Power supply: SPD3303X-E vs. Statron 2225.4 vs. ??

[hli]

I'm looking into buying miy first real lab power supply. Budget is about 400-500 EUR (maybe 600 EUR if I wait a little bit longer). My favourite would be the Rigol DP832, but it fails my other constraint: size. My workbench isn't big enough to fit a device more than 40cm deep. Currently the shelf where the power supply should go is 25cm deep, but I might replace it with one 30 or, at most, 35cm deep.
So I found the Statron and the Siglent supplies which fit into this size. The SPD3303X-E seems nice, and the Statron 2225.4 too (though I'm open to other ones from these or the 2229 series). What I like / dislike so far about them:

• the Siglent can turn each output on and off, and the 3rd channel can be switched between 3.3 and 5V
• the Siglent can be set to parallel / series (and I think the series mode shows the resulting voltage)
• with the X version the resolution is quite high
• you can set exact voltages easily on the Siglent
• the Statron can deliver 5A
• the Statron cannot be set to paralle AFAICS
• the display resolution of the Statron is not as good - only 100mV for voltage
• only potentiometers for the Statron, so probably current limit is not as exact as with the Siglent

So my questions for all the people owning a good lab power supply:

• would you go the the Siglent X with the higher display resolution? The 1mA current resolution seems nice, but is it worth 160 EUR?
• how important would be a voltage resolution better than 100mV?
• how useful is the programmability in reality?
• how easy / fast is it to set voltages on the SPD3303X when compared with a (10-turn) potentiometer?
• how often do you use that all channels can be turned on/of independently?
• how loud are both?
• probably the Statron is how much better quality - but how good would you rate the Siglent?
• how much space on a shelf does the Siglent really need? Its 28cm deep, but would it fit on a 25cm shelf? (mine is closed in the back, but I can add a hole for the power cord)
• does the Siglent show set voltage/current in addition to the current values?
• can the Statron be set to parallel mode?
• is it possible to replace the voltage display module in the Statron? (what would be a good replacement)
• has anybody experiences with the 2229 series (I'm looking at the 2229.5) - its smaller than the 2225 series, but is it as good?

and last but not least: what else should I consider? Are there any other options (given my restrictions)? Maybe two single-channel supplies? (it should be available in Germany without too much hassles, so I want to avoid overseas shipping)

Sorry for the long post and having so many question, but I want to spend my money well...

Thanks!

[tautech]

Defpom had a look at one I had in this thread:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sdp-3303x-e-triple-output-linear-power-supply-review/

Here's a pic of all the info available with the default display settings:
Note: The GUI is now different as shown below (new FW) to that seen on the Siglent product page.

So my questions for all the people owning a good lab power supply:
would you go the the Siglent X with the higher display resolution? The 1mA current resolution seems nice, but is it worth 160 EUR?

Not IMO.

how important would be a voltage resolution better than 100mV?

For this sort of money I'd expect it.

how useful is the programmability in reality?

Depends on your needs.

how easy / fast is it to set voltages on the SPD3303X when compared with a (10-turn) potentiometer?

It is OK and could be improved further with a finger indent in the encoder knob for making big changes faster.

how loud are both?

The Siglent has a smart fan, at low supply currents it's very quiet.

probably the Statron is how much better quality - but how good would you rate the Siglent?

Never heard of failures.

how much space on a shelf does the Siglent really need? Its 28cm deep, but would it fit on a 25cm shelf? (mine is closed in the back, but I can add a hole for the power cord)

90⁰ IEC cord will get it further back, a standard straight one is supplied with the unit.
From the rear to the center of the front feet is 230mm so yes with a right angle IEC cord it should just fit on a 250mm shelf. With a hole in the rear wall you'll get it back more, just be sure to still have some clearance for cooling.

Member Gandalf_Sr has just bought one:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-spd3303x-e/

[colorado.rob]

R&S NGE102 fits your size criterion and, if you get it on sale, may fit within budget.  http://www.datatec.de/Rohde-Schwarz-NGE102-Stromversorgung.htm

It also looks better then either of the two. 

how often do you use that all channels can be turned on/of independently?

Being able to start and stop individual and all supplies is important.  I use them both individually and ganged frequently.

how useful is the programmability in reality?

It really depends on your use case.  For me, being able to start and stop channels via a computer program is important. It allows me to have a test run over night or while I'm working on other things.

[scdreger]

Admittedly, I'm a newby, but I haven't heard of Statron, is this brand available in the US?

Regarding the Siglent, I watched a video review from a forum member here and it seems quite nice. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand they've also addressed the odd sized binding post issue which was discussed in Dave's video review of the non-E version.

[tautech]

Admittedly, I'm a newby, but I haven't heard of Statron, is this brand available in the US?

Regarding the Siglent, I watched a video review from a forum member here and it seems quite nice. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand they've also addressed the odd sized binding post issue which was discussed in Dave's video review of the non-E version.

Correct, it was fixed some time ago. They appear loose for the first mm or two then are quite firm to fully engage.
I think the spacing is still the same.....I'd have to check.
C-C terminal measurement: 24mm

[hli]

Admittedly, I'm a newby, but I haven't heard of Statron, is this brand available in the US?

Conrad.com has them in their catalog, and they deliver world-wide. Probably shipping will get expensive, though.

R&S NGE102 fits your size criterion and, if you get it on sale, may fit within budget.  http://www.datatec.de/Rohde-Schwarz-NGE102-Stromversorgung.htm

This surely looks nice. But its total output power is only 66W - so at full voltage you can draw only 1A per channel. And the 650EUR is without taxes, so the sale would need to at nearly half the price

Being able to start and stop individual and all supplies is important.  I use them both individually and ganged frequently.

I was thinking so, so thats one more point for the Siglent. Since it shows both set and actual values with the new FW, it seems this will be my choice (especially with the poor voltage resolution of the Statron).

Many thanks to tautech for doing the measurements, and answering basically all my questions! I really appreciate that.

Regards,

hli

[tautech]

Being able to start and stop individual and all supplies is important.  I use them both individually and ganged frequently.

I was thinking so, so thats one more point for the Siglent. Since it shows both set and actual values with the new FW, it seems this will be my choice (especially with the poor voltage resolution of the Statron).

Many thanks to tautech for doing the measurements, and answering basically all my questions! I really appreciate that.

No problem. 
I might add that some units I got just after Xmas didn't have the latest FW, it came later while they were in transit and the sceensaver was disabled with it. Any fresh stock from suppliers should have the latest FW, it was released at the end of December 16.
http://siglentamerica.com/gjjrj-xq.aspx?id=5052&tid=15

[slurry]

Statron is rather coarse stuff, suits better as a lab supply in a garage than on the lab bench and vice versa with the Siglent.
Although, personally, i would browse the ebay for some used high quality PSU instead.

[hli]

Statron is rather coarse stuff, suits better as a lab supply in a garage than on the lab bench and vice versa with the Siglent.

Looks that way - probably nearly indestructable and long-lived, but not directly intended for lab works. Maybe I can get one of the 10A single channel supplies later on, for anything requiring lots of power.

Although, personally, i would browse the ebay for some used high quality PSU instead.

Ebay Germany seems to be a bad market for that - sellers seem to know what stuff is worth. And in addition, most supplies you can find (e.g. HP/Agilent) are too big for my bench.