Let’s talk power supplies

[metropolis_4]

What are you using, what do you like?

I’m shopping for power for this new board I’m building and I’ll need something that can cover an HX Stomp plus 12-15 9v devices (all but one require under 300mA). It needs to be low profile (1.25” or less)

I’d been planning to go for a GigRig genx14, but I’m also looking at a Cioks dc7 + 8 expander and the Walrus Canvas 15.

3 of the devices are just MIDI controllers and loop switchers so I should be able to daisy chain them to get by with 15 outlets.

The Walrus and genx14 seem more easily expandable. With the Cioks it seems like I’m maxed out at 15 once I add the 8.

The Canvas would save me some money, are they any good?

 

[gearJunkie]

Cioks dc7 + 8

I love this combo and have it on 2 of my 3 boards. Best to buy it as a combo instead of separately. It will save you $$. It's handled everything I've thrown at it with zero issues or unwanted noise.

In addition to the 15 regular power outputs, you also have a 5v usb port.

Also, the Cioks 8 has 2 x 24v links, so you should be able to add another expander, as long as the combined power draw doesn't exceed 3(?) amps.

Prices have gone up considerably since I bought my combo last year for $365. Cheapest I've seen it now is $410, but $456 seems to be the current street price for the bundle.

I bought the black DC7 & 8 expander for the board below separately, and paid considerably more than the red bundle above.

 

[spawnofthesith]

Cioks DC7 is the best psu I've owned

Keep in mind with the cioks all the outputs offer a significant amount of mA available so you can utilize that for daisy chaining less power hungry pedals. I'm powering my HX stomp plus 9 pedals with the DC7 by itself, no expansion

 

[Dave Lewis]

The CA power 15 here.

 

[Chocol8]

I resisted Cioks for a long time. The DC 7 and 8 combo is what I am using on my large home board now, and a DC7 is under my smaller leave the house board. I no longer worry about power, power noise, having enough current, having the right voltages etc. They just work for me.

 

[QQQ]

Another vote for Cioks. Bulletproof and low profile for easy mounting top side or underneath.

 

[metropolis_4]

My one concern with the Cioks is there’s no room to grow. But I suppose the 7 + 8 should be enough for me. And the board probably isn’t getting any bigger

 

[gearJunkie]

My one concern with the Cioks is there’s no room to grow. But I suppose the 7 + 8 should be enough for me. And the board probably isn’t getting any bigger

The Cioks 8 has 2 x 24v expansion links, so I assume you can add another 4 or 8 ports.

 

[Chocol8]

My one concern with the Cioks is there’s no room to grow. But I suppose the 7 + 8 should be enough for me. And the board probably isn’t getting any bigger

Keep in mind that not every pedal is sensitive and needs its own isolated port. People used to run an entire board daisy chained off a 1 Spot and it actually worked most of the time with a few exceptions. These days it's the digital stuff that usually needs its own port due to power draw and noise. You shouldn't have more than 15 of those on a board!

 

[metropolis_4]

View attachment 52688
The Cioks 8 has 2 x 24v expansion links, so I assume you can add another 4 or 8 ports.

Interesting, that’s good to know!

Keep in mind that not every pedal is sensitive and needs its own isolated port. People used to run an entire board daisy chained off a 1 Spot and it actually worked most of the time with a few exceptions. These days it's the digital stuff that usually needs its own port due to power draw and noise. You shouldn't have more than 15 of those on a board!

Good point. I used to do the same thing, I’m not sure when I got it into my head that everything has to be separate

 

[Chocol8]

Good point. I used to do the same thing, I’m not sure when I got it into my head that everything has to be separate

I separate out anything germanium because of the potential PNP vs NPN issues, anything digital, anything I run on a different voltage etc. and then I will daisy chain things if it is easier to cable or I need ports.

 

[gearJunkie]

A little 1 cm square of 3M Dual Lock on each corner is all you need to keep the Cioks devices secure under your board.

 

[laxu]

I have a CIOKS DC7 and CIOKS 4 Expander. I used this originally on my big board, but I've now split into two boards for my two rigs, and the CIOKS 4 is just enough to power the Strymon pedals I want to use. It can even be used with a USB-C powerbank!

For convenience I tend to power the CIOKS 4 with an old 1Spot block adapter. It works really well with no noise issues.

 

[Orvillain]

I have the Cioks DC7, 8 Expander, and the Crux high current adapter. Together, that gives me 16 power sources, in a convenient package, without all of the GigRig cabling bullshit and adapters and things like that, and at a lower price. I'm very happy with the combo actually.

PS: You can also use the 4/8 Expander with the Strymon Zuma if you so wish. I tested it. It works fine.