Author Topic: [Solved] Intermediate 4-output bench PSU (Read 3207 times)

NathanR · « **on:** January 31, 2026, 06:34:29 pm »

Hi, I tinker with electronics for smart-home things and sound equipment and lighting equipment.

tl;dr
I need a basic 3-output bench PSU.

Specifically:
I plan on using it to apply power and heat up boards to find failed components with a thermal cam.
That and powering up various random things.

Background:
I have used Grok to help me narrow things down to the below contenders, though I am open to others.
I don't exactly have time to do a deep-dive research on each unit to compare/contrast.

This season of my life is pretty simple (kids and jobs etc); I want things to 'just work' (tm), be fun, easy*, high-value, etc.
I am a EE, but am more of a polymath who's gone into IT and Power so my skills don't go very deep in knowing how electronics work, but I understand the basics (math is my weakness) and can teach myself more as needed by copying what others do [don't get side-tracked here].

*Meaning if hacking it is easy I'll do that, but if not then no I don't want that to be a selling point.

Uses:
I'll use it for business and pleasure. So I don't mind spending a bit more for something decent.
However I am not making money with it, only maintaining equipment.
I already have tons of lab supplies [hot-air, 121GW, SDS1202X-E Scope, etc.] (slowly adding more all the time).

Requirements:
I need +/-30V & 3.3V output
I want digital so it can recall (I hate knobs) [have a B&K Precision 1760A at the office and knobs annoy me for fine tuning]
Idk what other things I need.

Thoughts:
I like the Siglent because of screen and ease of use and I already own a siglent scope and Amazon can ship it quick

I like the Rigol due to higher accuracy and general praise.
I like the GW Instek because its quiet and accurate and 4ch, but price is a bit much [maybe].

Thanks,
Nathan

Model

Brand

Outputs

Total Power

Resolution (V/I Set/Readback)

Ripple/Noise

Connectivity

Channel Isolation

Programmable Features

Memory Presets

Price

Ratings & Reviews

EEVBlog Rating (0-10)

SPD3303X-E

Siglent

CH1/CH2: 0–32V/0–3.2A variable; CH3: 2.5V/3.3V/5V/3.2A selectable

220W

10mV/10mA (hackable to 1mV/1mA)

<1mVrms/<3mVpp

USB/LAN

Fully isolated

Digital interface, SCPI support

5

$459

4.6/5 from 381 Amazon; reliable, low ripple

8 (positive comparisons, hackable, but CH3 limits and binding posts noted)

DP832A

Rigol

CH1: 0–30V/0–3A; CH2: 0–30V/0–3A; CH3: 0–5V/0–3A

195W

1mV/1mA (with option/hack)

<350μVrms/<3mVpp; <2mArms

USB/LAN/RS232 opt

CH1 isolated; CH2/CH3 share ground

Digital, SCPI, analyzer opt

Supports presets

$589

4.6/5 from 26 Amazon; good value, accurate

8 (recommended, hackable, UI dated but functional)

UDP3305S-E

UNI-T

CH1/CH2: 0–32V/0–5A variable; CH3: 0–6V/0–3A variable; CH4: 1.8V/2.5V/3.3V/5V/3A selectable

315W

1mV/1mA

<1mVrms/<2mVpp

USB/LAN/RS232

Isolated channels

Digital, SCPI, zoom function

5

$429

4.5/5 from 150+ Amazon/EEVblog; budget-friendly, quiet fan

8 (good impressions, value vs Siglent/Rigol, UI positive)

GPP-4323

GW Instek

CH1/CH2: 0–32V/0–3A variable; CH3: 0–5V/0–1A variable; CH4: 0–15V/0–1A variable

212W

1mV/1mA

<1mVrms/<5mVpp

USB/LAN/RS232/GPIB opt

Isolated channels

Digital, SCPI, load function, tracking modes

Recall support

$690

4.7/5 from 80+; reliable, versatile

9 (quiet, well-built, responsive, highly praised)

2231A-30-3

Keithley (Tektronix)

CH1/CH2: 0–30V/0–3A variable; CH3: 0–5V/0–3A variable

195W

10mV/1mA

<1mVrms/<5mVpp

USB/RS232

Isolated channels

Digital programmable, SCPI

Not specified

$1190

Global bestseller; intuitive, compact

8 (good quality, accurate within spec, compact but noisy fan)

