I purchased a used Innuos Pulse Mini that has the provided wall wart and a Teradak LPS that the first owner purchased. I tried it both ways and the Teradak is a definite improvement. He stated that he paid $160 for it online. If you look you will see a ton of options. I’ve also purchased a cheap LPS that looks like an oversized wall wart that ran $30 on Amazon. I use them on my Schumann generators and have no idea if they offer a SQ improvement, but most items are returnable. Look on EBay and Ali Express too. Regards , Mike B.
Reasonably-Priced Linear Power Supply for WIMM Pro Plus Streamer
I just received my WIIM Pro Plus streamer for my second system, which is most often played at a low or moderate volume level.. Set up was prompt and simple, using my iPad zero for set-up and operation. It feeds music to my Rega Brio integrated amplifier and Paradigm Premiere 200b bookshelf speakers. The sound is excellent, it I wonder if going from ehat appears to be a phone charger wall wart (USB-C) to a linear power supply would make an improvement in the sound quality and what options there might be, not to exceed the roughly $200 price of the Pro Plus. BTW, although both the Pro Plus and the Brio have internal DACs, I am using a Schiit Modi 3+ DAC in the system. I will do a comparison of the three DACs to see if there is a significant difference in sound quality. If not, I can simplify things by using one of the internal DACs.
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don’t discount the fact that if the linear power supply cost more than your WIIM unit does. I do not own any of his products. I’ve only heard good things about him. Apparently, I am a Sean Jacobs fan. |
Linear supply imprive sound quality save if you are deaf.. I bought a new chinese low cost one... For a few bucks ... Very good... I bought an even less costly one on ebay made 30 years ago in Taiwan it worked ver7y well too ... my system value is 1000 bucks... I will not buy a few hundred bucks linear supply ... linear supply make a difference ... Especially well grounded with a buffer/filters box ( chinese low cost around 30 bucks)
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LHY LPS15VA — 5V / 2.5A (max), sufficient for your application. I purchased one from AliExpress. Nice build quality. It stays cool to the touch even after hours of operation and is dead quiet. It has a rated ripple noise of 16 µV rms at no load and 150–200 µV rms at full load, which is much better than other well-known popular LPS units, and it was very affordable at \$69 at the time. You can probably still find it for under $100 today. That said, I must honestly inform you that, between the Wiim Pro Plus and the Schiit DAC I owned, it paired with the DAC (definitely a noticeable improvement) better than with the Wiim when compared to the iFi iPower2. Here’s the thing worth knowing: the iFi iPower2 has an extremely low ripple noise, down to 1 µV, so why is it outperformed by an equally affordable LPS made in China? The key factor is that an LPS is inherently more effective because the iPower2 is still an SMPS, and SMPS units generate a lot of switching noise. Okay, time is up bye. |
The issue with the Topping LPS is twofold (no offense intended). First, it generates a lot of heat. Second, its maximum output is limited to 1A—seemingly enough for a WiiM or most DACs, but lacking the headroom to handle dynamic peaks. I tried it and returned it. Ideally, one should look for an LPS rated at least 2A.
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There are many ways to spend an exorbitant sum for a linear power supply, but it's unnecessary. In a recent YouTube video, "Gabster" demonstrates measurements for various linear supplies, with the inexpensive Studer 900 clone performing exceptionally well for the money, demonstrating excellent voltage regulation with an impressive <1μV of ripple. The "Studer 900" LPS in the link below can supply at least double the current of the OE 5V/2A unit supplied with the WiiM Pro Plus, and is around $100 delivered, USA tariffs included. I have used this with both a WiiM streamer and Geshelli Labs J2S DAC and have been 100% satisfied with the performance as compared to noisy OE wall warts. |
@ted_b
Yes, I have extolled the virtues of these R-core power supplies here before (I have 3 of them, all 50W versions here, so a few more dollars (maybe $20-$25) than the one you linked to. Overkill for a Wiim Pro + or a Fiio K11 R2R which is what I'm using 2 of them on? Perhaps, but the proof is in the listening. They are grossly superior in terms of build quality and sound quality to something like the LHY LPS15VA, which is a toy by comparison. Yes, that will give you some improvement in sound quality but nothing like the LPS that Gabster tested and you linked to and I also own. You will not regret going overkill on a power supply like this and, as you say, it does not need to be a costly exercise.
Good quality power cords are also important here (Preffair 503 with copper connectors on Aliexpress is outstanding) as well as a quality DC cable from the LPS to the DAC or streamer. $25-$35 will get you a very good silver plated copper or even all silver DC cable (USB C to fit the Wiim if you like) from someone like KAM Audio in HK that will also be a marked improvement over the giveaways that generally come with these power supplies.
So pretty easy to come in with something very, very good all in for around $200 U.S. |
The immediately apparent difference between linear and switching power supplies is the absence of background noise. Any of the aforementioned Aliexpress units that cost roughly $50 delivered will do that. Tales of power supply-related sonic improvements above and beyond noise suppression are... another matter, let's say. In any event, it should be obvious to everyone that spending $500 on a teddy prado or sbooster supply for a $200 wiim makes no sense. But spending $50 does, and will result in a noticeable improvement. |
i can attest to that...
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I tried one linear power supply from Linear tube audio... Nothing cheap could compare... Dead silent noise floor level i even remember it after 2 years now... My system value being 1000 bucks it made no sense to buy one though... i have tried one with their microzotl tube amplifier which could not beat my Sansui alpha for a very demanding headphone on many front ( K340)... Then i returned it... It is the best linear power supply i ever tried, linear Tube audio service is flawless ... I am no expert in power supply for sure ... But a noise floor level almost zero noise you dont forget it...You hear it...
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I bought this one ( beware there is no on/off button only the connecting plug but this does not bother me) It work well and better than switching power supply... peanuts cost : 58 Canadian dollars or 42 Us dollars:
I pair it with a buffer+ filter sold also for peanuts (50 canadian dollars buy the 5 farad model it is better than the 3 farad one) and it work :
There is so much engineers in China some work for small audio companies and they work well... not all Chinese products are crap...I am more than satisfied... i bought also a filter device who work well for my active speakers...Same peanuts price... Same thing for a cable... My secondary headphone amplifier for youtube listening costed me peanuts (50 Canadian) and is a marvel on all count by Fosi able to drive my sextett AKG k240 ... All my Schumann generators cost peanuts too and worked well ...I will not go without them well located for S.Q. But i bought many Chinese dacs . not one beat my French SPS dac NOS TD1543 by far...I paid it nothing on Ebay bid... I lost all my money on Chinese dac even well reviewed, i did not like them compared to my French dac bought 10 years ago for 20 bucks... There is better dac than the SPS but at a cost equal to my 1000 bucks system... I will die with the SPS...I cannot fault it anyway even on my TOP headphone K340 hibryd.
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