Benefit of schottky rectifiers in linear PSUs - GroupDIY

GDIY51PSU Schematic

Svart said: The power supply looks like it will require a transformer with multiple windings, not easy for most folks to get unless you have a source for those too.  I know it's too late for change suggestions however.  I would suggest that people use schottky(or any soft/fast) rectifiers and not use the caps parallel with the diodes.  Attempting to snub the diode snap will just shift it's power to a higher frequency making it harder to shield and more prone to leakage.

[silent:arts] said: any suggestions / links for your preferred rectifiers? I'm new to schottky.

Svart said: Schottkys are majority carriers so they have a much faster recovery and they have much lower forward voltage drops.  Standard P-N junction diode's reverse recovery current when snapping off causes EMI(the reason for the capacitor shunts).  Schottkys don't have this and are much more EMI quiet.

[silent:arts] said: out of interest:
we are talking about a linear PSU, 50 / 60 Hz frequency at the rectifier.
all I could find about Schottkys the last hour via google / wikipedia etc is they are good for switching PSUs at high frequencies  ???
is there really an advantage in the schematic I posted?

Svart said: Lower frequency=more power generally.

This is off-topic but I think you will want to know..... I have it on good authority that the TL783 device is horrible and to not use it. I can put you in touch with the engineer who has told me this. It is Steve Hogan, former VP of Engineering at Jensen Transformers until about . I just met with him in July in California. We were looking at a 2-channel mic pre box he was "fixing" for a client. It was a discrete transistor design. They used the TL783 regulator in there. He says it sucks. And he said why but I can't remember that part. He can be reached by but it may take him a couple of days to reply. Please contact me if you want to look into this further. me at tubemooley_at_yahoo.com. Just trying to help. DANA.

Kingston said: [silent:arts],
If you remove those useless (or even harmful) rectifier caps, there's easily room for those in the PCB. That would also allow the use of simple 1N400X or 1N540X alternatives for the less fussy folk.

mhm, wouldn't give enough space, and I can't reduce the trace width there.
could be possible to add more solderpads for mounting different diodes verticaly instead of the bridge rectifier.
we will see. but the PCB is already near 300 holes, if it gets more it gets more expensive.

more opinions please - not only for this PSU, in general. I used  BYV29 on my psu. I did not make any listening test therefore I can not comment on its sonic effects, if it makes any at all.
I used it simply because it is there and I do not have to worry about the cost as it is a diy stuff. Same thing applies to all the other components that I use. However, the views vary on this issue among the well established designers/writers who also do subjective tests. While Douglas Self says it would make no effect on the sonic performance, Morgan Jones highly recommends fast rectifiers for valve amp designs.