Soundcraft Ghost Modification Question

[Sean Sullivan]

I use a Ghost 24 regularly and wanted to try a couple upgrades. We don't use the preamps, it's just for summing, AUX sends and the EQs. If I were to upgrade 16 channels with new ICs in the master section, the send, and the EQ would it be too much of a power draw on the stock power supply.

[Jim Williams]

The PSU is too small for a stock console.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[apadua]

which power supply do you have?

CPS-275 or PSU 290?

The CPS-275 should be able to handle those mods. This is what I have been told by brandon over at Creation Audio Labs. You should give them a call to confirm.

[Sean Sullivan]

It's a CPS-275.

[Jim Williams]

A CP450 would do. Anything else is underated. A Power One HDD-15-5A is even better for $175.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

[Sean Sullivan]

Gothca. I'll run it buy the owner and see what he thinks. Maybe I can do a channel or two and if he likes it he'd be more keen to the idea of spending the money to do the rest of the console.

[CAL]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

A CP450 would do. Anything else is underated. A Power One HDD-15-5A is even better for $175.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

The stock CPS275 psu has a max output current of 5.25A. The CPS450 only offers 3.2A. Soundcraft actually has several models of PSU's that have a much higher rating than the CPS450. It would be considered a "medium grade" Soundcraft power supply.

The CPS275 has no problem handling the modification.

You might be thinking of the PSM290 power supply that did originally come with the ghost when they were first released. That unit is horrible and should not be used even on a stock Ghost.

Brandon Arora

[johndykstra]

I have a stock Ghost with the PSM290. By changing it (PS) to a better model, what will I notice difference wise?

[johndykstra]

Originally Posted by Jim Williams

A Power One HDD-15-5A is even better for $175.

Jim Williams
Audio Upgrades

Where can I find one Jim?

[johndykstra]

Originally Posted by johndykstra

I have a stock Ghost with the PSM290. By changing it (PS) to a better model, what will I notice difference wise?

bump.

thinking of pulling the trigger on a CPS-275. Anyone have thoughts on a reasonable price?

[Assrael]

Hello!

This is my first post in this forum, but I’m familiar with some threads around the Soundcraft Ghost.
I bought a Ghost 24LE in fully working condition without any modification in cosmetically good shape for € 1200.- / $ 1650.-. The only drawback is the PSU (Soundcraft DCP200), which delivers only 2,1A at the 17V rails. I have to replace it. I plan to recap and rechip my Ghost in the future and therefore I will build a suitable PSU with linear power supplies from company CONDOR or POWER-One.

The question is:
Will a HDD15-5-AG (5A @ +-15V) handle the 24 channel and the master section fully recapped and rechiped without any doubts? Or do you recommend to spend the extra money (€ 200.- / $ 280.-) for two HE15-9-AG (9A @ 15V)?

Greetings from Austria
Assrael

[Jim Williams]

I use the 9 amp models with my 24x4x2 Soundcraft Delta. It's barely enough with all those class A opamps I'm running. You can't have too much current, but you can have not enough.

[Assrael]

Jim, thanks for your answer.

It seems, that two HE15-9 will be the better decision for my use. I have also to mention, that on my CONDOR HCC15-3 (I use it for my DIY modular synthesizer) is an advise, to derate the output current by 10% for use with 50Hz.
That means an output of 4,5A for a HDD15-5 or 8,1A for a HE15-9 in my case.
I have good experience with the PSUs from CONDOR and POWER-One, but have no experience with products from INTERNATIONAL POWER, which are slightly cheaper than the others. This saves me approx. € 80.- / $ 105.- They look all the same and also the technical specifications are the same. Any opinion about the quality of INTERNATIONAL POWER PSUs?

In a different thread I wrote, that somebody uses a 24V POWER-ONE and put it down to 18V. How can this be done?

Cheers,
Assrael

[Jim Williams]

That requires adding a resistor across the reference divider resistor. Check with the Power One apps engineer for details on how to do that. The 15 volt 9 amp models can be trimmed up to around 16.5 volts.

I avoid International Power and Condor. I have had problems with them with start up that the Power One identical models don't have. Not worth saving a few bucks.

[Assrael]

16.5 Volts per rail without any modification should be OK for me.
The extra money of 120 bucks are more than a few. But having problems is also a pain in the …

[Assrael]

Jim,

Do you use a fan in your PSU? What is your opinion about active / passive cooling?

Greatings,
Rainer

[MrArtrock]

Hi Sean or anyone else for that matter, did you ever do these mods, if not I might have an attractive solution for you;

I bought a mod package for 2 input modules + the entire Mastersection + a repair/mod manual from Creation Audio Labs like in 2010, never did the mod and my Ghost is now gone in favour for another mixer so it's still in the unopened parcel and for sale say 70 USD less than I gave, I payed 350 USD all in all so for 280 USD + shipping it's yours!

Cheers from Sweden

email me directly at: camelotstudios@hotmail.com

[Jim Williams]

Originally Posted by Assrael

Jim,

Do you use a fan in your PSU? What is your opinion about active / passive cooling?

Greatings,
Rainer

I prefer passive cooling, IF done correctly. I have only one fan in my entire studio, the 14 db Silenx 32 CFA fan in my Alesis HD24XR. As such, it's silent. I hear more noise coming off all the outboard power transformers, that low level hum/buzz.

Yes, there is a fan in the PC, but I only use that for mastering, the rest is a traditional analog studio. (Computers and music is oil and water to me).

The two 9 amp Power One supplies run sans fans. That's why I use a bigger supply, so it runs cooler.