Linear vs switching regulators

[wireweird]

Worked with linear regulators for some straightforward audio projects but recently been swayed towards switching regulators because of their efficiency. Which one do you prefer and what’s your reasoning behind it?

 

[Tovaren]

For most projects I'd go with switching regulators. They're usually more efficient and run cooler which is a win-win!

 

[barfle]

There’s a lot of “it depends,” of course. Linear regulators are pretty simple, with few parts to fail, but they regulate by turning the excess energy into heat. Switchers are a lot more efficient, but more complex, so they have more parts and are more expensive.

I’ve done both, and the choice was based on unique factors for each project.

 

[BrianB]

Over the last decade or so, I've used both discreet component linear as well as packaged switching supplies in various audio designs.

With bipolar supplies, I prefer an unregulated linear supply for power amplifiers and a good regulated linear design for headphone amplifiers and preamplifiers. My experiments with bipolar switching supplies have not sounded as good.

For single ended supply preamplifiers and (typically) small power amplifiers, I hear no advantage to regulated linear over less expensive and more efficient package switching supplies as long as there is some extra power supply capacitance on the circuit board.

Some folks prefer to add additional output noise filtering to those switching supplies. I've done some of that but differences are subtle and I haven't done the blind A-B testing needed to verify the expense.

 

[Alan]

This is such an interesting breakdown! Seems like you’ve really tuned in to what works best for each setup. Love hearing about where switching supplies shine and where linear options still have the upper hand for you.