Just ordered a Plixir Elite BDC from James! With Statement cable! Thank you for this herculean effort, Jay!! It arrived today. It's shocking to me how accurate Jay's description of every aspect of its performance was. I'm superbly happy!!!
Hi. I am curious how you are liking your BDC now? I am on the fence for pairing a BDC with my Qutest given the expense. But if it makes a major difference I would buy. Any thoughts you are willing to share on your experience?
@@robbrookby3350 Oh I absolutely love it. Definitely keeping it. It actually replaced the Allo Shanti, which I had used for a year. Clear and obvious step up. Was able to do a truncated in-home demo with a Denafrips Terminator II and a Holo Audio Spring 3.... two DACs that were previously able to outperform the Qutest to my ears. Welp, Qutest beats them now. That's how much more refined the Elite BDC is, and causes the Qutest to be. Mind you, I love Denafrips and use a GAIA DDC (used it to test all three DACs), and had previously wanted to obtain a Holo May. So, if anything, I was biased slightly against Qutest. But the Elite BDC gave the Qutest more body, refinement, tonal trueness, scale, AND slam. Tone colors are accentuated whereas before they were grey. Sibilance greatly decreased (gone with the GAIA). Refinement was obviously improved. I had a HugoTT2 on loan from a friend and, shockingly, preferred Qutest + Elite BDC by a very slim margin. Add in the Gaia ($4600 USD if all 3 are bought new, at full price) And the Qutest setup was solidly better. The Hugo TT2 did not seem to benefit very much from the Gaia, but the improvement with Qutest + Gaia was huge. HUGE. Gaia brought the same magnitude AND type of improvements as the Elite BDC. My other DAC is a Lumin D2, also with Elite BDC. It is a much more lush and dark and smooth DAC than the original Qutest.... they were nearly opposites in stock form. But, now, they are much more alike than different IMHO. The Qutest adopting a much more lush, colorful, refined analog character (while still having all the famous detail) and the Lumin D2 gaining dynamics and air and scale (while still being lush and analog). The Elite BDC made them both truer to the music. So the Elite BDC truly has no sound of its own. I use Statement DC cables with both Plixirs.
@@DBravo29er incredibly helpful! I have made the purchase of a BDC. Looking forward a genuine upgrade to my Qutest. Do you think the Gaia is the DDC that makes the most difference? Would the Iris or Hermes get you very close to what the Gaia brings? Or is there something special about the Gaia?
@@robbrookby3350 I actually had an IRIS for a year. That alone, makes an obvious difference with Qutest. But stepping up to GAIA made another improvement that was nearly as large... and worth the $$, IMHO.
Great review. A monumental task to review all these LPS! Agree with your comments and findings on the models of LPS that I've listened to. Never heard of Sean Jacobs until this video.
Subscribed. Kudos for not only taking on such an arduous endeavour, but communicating the results sufficiently to assist fellow audiophiles searching for a power supply to complement their own system. So much more useful than the typical rag review where the reviewer ecstatically throws adjectives across the page about how good it sounds, but compares the product to nothing.
ive been running my JS-2 for about a week now and the detail retrieval is amazing. With darker background which i didnt know i was missing. Using with the Lumin U1 mini which is already a fantastic streamer the Uptone JS-2 brings the unit to another level. JS2 was recommended by a fellow audiophile as it is one of the few that utilises Rcore transformer
Okay I bought a Plixir Elite BDC + Statement DC cable for my 5V Chord Qutest, 12V Lumin D2 Streamer, and for my 19V Roon Nucleus + revA about a year ago. The Elite BDC is everything Jay says (see my prior comment). Nothing else is close for the price. HOWEVER, I worked with Ghent @ Ghent Audio and had him make a Gotham GAC 4/1 UltraPro starquad DC cable with JSSG360 shielding and WHOA!! It maintains all of the openness and clarity of the Plixir, but adds more tonal richness, density + contrast, a LOT more slam/punch, lots more meat on the bones, added bass weight/authority, and this very pleasant midrange "glow" that sits on top of everything from watching youtube videos to actual music. I actually think it *added* openness, space, layering, scale, and air compared to the Statement DC cables (which I used for over a year). I started with my Chord, then got a Ghent JSSG360 Gotham for my Lumin and then for me Roon Nucleus. Biggest improvement was on the DAC (obv). Ghent cables are a no-brainer and I would actually say to skip out on the Statement DC cable *UNLESS* you have a dark system.
I have 3 different DC cables...the Ghent, a $300 cryo treated Kimber and a pure silver one from AliExpress. I prefer the Gotham from Ghent over the other two!
Amazing video with tremendous amount of work, much appreciated. One thing missing, however, is a negative control, a sound clip without using any linear power supply.
Yes People are still reading your reviews. I appreciate what you have achieved here. No one else wants to touch this topic of power supplys. Since I do have a RME ADI 2 DAC, would I be better off with the Uptone. Have you heard much about MCRU LPS sound quality?
I heard that the Uptone Audio JS-2 and the JCAT optimo 3 duo are the best. Especially if you use a JCAT XE USB and internet card and use them on that. Personally I recommend JCAT LPSU on everything in a streaming system, and then having the 2 JCAT cards in the PC, and then using an Uptone Audio USB isoregen.
After watching this review, I decided to try the PLiXiR BDC 12V 2A + Statement DC cable for my network switch. I was amazed by how much more revealing it was compared to my Farad + Level 2 DC cable (2021). The PLiXiR is stronger at low level micro detailing, accuracy, speed, and dynamics. The sound is less dark and has more high extension. Even though they have different sound qualities, the PLiXiR tone was more to the truth to me. I didn't expect it because back then I thought the Farad was a safe choice to go. I can confirm this review is quite accurate. Thanks!
Need a power supply for my Merrill turntable that is output 12V AC. Using the Sbooster 24V on my Rega 6 and Sbooster doesn’t make a 12V AC adapter. Thoughts? Thx
Thanks for doing these reviews. I have the SBooster on my Roon Nucleus One, and it really broth the Roon device to life. I also have the Fadar Super 3 on my Volumio Rivo streamer, I am still trying to figure that out in regards to sound quality improvements, it is new, and still burning in. As of now, it is a keeper, they both are.
You have to have extraordinary ears to hear a difference in DC power. Wow. Coming from the world of music/guitar amps, where people discuss the sound of capacitors and tubes, I can jump right in. 🤪
Never thought a big fat power cable thingie would affect sound so much. It did! I just got the cheapest Shanti Twin Ultra. My Lindemann limetree bridge has come alive! Much more detailed.. I have: Limetree (with Shanti) --> RME ADI-2 --> Dynaudio Focus speakers Questions: (Please, if you could share any thoughts when you have a moment)-- 1. The Shanti Twin Ultra LPS doesn't seem to be able to power RME dac. The RME won't come on at all when connected to the Shanti cable. Any idea? 2. If I get the SBooster option.. will it be able to power the RME DAC too?
Plixir is the best of all of them, especially the new one (The Statement) with the statement DC Cable. Plixir just upgraded their line to MK2 as well for the Elite BDC
Hi, I have enjoyed your most comprehensive video immensely! The next logical steps would be servers/streamers: silent cases, high-grade cards, etc. Many would build their own hi-grade home media servers/streamers with these great linear power supplies instead of paying outrageous sums for the current market's top offerings, like Grimms, Aurenders, or Innuoses of this world.