SPD4323X

Siglent

CH1: 0–6V/0–3.2A; CH2: 0–32V/0–3.2A; CH3: 0–32V/0–3.2A; CH4: 0–6V/0–3.2A (all variable)

240W

1mV/1mA

<1mVrms (typical for series)

USB/LAN

Isolated channels

Digital, SCPI, waveform display, series/parallel CH2/CH3

Multiple (presets + list/sequence)

$782

Recent model; positive teardowns (low noise, build quality)

8 (strong Siglent line extension, waveform view praised, limited long-term data)

SPD4306X

Siglent

CH1: 0–15V/0–1.5A; CH2: 0–30V/0–6A; CH3: 0–30V/0–6A; CH4: 0–15V/0–1A (all variable)

400W

1mV/1mA

<1mVrms (typical for series)

USB/LAN

Isolated channels

Digital, SCPI, waveform display, series/parallel CH2/CH3

Multiple (presets + list/sequence)

$1093

Recent model; YouTube reviews note good performance, remote software

8 (higher power/current, similar to SPD4323X but more capable)

Edit: added digital requirement for recall/hate of knobs
Edit2: added bold headers for clarity
Edit3: added spd4000x based thread

References:
* https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/power-supply-for-home-lab-do-i-really-need-a-rs/msg5496097/#msg5496097
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/new-siglent-spd4000x-series-power-supply/

Benta · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2026, 09:41:35 pm »

I have the GW Instek GPE-4323 and love it (I like dials).
You apparently don't, so the GPP-4323 would be right for you, I guess.

theHWcave · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2026, 10:32:23 pm »

I don't have or know any of the ones you listed but I just want to share something you might want consider. I often need symmetric power, for example +-15V for circuits with opamps or +-30V for audio amps. For this I found it incredible useful if a power supply allows 2 channels to be put into tracking mode so that one follows the other for voltage setting. Not only that, I find it even more important that there should be only one switch that enables of disables the output of both supplies at the same time. Not that many power supplies do that. It is a pain in the... having to manually press two switches as simultaneous as possible. Starting or stopping, say the positive rail and then with some delay the negative rail (or the other way round) can cause all kinds of weirdness. If symmetric power is something you may want, it pays checking that your power supply makes that as easy as possible. The specs are usually vague about such details so this usually means downloading the user manuals of all candidates and reading them before deciding. A good habit anyway, IMHO.

Disclaimer. I use a TTI PL330QMD vintage linear power supply (digital readouts but only knobs for control). Its 2x0..33V, 0..3A but there is a version that has an additional third channel (5V I think). My version supports independent mode, series, parallel and tracking and in tracking mode, one output switch controls both channels. I love it.

NathanR · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2026, 11:34:51 pm »

Quote from: Benta on January 31, 2026, 09:41:35 pm

I have the GW Instek GPE-4323 and love it (I like dials).
You apparently don't, so the GPP-4323 would be right for you, I guess.

I am sorry. I spoke inaccurately.

I did not mean I don't like dials for control. I meant I don't like analog pots as the only means of control.
Every time I use the 1760A I spend 30sec trying to get to 3.30V or whatever instead of simply typing it in or using a digital encoder to set the value.

Quote from: theHWcave on January 31, 2026, 10:32:23 pm

I don't have or know any of the ones you listed but I just want to share something you might want consider. I often need symmetric power, for example +-15V for circuits with opamps or +-30V for audio amps. For this I found it incredible useful if a power supply allows 2 channels to be put into tracking mode so that one follows the other for voltage setting. Not only that, I find it even more important that there should be only one switch that enables of disables the output of both supplies at the same time. Not that many power supplies do that. It is a pain in the... having to manually press two switches as simultaneous as possible. Starting or stopping, say the positive rail and then with some delay the negative rail (or the other way round) can cause all kinds of weirdness. If symmetric power is something you may want, it pays checking that your power supply makes that as easy as possible. The specs are usually vague about such details so this usually means downloading the user manuals of all candidates and reading them before deciding. A good habit anyway, IMHO.

Disclaimer. I use a TTI PL330QMD vintage linear power supply (digital readouts but only knobs for control). Its 2x0..33V, 0..3A but there is a version that has an additional third channel (5V I think). My version supports independent mode, series, parallel and tracking and in tracking mode, one output switch controls both channels. I love it.

Thank you for this. Exactly the type of comment that is missed in a traditional head-to-head comparison matrix.

