Pedal Board Power Supply

[GRAHAM99]

Do I need to spend a lot on a new power supply?
There are some out there for about £40 which purport to have isolated outputs for example a Nordell Power Core.
Would a more expensive one be any different or better?

[adrian_k]

I have the Nordell. I don’t think it actually has isolated outputs, but I have found it perfectly quiet.

[Arpangel]

I’ve got an MXR IsoBrick, it’s been very unreliable, and two outputs have failed, only had it for about two years, I’m going to investigate some cheaper ones, I’m not sure it’s worth getting isolated outputs, some say they can get away with non-isolated ones.

[Wonks]

If you’ve got any digital pedals, then you’ll certainly want to get one with galvanically isolated outputs.

Unfortunately it’s almost impossible to say which ones have them just from reading the descriptions. Most ‘isolated’ outputs on cheap units just have short-circuit protection so that the other outputs still work.

You really need to get the multimeter out and see if the grounds are connected or not.

[SecretSam]

Some of Thomann's own brand Harley Benton ones are isolated (properly I think, but haven't tested). I have been using one for a year or so with a combination of digital and analogue pedals, and it hasn't caused any problems. It feels pretty solid and is powered with a mains lead, with no external power supply. Ridiculously cheap too.

[Essex Boi]

My board isn't huge, but it's complicated with loopers, switchers and MIDI and populated with pedals requiring differing voltages, polarity, etc. I don't know the technical details - and I'll probably get the terminology wrong - but it was a revelation to discover not all 'isolated' power supplies are equal. Even with well known and relatively expensive supplies from the likes of Voodoo Lab some outputs share 'isolation'. This may, or may not, cause a problem depending on what's connected to the outputs. Some pedals are also more sensitive to RF interference so locating the power supply's transformer can also be important.

I didn't realize how much 'self noise' my board had until I swapped to a properly isolated power supply, relocated pedals and thought carefully about how things were routed and connected. It's practically silent now.

[GRAHAM99]

I have ordered a Mosky ISO10 and will report back!

[GRAHAM99]

**update**
Got the Mosky ISO10 and all seems well apart from them sending me a Euro two pronged adaptor!

[BigRedX]

Who did you buy it from? Name and shame, because anything sold to the UK must by law be supplied with a UK mains plug on it.

[GRAHAM99]

I bought it from Amazon.They gave me a 10% rebate to buy a UK one.

[BWC]

Did you order the correct version initially? The few times I've had a problem with an Amazon order, they've done a lot better for me than 10%.

[GRAHAM99]

I think I ordered the EU power supply in error but the photo was of a UK power supply.