Trying not to be a troll here but surely a power supply ether provides enough current or not at the specified voltage. The only concern would be the ripple current at 50Hz when using a none swich mode power supply. Somthing with a big transformer. As long as it has large enough filter capacitors on the DC side it should be fine. If you're going to that much expense why not just use batteries that you charge up before listening. That way you can be completely isolated from the mains voltage. If all you're equipment was supplied by one large battery made up of multiple cells you could just tap into the individual cell connections to get the required voltage. Balancing would need to be worked out somehow. Preferably everything would run on a set voltage like 12 volts. And internal power supplys could be used to step down the voltage for things like preamps. Surely you know that there are many components in your devices like you preamps that use voltages other then the Initially supplied 12 or 5 Volts. It's not like you just supply a clean 5 Volts and everything inside your preamp uses that same 5volts. Some components will use 1volt and others will need 12volts so DC to DC converters and voltage regulators are used internally. Often the same components that are used by a $20 DVD player that your neighbor Purchase from Aldi. A lot of this suff is driven by pure demand coltevated by very clever marketing people. Some of the components are Manufactured to look expensive. Like capacitors with shiny polished metal sleeves. The use of components designed for military and sensitive communications equipment. For things like audio equipment is often completely an absolutely redundant because audible signals Range between 10 Hz and 40 kHz with human hearing falling between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The components used for frequencies in the megahertz sound cool to the electricaly uneducated. But make no real actually audible difference. Even your DAC at most processes at 92Kh 32 bit but these chips cost very little to produce. But don't think for a second there not cashing in on the audiofile market. They wouldn't print a fancy company logo on their chip if this wasn't the case. They to are posing for the camera. They will manufacture Hundreds of thousands of less glamorous new less glamorous nearly identical chips for the likes of Samsung and Apple. At a fraction of the price. of course the same thing could be said about sugar. I love chocolate mud cake as much as the next guy. But it still just mostly flower and sugar.
these people should listen to gene at audioholics. I used to be a hifi salesman at a magnolia design center and basically got the audioquest rep to admit his stuff was snake oil. when i saw the margins of what we paid vs the selling price i almost spit out my coffee. as to this gentleman , he is either having placebo or lying
I'm pretty sure Gene (to no fault of his own...probably his biology) simply can't hear the differences between cables, etc. But I've followed him for over a decade and he does great work on the non-subjective side of things. Although I don't think you have to spend a ton of money to get something more suited for your tastes - the fact is they could sound different. I have a BS in EE...and we were taught that similarly spec'ed components should MEASURE and perform similarly but were NEVER taught that they should SOUND similar. Also, the smarter engineers WOULD'NT just presume it would apply to sound - but instead experiment for themselves like the guys at Iconoclast cables. They've admitted that cables could measure the same...but sound very different. audiobacon.net/2019/05/27/iconoclast-cables-same-measurements-different-sound/
@@AudioBacon sure cables can have different LCR values... and could effect the sound if they're passing analog audio through rca or xlr for example. But here's the problem with the whole power supply and power cable thing... its powering a digital to analog converter...with a regulator & tons of capacitors in it also probably equipped with delta sigma modulation. Therefore the differences in power supplies would be invisible to the chip doing the actual audio conversion. I have a BS in AE , MS in ECE and design converter IC's and FPGA's for a living. It baffles me that people are genuinely spending 1000's on stuff like that DC4 when actual high end conversion (i.e Lavry Quintessence, Weiss, Prism) use regular $100 skynet or meanwell power supplies.
@@LeeOnTheTrack You just have to listen for yourself - each of those power supplies even with RUclips compression affect the output differently. Surely, they're not all defective. What we learn in the classroom doesn't explore the perceived sonic consequences of some of these designs. Only whatever our scopes and other measurement devices can tell us. Sure, on paper, it shouldn't make a difference. But it does. Buy why? That's the million dollar question - and I think we still have a lot more exploration to do in this domain. This is coming from someone who's as technical as it gets...so yeah, I thought all this was snake oil a few years ago. Until I actually listened with an open mind. That's what makes this exercise so fascinating to me.
Talk about diminishing returns. Don’t get me wrong, a linear power can be quieter when pushing your system comparable to a switch brick. But to really have that many sounds aesthetic differences you need to have an extremely large system with a lossless source (no dirty vinyl records and power driven monitors allowed!)
I take Jay’s description to mean that any number of particular sonic elements within the presentation sounded blended into one another or squashed, so as to not so easily be able to pinpoint those individual elements in the overall recording, or in parts of the recording thereof. To me, congealed could also be described as sounding mushed, squashed, congested and/or un-dynamic as opposed to sounding articulated, separated, dynamic and/or delineated. That’s my take, FWIW.
@@johenkay1129 Just watched that part of the video again Johen and I’m with you, it is being used as a positive descriptor, my mistake and misinterpretation. Thank you for the correction 🙏
Great Content. I have a RME ADI 2 Dac FS. I also have a Volumio streamer I just bought. I also have an Exposure 2510 Amp. At this time I am leaning toward the PLIXR Elite. I only want to buy 1 power supply.at this time. Would I be better off buying power supply for the DAC or the Rivo as far as sound quality?
Which of these units would you say pairs the best with the Chord Qutest? I value dynamics, speed and bass quantity/quality over other sound characteristics.
Hi, I've an ADI-2 DAC FS with an Sbooster connected. I've made a video on it - in german - you can use subtitles. Look for "Soundupgrade REM ADI2 DAC FS mit PSU von Sbooster" . In short, this was the best invest in my hifi for years. The soundstage is now wide open, more details in heights, bass is more precise than with the standard PSU. The only "drawback" was Sophie Zelmanies voice: the "s" in her voice was a bit more emphasized 😄
Great job, first time to see someone compare power supplies. I have a question if you are in the mood for a little DYI? IAN Canada has an interesting power supply kit, I made myself a LinearPi dual(5V) + 2x UcConditioner5V (module with supercapacitors) and Toroidy Supreme Transformer. This sounds better to me than anything I’ve tried for a fraction of the price. This power supply is connected to Jcat NET XE and Jcat USB XE cards. It would be interesting to put together one such power supply and test it.
When it comes to power, all the different options really confuse me. Some say, get dedicated outlets (new electrical line put in), some say just a really good power conditioner, then there are power re-conditioners like from PS-Audio. Where do these linear power supplies fall? If you get this for 1 component, do you still need a good power strip/conditioner or should this connect str8 to the wall? But what if you dont have enough outlets, then you have no choice but to get a power strip of some sort? Very good video though, thnx
Get everything it effects sound having o r weak link effects the entire setup. You might only need a power conditioner if you have too much noise in your line. If I'm not wrong some places let you demo try and look where.
Thanks for taking the time to put this all together.. its awesome that you have taken this task on. I have a general comments about your setup and your observation.. I have to believe that a Linear powersupply and its effects should be realized differently by different DACs.. ie a highly analytical and resolving FPGA DAC like a Dave may behave differently than a Denafrips Terminator vs a Tube based Dac, etc and how their logic and output stages are constructed... Wondering if this test could have been done differently such that we can see if the colorful description and language you are giving to these power supplies consistent among different dacs.streamers, phono stages, etc. If different results are observed on different genres of devices, then these powersupplies can't categorically be called "warm", "create larger soundstage", "musical", etc.. because these descriptions would be specific to a particular source component.. looking forward to more of your in depth comparison videos!
Jay, what a mammoth effort! Really applaud you on this most awesome comparison. I’ve taken so much from it. As you asked if we might have alternatives to suggest, I have one I’d love to see you compare against these. It’s the iFi iPower Elite and the interesting (curveball) thing is it’s a well made (here goes) switching-mode (can’t believe I said it!) power supply. I bought this for my Qutest and decided to go this switching mode route based on comments made online by Rob Watts of Chord. A Linear vs Switching Mode debate is something I don’t care about, I just care about awesome sound and I believe both technologies, when done right, would have their merits. So, on top of your already peerless power supply comparison, would you consider throwing in the iFi iPower Elite? In it’s favour, it’s really well made, a compact size, is readily available from Amazon (for £299) in 4 different voltages (5V, 12V, 15V and 24V) and even comes fully supplied with various connectors, including one for the Qutest. Oh and I think it sounds great, perhaps majoring more on resolution, but would be great to hear your expert opinion. Hope you consider it and hope you’re recovering from the burnout of trying all these supplies. Once again, really top effort and loving your work 🙏
outstanding review, specially since it uses Chord Qtest, a DAC that is both very power dependent and really underwhelming and not impressive out o the box.
