Need help trying to figure out how to find/set up a Linear Power Supply for my dx5 2

[cheapshot71]

Hi helpful viewer, I’ve been looking at linear power supplies recently and have been trying to figure out what linear power supply to buy for my dx5 2, which uses an iec connector. All the linear power supplies I’ve looked at uses either usb output or some other connection. Is there a way to set up a linear power supply to a dx5 2?

 

[staticV3]

DX5 II uses Mains (AC) input:

You cannot substitute an external PSU, and neither should you (see here).

 

[BeeKay]

What do you think could possibly improve?

 

[Mnyb]

substitute internal PSU ?

This device has no external PSU to replace , it's all done internally ,much better no big and bulky wallwart anywhere just plug in an IEC cable to the mains (AC) input:

 

[BeeKay]

just plug in an IEC cable to the mains (AC) input:

 

[cheapshot71]

DX5 II uses Mains (AC) input:
View attachment 502582

You cannot substitute an external PSU, and neither should you (see here).

okay thanks for the information!

 

[Roland68]

Hi helpful viewer, I’ve been looking at linear power supplies recently and have been trying to figure out what linear power supply to buy for my dx5 2, which uses an iec connector. All the linear power supplies I’ve looked at uses either usb output or some other connection. Is there a way to set up a linear power supply to a dx5 2?

That wouldn't make sense for two reasons.
The entire power supply in the DX5 II is based on switched-mode voltage regulation. Therefore, it makes absolutely no difference whether there's a transformer or a switching power supply in front of it.
Switching power supplies have long since surpassed transformer solutions. Transformer solutions are more expensive and inferior.
Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have allowed a switching power supply near any of my devices. Today, it's the other way around, and I've already replaced transformers with switching power supplies in several devices.

 

[Mnyb]

View attachment 502586

 

[cheapshot71]

What do you think could possibly improve?

Hi, I don’t know what could possibly improve, but I got a topping usb hs02 usb noise isolator, and was able to noticeably hear a difference in audio, and I thought usb noise isolators were snake oil before, so I thought my skepticism towards linear power supplies might be unfounded. But it turns out you can’t use a linear power supply with the dx5 2 anyways so all is well.

 

[BeeKay]

Hi, I don’t know what could possibly improve, but I got a topping usb hs02 usb noise isolator, and was able to noticeably hear a difference in audio, and I thought usb noise isolators were snake oil before, so I thought my skepticism towards linear power supplies might be unfounded. But it turns out you can’t use a linear power supply with the dx5 2 anyways so all is well.

What was the source on the other end of the USB cable?

 

[somebodyelse]

Hi, I don’t know what could possibly improve, but I got a topping usb hs02 usb noise isolator, and was able to noticeably hear a difference in audio, and I thought usb noise isolators were snake oil before, so I thought my skepticism towards linear power supplies might be unfounded. But it turns out you can’t use a linear power supply with the dx5 2 anyways so all is well.

Some USB noise isolators are snake oil as they don't actually isolate. They usually claim to filter the power somehow, while any decent DAC will include all the power supply filtering and regulation it needs. Others provide real isolation which is useful IF you have a ground related noise issue involving USB. Typically that involves single ended interconnects and 'USB noise' which you hear when moving the mouse, or with a change in GPU activity, but could just be an ordinary hum or buzz. The Topping HS02 is a real isolator that was for a while one of the cheaper options with full USB2 speed. Now cheaper options are available. If you want to know more about ground related noise issues (loops, leakage currents etc.) see Jensen Transformers' AN007 which has in depth coverage of the problem and how to solve it.

 

[voodooless]

Typically that involves single ended interconnects and 'USB noise' which you hear when moving the mouse, or with a change in GPU activity, but could just be an ordinary hum or buzz.

That also means that if you hear any other improvements than a lack of buzz or noise, it's most likely your biases acting up.

