Isolated power supply

[bigtone23]

What is the benefit of the 9.6V regulator over the 9V regulator? Since they are regulated, they don't have voltage drop or sag, do they? Is it to emulate a fresh 9V alkaline (which all seem to be around 9.6V)? I have read some things, but some of what I read seems like opinion and speculation (especially with EHX 9.6V power supplies). I would like to know your take, as a respected pedal designer/builder/modder/fixer.

I'm not very savvy with electronics, I know enough to run things safely and properly, as well as build, fix and mod some simple stuff.

I have experimented with some bigger voltage supply differences, 9V vs 18V with some active basses, and tried 9 vs 18V with my Friedman BE-OD Dlx last night. TBH, the way I run my stuff, there wasn't a big enough of a difference to warrant the 18V supply. I don't make big boosts, require headroom...

However, starving circuits is pretty wild. I first learned of this with an 80s era MIK Applause Super Distortion (looks like a black Boss copy). I picked it up around 1992 for $5 at a pawn shop when in college. With proper 9V, it's pretty blah. Give it 5-6V and it gets really cool, loose, Muff-y. It drops off and sounds weak around 4V, though.
Same with Fuzz, the starve knob is key. Love it on my Hybrid Fuzz Architect!

[laurie]

9.6V is the voltage of a fresh 9V battery and the output voltage of a Boss PSA power supply.

Does 9.6V versus 9V really matter? Can I tell the difference? No, not really.

Why did I make the mod? I had the device open and it took almost no effort or parts to do it.

The more interesting question might be "why did I leave 3 outputs at 9V?"

From the Strymon web site: "Our pedals require a maximum of 9V DC". Strymon pedals (mostly) don't run from batteries, so they are apparently looking for 9V specifically. I've used a PSA adapter to run Strymon pedals, so they are OK with 9.6V, but I saw it in black-and-white that it should be 9V so I left 3 of the outputs at 9V for those pedals if I ever need to power them.

In hindsight, I could easily have left every output at 9V and no one would ever have known...

[laurie]

Same with Fuzz, the starve knob is key. Love it on my Hybrid Fuzz Architect!

Nice

[bigtone23]

9.6V is the voltage of a fresh 9V battery and the output voltage of a Boss PSA power supply.

Does 9.6V versus 9V really matter? Can I tell the difference? No, not really.

Why did I make the mod? I had the device open and it took almost no effort or parts to do it.

The more interesting question might be "why did I leave 3 outputs at 9V?"

From the Strymon web site: "Our pedals require a maximum of 9V DC". Strymon pedals (mostly) don't run from batteries, so they are apparently looking for 9V specifically. I've used a PSA adapter to run Strymon pedals, so they are OK with 9.6V, but I saw it in black-and-white that it should be 9V so I left 3 of the outputs at 9V for those pedals if I ever need to power them.

In hindsight, I could easily have left every output at 9V and no one would ever have known...

Very cool. Thank you for sharing.
I would also heed the writing if a company said 9V maximum.
Plus, I would do the same about the 9.6V regulator, especially considering that the parts and labor were minimal to do so.