Test WIIM pro+ with different power supplies

[alex-mayer]

If the WiiM Pro Plus required a better power supply, WiiM would have provided it in the box, or available for purchase. It's simple as that.

No, not necessarily!
Have you ever heard of a manufacturer making compromises when developping a product?
The engineer might try to give his best - but then comes the marketing department, the sales-people, etc. who have the whole market with all the other products in their sight:
So there is a price-point for every product how much it may cost the customer.
And there is a price-point how much a product may cost until it appears in the store. ===> And the difference ist the profit!
There you have all the compromises coming from.
A manufacturer looks at the points that the customer looks at, for example what can a product/a device do ("features"), what are the marketing key-parts in it (DAC, etc.)....
The power supply is not often looked at by the customer, so just provide anything that will work.
So there is much room for something that could work better, that might work better, that will work better....

 

[ZoydWheeler]

No, not necessarily!
Have you ever heard of a manufacturer making compromises when developping a product?
The engineer might try to give his best - but then comes the marketing department, the sales-people, etc. who have the whole market with all the other products in their sight:
So there is a price-point for every product how much it may cost the customer.
And there is a price-point how much a product may cost until it appears in the store. ===> And the difference ist the profit!
There you have all the compromises coming from.
A manufacturer looks at the points that the customer looks at, for example what can a product/a device do ("features"), what are the marketing key-parts in it (DAC, etc.)....
The power supply is not often looked at by the customer, so just provide anything that will work.
So there is much room for something that could work better, that might work better, that will work better....

Yes, that’s all as maybe. But does it work okay? Or doesn’t it? And if not what are the options and costs of better ones?

 

[steadyshot]

If the WiiM Pro Plus required a better power supply, WiiM would have provided it in the box, or available for purchase. It's simple as that.

That is wishful thinking. You think you rationalise but reality is different .

For example the representative of primare talked about the cost effectiveness of their power supply ( on primare np5 mk2 prisma a 600euro transport - no dac) and suggested others for improved performance …

 

[cc_rider]

ROFL

 

[ZoydWheeler]

Thanks for helping me to decide to not bother researching this topic any further. I’ll stick with the bog standard power suppy.

 

[steadyshot]

I never saw a non measurement only camper , starting a debate . Only the reverse. Very strong opinions are not substantiated by non experts so don’t have strong opinions … Experts are: audio circuit designers and or those holding phd on audio hardware subjects

 

[edo gawa]

Thanks for helping me to decide to not bother researching this topic any further. I’ll stick with the bog standard power suppy.

Look for a used ifi iPower2, you should be able to find one for $35. If you don't think it makes any improvement flog it on US Audio Mart for what you paid. You'll be out very little and the issue will be settled. But keep in mind that a budget system that is not very revealing won't show any benefit compared to a better system that is. I did this and ended up keeping the iFi.

 

[ZoydWheeler]

Look for a used ifi iPower2, you should be able to find one for $35. If you don't think it makes any improvement flog it on US Audio Mart for what you paid. You'll be out very little and the issue will be settled. But keep in mind that a budget system that is not very revealing won't show any benefit compared to a better system that is. I did this and ended up keeping the iFi.

THANK YOU So it’s a 5V one I need to look for, yes ?

 

[alex-mayer]

I bought this one for my WIIM Pro Plus (75,-- Euro incl. Tax):

AUDIOPHONICS LPSU25 Linear Regulated Low Noise Power Supply USB 220V to 5V 2A 25VA - Audiophonics

This regulated linear power supply designed to power our future player with Raspberry Pi base

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[BowsAndArrows]

I've just wasted a good hour going back and reading this entire thread. And I'm still none the wiser. Do I need to buy a better power supply for my WiiM Pro Plus, use an old Apple USB power supply, or just crack on with the power supply that was in the box? Which sounds fine so far, to my ears.

lmao, as is often with threads like these. people tend not to offer their experiences because others will ridicule them... it all depends on whether you notice a benefit or not.

i've compared the ifi iPower (v1 that came free with another one of their products i got) vs stock vs other random 5V USB chargers. and atm the iPower. to my ears there is a subtle difference. i also tried it with an LPS (topping p50 which also sounded good) but i had to swap the LPS to power other devices in my digital chain because that sounds better.

imo the best bang for buck out there right now is the topping p50 for powering 5V devices.

