using a

[francis john]

Hi all, please forgive me for being quite basic about this, as this is new to me.

I have just purchased the Topping P50 linear power supply to pair with a ifi Zen Stream (audio streamer) , which has the following power supply: DC 9V/1.8A-15V/0.8A, AC 100 -240V, 50/60Hz. I am in Australia where we have 240 volts. Does that mean I leave the P50 setting at 240 (it came at that setting) and plug from output 2 (see below two images) into the power of the Zen Stream? Many thanks fr your assistance.

 

[JSmith]

Hi all, please forgive me for being quite basic about this, as this is new to me.

All good mate, welcome to ASR.

Does that mean I leave the P50 setting at 240

Oh yes definitely... or you'll release some smoke and she'll be broke.

plug from output 2 (see below two images) into the power of the Zen Stream?

Yep, that's the DC output into the corresponding DC input on the Zen;

I must say though, the linear supply isn't needed here at all... won't make any difference to the sound of a streamer.


JSmith

 

[francis john]

Thanks very much for the prompt reply. Yes, I wondered about that, whether the linear power supply would make a difference to the streamer. Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference; we will see. Thanks again.

 

[Doodski]

Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference

The commentary is smoke and mirrors subjective chatter. There will be no difference in sound quality at all.

 

[JSmith]

Thanks very much for the prompt reply.

No worries.

Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference

Nah... subjective comments based on nothing of note. You may find this thread of interest;

Do you need linear power supply for DACs?

Probably the most asked about question about DACs on audio forums is whether an external, usually linear, power supply improves performance. It just makes sense that it would do that. Doesn't it? Well, let's see if we can figure this out. I have been kindly loaned a Wyrd4Sound PS-1 power...

www.audiosciencereview.com

JSmith

 

[kemmler3D]

Thanks very much for the prompt reply. Yes, I wondered about that, whether the linear power supply would make a difference to the streamer. Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference; we will see. Thanks again.

If you hang around ASR for a while you'll notice most of the regulars hold mere commentary in low esteem, we don't really pay attention to claims without reliable numbers attached.

It turns out you don't miss out on much if you adopt this attitude, and you keep a lot more of your money.

Welcome to ASR!

 

[Doodski]

Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference; we will see.

 

[solderdude]

Thanks very much for the prompt reply. Yes, I wondered about that, whether the linear power supply would make a difference to the streamer. Much commentary about it indicates that it does make a difference; we will see. Thanks again.

Objectively it will not make a difference (the output signal from the Zen will be exactly the same when using the wall wart and the P50.

Subjectively it will make a difference because it is bigger and heavier in size and much more expensive and you read that it does make a difference.
You will likely hear: A blacker background, tighter bass, smoother (more analog) treble, better dynamics and all the other things reviews will promise you.
Not because of a better power supply but because you bought it for that reason so you'll hear it.

What I do not recommend is to do do a proper blind test (have someone else randomly change (or pretend to change) power supplies at least 10 times and then, by ear only, you determine which one sounds 'better'.
Do NOT do this because you will not be able to tell the power supplies apart and feel cheated about having bought an expensive device that does nothing better.
That's how the audio industry works. Placebo sells cables and devices (at higher prices) that make you feel better and you will listen more attentively to hear a difference so you will hear a difference even when in actuality there isn't one. That's how the brain works and it works on every human, even those who think they can't be fooled.

What objectively COULD happen (an actual improvement) is that you may have heard some (faint) audible noises (hum or other sounds) that should not be there and those might disappear, or even might appear when it was quiet with the original power supply.