Before spending money on that, you might want to read this Benchmark Media white paper on SMPS, if you haven’t already. I've used Benchmark components with SMPS and have owned a Classé preamp with SMPS for about 10 years. They all have been exceptionally quiet and well-performing gear. Is the idea that an SMPS causes problems an audiophile myth? Every audiophile, I guess, has to weigh the evidence and decide for themselves.
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Yes, more big players like PS Audio are shifting toward SMPS as well, because of higher efficiency, lower noise, compact size, and faster transient response to dynamic power demands. But the question is whether the one used by ICON is up to that level - which I doubt is the case. Not sure if others have launched the same effort but here is one: https://teddypardo.com/product/bluesound_icon_upgrade_kit/
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I think well designed SMPS is great, but not every device out there ships with one. For my exclusively digital devices near my audio I use iFi SMPS adapters. I'm not sure if the Benchmark article covers it, but SMPS have two issues, potentially when not well implemented. 1. The noise on the DC end, 2. The noise they put back into the AC. It's also the 21st century so I hope we rely much more on them now! |
