Power Supply

I was using a very inexpensive Weiliang 15W linear power supply (with a very good DIY power cord that cost more than the LPS). I ran this way with a super, super cheap FiiO Taishan and never ran it any other way and then switched over to a Topping E30 recently.

Someone suggested that I try running the E30 off a powerbank so tried that and found that it was a noticeable improvement on the Weiliang. Smoother and less digital "glare" and very noticeably better in terms of control/dynamics.

I will admit that the Weiliang is not the last word in LPS's: it is dirt cheap around $60 so I would fully expect that a higher quality LPS in the $200-$500 range would and should outperform it.

But I was quite surprised at the performance of the powerbank. Even more dirt cheap (ridiculously so) at $20 at Costco and only a 10,000 mAh model so I need to charge it every day. Once charged, it's good for about 5-6 hours of use on a charge. I may invest in a larger power bank which might get me through 2 days on a charge but it's really not a priority or a big deal for me to charge in the morning or afternoon and be good for the balance of the day.

With minimal use, it might actually make it through 2 days but I'm using it for Netflix duty as well as daily listening through Amazon Music HD or (minimal) CD's so I just make a point of plugging it in to charge once a day.

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 15, 2021 at 08:48:32

Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 2408
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008

A low voltage power supply from K&K Audio.

Low Voltage 12 watt Power Supply Kit: $52

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 15, 2021 at 09:29:24
wheezer Audiophile Posts: 4309 Joined: January 24, 2001	WOW.... Kevin sells fine kits. I've successfully implemented them in various circuits. LN,LDO is just what I had in mind.... Thank you, W.

Cell phone charger, posted on January 15, 2021 at 11:47:59
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37589 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	using Ghent Audio starquad DC cable. Isolated from AC.

RE: Cell phone charger, posted on January 15, 2021 at 17:12:36
zacster Audiophile Posts: 2179 Location: NYC Joined: November 22, 2003	I just use an Anker charger. No special cables. It still sounds a lot better than an iFi.

The power cable, posted on January 15, 2021 at 17:17:24
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37589 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	really makes a difference in dynamic range. Doesn't have to be expensive. I started out with an inexpensive DIY solution.

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 07:49:38
raq Audiophile Posts: 371 Location: Chicago Joined: May 2, 2006	I believe though the latest RPI 4 needs 3A supplied via USB-C. Kevin's kits seem to go up to 2A.

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 11:02:31

AbeCollins
Audiophile

Posts: 46280
Location: USA
Joined: June 22, 2001
Contributor
Since: February 2, 2002

Using a megabuck linear power supply on a purely digital streamer like the Raspberry Pi is like using ultra-high octane racing fuel in a lawn mower. It don't matter much!

Match the power supply to the application, and for a purely digital streamer, a megabuck audiophile power supply is a total waste. I use a $50 iFi wall wart or a $6 wall wart from Amazon.

A DAC, on the other hand, has an analog output stage which warrants a much better power supply. Again, match the power supply to the requirement. Otherwise, you may as well burn a fistful of cash for no good reason. But that's what audiophiles do. Go figure ;-)

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 11:36:46
Cut-Throat Audiophile Posts: 18285 Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area Joined: September 2, 2000 Contributor Since: May 16, 2021	And I am certainly guilty of that also!

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 12:02:08

wheezer
Audiophile

Posts: 4309
Joined: January 24, 2001

The rating of the LT regulator which Kevin uses is spec'd for 3A. Probably work while generating a lot of heat. I won't push components to their limits.
There's probably a higher current LT (LN,LDO) regulator. Of course the circuit is dependent upon the PT.
It's a starting point and worthy of discussion.
As Abe pointed out, a linear PS, which we could use for the DAC, in doing so for the streamer could be a waste of money but the DAC, different story.
Fun stuff....

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 12:49:16
AbeCollins Audiophile Posts: 46280 Location: USA Joined: June 22, 2001 Contributor Since: February 2, 2002	I think we all are to some extent! Myself included.

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 13:23:47
Cut-Throat Audiophile Posts: 18285 Location: Minneapolis - St.Paul Area Joined: September 2, 2000 Contributor Since: May 16, 2021	At least we haven't gone off the 'Real' deep end!

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 13:37:22
raq Audiophile Posts: 371 Location: Chicago Joined: May 2, 2006	Agreed with your points. In my DAC (WaveIO + DDDAC1543), I've separated (all the way to separate power transformers) my digital stages from the analog ones, and while the digital have fairly simple power supplying circuitry, the analog stages currently use a Salas Shunt regulator, and at times have used a few Jung regulator variations (PCBs designed in house by yours truly).

agreed on all your points! , posted on January 16, 2021 at 13:38:36
raq Audiophile Posts: 371 Location: Chicago Joined: May 2, 2006	nt

RE: Power Supply, posted on January 16, 2021 at 13:47:21

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

My FiiO M15 DAC/Streamer/Player is battery powered and I use a smartphone charger to recharge its batteries. Sometimes I leave it connected to the charger while it's playing. It sounds the same either way as far as I can tell. By that I mean it sounds spectacular whether playing from its battery or whether it's connected to a smartphone charger.

I have another DAC/Streamer/Player, which plugs into the wall. It also has a 12-volt DC power input and one of these days I'll try connecting it to a 12-volt sealed lead-acid battery to see if it sounds any better. It's a Mytek Brooklyn Bridge and it sounds just as good as my FiiO M15 as far as I can tell.

Best regards,
John Elison

It all depends..., posted on January 19, 2021 at 15:11:28
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37589 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	whether or not you value more refined sound quality.

Digital Drive

Power Supply

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