I have my ensemble II rx built but I get some horrible results - no signal, basically just a boatload of noise (and I think that noise is 60hz hum from the 12v PS).  Bright orange @ the center of the display with a few 'humps' for lack of a better term located up and down the frequency range.  I get this with both the line in and the USB sound card that I bought.

Besides a battery, does anyone have a good idea about where I can get a cheap/short lived 12V power source?  Only because I'm trying to troubleshoot and don't want to spend where I don't have to.

A regulated 12 Volt wall wart with a transformer should work if you have one.  You could also just connect it to your car battery to test.

This a total guess so please do more research before buying.  

I needed one of these upconverters to make me Nooelec SDR work.  When I turn it off, I get exactly what your describing.  

https://www.nooelec.com/store/sdr.html

I had the same issue, try getting one of these:
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1312

It only draws somewhere around [email protected] when transmitting, so you don't really need a big one, you can even run it off 8x AA batteries for a week, lol.

I grabbed 2 6V lantern batteries, same exact issue - see picture

You might need to contact Tony Parks at Five Dash Inc. for help troubleshooting your kit.

You might have done something wrong during assembly.

Yeah, it seems I've screwed something up somewhere.  I've posted pictures all over the softrock yahoo group and it's not jogging anyones memories, so .....