@@QQ-td9id I do use Qtest, but wasn't all good. I upgraded to an ifi psu but that wasn't good ether. I nearly quit the hobby thinking that is such a praised dac is so boring I need to spend 30k on a DAC alone. Luckly I discovered a 6 yo vido. Long story short, I did try it on a phone power bank and was an instant improvement. I ordered a n Initio 3 PSU next day, and with that I see what is so impressive about it, specially if you cut out all USB from the chain, use real glass cable and so quality streamer. The dac will show if you chain is bad.
The single reg SR7 isn’t the top model. The double regulated DR7 is. And there are extreme versions with z-foils and Teflon boards which take it to another level again.
First of all thank you for such huge effort! This is unique review! I know I would go crazy after 2 lpsu comparisons :) As for Farad, especially with the orange fuses, it takes a lot to break in. My first impression with the Farad was the same as yours. Then I did two things 1. left it to breakin for 15 days 2. asked FTA’s owner Zoran to help me with the DC cables. FTA - makes Callisto which is I believe usb cable in your setup. After 15 days without listening to F3s the sound was a) warmer b) much better vocals c) more spacious With new copper cables (14 strings of copper in parallel, each), it was another SQ boost. And then we have decided to play with the AC cables… Oh boy how F3 reacts to it :) At the end, I think that F3 is great LPSU for my gear which is M2tech Marley Mk2 and Young Mk3. You just need to be aware that it requires a) burn in b) high quality DC cables c) high quality AC cables And than comes the paradox… cables are now more expensive than the lpsu itself :) I have compared F3 against a) switcher psu b) m2tech van der graaf c) hdplex 200W d) soon against the ideon lpsu
Good to hear they work well for you! Yeah I could hear the potential of the Super3. Obviously I can't evaluate all the permutations with third party cables. FTA makes some really good ones.
@@AudioBacon you did great job. Amazing actually. It would be impossible to add 3rd party cables into the mix. That is why I wanted to share my findings. Just to add a bit of additional information. AC cables used are all made by FTA: elara v1 and v2 and FTA clone of Ansuz C2. The clone brings such wonderful bass and midrange and makes soun calm and warm without loosing air and 3d. Elaras bring more sparkle and air. I have sotm sps 500 im my collection as well but I couldn’t hook M2Tech gear to it for comparison against F3. 2 more F3s will be purchased soon to power Sms 200 ultra neo and tx usb ultra. I will share my findings. As for Callisto, get ready for Sinope :) It is Callisto replacement also made by FTA. I have replaced my two Callistos with Sinope in a heartbeat.
If audio devices are so influenced by the outside, it seems like bad design that does not respect itself to produce good sound. Probably need to get better audio devices with better design. Do these audio companies market themselves with particular audio quality, or invite users to color their music with various power supplies?
@@AudioBacon Ah thanks, later I saw the video footage and there is it clearly visible - at first, I just read your review (a dozen times :)) Now I'm wondering, whether it's sensible to keep upgrading the power supply for ADI-2 (now I'm using iFi Elite 15V), or rather go for a new higher-end DAC and keep the Jcat's outputs for 5V NET card & streamer only? My gear is built around Meze's headphones, powered by GS-X Mini and bass response is in my focus. Thanks a lot!
@@SpaceEncounter Well how much a better power supply improves the sound of a DAC always depends on one's electricity at home. For me, even with a decent power filtering solution, I remember that it brought more intense and lively sound, so I kept it and didn't analyze further much. But there are also other tweaks for similar money, with much better gains in terms of purity, spaciousness and atmosphere. The best one for me were the local grounding units named "Terminos" from Audiophile Rocks, specifically from the Abysscurum level and upwards.
The cymbals at the beginning of the song and the tremolo in her voice is much more pronounced (and realistic) with the Sean Jacobs power supply. Top shelf parts do make a difference. But I personally wouldn't spend that much on a power supply.
I don’t believe the Farad Super3 (Level 2 Copper) has been recorded the same as the others; or its resolution is much lower - it sounds completely different, and bad.
Good subjective analysis! One thing to be aware with linear PSUs is the potential for creating a ground loop and jitter on digital systems. But my view and experience is that they should never alter the sound drastically, if at all. If they do, then perhaps the component they are powering are at fault by not providing proper isolation from noise on the DC rails. That being said, I have 2 Allo PSUs that work well and subjectively seem to improve the resolution in the systems they power. Starting with a component that tests well providing low distortion and high SINAD is the way to go IMO, the PSU is the icing on the cake.
Can someone here comments on these wonderful power supplies reviewed here vs how battery and or super capacitors sounds, please. I heard other reviewers rave about Paul Hynes LPS…, kind of sad to hear that the company folded. I no electrical engineer but one would think that a fixed regulated DC voltage would be cheaper to manufacture, less engineering to make right this cheaper. Surprisingly even through the the RUclips compression, I can here the difference between each LPS but less between each DAC’s
Hey! Just wanted to let you know the reviews and several other areas of your website are down. Couldn’t even send this info via the “contact” link at the bottom of your website.
Short list first listen Paul Hynes Sr-4 12, Plixir, Shanti, Sbooster, Paul Hynes Sr-7. Just based in the impact of the female voice because it sounded more open and airy. (Listened first and then watched the reviews, so I didn't know anything about the supplies)
No matter what you do to it is still is crap. It has 317 inside and than step down to 5v. Adding another stabilizer makes things worse. (I know i tried). The op apms don't get enough current they cant work in class A so it makes no point of upgrading. You need to inject voltage directly to the op amps, disconnect the bluetooth, remove the 317 and insert voltage there and still it will be crap because it uses ess dac.
Oh my Lord. Enough with the "master of the electrical universe" jargon. Lps' differ in sq greatly. I've owned many. They ALL offer different qualities and almost all of them will improve your listening pleasure 🙏
@joecharpentier6636 or just buy an Audio Note dac with chip from the 90's (ad1865) and throw everything else int he garbage 😂😂 you should compare that to any modern dac...or better still a 70usd aliexpress dac with ad1865 and compare it to 2k delta sigma dac. You just can't compare r2r to delta sigma. Its like comparing class a with class d. There is sound but no music. Mind you, you must use class a amp with a tube preamp not some smd preamp shit. Whatever dac you use with class d amp it sounds the same it just kills the dynamic and stage it's dead like you placed a blanked on a guitar.
A linear power supply is easy to make or get a kit to build. all 12 to 30 Volt ish supplies for preamp or dac are often regulated by voltage regualtors witch limit the fast peak responce. a good transformator sice and many good capasitors with a comvined valkue in the 20 -40 000 uF range. A dc suply should always try to be as clean as a battery witch is the clean dc goal to reach when making power suplies. switch mode for sound is still not Ok. wher it has been used they have been very complex to filter out emi irf etc etc.One of my lkaptop brick make it Thrue my stereo with a high pitch constant noice. Maybe a electrolytic cap is going bad in it, since it is a good brand. But the point is some switch noise will get thrue. mostly of what u say here is what i have read and heard from sales people. Nothing real. Always should a customer listen to several system and give sound advice. Had this hobby for 50 years know.
So your measurement device is your ear . Jesus Christ , golden ear boy here , applause . Has no Voltmeter , Oscilloscope , active load , nothing to compare it with like Lab power supply , so you can hear if 100$ Lab Power Supply can look bad but sound good , or if these are better , its easy to measure that . But no worries , Golden ears are here to tell you all the words that i working with audio for more then a decade cant understand . Resolution of Audio ... sorry i cant hear that , i know resolution is 44khz , but i cant hear a thing beyond 16khz so i cant hear that resolution .But you can , good for you .
Wow, it would stand to reason that there are some design issues with the JCAT, Chord and RME products if you are able to hear that vast a difference between the external power supplies. Makes for an interesting video I suppose.
