Opinions about power supply

[hellzakk]

Hi all, im thinking of buying my first psu but id like to know from you if i must go with a new one like a Rigol DP832 or go with an (or two) used ones like Agilent E3610A.
The rigol have 3 lines 2 x 0-30V/3A+1 x 0-5V/3A, E3620A have 2 x 0-25V/1A...  new rigol cost MUCH more than the used agilent but have much more A on the lines...
any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

[madires]

If 1A is sufficient for your needs go for the used E3620A. Why spend money on things you don't need?

[hellzakk]

You are absolutely right, but as a beginner id dont know exactly if 1a will ever be my limit...

[EncomLab]

I'm an absolute beginner myself and a EE student to boot so have a pretty limited budget.  My wife got me a Korad KD3005P PSU for Christmas and so far (granted only a few weeks) it has been perfect for my needs. 
[amazonsearch]https://www.amazon.com/KORAD-KD3005P-Programmable-Precision-Adjustable/dp/B018V3CQO0/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1483536797&sr=8-1&keywords=kd3005p[/amazonsearch]

[madires]

You never know. For a starting point 1A is fine to power most circuits. If you need more current for large loads later on, then buy a high current lab PSU, not now. And it's handy to have a few PSUs anyway.

[slurry]

And it's handy to have a few PSUs anyway.

Let me count..1, 2, 3, 4...... i think i have at least 9 variable lab PSU's and a few with fixed voltage so i agree with you, you simply can't have too many 

TS,go with the Agilent, quality lasts a lifetime.

[CatalinaWOW]

Both of those supplies are very nice, but constitute a large expenditure for someone who doesn't have some fairly firm ideas on what he needs.

As I endorse the eventual need for large numbers of supplies, less shiny and capable supplies might make more sense while you are evaluating what you need.  Trying to buy to cover the future is nice, but your interests might lead you to very high voltages or very high currents outside the range of the listed supplies.  In the interim you might fabricate your own supply, buy power bricks or older used equipment.

[Kappes Buur]

Previously I had a Zhaoxin RXN-305D. It did it's job quite well.
Then as a present I got a Zhaoxin KPS3005-DU, it has some very nice features

[rrinker]

 I keep wanting to get a fancier power supply, and I probably will some day, but the E3610A I got does the job just fine and the more frugal part of me just wants to get a second one of those so I can do dual rail stuff. Sure, 60 volts, 5 amps...MORE POWER!  but if you aren't actually building anything that needs that sort of power, save some money for other lab goodies and get the lesser power supply. Those 3610's are like rocks. It all comes down to the right tool for the job - until I hit a project I can't manage with the 3610 I will TRY to not buy more power supplies. 

[basinstreetdesign]

OK. I'm just going to throw this out there and see who craps all over it.

A homebuilt bench power supply is one of the best early projects for a diy-er who is just starting to do electronics.

First of all, building a PS doesn't require having a PS.  Just a meter.  Having a scope is good, too, but is not a show-stopper.

You may be able to get a better cheaper unit off the shelf than you can spend in parts for a home-built one but designing one that you can use for the next few years will pay you back in spade in more ways than one.  You will learn a lot about power supplies.  Especially linear ones as I would not suggest you tackle a SMPS at this point.  Secondly, provided it works well, it will give satisfaction every time you turn it on.

Secondly, you may spend a lot less on the parts for a home-built unit, too if you are a good scrounger or have access to a salvaged electronics store.  Also, if, later on you decide you want another feature you can choose to put it in.  That's much harder with an off-the-shelf one.

My only caveat here is that if you choose to go this route make sure you research the subject well and build it well and with care.  Do not mickey-mouse the thing or you will be swearing AT it more than you will be swearing BY it.