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Solution for Schitt Loki wall-wart power supply?

I have a Schiit Loki EQ in my system. Because CD SQ varies so much, it makes no sense to me to not have some sort of tone control option. 

The Loki has a cheap wall-wart and I'm wondering whether my system might benefit from an improvement in this particular area. I don't "currently" have any sort of power conditioner. Before I bought teh Loki, a buddy brought over one of the top-tier PS Audio power regenerator/conditioner devices and neither of us could detect any resulting improvement in SQ, so I don't think I need to address power conditioning for the entire system. 

The Loki wall-wart is plugged into a Cullen Cable outlet receptacle box, along with the power cords for my DAC and CD transport. 

I'd prefer not to spend more than, say $400 at the most. This is an area of audio about which I know very little. 

There are linear power supplies (some very expensive). Is a more economical option like those offered by Small Green Computer 
https://www.smallgreencomputer.com/products/5v-12v-linear-power-supply-15w?variant=30287580528674&am...
worth considering?

Would it make sense to use something like the Shunyata Venom Defender or Nordost , NORDOST QK1 QKoil Load Resonanting CoilPower Conditioner, plugged into the same wall outlet with the Cullen? 

https://www.musicdirect.com/power/shunyata-venom-defender-stand-alone-plug-in-power-conditioner

https://www.musicdirect.com/power/quantum-qk1-qkoil-load-resonating-coil

Suggestions? Other/better options? 

Thanks. 





stuartk
16 responses Add your response
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 
You are better off with a Teddy Pardo PSU.
I have one on a streamer. An SGC Ultra Cap on another.
However I have not tried one on my Loki, tight quarters. No guarantee it will sound any better.
I generally see minimal gain in spending more $$ for  power supply than any non-amp component.
If you try it let us know.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,407 posts
 
According to the Schiit web site, the Wall Wort is actually a linear power supply with 17 volt rails.  They (Schiit) say buying a separate linear power supply is totally unnecessary.  I have a Loki on order, it was supposed to ship today but yet another delay.  Now they say March 3rd. 
stuartk OP
2,888 posts
 
fuzztone: "Tight quarters", here, too!  I appreciate your advice regarding likely return-on-investment. I was simply curious about whether this might perhaps be a neglected "achilles heel" in my system, having repeatedly  encountered the opinion that "wall-warts are bad". 

stereo5: I can't seem to locate the specs you quote on their website. 
Could you possibly PM me a link? 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,629 posts
 
Not all wallwarts are bad.
The flying dutchman tried upgrading the Silent Angel and said that the stock "medical grade" was better sounding. Schitt DOES engineer their power supplies and I've no reason to change any of my 4 Schitty components.
mlsstl
1,438 posts
 
If you read the "specs" tab for the Loki on Schiit's web site, you'll note that it states their "wall wart" uses a transformer for the power supply.
oldears
386 posts
 
The owner's manual clearly says: "Do not use any other walwart,,,bad things may happen".
giantsalami's avatar
giantsalami
227 posts
 
I have mine simply plugged into my conditioner, with no noise or issues whatsoever. A great piece of equipment that I highly recommend.
stuartk OP
2,888 posts
 

The concensus being that I shouldn't mess with my Schiit, I will 
move on to other possible tweaks. 

Thanks !


auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Just finding this thread.  To add more detail, the Loki "wall-wart" is actually just a small transformer.  If you look on the back of the Loki, the power socket says "16 VAC".  This means 16 volts alternating current.  The "wall-wart" transformer just reduces the 120V AC down to 16V AC.  The rest of the linear power supply is inside the Loki.  There have been other electronic devices that are designed this way, but it's very rare.  The good thing here is that the transformer is far away from the Loki and will not produce electromagnetic interference inside the Loki.

So, yes, if you connect a 3rd party "DC" linear power supply, bad things could happen.
jetter
3,035 posts
 
It is disconcerting when people give advice with an air of authority when they have no idea what they are talking about and which could actually result in damaging other peoples equipment.
Post removed 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
@jetter - this assumption is so easy to make because 99% of the time, these small units just use a real "wall-wart" switching power supply so a linear power supply upgrade would work just fine. However, when I look at possible upgrades to linear power supply I always try to examine the rear panel to see what the power requirement is. Usually it’s DC, such as 5V DC or 12VDC or something similar. In very rare cases, it is actually a, AC input (which can use the same barrel plug connector as other DC power supplies).  If there's no print on the rear indicating power supply requirements, then I need to pull out my multi-meter to see what the power adapter is really producing.
Post removed 
jetter
3,035 posts
 
My bad, I realize fuzztone was just being helpful.
stuartk OP
2,888 posts
 
auxinput2:

Thanks-- I had no idea the Loki had a linear power supply, inside !  
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


The wall wart is just a 16vac linear transformer, the rest of the power regulated supply is inside the Loki. The wall wart is more than going to do the job,, replacing it with anything else will most probably not reap any benefits at all.

BTW does anyone know what the differences between the Loki and Loki Mini+ are??

Cheers George
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