SMPS's is the Audiophiles nightmare, SMPS's been going for many decades and they were never used for a good reason, the chinese factories were not so fussy and foistered this backwards technology(as far as audio is concerned) on the unsuspecting public. Linear power supplies are not wizardry, only two factors are of primary interest: capacitance and ESR, coupled with a good toroidal (dont buy one without-as they are the most efficient(less heat wastage and less susceptable to vibrational noise). Supercaps sound fancy, but there is a point when capacitence is just a game of diminishing returns as 100,000uF will put even powerful amps well below the noise floor, for a CD player, DAC, turntable etc, supercaps are most definately a waste of money.
I have had the Uptone JS-2 for a long time and know it well and love it. But I just got a Farad 3 (5v stock version), and on my digital streamer its better in every way than the JS-2, and that's without any break in. I realise these things are heavily system dependant, but I cannot trust your LPS rating system if you rate the JS-2 so high and the Farad so low. Its simply not the case in my system, the opposite. Perhaps on other voltages like 12v, or higher current draw requirements, the JS2 pulls ahead, but on my 5v application the Farad 3 is better.
This is just one guy's opinion so if you enjoy the Farad 3 sound more, that's awesome. As you know, "better" is subjective. Out of curiosity, which streamer are you powering?
@@AudioBacon A Lindemann Limetree Bridge II. Despite the very small size its a very good sounding product and a step up in sound vs the Bluesound Node, especially with the Uptone or Farad powering it!
P-R&T ...........the digital issue.............to me for what's worth ( on YT) ........Fedilizer followed by the Farad do the least damage to the music.....
So many hateful "audiophile" responses😅. ENOUGH with the "oh, I know best because im an electrician, and i know everything about every power supply ever created" CRAP!! All lps' have a sound signature, and most of them will increase different sound variables that are pleasurable to listen to. There is a reason they make them and a reason they sell them and a reason that people buy them. They work. Some are way overpriced, but some are worth every penny. Just let people have their experiences without negating what they say because "you" know everything about everything. For the love of God already. Im so sick of people's negative reaponses and telling other they are stupid for thinking what they think. You super duper "audiophiles" dont know everything. You just dont. Ive been an audio enthusiast for 25 years and this is my first response that contains any sort of negativity. EVERYBODY hears things differently and prefer different sound qualities. For instance, the most profound improvements ive ever made was to purchase a pair of super tweeters and put them atop my Wharfdale Lintons with $1,300 crossovers. Yes the crossovers cost almost as much as the speakers but they are the best sounding speakers ive ever owned. I got so much flack and bull$#!÷ about doing what i did. But guess what, my speakers sound better than my friends $30K Focals. He even agrees. 😮. Like what you like and dont tell others what they should like.
Absolute waste of money. I have two components with switch mode power supplies. These were over 12k uk pounds but were supplied with the cheap laptop type power supplies. The manufacturer states they are totally adequate and they clearly state an upgrade here will be of no use.. The rest of my system is very high end. Top monos and speakers. Basic but good quality connections. No 5k interconnect or speaker cable. The sound is spectacular each and every listening session. Even at extreme volumes there is no background noise. Dont buy those power supplies. They just want your money. They ar ripping you off and giving you a smart box as a trade iff. They dont do anything. Get the best components you can afford or want to spend. Too much scamming in hifi industry these days. Its the components that are critical.ive heard all that bs about fleshed out sound, timbre, realisitc......thats garbage said over and over to sell these boxes. Or dont give a damn what i say. You choose.
A power supply can not make your device sound better and more "real" as you describe it, unless youre using a tube device (then MAYBE). The noise and therefore the ripple can be lower but anything else wont feed into your audio signal. Change my mind tho, i would love to have your opinion on that topic
Very informative but this power supplies really breaks the wallet I just used a simple cheapo iFi 5V filter for my ifi DACS and recently bought Audioquest Jitter Bug for my USB source cable I hardly notice any sound difference but it feels good that it’s there, I think you need to rest Dude your kinda sleepy in this video, thanks for sharing 👍
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
Nobody does detail like this guy... Glad to see another video, super helpful, thanks!
Glad it was helpful!!
There are more detailed videos in which they actually test power supplies and don't just say "it sounds good!"
Just ordered a Plixir Elite BDC from James! With Statement cable! Thank you for this herculean effort, Jay!!
It arrived today. It's shocking to me how accurate Jay's description of every aspect of its performance was. I'm superbly happy!!!
Hi. I am curious how you are liking your BDC now? I am on the fence for pairing a BDC with my Qutest given the expense. But if it makes a major difference I would buy. Any thoughts you are willing to share on your experience?
@@robbrookby3350 Oh I absolutely love it. Definitely keeping it. It actually replaced the Allo Shanti, which I had used for a year. Clear and obvious step up. Was able to do a truncated in-home demo with a Denafrips Terminator II and a Holo Audio Spring 3.... two DACs that were previously able to outperform the Qutest to my ears. Welp, Qutest beats them now. That's how much more refined the Elite BDC is, and causes the Qutest to be. Mind you, I love Denafrips and use a GAIA DDC (used it to test all three DACs), and had previously wanted to obtain a Holo May. So, if anything, I was biased slightly against Qutest. But the Elite BDC gave the Qutest more body, refinement, tonal trueness, scale, AND slam. Tone colors are accentuated whereas before they were grey. Sibilance greatly decreased (gone with the GAIA). Refinement was obviously improved.
I had a HugoTT2 on loan from a friend and, shockingly, preferred Qutest + Elite BDC by a very slim margin. Add in the Gaia ($4600 USD if all 3 are bought new, at full price) And the Qutest setup was solidly better. The Hugo TT2 did not seem to benefit very much from the Gaia, but the improvement with Qutest + Gaia was huge. HUGE. Gaia brought the same magnitude AND type of improvements as the Elite BDC.
My other DAC is a Lumin D2, also with Elite BDC. It is a much more lush and dark and smooth DAC than the original Qutest.... they were nearly opposites in stock form. But, now, they are much more alike than different IMHO. The Qutest adopting a much more lush, colorful, refined analog character (while still having all the famous detail) and the Lumin D2 gaining dynamics and air and scale (while still being lush and analog). The Elite BDC made them both truer to the music. So the Elite BDC truly has no sound of its own. I use Statement DC cables with both Plixirs.
@@DBravo29er incredibly helpful! I have made the purchase of a BDC. Looking forward a genuine upgrade to my Qutest.
Do you think the Gaia is the DDC that makes the most difference? Would the Iris or Hermes get you very close to what the Gaia brings? Or is there something special about the Gaia?
@@robbrookby3350 I actually had an IRIS for a year. That alone, makes an obvious difference with Qutest. But stepping up to GAIA made another improvement that was nearly as large... and worth the $$, IMHO.
Glad our impressions matched! Enjoy :)
Great review. A monumental task to review all these LPS! Agree with your comments and findings on the models of LPS that I've listened to. Never heard of Sean Jacobs until this video.
That is a LOT of work! Appreciated!
Sure was. Definitely burned out. But it was worth it.
Subscribed. Kudos for not only taking on such an arduous endeavour, but communicating the results sufficiently to assist fellow audiophiles searching for a power supply to complement their own system. So much more useful than the typical rag review where the reviewer ecstatically throws adjectives across the page about how good it sounds, but compares the product to nothing.
But... this is exactly what he's doing. It's just word salad.
This hobby just has a LOT of rabbit holes doesn't it?
Way. Too. Many.
I’m just noticing this
YES...INFINITE AMOUNTS UV EM💀
Deliberately sowing doubt to get you to part with your money. A lot of snake oil.
Great post and great effort Jay! :))) Thanks so much for coming up with this video!
My pleasure!
ive been running my JS-2 for about a week now and the detail retrieval is amazing. With darker background which i didnt know i was missing. Using with the Lumin U1 mini which is already a fantastic streamer the Uptone JS-2 brings the unit to another level. JS2 was recommended by a fellow audiophile as it is one of the few that utilises Rcore transformer
Great to hear!