 

[Roland68]

Hi, I don’t know what could possibly improve, but I got a topping usb hs02 usb noise isolator, and was able to noticeably hear a difference in audio, and I thought usb noise isolators were snake oil before, so I thought my skepticism towards linear power supplies might be unfounded. But it turns out you can’t use a linear power supply with the dx5 2 anyways so all is well.

USB isolators are solely designed to provide galvanic isolation between the USB source device and the USB DAC. Their sole purpose is to keep any interference from the source device away from the USB DAC and to isolate potential ground loops.

I don't understand what a transformer/linear power supply for the DX5 II would have to do with this.

Assuming there is indeed an audible difference, which can only be determined through a genuine, externally controlled blind test, then you either have an extremely noisy source, a grounding issue, or both.

Without this problem, there can be no audible difference with a USB isolator, because the digital audio signal of the source cannot be improved and of course must not be altered.

 

[cheapshot71]

What was the source on the other end of the USB cable?

Gaming Pc
Specs : 7800X3D, 7900 Gre

 

[cheapshot71]

Some USB noise isolators are snake oil as they don't actually isolate. They usually claim to filter the power somehow, while any decent DAC will include all the power supply filtering and regulation it needs. Others provide real isolation which is useful IF you have a ground related noise issue involving USB. Typically that involves single ended interconnects and 'USB noise' which you hear when moving the mouse, or with a change in GPU activity, but could just be an ordinary hum or buzz. The Topping HS02 is a real isolator that was for a while one of the cheaper options with full USB2 speed. Now cheaper options are available. If you want to know more about ground related noise issues (loops, leakage currents etc.) see Jensen Transformers' AN007 which has in depth coverage of the problem and how to solve it.

What are the other cheaper options? 100 dollars for the hs02 is extremely pricey, I was also looking at the jds labs one but went with the Hs02 instead

 

[somebodyelse]

What are the other cheaper options? 100 dollars for the hs02 is extremely pricey, I was also looking at the jds labs one but went with the Hs02 instead

Some are listed in another thread on the subject. I think DSD-Tech now have 3 variants covering different types of USB connector, around £35 last time I looked.

 

[DVDdoug]

Hi, I don’t know what could possibly improve, but I got a topping usb hs02 usb noise isolator, and was able to noticeably hear a difference in audio,

Did you have a noise problem previously? Hum, hiss, or whine in the background?

Noise is basically "the last remaining problem" with audio electronics and thankfully it's a rare problem. (Speakers and headphones have frequency response "problems" and variations.

If you heard an undefined "improvement" it was likely your imagination. It's VERY common to THINK you are hearing a difference/improvement. Even our expert host here, Amir, admits to fooling himself.

A careful-controlled blind listening test can eliminate your imagination or bias.
Controlled Audio Blind Listening Tests (video)
What is a blind ABX test?
Audiophoolery discusses the actual characteristics of "sound quality".

 

[cheapshot71]

Did you have a noise problem previously? Hum, hiss, or whine in the background?

Noise is basically "the last remaining problem" with audio electronics and thankfully it's a rare problem. (Speakers and headphones have frequency response "problems" and variations.

If you heard an undefined "improvement" it was likely your imagination. It's VERY common to THINK you are hearing a difference/improvement. Even our expert host here, Amir, admits to fooling himself.

A careful-controlled blind listening test can eliminate your imagination or bias.
Controlled Audio Blind Listening Tests (video)
What is a blind ABX test?
Audiophoolery discusses the actual characteristics of "sound quality".

I did or I believe I did have a noise problem, when using the dac I would hear crackles and popping sounds although only occasionally, enough to make me believe that it wasn't a problem and just a source in the background that I wasn't aware about. I honestly thought I had a defective unit, but didn't want to go through the hassle of contacting customer service and waiting for it to ship back and forth from China, lols. Which was what led me to purchasing a usb noise isolator. I'm not a well-versed audiphile so I dont know how to describe the improvement in the best possible way but I'll try my best. How I can describe the improvement is before the noise isolator, the sound sounded a lot more 2-dimensional, whereas after the using the noise isolator the sound sounded more 3-dimensional in a way.