I agree, I do enough audio work (I own a sound company) to that would be a good feature.
Since realizing Grok's mistake on not including the SPD4000X [something about not in my price range 400-1500] I have looked at lots more info on the Siglent units and believe they would have that capability. If not natively, via the API which I could program into Home Assistant or something pretty easily if I needed it.

Manuals - fully agree. And usually I do. I was trying to outsource some of the thinking on this one since I am pressed for time these days.

---

Having found that Siglent SPD4000X thread, I find the SPD4323X/SPD4306X to be extremely close to what I am looking for so I will concentrate my efforts there.
Finding stock is another issue.

theHWcave · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2026, 11:00:07 am »

Siglent looks nice. Just one comment (again)

. Typing-in (or twiddling pots) to read 3.300 V exactly is not that useful IMHO if there are no sense terminals that compensate for the inevitable voltage drop before they get to your load... But I agree that presets and keyboard entry are a nice convenience and yes, I have other power supplies that I can do that... Strangely though, the old TTI with only twiddle knobs is the one that I use most.

tautech · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2026, 11:07:43 am »

SPD4306X is the pick of the bunch if your budget allows....we keep selling out of them ! ! !

SPD3303X-E is popular and the price is much lower but:
Only 2 of the 3 are fully regulated channels
No webserver for simple remote control
No external sense like SPD4000X models offers on 2 of their 4 channels.

NathanR · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2026, 02:34:48 pm »

Quote from: theHWcave on February 01, 2026, 11:00:07 am

Siglent looks nice. Just one ::)comment (again) . Typing-in (or twiddling pots) to read 3.300 V exactly is not that useful IMHO if there are no sense terminals that compensate for the inevitable voltage drop before they get to your load... But I agree that presets and keyboard entry are a nice convenience and yes, I have other power supplies that I can do that... Strangely though, the old TTI with only twiddle knobs is the one that I use most.

Fair point. It’s more of a OCD thing. (I remember now). I was dialing in 12V for a relay project. Hardly makes sense to leave it at 11.99 or 12.01 had to fiddle with the fine tuning knob to get it just right. Then compensate once DUT was attached 😆 (would hardly be a fair test if the voltage was off, hah ).

Quote from: tautech on February 01, 2026, 11:07:43 am

SPD4306X is the pick of the bunch if your budget allows....we keep selling out of them ! ! !

SPD3303X-E is popular and the price is much lower but:
Only 2 of the 3 are fully regulated channels
No webserver for simple remote control
No external sense like SPD4000X models offers on 2 of their 4 channels.

Absolutely, it is within budget and between 4306 and GPP-4323 in my mind.
My budget topped out at 1500 USD (ideally spend less) but I like the logging feature. I can test how an amplifier drops in/out of standby with that feature.

I read on the forum the 4323 is highly regarded and I find funny that lots of people don’t like the output ordering. I find it super smart. Main channels (1/2) are on top in the quad display and ch 3/4 are on the bottom in an intelligent order for viewing the screen (something you’ll be doing more than connecting wires. I really like that.

Now if I didn’t have to wait until April I’d probably purchase the 4306 today. But the 4323 looks mighty nice and saves some monies. I need to research it a bit more and make a decision.

I suppose I can borrow my work bench for home projects to tide me over.

NathanR · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2026, 03:56:33 pm »

tautech · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2026, 08:02:40 pm »

Quote from: NathanR on February 01, 2026, 02:34:48 pm

Quote from: tautech on February 01, 2026, 11:07:43 am
SPD4306X is the pick of the bunch if your budget allows....we keep selling out of them ! ! !

SPD3303X-E is popular and the price is much lower but:
Only 2 of the 3 are fully regulated channels
No webserver for simple remote control
No external sense like SPD4000X models offers on 2 of their 4 channels.

Absolutely, it is within budget and between 4306 and GPP-4323 in my mind.
My budget topped out at 1500 USD (ideally spend less) but I like the logging feature. I can test how an amplifier drops in/out of standby with that feature.

I read on the forum the 4323 is highly regarded and I find funny that lots of people don’t like the output ordering. I find it super smart. Main channels (1/2) are on top in the quad display and ch 3/4 are on the bottom in an intelligent order for viewing the screen (something you’ll be doing more than connecting wires. I really like that.

Yeah a bit of a tough one is the channel layout when you consider 2&3 are the high output channels and the only 2 that can be placed on Series or Parallel mode for some serious capability for a modern linear precision bench PSU.