I use the Farad Super 3 to power my Roon Rock NUC and an Sbooster for my Modem, pretty happy with the results.
Okay I bought a Plixir Elite BDC + Statement DC cable for my 5V Chord Qutest, 12V Lumin D2 Streamer, and for my 19V Roon Nucleus + revA about a year ago. The Elite BDC is everything Jay says (see my prior comment). Nothing else is close for the price. HOWEVER, I worked with Ghent @ Ghent Audio and had him make a Gotham GAC 4/1 UltraPro starquad DC cable with JSSG360 shielding and WHOA!! It maintains all of the openness and clarity of the Plixir, but adds more tonal richness, density + contrast, a LOT more slam/punch, lots more meat on the bones, added bass weight/authority, and this very pleasant midrange "glow" that sits on top of everything from watching youtube videos to actual music. I actually think it *added* openness, space, layering, scale, and air compared to the Statement DC cables (which I used for over a year).
I started with my Chord, then got a Ghent JSSG360 Gotham for my Lumin and then for me Roon Nucleus. Biggest improvement was on the DAC (obv).
Ghent cables are a no-brainer and I would actually say to skip out on the Statement DC cable *UNLESS* you have a dark system.
I have 3 different DC cables...the Ghent, a $300 cryo treated Kimber and a pure silver one from AliExpress. I prefer the Gotham from Ghent over the other two!
I bought a Plixir for my Melco S100. Sooo glad I bought the plixir.
Switch mode power supplies are the way of the future. Technology has greatly advanced.
Amazing video with tremendous amount of work, much appreciated. One thing missing, however, is a negative control, a sound clip without using any linear power supply.
any benifits of buying a normal Lumin U2 over the Lumin U2 Mini w/ linier power supply BOTW Linier piwer supply...?
any sound differences❓
Yes People are still reading your reviews. I appreciate what you have achieved here. No one else wants to touch this topic of power supplys. Since I do have a RME ADI 2 DAC, would I be better off with the Uptone. Have you heard much about MCRU LPS sound quality?
Did you get RME ADI2 DAC with uptone JS-2 combination, just ordered one unit today.
I heard that the Uptone Audio JS-2 and the JCAT optimo 3 duo are the best. Especially if you use a JCAT XE USB and internet card and use them on that. Personally I recommend JCAT LPSU on everything in a streaming system, and then having the 2 JCAT cards in the PC, and then using an Uptone Audio USB isoregen.
Good combo!
For arcam irdac 12v - 1.5a MCRU or SBooster BOTW P&P ECO MKII? For jazz and house music? Or maybe ifi power elite?
After watching this review, I decided to try the PLiXiR BDC 12V 2A + Statement DC cable for my network switch. I was amazed by how much more revealing it was compared to my Farad + Level 2 DC cable (2021). The PLiXiR is stronger at low level micro detailing, accuracy, speed, and dynamics. The sound is less dark and has more high extension. Even though they have different sound qualities, the PLiXiR tone was more to the truth to me. I didn't expect it because back then I thought the Farad was a safe choice to go. I can confirm this review is quite accurate. Thanks!
Glad you were able to hear for yourself! I do like the darker tone of the Farad but yeah...the PLiXiR is very special. Happy listening!
Need a power supply for my Merrill turntable that is output 12V AC. Using the Sbooster 24V on my Rega 6 and Sbooster doesn’t make a 12V AC adapter. Thoughts? Thx
Is there a way to test the output of a supply to figure out what makes them match?
Thanks for doing these reviews. I have the SBooster on my Roon Nucleus One, and it really broth the Roon device to life. I also have the Fadar Super 3 on my Volumio Rivo streamer, I am still trying to figure that out in regards to sound quality improvements, it is new, and still burning in. As of now, it is a keeper, they both are.
Change the fuse on the S booster you will be surprised
@@razzman2987 I don't know how much of an affect that would have on what is essentially a computer.
@@michaelwright1602 u will be suprised the difference is significant
Try hifi tuning copper cheap upgrade and very good quality
You have to have extraordinary ears to hear a difference in DC power. Wow.
Coming from the world of music/guitar amps, where people discuss the sound of capacitors and tubes, I can jump right in. 🤪
Very informative video! Would like to see the Ifi ipower Elite and the "Ferrum Hypsos " in future videos also. Thanks!
Never thought a big fat power cable thingie would affect sound so much. It did! I just got the cheapest Shanti Twin Ultra. My Lindemann limetree bridge has come alive! Much more detailed..
I have:
Limetree (with Shanti) --> RME ADI-2 --> Dynaudio Focus speakers
Questions:
(Please, if you could share any thoughts when you have a moment)--
1. The Shanti Twin Ultra LPS doesn't seem to be able to power RME dac. The RME won't come on at all when connected to the Shanti cable. Any idea?
2. If I get the SBooster option.. will it be able to power the RME DAC too?
Yes, no problem. I could notice a little bit wider soundstage with SBooster powering my RME ADI-2 Pro FSR.
Hi, do you think the characteristics you described transfer over to the Chord TT2 with its supercapacitors?
Very comprehensive video. But does anyone else think that the demo track at the end sounds terrible on all of the power supplies?
I have had a chance to listen to a good switch mode power supply like the ifi ipower elite?
Plixir is the best of all of them, especially the new one (The Statement) with the statement DC Cable. Plixir just upgraded their line to MK2 as well for the Elite BDC
How do you connect these power supplies since the Qutest has only one type of input?
Adapters
Hi, I have enjoyed your most comprehensive video immensely! The next logical steps would be servers/streamers: silent cases, high-grade cards, etc. Many would build their own hi-grade home media servers/streamers with these great linear power supplies instead of paying outrageous sums for the current market's top offerings, like Grimms, Aurenders, or Innuoses of this world.
Are there any particular streamers that would be interesting? Raspberry Pi based? Custom PCs?
@@AudioBacon Silent custom PCs - powered by great PSUs and having isolated USB or I2S cards.
Amazing Jay! Thanks for the great work!
Are you getting the DC4 for your Dave after hearing it?
Would be interesting to compare zerozone, teradak, or other made in china nameless r-core linear psus.
👍👍
Magnificent work! thanks so much for this review.
I’m looking for a power supply 24 V 13 W for my TT. A Yamaha GT 2000L. What would you recomended?
Trying not to be a troll here but surely a power supply ether provides enough current or not at the specified voltage. The only concern would be the ripple current at 50Hz when using a none swich mode power supply. Somthing with a big transformer. As long as it has large enough filter capacitors on the DC side it should be fine. If you're going to that much expense why not just use batteries that you charge up before listening. That way you can be completely isolated from the mains voltage. If all you're equipment was supplied by one large battery made up of multiple cells you could just tap into the individual cell connections to get the required voltage. Balancing would need to be worked out somehow. Preferably everything would run on a set voltage like 12 volts. And internal power supplys could be used to step down the voltage for things like preamps. Surely you know that there are many components in your devices like you preamps that use voltages other then the Initially supplied 12 or 5 Volts. It's not like you just supply a clean 5 Volts and everything inside your preamp uses that same 5volts. Some components will use 1volt and others will need 12volts so DC to DC converters and voltage regulators are used internally. Often the same components that are used by a $20 DVD player that your neighbor Purchase from Aldi. A lot of this suff is driven by pure demand coltevated by very clever marketing people. Some of the components are Manufactured to look expensive. Like capacitors with shiny polished metal sleeves. The use of components designed for military and sensitive communications equipment. For things like audio equipment is often completely an absolutely redundant because audible signals Range between 10 Hz and 40 kHz with human hearing falling between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The components used for frequencies in the megahertz sound cool to the electricaly uneducated. But make no real actually audible difference. Even your DAC at most processes at 92Kh 32 bit but these chips cost very little to produce. But don't think for a second there not cashing in on the audiofile market. They wouldn't print a fancy company logo on their chip if this wasn't the case. They to are posing for the camera. They will manufacture Hundreds of thousands of less glamorous new less glamorous nearly identical chips for the likes of Samsung and Apple. At a fraction of the price. of course the same thing could be said about sugar. I love chocolate mud cake as much as the next guy. But it still just mostly flower and sugar.
these people should listen to gene at audioholics. I used to be a hifi salesman at a magnolia design center and basically got the audioquest rep to admit his stuff was snake oil. when i saw the margins of what we paid vs the selling price i almost spit out my coffee. as to this gentleman , he is either having placebo or lying
I'm pretty sure Gene (to no fault of his own...probably his biology) simply can't hear the differences between cables, etc. But I've followed him for over a decade and he does great work on the non-subjective side of things. Although I don't think you have to spend a ton of money to get something more suited for your tastes - the fact is they could sound different.
