iFi makes some solid LPSs at a few price points.
What are those? If you refer to ipower 2, X or Elite, they are still SMPS.
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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I've used the Farad Super 3, Sbooster, multiple IFI Elite's, & an AfterDark LPS which I thought was the worse. I've also used IFI iPower X. The Farad is the primo unit but I would recommend the budget iPower X. It's cheap, easily returnable, & I am extremely confident you will hear & perceive the improvement over the WiiM's supplied PS. The Ipower X is a legit bang for buck improvement for most devices. I personally feel that IfI's cheapest unit isn't worth the purchase. Pay extra for the X. As noted above the IfI's are switch mode's. Depending on the device I can't really perceive a difference between the LPS Sbooster & the Ifi Elite. I also don't think there is a huge difference between the X & Elite. Though the improvement is there..the Elite also has a proper ground pin. |
Is it just the Sbooster Eco, or is the Ultra added as well? From the spec sheet, the difference in ripple noise is huge—Eco is under 1000 microvolts, while adding the Ultra brings it down to around 10 microvolts at full load. Someone here mentioned that adding the Ultra for $99 is quite beneficial. It baffles me why Sbooster doesn’t just integrate the Ultra by default. I guess audiophiles do care about spending an extra $99 after already paying $380. To be clear, I’m not saying that’s the reason—but I’m certain sub-1 mV ripple isn’t exactly something to write home about. |
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