Quote

Now if I didn’t have to wait until April I’d probably purchase the 4306 today. But the 4323 looks mighty nice and saves some monies. I need to research it a bit more and make a decision.

The $ saving for 4323 is more within most buyers budget but gives away the higher current capability that 4306X can provide. 4306X is a heavy beast @ some 12kg due to the larger transformer that provides the total 400W output.
These are quite quiet at low loads but the smart fan ramps up for heavy loads.

TBH we have had little call for anything but the 4306X model which I guess is why NA are out of stock of these also.

tautech · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2026, 09:26:08 pm »

BTW it seems Saelig has SPD4306X stock:
https://www.saelig.com/spd4000x/spd4306x.htm

Jump into the TE board and look for the Saelig thread and post there requesting their EEVblog members discount code.

NathanR · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2026, 11:23:53 pm »

Quote from: tautech on February 01, 2026, 08:02:40 pm

Yeah a bit of a tough one is the channel layout when you consider 2&3 are the high output channels and the only 2 that can be placed on Series or Parallel mode for some serious capability for a modern linear precision bench PSU.

The $ saving for 4323 is more within most buyers budget but gives away the higher current capability that 4306X can provide. 4306X is a heavy beast @ some 12kg due to the larger transformer that provides the total 400W output.
These are quite quiet at low loads but the smart fan ramps up for heavy loads.

TBH we have had little call for anything but the 4306X model which I guess is why NA are out of stock of these also.

I heavily considered the 4323. I think if one of the 'bonus' channels were 15V capable instead of 6V I would have gone for it already. I'm less concerned with the higher current capacity.

I do like/prefer the layout of the UNI-T UDP4303S where CH1/2 are the money channels and on the far left.
Oh well, nothing is perfect

Quote from: tautech on February 01, 2026, 09:26:08 pm

BTW it seems Saelig has SPD4306X stock:
https://www.saelig.com/spd4000x/spd4306x.htm

Jump into the TE board and look for the Saelig thread and post there requesting their EEVblog members discount code.

Nice, thank you!
I will finalize my research tomorrow I think.
I need a PSU ASAP!

NathanR · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2026, 03:34:02 pm »

Well... I'm a little frustrated with myself.
I've spent enough time researching to now realize I need to do 10x more research.

It's between the GPP-4323 and SPD4306X.
I looked at the higher-priced offerings and don't think I need any of those features.

I want LAN so the GPP-4323 is $882 and the 4306X is $1100

Is 6A is worth $220 (some good, more better, overkill just right).
I really like the electronic load on the GW Instek.

GW Instek GPP-4323 (LAN)
+Price
+Size (small)
+Electronic Load
+Screen Layout
+Modded firmware
+Quiet
-A few quirks (unlikely to matter to me)

Siglent SPD4306X
+High Wattage
+Resolution
+Web interface
-Large-ish
-Screen Layout
-A few quirks (unlikely to matter to me)

UNI-T UDP4303S
+Nice layout
+Higher resolution
-Large
-Expensive

Keysight E36312A
+Highest resolution
+Smaller
-Not much power
-More technician less hobbyist
-No web interface
-Expensive

Feature	GW Instek GPP-4323 (LAN)	UNI-T UDP4303S	Siglent SPD4306X	Keysight E36312A
Channels	4 (CH1/CH2: 0-32V/0-3A; CH3: 0-5V/0-1A; CH4: 0-15V/0-1A)	4 (CH1/CH2: 0-32V/0-3A; CH3: 0-15V/0-3A; CH4: 0-6V/0-10A)	4 (CH1: 0-15V/0-1.5A; CH2/CH3: 0-30V/0-6A; CH4: 0-15V/0-1A)	3 (CH1: 0-6V/0-5A; CH2/CH3: 0-25V/0-1A)
Total Power	212W	297W	400W	80W
Resolution (Set/Read)	1mV/0.1mA	1mV/1μA	1mV/1mA	1mV/0.1mA (low range 0.1mV/10μA)
Interfaces	USB, RS-232, LAN	USB, RS-232, LAN	USB, LAN	USB, LAN
Ripple/Noise	<350μVrms/<2mArms	<350μVrms/<2mArms	<350μVrms/<2mArms	<350μVrms/<1mArms
Size (W x H x D)	213 x 145 x 312 mm	239 x 157 x 419 mm	221 x 132 x 360 mm	145 x 214 x 312 mm
Weight	7.5 kg	10.5 kg	11.8 kg	8.1 kg
Price New (USD, approx.)	$650-900	$1399	$1093	$1700
Price Used (USD, approx.)	$500-800 (available on eBay)	$1000-1300 (rare)	$800-1000 (scarce)	$370-1400 (multiple eBay listings under $1500)
Ratings/Reviews (Aggregate)	Amazon/Forums: 4.5/5; quiet, UI good, load useful; minor drift.	Limited; high res praised; teardowns show good regulation.	Forums: 4/5; powerful but fan noise, build issues.	Forums/YouTube: 4.8/5; excellent build, low noise, intuitive UI, reliable; praised for precision and software.
EEVBlog Rating (0-10, inferred)	8.5 (value, features)	8 (precision, cost high)	7 (power, quality gripes)	9 (premium quality, minor power limit)