I have a BS in EE...and we were taught that similarly spec'ed components should MEASURE and perform similarly but were NEVER taught that they should SOUND similar. Also, the smarter engineers WOULD'NT just presume it would apply to sound - but instead experiment for themselves like the guys at Iconoclast cables. They've admitted that cables could measure the same...but sound very different. audiobacon.net/2019/05/27/iconoclast-cables-same-measurements-different-sound/
@@AudioBacon sure cables can have different LCR values... and could effect the sound if they're passing analog audio through rca or xlr for example. But here's the problem with the whole power supply and power cable thing... its powering a digital to analog converter...with a regulator & tons of capacitors in it also probably equipped with delta sigma modulation. Therefore the differences in power supplies would be invisible to the chip doing the actual audio conversion.
I have a BS in AE , MS in ECE and design converter IC's and FPGA's for a living. It baffles me that people are genuinely spending 1000's on stuff like that DC4 when actual high end conversion (i.e Lavry Quintessence, Weiss, Prism) use regular $100 skynet or meanwell power supplies.
@@LeeOnTheTrack You just have to listen for yourself - each of those power supplies even with RUclips compression affect the output differently. Surely, they're not all defective. What we learn in the classroom doesn't explore the perceived sonic consequences of some of these designs. Only whatever our scopes and other measurement devices can tell us. Sure, on paper, it shouldn't make a difference. But it does. Buy why? That's the million dollar question - and I think we still have a lot more exploration to do in this domain. This is coming from someone who's as technical as it gets...so yeah, I thought all this was snake oil a few years ago. Until I actually listened with an open mind. That's what makes this exercise so fascinating to me.
Except with all your self professed technical prowess, you forgot to volume match. SMH.
Talk about diminishing returns. Don’t get me wrong, a linear power can be quieter when pushing your system comparable to a switch brick. But to really have that many sounds aesthetic differences you need to have an extremely large system with a lossless source (no dirty vinyl records and power driven monitors allowed!)
Can you explain what you mean by "congealed"?
I take Jay’s description to mean that any number of particular sonic elements within the presentation sounded blended into one another or squashed, so as to not so easily be able to pinpoint those individual elements in the overall recording, or in parts of the recording thereof.
To me, congealed could also be described as sounding mushed, squashed, congested and/or un-dynamic as opposed to sounding articulated, separated, dynamic and/or delineated. That’s my take, FWIW.
@@rrtind I'm pretty sure he's using congealed as a positive descriptor. Another way to say it would be coalesced or tangible.
@@johenkay1129 Just watched that part of the video again Johen and I’m with you, it is being used as a positive descriptor, my mistake and misinterpretation. Thank you for the correction 🙏
@@rrtind congealed allows it to be sold for more money, so does nuanced
@@mainsource8030 😂😂
Hi! Thank you! For my ears Paul Hynes 7 give more insrumets separation and best tembre sr7 more clean
Very clean :)
Do you think any of these power supply is good for Nagra Tube Dac? How about Sean Jacobs.
Great Content. I have a RME ADI 2 Dac FS. I also have a Volumio streamer I just bought. I also have an Exposure 2510 Amp. At this time I am leaning toward the PLIXR Elite. I only want to buy 1 power supply.at this time. Would I be better off buying power supply for the DAC or the Rivo as far as sound quality?
What would be best for a Hugo 2 ?
Probably one of the warmer sounding ones (optimo, fidelizer, etc)
Which of these units would you say pairs the best with the Chord Qutest? I value dynamics, speed and bass quantity/quality over other sound characteristics.
Which power supply is best for the RME ADI-2 Pro FSR BE?
Hi, I've an ADI-2 DAC FS with an Sbooster connected. I've made a video on it - in german - you can use subtitles. Look for "Soundupgrade REM ADI2 DAC FS mit PSU von Sbooster" . In short, this was the best invest in my hifi for years. The soundstage is now wide open, more details in heights, bass is more precise than with the standard PSU. The only "drawback" was Sophie Zelmanies voice: the "s" in her voice was a bit more emphasized 😄
In He-man voice: "I have the power!" Great video!
May the force be with you
Great job, first time to see someone compare power supplies.
I have a question if you are in the mood for a little DYI?
IAN Canada has an interesting power supply kit, I made myself a LinearPi dual(5V) + 2x UcConditioner5V (module with supercapacitors) and Toroidy Supreme Transformer. This sounds better to me than anything I’ve tried for a fraction of the price. This power supply is connected to Jcat NET XE and Jcat USB XE cards.
It would be interesting to put together one such power supply and test it.
Congrats. I too use Ian's stuff. For my linear power supplies I wire point to point very simple but effective. Sounds great. Dirt cheap.
module with supercapacitors - if 12V doesn't work. what model Toroidy Supreme Transformer you used? I have hammond 1182M9 12V
When it comes to power, all the different options really confuse me. Some say, get dedicated outlets (new electrical line put in), some say just a really good power conditioner, then there are power re-conditioners like from PS-Audio.
Where do these linear power supplies fall? If you get this for 1 component, do you still need a good power strip/conditioner or should this connect str8 to the wall? But what if you dont have enough outlets, then you have no choice but to get a power strip of some sort?
Very good video though, thnx
Get everything it effects sound having o r weak link effects the entire setup. You might only need a power conditioner if you have too much noise in your line. If I'm not wrong some places let you demo try and look where.
Thanks for taking the time to put this all together.. its awesome that you have taken this task on. I have a general comments about your setup and your observation.. I have to believe that a Linear powersupply and its effects should be realized differently by different DACs.. ie a highly analytical and resolving FPGA DAC like a Dave may behave differently than a Denafrips Terminator vs a Tube based Dac, etc and how their logic and output stages are constructed... Wondering if this test could have been done differently such that we can see if the colorful description and language you are giving to these power supplies consistent among different dacs.streamers, phono stages, etc. If different results are observed on different genres of devices, then these powersupplies can't categorically be called "warm", "create larger soundstage", "musical", etc.. because these descriptions would be specific to a particular source component.. looking forward to more of your in depth comparison videos!
They are pretty consistent regardless of components. The impressions were the same with the USB and NET cards and the Quest DAC.
They already filter the power, any well made dac, amp, streamer and cd player would do this. It's simple to do.
@@r423fplip uh huh (pat pat). You're so smart!
@@AudioBacon Strongly doubt about this claim -- each component built differently, so is their immunity to PS noise.
Jay, what a mammoth effort! Really applaud you on this most awesome comparison. I’ve taken so much from it.
As you asked if we might have alternatives to suggest, I have one I’d love to see you compare against these. It’s the iFi iPower Elite and the interesting (curveball) thing is it’s a well made (here goes) switching-mode (can’t believe I said it!) power supply.
I bought this for my Qutest and decided to go this switching mode route based on comments made online by Rob Watts of Chord. A Linear vs Switching Mode debate is something I don’t care about, I just care about awesome sound and I believe both technologies, when done right, would have their merits.
