iFI iPower vs linear power supply

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Posted on April 26, 2016 at 02:35:26

paco
Audiophile

Posts: 1520
Joined: April 26, 2000

hi there,

the iFI guys say that the iPower betters most audiophile LPS's...
did anyone compare the iPower with any LPS? which one? to what results?

also, i wonder why they lauched the DC iPurifier, since it is contained on the iPower;
i asked them about using the iPower together with the DC iPurifier, and they replied:
it would be overkill

best, paco

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Inexpensive linear power supply option

Duster

14:51:28 04/27/16

6

RE: Inexpensive linear power supply option

paco

00:27:32 04/28/16

5

" ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

beppe61

08:49:24 04/28/16

4

...

Show full thread outline!

Inexpensive linear power supply option

Duster

14:51:28 04/27/16

6

RE: Inexpensive linear power supply option

paco

00:27:32 04/28/16

5

" ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

beppe61

08:49:24 04/28/16

4

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

paco

10:00:24 04/29/16

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

beppe61

14:16:57 04/29/16

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

Duster

12:01:08 04/28/16

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... "

beppe61

23:10:07 04/28/16

I compared the iPower to Jameco regulated LPSs

Sordidman

11:43:49 04/26/16

RE: iFI iPower vs linear power supply

soundchekk

11:07:27 04/26/16

RE: iFI iPower vs linear power supply

paco

12:33:06 04/26/16

RE: iFI iPower vs linear power supply, posted on April 26, 2016 at 11:07:27

soundchekk
Audiophile

Posts: 2426
Joined: July 11, 2007

1. The DC Purifier covers all voltages from 5-24V not just the ones as supplied by the iPower. You're more flexible.

2. The DC Purifier allows higher currents -- up 2 3.5A

3. Old school audiophiles feel better with linear supplies + noise filter

4. $50 for the iPower is too cheap. Nothing for the die-hard audiophile.
Paying double the price makes them feel a little better.

I ran mine against SBooster and Thel linear supplies.
What the iPower lacks a little is "steam under the hood".
Well buffered linear supplies might sound a bit more dynamic.
I tweaked that by adding additional capacitance at the end of the cable.

On the other side noise level is very low. This would have higher priority
for me.

Bottom line I'm more than happy with the iPower. No need for a linear supply, no need for a DC Purifier.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

blog latest >> The Audio Streaming Series - tuning kit pCP

I compared the iPower to Jameco regulated LPSs, posted on April 26, 2016 at 11:43:49

Sordidman
Audiophile

Posts: 13665
Location: San Francisco
Joined: May 14, 2001

In two instances I noticed no difference, in one I did...

Jameco either beat, or I noticed no difference, and Jameco are $11.

Note: the Jameco doesn't make a 5v 3a regulated LPS, - so not acceptable for a SBT.

YMMV yaddayadda

"Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'"

Jameco

RE: iFI iPower vs linear power supply, posted on April 26, 2016 at 12:33:06
paco Audiophile Posts: 1520 Joined: April 26, 2000	>What the iPower lacks a little is "steam under the hood". >Well buffered linear supplies might sound a bit more dynamic. >I tweaked that by adding additional capacitance at the end of the cable. thanks! could you please give us details about that tweak? how much capacitance? what sort of caps? how did you do the connection? also, a pic will help a lot!... :)

Inexpensive linear power supply option, posted on April 27, 2016 at 14:51:28

Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002

Rather than an iFi iPower power supply ($49), you might research this Zerozone linear power supply featuring a toroidal transformer ($62). Based on my experience of an even less expensive Chinese sourced PSU with similar build quality, this particular Zerozone model seems rather attractive at such a low-cost price point.

There are several voltage options to choose from (indicate to seller which option you seek):

Output voltage / current options:

1: DC-5V/3A
2: DC-9V/3A
3: DC-12V/3A
4: DC-15V/2.7A
5: DC-18V/2.5A
6: DC-24V/2A

See link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zerozone-DC18V-2-5A-HIFI-Linear-Powe

RE: Inexpensive linear power supply option, posted on April 28, 2016 at 00:27:32
paco Audiophile Posts: 1520 Joined: April 26, 2000	thanks, but been there done that; as soon as i tried the DC iPurifier i sold my Teradak LPS; now experimenting with SPS's; will post results soon...

" ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... ", posted on April 28, 2016 at 08:49:24
beppe61 Audiophile Posts: 4705 Joined: January 29, 2004	Hi ! sorry if i missed it, you mean that you have added a DC iPurifier to a SMPS with good result ? which SMPS ? Thanks a lot. Kind regards, bg

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... ", posted on April 28, 2016 at 12:01:08

Duster
Manufacturer

Posts: 17117
Location: Pacific Northwest
Joined: August 25, 2002

I don't see the audiophile logic behind the iFi design concept. As it applies to the design of many audiophile components, half the battle is the implementation of a robust and well-regulated linear power supply section. A high-performance linear DC power supply plugged into a high-performance AC power line conditioner is a tried-and-true audiophile approach rather than filtering a dirty switch mode wall-wart. I can't imagine replacing the linear power supply section of any of my audio components with the iFi approach, so I don't understand why one might choose an iFi outboard power supply configuration vs. an outboard linear power supply unit.

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... ", posted on April 28, 2016 at 23:10:07

beppe61
Audiophile

Posts: 4705
Joined: January 29, 2004

Hi !
thanks a lot for your very helpful advice.
If i understand well you see this device as a band-aid for a poorly designed/built ps ?
I am less "integralist" in the sense that i am always trying to evaluate the benefit/cost ratio.
I see that it costs around 100 USD.
A decent SMPS should be let's say 30 USD ?
Is it possible to find a linear PS of 130 USD with superior performance ?
this would be my question in the end.
On another hand i think that this device is very cute and handy. Like SMPS are also ... very small, reliable, cheap.

Lately i have become quite obsessed by power supplies quality because i truly believe that they can make a huge difference in sound, especially with the average quality of the mains voltage.
I would love to have the opportunity to use a scope to see the noise.
Noise blurs the sonic image for instance, the soundstage is not so defined and materic.
It is a very fascinating topic this one of the power supplies.
For instance i would like to see some scope screens about different commercial SMPS with and without this filter ... i would be very curious.
I like when they promote devices displaying scope screens.
Thanks again.

Kind regards,
bg

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... ", posted on April 29, 2016 at 10:00:24
paco Audiophile Posts: 1520 Joined: April 26, 2000	yep, that is what a meant! i'll post soon on this board about that, especially devoted to the "fundamentalist believers" and to people with open mind who like experimenting by themselves on new territories... :) best, paco

RE: " ... i tried the DC iPurifier ... ", posted on April 29, 2016 at 14:16:57
beppe61 Audiophile Posts: 4705 Joined: January 29, 2004	Hi and thanks a lot for the kind reply. As i said i am particularly interested in power supplies topics lately. And SMPS are so handy. Without too much noise they could be a good option. Thanks a lot again. Kind regards, bg

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iFI iPower vs linear power supply

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