NathanR · « **Reply #12 on:** February 03, 2026, 08:12:30 pm »

Okay, I believe I have decided on the GW Instek GPP-4323 (LAN) Linear D.C. Power Supply.

Now for Saelig to get back to me on pricing.

Reasons:

I love the display has watts, CH1/2 are the money channels, and it has different views.
I think the 50w variable load will be useful to me for testing 3.3/5/12V voltage regulators and batteries
I like the lower price
I was concerned with the PSU error/resolution based on user reports but decided those don't matter much for my purposes
I was concerned with firmware, but it seems to have many releases and even custom variants now that solves issues
Smaller Size/Weight is a bonus, I am quite mobile and bring my equipment to the office and back.
Webserver is limited, but API available if I ever truly needed automation

https://www.electrobob.com/gpp-4323-power-supply-review/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/firmware-mod-for-gwinstek-gpp-series-lab-bench-power-supply
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/just-bought-a-gw-instek-gpp-4323-power-supply-first-impressions-etc/

tautech · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2026, 08:17:46 pm »

So no need for output correction Sense ?

NathanR · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2026, 08:58:44 pm »

Quote from: tautech on February 03, 2026, 08:17:46 pm

So no need for output correction Sense ?

I can't think of what I would use that for.

The use-case for using correction Sense is in parallel mode when pushing high current and it is disabled in that mode.

I like the Siglent's power maintaining abilities under load/no load conditions (no/little overshoot). But I don't see myself needing perfection; only close. I like that Siglent SPD4000X is newer meaning more firmware updates (hopefully) but I went to the website and didn't see many updates to address the forums list of issues.

It's honestly still a tossup between the two. I can't really know unless I tried both. And... that's unlikely.

I went with cheaper for now [amongst other reasons].

sanderb · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2026, 02:57:16 am »

Siglent is selling a broken product with the SPD4000X. They never released the fix for the current limiting bug. The 4-pane UI layout is in practice annoying to work with. If they would bother to release a firmware update fixing these and other things I raised in that post, then it would be a great power supply, but as it is, no, I wouldn’t recommend it. The most recent firmware is from 2024! An expensive power supply that doesn’t do proper current limiting.

NathanR · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2026, 04:23:04 am »

Quote from: sanderb on February 04, 2026, 02:57:16 am

Siglent is selling a broken product with the SPD4000X. They never released the fix for the current limiting bug. The 4-pane UI layout is in practice annoying to work with. If they would bother to release a firmware update fixing these and other things I raised in that post, then it would be a great power supply, but as it is, no, I wouldn’t recommend it. The most recent firmware is from 2024! An expensive power supply that doesn’t do proper current limiting.

Thanks for your review! It helped me make an informed decision.

I don't know enough about PSUs to know what is good and bad. But I feel like I gleaned enough info to infer a similar sentiment which pushed my decision to the much older but more mature GPP-4323.

Having no firmware updates from a 2024 product Immediately thought that was disappointing and I couldn't wait for QOL improvements. Siglent supported SPD3303X for nearly 10 years. I hope they do the same for SPD4000X series. It just wasn't right for me.

I ordered the GW Instek from Newark and it will be here soon!

NathanR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 06, 2026, 02:20:48 am »

Delivered today and I already love it.

Thanks for the help!


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Author Topic: [Solved] Intermediate 4-output bench PSU (Read 3207 times)

NathanR

[Solved] Intermediate 4-output bench PSU

Benta

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

theHWcave

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

theHWcave

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

tautech

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

tautech

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

tautech

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

tautech

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

sanderb

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: Basic 3-output bench PSU

NathanR

Re: [Solved] Intermediate 4-output bench PSU

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