So, on top of your already peerless power supply comparison, would you consider throwing in the iFi iPower Elite? In it’s favour, it’s really well made, a compact size, is readily available from Amazon (for £299) in 4 different voltages (5V, 12V, 15V and 24V) and even comes fully supplied with various connectors, including one for the Qutest. Oh and I think it sounds great, perhaps majoring more on resolution, but would be great to hear your expert opinion.
Hope you consider it and hope you’re recovering from the burnout of trying all these supplies. Once again, really top effort and loving your work 🙏
outstanding review, specially since it uses Chord Qtest, a DAC that is both very power dependent and really underwhelming and not impressive out o the box.
not impressive out o(?) the box? Show your relative standard o impressive ones!
@@QQ-td9id I do use Qtest, but wasn't all good. I upgraded to an ifi psu but that wasn't good ether. I nearly quit the hobby thinking that is such a praised dac is so boring I need to spend 30k on a DAC alone. Luckly I discovered a 6 yo vido. Long story short, I did try it on a phone power bank and was an instant improvement. I ordered a n Initio 3 PSU next day, and with that I see what is so impressive about it, specially if you cut out all USB from the chain, use real glass cable and so quality streamer. The dac will show if you chain is bad.
Do you now still think Paul Hynes SR7 the best?
The single reg SR7 isn’t the top model. The double regulated DR7 is. And there are extreme versions with z-foils and Teflon boards which take it to another level again.
"This power supply sounds more HiFi"...made my day...
First of all thank you for such huge effort! This is unique review! I know I would go crazy after 2 lpsu comparisons :)
As for Farad, especially with the orange fuses, it takes a lot to break in. My first impression with the Farad was the same as yours. Then I did two things
1. left it to breakin for 15 days
2. asked FTA’s owner Zoran to help me with the DC cables. FTA - makes Callisto which is I believe usb cable in your setup.
After 15 days without listening to F3s the sound was a) warmer b) much better vocals c) more spacious
With new copper cables (14 strings of copper in parallel, each), it was another SQ boost.
And then we have decided to play with the AC cables… Oh boy how F3 reacts to it :)
At the end, I think that F3 is great LPSU for my gear which is M2tech Marley Mk2 and Young Mk3. You just need to be aware that it requires
a) burn in
b) high quality DC cables
c) high quality AC cables
And than comes the paradox… cables are now more expensive than the lpsu itself :)
I have compared F3 against
a) switcher psu
b) m2tech van der graaf
c) hdplex 200W
d) soon against the ideon lpsu
Good to hear they work well for you! Yeah I could hear the potential of the Super3. Obviously I can't evaluate all the permutations with third party cables. FTA makes some really good ones.
@@AudioBacon you did great job. Amazing actually. It would be impossible to add 3rd party cables into the mix. That is why I wanted to share my findings. Just to add a bit of additional information. AC cables used are all made by FTA: elara v1 and v2 and FTA clone of Ansuz C2. The clone brings such wonderful bass and midrange and makes soun calm and warm without loosing air and 3d. Elaras bring more sparkle and air.
I have sotm sps 500 im my collection as well but I couldn’t hook M2Tech gear to it for comparison against F3.
2 more F3s will be purchased soon to power Sms 200 ultra neo and tx usb ultra. I will share my findings.
As for Callisto, get ready for Sinope :) It is Callisto replacement also made by FTA. I have replaced my two Callistos with Sinope in a heartbeat.
@@MirkoCetkovic I guess I have more exploration to do! Need to hear the Sinope!
@@lsantista1481 hi, no I haven’t. Enjoy the F3s, you did a good choice!
@@MirkoCetkovic How was Farad powering Sotm SMS200Ultra in comparison with Sotm SPS500?
Is the Farad slower sounding than the Nikola 2
From memory, yeah.
If audio devices are so influenced by the outside, it seems like bad design that does not respect itself to produce good sound. Probably need to get better audio devices with better design.
Do these audio companies market themselves with particular audio quality, or invite users to color their music with various power supplies?
Linear power supply matters on DAC''s not amps, receivers, preamps unless they have an internal DAC.
Why Didn’t you try the Nirvana from allo
When comparing power supples, are you matching levels to within 1db.? If not your results are invalid.
Oh I forgot. I have Buchardt 400 S speakers. God Bless you!
What random buzzword generator do you use in those product descriptions?
Excellent comparison.
One question - did you try Jcat's supplies with ADI-2 or did you have just 5V outputs?
I had a 12V output as well
@@AudioBacon Ah thanks, later I saw the video footage and there is it clearly visible - at first, I just read your review (a dozen times :))
Now I'm wondering, whether it's sensible to keep upgrading the power supply for ADI-2 (now I'm using iFi Elite 15V), or rather go for a new higher-end DAC and keep the Jcat's outputs for 5V NET card & streamer only?
My gear is built around Meze's headphones, powered by GS-X Mini and bass response is in my focus.
Thanks a lot!
Did the Ifi elite improve the sound of your ADI-2 DAC?
@@SpaceEncounter Well how much a better power supply improves the sound of a DAC always depends on one's electricity at home. For me, even with a decent power filtering solution, I remember that it brought more intense and lively sound, so I kept it and didn't analyze further much.
But there are also other tweaks for similar money, with much better gains in terms of purity, spaciousness and atmosphere. The best one for me were the local grounding units named "Terminos" from Audiophile Rocks, specifically from the Abysscurum level and upwards.
The cymbals at the beginning of the song and the tremolo in her voice is much more pronounced (and realistic) with the Sean Jacobs power supply. Top shelf parts do make a difference. But I personally wouldn't spend that much on a power supply.
Please. Do Eversolo a-8.
I’d love to see you review the plixir statement psu.
I'll try to get it in...
Cheers
Do you think it is better to leave a linear psu on in between listening or just while using?
Thanks
I use multiple Elite BDC's and I find that they sound best while left on 24/7. They seem to draw very little current when idling.
@@AudioBacon Having owned 3 Elite BDC's, I'm *very* interested to know how the new Statement BDC sounds.
I don’t believe the Farad Super3 (Level 2 Copper) has been recorded the same as the others; or its resolution is much lower - it sounds completely different, and bad.
yes the difference is very noticeable
don know why
even on the first one
I assure you it wasn't recorded differently. Would've been too much work for me lol
Good subjective analysis! One thing to be aware with linear PSUs is the potential for creating a ground loop and jitter on digital systems. But my view and experience is that they should never alter the sound drastically, if at all. If they do, then perhaps the component they are powering are at fault by not providing proper isolation from noise on the DC rails. That being said, I have 2 Allo PSUs that work well and subjectively seem to improve the resolution in the systems they power. Starting with a component that tests well providing low distortion and high SINAD is the way to go IMO, the PSU is the icing on the cake.
So you think Sean Jacobs sound the best?
Check out the more comparable Paul Hynes model instead of his mid range SR7. The DR7t+ double regulated, turbo unit.
The small lose of power with linear vs switching in the use id small at worst about 10% so what 10 to 30 watts not that much .
I think it's more about noise rejection
@@AudioBacon Agreed my point was the cost of reducing a large amount of both in band and out of band noise is very little in terms of power loss.
Can someone here comments on these wonderful power supplies reviewed here vs how battery and or super capacitors sounds, please.
I heard other reviewers rave about Paul Hynes LPS…, kind of sad to hear that the company folded.
I no electrical engineer but one would think that a fixed regulated DC voltage would be cheaper to manufacture, less engineering to make right this cheaper.
Surprisingly even through the the RUclips compression, I can here the difference between each LPS but less between each DAC’s
“If a power supply were to smoke weed…” LOL Am I the only one who likes the Paul Hymes SR4T? I think it sounds great. Where can I find one?
I guess Hifishark is your friend lol
Hey! Just wanted to let you know the reviews and several other areas of your website are down. Couldn’t even send this info via the “contact” link at the bottom of your website.
Which ones?
Short list first listen Paul Hynes Sr-4 12, Plixir, Shanti, Sbooster, Paul Hynes Sr-7. Just based in the impact of the female voice because it sounded more open and airy. (Listened first and then watched the reviews, so I didn't know anything about the supplies)
No matter what you do to it is still is crap. It has 317 inside and than step down to 5v. Adding another stabilizer makes things worse. (I know i tried). The op apms don't get enough current they cant work in class A so it makes no point of upgrading. You need to inject voltage directly to the op amps, disconnect the bluetooth, remove the 317 and insert voltage there and still it will be crap because it uses ess dac.
Oh my Lord. Enough with the "master of the electrical universe" jargon. Lps' differ in sq greatly. I've owned many. They ALL offer different qualities and almost all of them will improve your listening pleasure 🙏
@joecharpentier6636 or just buy an Audio Note dac with chip from the 90's (ad1865) and throw everything else int he garbage 😂😂 you should compare that to any modern dac...or better still a 70usd aliexpress dac with ad1865 and compare it to 2k delta sigma dac. You just can't compare r2r to delta sigma. Its like comparing class a with class d. There is sound but no music. Mind you, you must use class a amp with a tube preamp not some smd preamp shit. Whatever dac you use with class d amp it sounds the same it just kills the dynamic and stage it's dead like you placed a blanked on a guitar.
Hi, which is the best budget wired headphones
Sundara best under $500.
Beyerdynamic DT range
You forgot to review Ferrum Hypsos? How that one stands vs others?
Great job.
A linear power supply is easy to make or get a kit to build. all 12 to 30 Volt ish supplies for preamp or dac are often regulated by voltage regualtors witch limit the fast peak responce. a good transformator sice and many good capasitors with a comvined valkue in the 20 -40 000 uF range. A dc suply should always try to be as clean as a battery witch is the clean dc goal to reach when making power suplies. switch mode for sound is still not Ok. wher it has been used they have been very complex to filter out emi irf etc etc.One of my lkaptop brick make it Thrue my stereo with a high pitch constant noice. Maybe a electrolytic cap is going bad in it, since it is a good brand. But the point is some switch noise will get thrue. mostly of what u say here is what i have read and heard from sales people. Nothing real. Always should a customer listen to several system and give sound advice. Had this hobby for 50 years know.
Another thing , you could have taken output from a DAC , and record it , literally show us . 100$ PC audio interface is all you need
Chceck Your mic system, I hear a very high pitch noise, when You are speaking.
Thanks! Sorry about that.
I'm honestly lost here. With so many devices that effect sound signature. There should be a jumbled mess in the music you get.
First correct pronunciation of toroidal I've heard in an audiophile video, at friggin' last 🏆
Hybrid power supplies are best, ...high efficiency and very clean power!
So your measurement device is your ear . Jesus Christ , golden ear boy here , applause . Has no Voltmeter , Oscilloscope , active load , nothing to compare it with like Lab power supply , so you can hear if 100$ Lab Power Supply can look bad but sound good , or if these are better , its easy to measure that . But no worries , Golden ears are here to tell you all the words that i working with audio for more then a decade cant understand . Resolution of Audio ... sorry i cant hear that , i know resolution is 44khz , but i cant hear a thing beyond 16khz so i cant hear that resolution .But you can , good for you .
Wow, it would stand to reason that there are some design issues with the JCAT, Chord and RME products if you are able to hear that vast a difference between the external power supplies. Makes for an interesting video I suppose.
SMPS's is the Audiophiles nightmare, SMPS's been going for many decades and they were never used for a good reason, the chinese factories were not so fussy and foistered this backwards technology(as far as audio is concerned) on the unsuspecting public.
Linear power supplies are not wizardry, only two factors are of primary interest: capacitance and ESR, coupled with a good toroidal (dont buy one without-as they are the most efficient(less heat wastage and less susceptable to vibrational noise).
Supercaps sound fancy, but there is a point when capacitence is just a game of diminishing returns as 100,000uF will put even powerful amps well below the noise floor, for a CD player, DAC, turntable etc, supercaps are most definately a waste of money.
I think I want the LPS that smokes weed. 😂
I have had the Uptone JS-2 for a long time and know it well and love it. But I just got a Farad 3 (5v stock version), and on my digital streamer its better in every way than the JS-2, and that's without any break in. I realise these things are heavily system dependant, but I cannot trust your LPS rating system if you rate the JS-2 so high and the Farad so low. Its simply not the case in my system, the opposite. Perhaps on other voltages like 12v, or higher current draw requirements, the JS2 pulls ahead, but on my 5v application the Farad 3 is better.
This is just one guy's opinion so if you enjoy the Farad 3 sound more, that's awesome. As you know, "better" is subjective. Out of curiosity, which streamer are you powering?
@@AudioBacon A Lindemann Limetree Bridge II. Despite the very small size its a very good sounding product and a step up in sound vs the Bluesound Node, especially with the Uptone or Farad powering it!
Shanti was designed for a raspberry pi hat streamer as opposed to a dac
Bravo !!
P-R&T ...........the digital issue.............to me for what's worth ( on YT) ........Fedilizer followed by the Farad do the least damage to the music.....
Subscribed*
AWESOME!
28:35 Drunk as fuuuuu.....
fo sho
So many hateful "audiophile" responses😅. ENOUGH with the "oh, I know best because im an electrician, and i know everything about every power supply ever created" CRAP!! All lps' have a sound signature, and most of them will increase different sound variables that are pleasurable to listen to. There is a reason they make them and a reason they sell them and a reason that people buy them. They work. Some are way overpriced, but some are worth every penny. Just let people have their experiences without negating what they say because "you" know everything about everything. For the love of God already. Im so sick of people's negative reaponses and telling other they are stupid for thinking what they think. You super duper "audiophiles" dont know everything. You just dont. Ive been an audio enthusiast for 25 years and this is my first response that contains any sort of negativity. EVERYBODY hears things differently and prefer different sound qualities. For instance, the most profound improvements ive ever made was to purchase a pair of super tweeters and put them atop my Wharfdale Lintons with $1,300 crossovers. Yes the crossovers cost almost as much as the speakers but they are the best sounding speakers ive ever owned. I got so much flack and bull$#!÷ about doing what i did. But guess what, my speakers sound better than my friends $30K Focals. He even agrees. 😮. Like what you like and dont tell others what they should like.
Power supplies are not musical. Are you talking about speakers?
They impact the overall sound of your system.
This is kind of petty but it's pronounced In-i-shio like "initiated"
Good to know! Does sound a lot nicer lol
Absolute waste of money. I have two components with switch mode power supplies. These were over 12k uk pounds but were supplied with the cheap laptop type power supplies. The manufacturer states they are totally adequate and they clearly state an upgrade here will be of no use.. The rest of my system is very high end. Top monos and speakers. Basic but good quality connections. No 5k interconnect or speaker cable. The sound is spectacular each and every listening session. Even at extreme volumes there is no background noise. Dont buy those power supplies. They just want your money. They ar ripping you off and giving you a smart box as a trade iff. They dont do anything. Get the best components you can afford or want to spend. Too much scamming in hifi industry these days. Its the components that are critical.ive heard all that bs about fleshed out sound, timbre, realisitc......thats garbage said over and over to sell these boxes. Or dont give a damn what i say. You choose.
Vivid imagination.
I don't hear any difference! 🙄
Then you are very lucky :)
A power supply can not make your device sound better and more "real" as you describe it, unless youre using a tube device (then MAYBE). The noise and therefore the ripple can be lower but anything else wont feed into your audio signal. Change my mind tho, i would love to have your opinion on that topic
Trouble maker spotted.
We are talking about a guy that suggests trying different fuses.
@@Spentelectrons And yet, here you are...
Very informative but this power supplies really breaks the wallet I just used a simple cheapo iFi 5V filter for my ifi DACS and recently bought Audioquest Jitter Bug for my USB source cable I hardly notice any sound difference but it feels good that it’s there, I think you need to rest Dude your kinda sleepy in this video, thanks for sharing 👍
Rested for a year now lol