

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Jeffrey Needham

OT and CyberSEC Transformation

Advanced Technologies Group

Confluent, Inc.

[David]

Hi Jeff, 

Could you provide some details on the analog upgrades done to your TF1s?
I assume it was Jim Williams the one performing them?

Regards, 
David

[Bruce Percy]

I had it done.It's ok, but there was an annoying buzz from the psu, not the old whine, but a buzz. i had it replaced by my teck with something much lighter and silent. so i would not recommend it. its noisy.

[Abstract Grooves]

Bruce, could you walk us thru your solution?

I have a TX816 and I got the psu, but I wanted to check and see your BOM and costs before I hired a technician. I am located in maryland dc area.

[Spencer Harbar]

I have the Synclav unit fitted in mine. It's basically a custom transformer AND a small (RT65 i think) Meanwell.

Noise (hum, not noise on the audio) overall not noticeable in the rack next to my synth stand. If you have it out on the tabletop next to a computer you can definitely hear it.

I'm very happy with the conversion, although I'm not so sure on the cost relative to benefit.

Before this I put a meanwell in (the RT125 - which has enough juice and is effectively silent).

Unit still kicks out a lot of heat thou, so I have a 5cm gap below and above in the rack. Not sure it really helps much but makes me feel better! 

Still have the factory PSU (which appears to be the same basic off the shelf unit as in the DX1) which is a POS but in restored condition, in case for some reason I want to restore it back to "factory".

Definitely recommend replacing the factory unit, but again, the cost of the Synclav unit is significant compared to a Meanwell 125 that you can get from Mouser etc.

One other thing to note with the Synclav unit is whilst it looks cool (from the back LOL) due to the logo, the power socket is attached to a quite flexible plate, which is perfectly fine, but a little disconcerting when you insert the IEC cable as it flexes.

Cheers

Spence

[Spencer Harbar]

Here's the MW PSU fitted:

[Eivind Fivelsdal]

I also have the Synclav-PSU in my 816. However - mine is a tad noisy. I
have thought about pulling the transformer apart and reseat everything -
or just tighten the screws holdning it together.

Eivind

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[Spencer Harbar]

Synhouse "synclav" PSU: