PSU buying again...  more korads or a Rigol DP832? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 02:27:56 pm
content: So when investigating some issues and trying to take stock of "signal integrity" I realised my "RDTech DP5005" is not helpful as it produces a bunch of noise. I know this already, that's why I have a nice quiet Korad 30V5A linear supply.I only have one of them though. All my other power supplies are noisy, cheap switch modes more suited to powering "gadgets" or charging batteries.I am about to enter into a dual voltage board. I will probably want at least 2 linear supplies.I could buy another Korad 30V5A, but there are features of the 3 output supply which are of interest.* simulataneous power up of multiple channels. I have found this more than once with dual supply projects where it can be difficult to sequence the powerup of the test rig.* the graphing features* the LAN interfaceThe DP832 is about £370 including VAT in the UK. Probably £20 +postage.A korad is £70-90 from any number of places, including Amazon with prime deliver.I don't, for this PSU have any high power requirements. I just want the usually quiet 3v3 5v 12v rails for MCU/computer lashup projects.Are there any cheaper "viable" multi-channel options? Dave's demo of the Siglent X series put me off them, particularly the loose bannana ports. Did that ever get fixed? That would just annoy me constantly.Are there any other semi-pro chinese brands worth considering? Uni-T, Owon, Hantek etc?

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 03:15:37 pm
content: If 5 amp requirement is not necessary, and 3 amp is enough, then why don't you getSPD3303X. It looks pretty!From my point of view, anything bellow 10 amps is not practical. Because high end high dollar notebook repairs involve currents over 5 amps, especially when they have discreet graphics.

author: Simmed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 03:26:06 pm
content: EEZ variant ?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-programmable-dual-channel-bench-psu-0-50v3a/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/eez-h25005-a-possible-successor-of-eez-h24005-programmable-power-supply/https://www.envox.eu/eez-bb3/

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 04:10:53 pm
content: Quote from: Simmed on July 30, 2025, 03:26:06 pmAye, but I'll need a RIgol to build and test it LOL

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 04:17:17 pm
content: Quote from: u666sa on July 30, 2025, 03:15:37 pm3.2A should be enough for anybody!You can parallel channels to get more current. I do that on DP832 all the time.You can never have enough power supplies. Get what you need now and then get more later. :⁠-⁠)

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 04:18:05 pm
content: Quote from: u666sa on July 30, 2025, 03:15:37 pmSPD3303X or one of the variants does look nice and it would match my scope.The bannana plugs in some reviews got hit because they were "loose" unless you used "quality" leads. Sounded discouraging.It's got "One" job. I don't want it to be picky about it.

author: RAY5D
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 30, 2025, 06:22:22 pm
content: FYI the banana jacks on the SPD3303 can be modified to make them tighter. It is more work though, see here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-spd3303x-e-binding-post-issues-solved/msg5724735/#msg5724735

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 12:07:31 am
content: I have an SPD3303 and like it a lot. The banana plug cables I use (from Cleqee on AliExpress) seem to fit it well.However, you don't need to spend a lot to get a quiet PS:

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 01:51:58 am
content: Quote from: paulca on July 30, 2025, 02:27:56 pmQuote from: u666sa on July 30, 2025, 03:15:37 pmIf you’re specifically looking for a low-noise linear power supply, then among the options mentioned, only the Korad KA3005 meets that criterion. The DP832 and SPD3303X are both switching power supplies, while they are high-quality and their noise levels are relatively low compared to typical consumer-grade switch-mode units, the noise is still significant enough to be visible on an oscilloscope.Therefore, for applications sensitive to noise, the Korad is the only suitable choice among those listed.After all, it all depends on your specific needs. If you plan to work with analog circuits or designs involving ADCs and DACs, a linear power supply is strongly recommended due to its low noise. However, if you're working with digital circuits only, the DP832 or SPD3303X should be sufficient for those purposes. You can certainly use the DP832 or SPD3303X to develop analog circuits as well, however, if the circuits are sensitive to power supply noise, these units may introduce issues due to their switching nature.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 01:59:30 am
content: Quote from: radiolistener on July 31, 2025, 01:51:58 amFirst, the SPD3303X isNOTa switching power supply. It is fully linear. There are teardowns of it all over YT. I have one on my bench. How many do you have? Did you even read the published information about it?Second, switching power supplies doNOThave to be noisy. Did you even look at the video I posted?Now I understand other peoples opinions of you.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 02:08:34 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on July 31, 2025, 01:59:30 amI briefly reviewed the video, and it does appear you're correct - the SPD3303X is indeed a linear power supply. That said, it contains a significant amount of digital circuitry, so I would expect it may not be entirely noise-free. However, since I don't have one on hand, I can't make a definitive judgment.Quote from: BillyO on July 31, 2025, 01:59:30 amI'm working with sensitive analog circuitry, and in my experience, I haven't encountered a switch-mode power supply that is "do not have to be noisy". All of them generate noise - the difference lies in the level and spectral characteristics of noise. Some are excessively noisy to the point of being unusable even for digital circuits, while others are well-designed and have moderate noise levels. Still, even the best of them introduce noticeable interference, which is clearly visible on a spectrum and very audible on radio receiver output.It's worth noting that the Korad KA3005 also introduces a small amount of noise due to its dynamic LED display. I can see pulses on their output. However, this noise is minimal (cannot be noticed on the spectrum) and negligible compared to the levels typically generated by switching power supplies. That's why I also use a Chinese HY1505, which lacks a digital LED display and features a fully analog regulation circuit. While its voltage regulation is slightly less precise than the Korad, it produces virtually no noise, making it ideal for sensitive analog applications. But while the HY1505 doesn’t produce distinct pulse spikes, its overall noise floor is slightly higher than that of the Korad (I have no idea why). The Korad, on the other hand, exhibits more pronounced peak transients. As a result, the choice between the two isn't always straightforward and should be guided by the specific requirements of the application.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 02:39:52 am
content: Quote from: paulca on July 30, 2025, 02:27:56 pmGood deals come to those who are patient.In the mean time I would cobble together a low-power linear supply using a voltage regulator and a transformer.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 02:47:28 am
content: Quote from: radiolistener on July 31, 2025, 01:51:58 amI heard one time from this random guy on the internet that the DP832 is linearCode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaWgF1SORkkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rV20ulsm0https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-509-rigol-832-lab-power-supply/?all

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 03:14:43 am
content: Quote from: Smokey on July 31, 2025, 02:47:28 amOops…I just checked, and it appears you’re right. Sorry for the mix-up - the appearance of the DP832 and SPD3303X led me to the wrong conclusion. Thanks for the correction.It seems that both the DP832 and SPD3303X are linear power supplies, however, they both feature fairly complex digital display panels, which may introduce some noticeable noise.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 04:27:57 pm
content: We have three SDP3303X supplies and a GPP4323, all are LINEAR and have very quite outputs. Another thing for the OP is to make sure the supply selected does NOT OVERSHOOT on supply turn On or Off. These supplies can have their outputs directly parallel or series (no extra cables) for more current or voltage as required and are accurate.Also have two Korad KWR102 (30V/30A) and a KWR103 (60V/15A) for high power use, these are switchers but have good behavior (No Overshoot) with relatively low-noise outputs (for switchers) and accurate. Have a couple no name HV switches types that are next to worthless and a couple cheap no name switchers that had horrific noise (gave those away after using them for some motor testing/development before we acquired the Korads).A search will show some expensive upper class linear supplies exhibiting this Overshoot behavior as well as a few in the middle class.So OP should be very careful with PS selection and not suffer thru all the cheap supplies and even pay close attention to the better name OEMs as well.Best

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 05:23:19 pm
content: Quote from: radiolistener on July 31, 2025, 02:08:34 amEvery spectrum analyzer currently made by a major manufacture (keysight, R&S, Anritsu, etc) uses switching power supplies, yet they still work fine.It's much easier to design a sensitive analog circuit with linear power supplies, but the idea that it's not _possible_ with switching supplies is plainly incorrect.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 05:27:13 pm
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on July 31, 2025, 05:23:19 pmPretty much every oscilloscope too, with the possible exception of some specialty items.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 07:00:48 pm
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on July 31, 2025, 05:23:19 pmIt’s true that modern spectrum analyzers can work reliably with switching power supplies, but not because these supplies are noise-free, but because the analyzer’s architecture and narrowband signal processing inherently limit the impact of such noise. Since spectrum analyzers process signals in narrow frequency bands sequentially, and often operate internally at IF stages well isolated from power supply noise, they can tolerate a certain level of internal interference without affecting measurement accuracy. And they undoubtedly employ high-quality switching power supplies, along with advanced filtering and shielding solutions to suppress noise to acceptable level.Quote from: ejeffrey on July 31, 2025, 05:23:19 pmYou’re right - it’s possible to build many kind of a sensitive analog circuits with well-designed switching power supplies with proper filtering and shielding, and in many cases that may suffice, depending on the circuit architecture and acceptable noise thresholds. However, this often requires nontrivial design effort and can be costly, especially when ultra-low noise is critical.That said, a simpler and often more robust approach is to use a low-noise linear regulator or even battery power when feasible.Using a switching supply with heavy filtering is like collecting drinking water from a contaminated source full of toxins and short-lived radioactive isotopes - you can purify it later, but it requires complex and expensive treatment. Why not just use clean water from the start? Likewise, a good linear supply provides a clean baseline without the need for elaborate filtering and shielding.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2025, 07:09:43 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on July 31, 2025, 05:27:13 pmYou're absolutely right - nearly all modern oscilloscopes use switching power supplies, and that's generally not an issue. However, it's important to understand that the intrinsic noise floor of most oscilloscopes is relatively high compared to low-level power supply ripple. This means that even if you connect the output of a well-filtered switching supply directly to the input, much of its residual high-frequency noise will remain below the oscilloscope’s detection threshold.In other words, the scope in most cases just cannot reveal noise components that may be critical in sensitive analog circuits and particularly in RF and low-level signal applications.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2025, 08:13:13 am
content: I ordered the Rigol. So now you are not allowed to tell me I made a bad choice.... please

author: woody
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2025, 09:28:19 am
content: Bad choice. In the light of how things are done in the emerging new world order you should have supported your local island economy and should have bought one ofthesebrilliant powersupplies.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2025, 10:41:28 am
content: Quote from: paulca on August 01, 2025, 08:13:13 amI think you made a good choice. For the money I don't see a better option. And you can easily turn the DP832 into the DP832A.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2025, 10:55:24 pm
content: I find it a bit confusing. DP832 and DP832A, that's the difference for a color display and an extra digit?These probably are quite capable power supplies. I don't have the space for such a power supply myself. My desk space depth is limited to around 200mm, and that makes it quite difficult to buy a decent benchtop DMM or power supply. You'll probably be using them for many years to come.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2025, 12:06:53 am
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on August 02, 2025, 10:55:24 pmThere have been a couple changes over the years with regard to the cosmetic differences between the DP832 and DP832A. From what I've seen, currently shipping DP832 units do not have colored buttons for the channels, or colored labels above the output connectors. The DP832A also has some black buttons instead of grey for better contrast.The accuracy specifications are the same between the two, so the extra digit is somewhat limited in usefulness.Upgrading the DP832 to the DP832A also gets you the LAN, RS232 and digital I/O options as well as "on-line monitor and analysis functions".The hack from DP832 to DP832A is worth the effort IMHO.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2025, 01:55:45 am
content: Quote from: paulca on August 01, 2025, 08:13:13 amJust Curious. Was it the $30 price difference that made you choose the Rigol over the Siglent?

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 01:02:07 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 09, 2025, 01:55:45 amSince you are a self-described Siglent fanboy, I doubt the purity of your "just curious" statement!The SPD3303X series is going to be hard to defend. Big negatives are the lack of number pad and no current limit adjustment on channel three, then the improper jack spacing and overall less-efficient UI. They were really stingy with the buttons. Siglent corrected those mistakes with the SPD4000X series. Any Siglent fan boy has to have that newer supply instead. The SPD3303X series is a waste of money.If I would have seen the OP's post before he bought the DP832, I would have suggested expanding the budget a small amount and going for the DP932E. It is very similar to the DP832, but the third channel is now fully isolated and you get a touch screen in addition to the buttons.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 01:38:02 am
content: Quote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 01:02:07 amNo need to be offensive. Yes I am curious, but I did not ask you. So there is that.Quote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 01:02:07 amOh, so you have used one extensively and decided, from sustained hands-on experience, that those things are far more important than actual performance. So, I assume that by saying "waste of money" you mean it can't get the job done. I'm shocked to find out that it did not work properly or at all the thousand or so times I've used it over the years. Good to know.Quote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 01:02:07 amHmm, haven't had that desire at all. Quite happy with the performance of my SPD3303X. The new one is probably a top performer too, but I do not dream of extra buttons much.Correct jack spacing would be nice but has not been a huge concern as I don't use dual banana plugs directly to any PS. The banana plug leads I use are individual because the termination on the other end is usually not banana plugs and/or do not go to a device/connection with nice 19mm spaced jacks. It's just not ever been a thing, sorry.Quote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 01:02:07 amThat's nice, but it scarcely excuses sticking your agressive little oar in on someone else's boat trip.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:07:41 am
content: Please go cool off somewhere for a bit. You seem to want to start an argument at the drop of a hat. I didn't post anything "offensive". I merely countered to what I considered to be a passive-aggressive question about why the OP bought the Rigol instead of the Siglent, since there was only a $30 difference. In your mind the Siglent is the better choice and clearly you're wanting to argue the point further. Don't put "Siglent fanboy" in your sig if you're not ready to attract the extra attention!Also, this is a public forum, and if you don't want anyone else to see your posts and join in, then just PM the user directly.I actually did a bunch of research on the SPD3303X series and the Rigol DP832/DP932 last fall. I studied the datasheets and watched pretty much every single YouTube video on them and ultimately selected the DP932E.I never said the SPD3303X didn't perform well. It's just the other issues I mentioned.The SPD3303X is really just a two channel bench supply with a questionable third channel that is ready and willing to release magic smoke due to its fixed current limit of 3.2A.None of this is new information. There are others who have both the Siglent and Rigol and have pointed these things out:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/spd3303x-e-vs-dp832/msg2804956/#msg2804956https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-spd3303x-vs-dp832/msg2530551/#msg2530551

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:12:39 am
content: QuoteQuoteQuoteQuote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 03:07:41 amWow, the projection is blinding me.My 3rd channel has never let the "magic smoke" out of anything. I don't use it with my brain shut off. YMMVAnd then there is..QuoteMay your life be filled with many lovely buttons...I'll leave the last, ridiculous, word to you you ..

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:34:04 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 10, 2025, 03:12:39 amIt's not about having your brain on or off. The components you'd likely use 2.5V/3.3V/5V for can be easily damaged by 3.2A through various situations that are common on many people's benches, such as troubleshooting/repair/design.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:37:51 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 10, 2025, 03:12:39 amThe points I've made are not ridiculous.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:52:57 am
content: Look, if you attach something that you are unsure of to a supply that could potentially destroy it, you are a moron. Need I say more? Having more "buttons" or another channel with adjustable current limiting, are not going to help you if you are dumb enough to attach an unknown DUT to a basically unlimited supply. How is this difficult for you to understand? What am I missing here in your psyche?Seriously, what is the difference between someone just blindly plugging in something to a unlimited supply and not checking that that supply is unlimited, and that same genius plugging in something to an adjustable supply and not bothering to adjust it properly?I have a question for you. Is your world flat?I am now 100% out of this at this point. Byeee!

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 04:41:37 am
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 10, 2025, 03:52:57 amWe'll see if you're 100% out... I think I am being very clear, so I think you don't want to admit this is a major limitation of the Siglent.Perhaps to be even more clear: 3.3V & 5V are very common voltages that you'd need on an electronics bench. Siglent clearly provided that third channel expecting people to use it (or to try to compete from a marketing perspective). Yet by not providing the ability to limit the current further, it either isn't going to be used or it could potentially damage something while being used in common scenarios. So ultimately, it's more like a two channel power supply, instead of three. Yet the price doesn't reflect that.Adding a silly YouTube video to your post and randomly trying to equate me with a flerf definitely says a lot about your psyche, BTW.There is nothing wrong with saying you've had your SPD3303X for just over two years and you've been happy with it, and here's why, and leave it at that. But when you specifically state you're a Siglent fanboy and are challenging another product in open discussion, just be ready to bring out the facts and not other random statements that don't bring the conversation forward.

author: kite31
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 04:52:13 am
content: I do not wish to embroil myself in other people's arguments so this is a separate comment pertaining to the thread.Earlier this year I decided it was time for a new PS so I spent considerable time exploring Korad, Siglent, Rigol and GW Instek. It came down to the Rigol and the Siglent, and after consideration of how the interfaces workedfor meI preferred the Siglent. Size was also a factor in its favour (or against the Rigol). Price was immaterial. Skirting ground I aim to avoid, I don't really give a rat's about the third channel anyway but if I did then I see no issues arising.I have (strictly alphabetically) Brymen, FNIRSi, Owon, Rigol and Siglent gear so not a fanboi of any one of them. It seems to me the OP made a sound choice in the Rigol over the Korad. Like many others, I have some mild curiosity about their particular reasons, because it may help to inform future choices by me.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 05:12:04 am
content: Quote from: kite31 on August 10, 2025, 04:52:13 amHopefully the OP will still share their answer.The smaller size of the Siglent is 100% a valid point and has been mentioned a few times by other forum users as a reason for choosing it:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/finally-chosen-a-power-supply!-siglent-vs-rigol-)/Another product to consider at this lower price point is the UNI-T UDP3305S-E. It has a numeric keypad, the 3rd channel has four voltage settings and there is a 5V/2A USB connector on the front that they are calling a 4th channel.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 08:05:54 am
content: It was the wibbly/wobbly banana posts that put me off it entirely.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 02:22:49 pm
content: Quote from: paulca on August 10, 2025, 08:05:54 amDid you experience this personally, or are you going off a few reports from people on the internet that could possibly be using crap banana plugs?I haven't. None of the banana plugs I use in it are wibbly/wobbly. I suppose if you use banana plugs that are wibbly/wobbly you can feel free to blame your power supply.

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 02:52:04 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 10, 2025, 02:22:49 pmIt has ONE job. I didn't want it to be "picky".

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 02:59:13 pm
content: Quote from: paulca on August 10, 2025, 02:52:04 pmAhh, I see.Well, mine is not picky. I guess it was brought up right. Or maybe I buy better banana plugs? Who's to say?But being compatible with crappy banana plugs certainly seems like a critical criteria for selection of a lab power supply. I'll keep it in mind for future purchases.

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 03:11:03 pm
content: Let me apologize to everyone for my snarkiness.It just really gets under my skin when folks like paulca and J-R here, come onto a thread like this and, despite having zero experience with a particular product, proceed to crap all over it. It's as if they believe their extreme ignorance of the subject, if expounded vociferously enough, will somehow benefit others? Or do they even care?

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 04:09:07 pm
content: Quote from: BillyO on August 10, 2025, 03:11:03 pmYou asked, I told you. If you don't like, don't ask."Whats your opinion if I may ask?""Gives opinion.""I don't like your opinion or why you gave it."

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 04:53:30 pm
content: Quote from: paulca on August 10, 2025, 04:09:07 pmWrong.I did not ask you for your opinion about the power supply, you gave that unsolicited. I asked how you came about your opinion. You did not answer that.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 05:34:11 pm
content: It's illogical to say you can't make an informed decision without having experienced something directly.There are plenty of YouTube videos of people using the SPD3303X where you can observe the issues I mentioned.Check out this video for example:https://youtu.be/GPccllTFeIUAt 58 seconds we see how much the banana jacks move. He also mentions how he'd use the third output for logic levels, so an adjustable current limit sure seems 100% a better way to go.At 13:25 he mentions the jack spacing being an issue.Throughout the entire video you can see how much extra time it takes to make adjustments due to the UI inefficiencies. It's honestly cringe to watch how difficult it is for him to make changes. And you can observe this in the videos from Tony Albus and Marco Reps as well. I watched all of these from start to finish and made my decision based on what I saw.If the issues aren't "issues" for you, then fine, but don't try to pretend they don't exist!And look, the Rigol DP832 and DP932 aren't perfect either. The third channel on the DP832 shares a common with the 2nd channel, for example.