 

[Rudivanb]

I bought this one for my WIIM Pro Plus (75,-- Euro incl. Tax):

AUDIOPHONICS LPSU25 Linear Regulated Low Noise Power Supply USB 220V to 5V 2A 25VA - Audiophonics

This regulated linear power supply designed to power our future player with Raspberry Pi base

www.audiophonics.fr

And do you have it already in use, if so, what is your impression?

Another very good power supply for the WIim Pro, not mentioned yet afak, is the USB power output of the Audioquest Powerblock Powerquest 2 or 3, I have the 3, and in my situation and to my ears it is comparable to the Audiophonics LPS.

If the WiiM Pro Plus required a better power supply, WiiM would have provided it in the box, or available for purchase. It's simple as that.

If only things were that simple.
Manufacturers also have to take into account the selling price. It is always a compromise and maybe WIim does not want to market separate power supplies anyway.
A brand that does sell a seperate PSU is Ferrum, they sell a Hypsos power supply for their DAC / Headphone Amp and everybody who hears it can immediately tell the improvement. Wether somebody would find it worthy of the investment is for another discussion somewhere else.

 

[cc_rider]

A brand that does sell a seperate PSU is Ferrum, they sell a Hypsos power supply for their DAC / Headphone Amp and everybody who hears it can immediately tell the improvement.

In sighted tests, yes, this is not uncommon. It's a well-known phenomenon called confirmation bias. In properly conducted double-blind tests, however, they very likely won't hear any difference at all.

 

[Rudivanb]

In sighted tests, yes, this is not uncommon. It's a well-known phenomenon called confirmation bias. In properly conducted double-blind tests, however, they very likely won't hear any difference at all.

Why do you want that discussion here over and over again?

 

[cc_rider]

Why do you want that discussion here over and over again?

Because facts matter.

 

[steadyshot]

Guys in blind tests not all fail . Although knowing your system building memory and then listening to a new component will lead to definite results . Many people buy stuff and they return it during the return period . If confirmation bias and placebo was so much affecting judgment then nobody would return a product

In any case you cannot know if someone would hear the difference in a blind test unless a specific component was tested in their specific system and you would be present .

So nobody can prove anything and the discussion is pointless .

It is better to rely on measurements and theory and leave audibility aside . If something can improve a system it may be heard

 

[D1N0]

I tested my iPower X I use on the WIIM pro on the Argon SOLO, not expecting anything because the Argon is supposed to clean the power by itself. Not so much. Immediate difference. So I had to get a second iPower..... I could pick that out in a blind A/B test (not a double blind, those are stupid)

 

[adias]

I vouch for an iPhone 5V usb supply. Clean.

 

[edo gawa]

THANK YOU So it’s a 5V one I need to look for, yes ?

Yes 5V. And make sure you get the iPower2 (not the original). It's better.

 

[cc_rider]

Audio Myth - "Switching Power Supplies are Noisy"

This Myth Goes Something Like This: "Switching supplies are noisy." "Linear power supplies are best for audio." We disagree!

benchmarkmedia.com

 

[alex-mayer]

Benchmarkmedia.com says, I quote:
"A well-designed switching power supply can be much quieter than a linear supply."

So the important words are here "can be".

A well-designed switching power supply can be as good as a LPS, maybe even better.

An who is convinced that the simple $ 2.50 plug-in switching power supply we get "for free" with a competitively priced WIIM Pro Plus is "well-designed"?

It is sufficient to make the WIIM Pro Plus work? Yes!

Is it better than a well-designed LPS? I do not think so!

Is it as good as a well-designed switching power supply, as Benchmark refers to? I do doubt it.

Greetings from Germany,
Alexander