what's the difference between cheap and expensive phantom power units

[Walter Tore]

I am wondering what are the differences between the cheap phantom power and expensive ones. Thanks. Walter

 

[antichef]

I don't know, but I bought a $50 AT one a few weeks ago - mainly out of fatigue - I had been looking all over for a battery powered one, and eventually got so frustrated that I impulse bought this one, which uses a wall wart. There's not much too it -- I can't imagine a cheaper one would be any worse, except that maybe it would be less ruggedly built.

I suppose a bad one could fall short in voltage or amperage capacity, but that seems almost unthinkable for a single-function component like these.

 

[Minion]

I suppose a good Phantom power unit would be well regulated and use good quality DC Blocking caps and have good quality XLR Jacks and shielded wire and would possibly use a Torroidal transformer as opposed to an EI transformer.....

 

[MCI2424]

I am wondering what are the differences between the cheap phantom power and expensive ones. Thanks. Walter

Good Phantom Power units have good quality components AND actually supply +48Vdc. Cheap ones may only see supply voltages in the 30s

 

[toddbel]

I had a Samson phantom power supply once that added a (very) slight amount of line-level noise. My Stewart phantom supply by contrast was completely silent.

 

[Walter Tore]

I had a Samson phantom power supply once that added a (very) slight amount of line-level noise. My Stewart phantom supply by contrast was completely silent.

thanks everyone for the responses. I think I will go with this unit over the $40 ones. Walter