author: mawyatt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 05:52:17 pm
content: We have various power supplies including the older SPD3303X (3). We also have an assortment of various Banana Plugs, Good, Bad and Ugly and some Cheap. All these Banana Plugs work fine with everything we have except some of the cheap short ones don't fully engage with the Siglent. This was discussed awhile back and believe Siglent changed the Banana Sockets in later versions of the SDP3303X. This is a minor annoyance, as is the unusual spacing, however the lack of Overshoot and having accurate, stable, clean outputs are what's important for our needs.For some reason, when we reach for a PS it's almost always the SPD3303X, even tho the GPP4323 is a better all around supply (cost ~2X tho), and we've placed the GPP4323 for the easiest access 2nd from the bottom of a PS vertical stack of SPD-GPP-SPD-SPD.Anyway, everyone has his/her opinion on TE, some agree some don't but no need to get all fired up about this, and we certainly don't want this to become a DSO typediscussionBest

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 05:59:01 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on August 10, 2025, 05:34:11 pmBanana jacks look solid to me. The test lead plugged in has lateral movement, but that's nothing to do with the jack.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2025, 06:29:41 pm
content: I see the same thing. The plugs are ill-fitting; I have some like that too.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2025, 07:36:43 pm
content: After picking up an HP 66332A some years ago, I won't go back to not having a number pad. (I also have the EEZ BB3 and Keysight E36313A.) Same for function generators. It's just so much nicer for getting things done. The Rigol's circular number pad rightfully attracts some derision, but it's better than not having one. The DP932 series has a conventional number pad layout on the touch screen, so that is a small improvement.BTW, the EEZ BB3 is nearly unobtanium at this point, and a new model called the BB5 is being discussed starting here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/eez-h25005-a-possible-successor-of-eez-h24005-programmable-power-supply/msg5824823/#msg5824823

author: paulca
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 09:21:40 am
content: I didn't even really care for the number pad when I bought it, but to be honest I haven't really used anything but that to set it. The alternative isn't exactly convenience, moving the digit, changing the digit, moving the digit changing the digit.5V .1A ON6 key presses.At least when you set it to boot with "last settings" you don't need to change it much. Just set the OVP in case you forget whats connected and fiddle with the wrong channel.One thing that might have made it nicer is adding the "OK" to the dial "push" action. It's not a fluid movement to spin the dial and then have to take your hand off it to reach for "OK".

author: BillyO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 02:36:47 pm
content: Here is a short video of how banana plugs fit various devices in my shop.Edit: Put on YT.https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-3Fc4uiTTi4

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 06:49:51 pm
content: Quote from: J-R on August 12, 2025, 07:36:43 pmI can kind of see where they were going with it. I think they expected the user to not need to look at the controls so much, by being able to place fingers on the rotary knob, and then the user can just look at the LCD screen, and feel out the North/South/East/West buttons to navigate around the screen, then either rotate the knob, or if they preferred direct entry for at least some of the less significant digits if not all, just approximately feel out the numbers, with less risk of pressing a grossly different digit compared to the intended digit (whereas with a matrix, without looking, it's easier to miss-press), almost like knowing on a clock face, where each digit is without needing to look at the clock face. Very little risk of pressing (say) 4V on an almost-clock-face when you mean 1V, whereas on a matrix, they are adjacent. In other words, maybe users get used to where the digits are in that circle, without needing to glance as often or as closely at the buttons.Anyway, I don't own this instrument, but was curious if people end up liking the controls over time, or not.I have a power supply which is ancient, and has an awful user interface (need to push up/down to enter digits,then need to click repeatedly to move the cursor off the right of the display, even if I don't wish to modify the remainder digits, because there's no Enter button! I retro-fitted SCPI to it, so at least I can automate things, than have to go through the front panel if I'm expecting to change voltages a lot of times in a session.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 07:10:09 pm
content: I wasn't crazy about the circular number pad but quickly got used to it.

author: J-R
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2025, 11:08:55 pm
content: The touch screen on the DP932 series is very nice to use. You just tap the channel you want to change, then tap either voltage or current which brings up the touch number pad along with V & mV or A and mA. No need to use the physical buttons at all.

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2025, 07:21:56 pm
content: The DP832 is perfectly fine. Unlock it and use one of the many scripts here along with a suitable DMM to recalibrate. All three channels have the same number of calibration points, but the third channel has a smaller voltage range, so will be more accurate over its reduced range.Come to think of it, we should update the calibration script(s) to have exact calibration points at common supply voltages, like 0.8V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, 5.0V. On all three channels. Maybe also 12V, 18V on channels 1 and 2.