Test WIIM pro+ with different power supplies

iPad charger is 12 v the drawback of iPhone charger is ripple . To me ifi power x is a nice upgrade
 
Next week a LPS (Linear Power Supply) should arrive for the Wiim Pro, which I am using as a streamer only, connected to a separate DAC. I will let you know if I hear an improvement in sound quality. I hope so, but proof is in the 🍮.
Yesterday I have bought a lm317 power supply board with a separate 9V 3A linear AC transformer to try with the WiiM pro. I will compare it to the iPad 2012 charger. 13 euro for the lm317 board so no big investment. Delivery from audiophonics before christmas.

Looking forward to your impression of your LPS.

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Yesterday I have bought a lm317 power supply board with a 9V 3A linear AC transformer to try with the WiiM pro. I will compare it to the iPad 2012 charger. 13 euro for the lm317 board so no big investment. Delivery from audiophonics before christmas.

Looking forward to your impression of your LPS.
Is 9V okay for the Wiim, as it accepts 5V ?
 
Is 9V okay for the Wiim, as it accepts 5V ?
The linear transformer output is 9V AC . This cant be used with the WiiM. It would destroy the unit.

What you see on the picture is the regulation board, not the AC transformer.

WiiM pro needs 5V DC . The lm317 board converts 9V AC to a pure 5V DC at its output.
( You can change the DC output anywhere from between 1.5V to 7V with lm317 with the trim-pot, when using my 9V AC transformer )
One needs a simple voltmeter measurement instrument to do this.
 
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Very much looking forward to your results. The more reasonable cost methods that are tested the better chance of finding the best balance of improving the outcome at a cost most can afford. For those with deeper pockets or just have no limits if they find something that makes them happy so be it. Once past a certain threshold there my be gains but the cost increase is exponential, I have experience in that realm, wish I still had some of that money not so well used. Now I stay where I have most of my life, getting the best results for the lowest cost, actually a more rewarding result.

The biggest sum I will spend on this is for the iFi ipowerx I received which I can at least take a listen to today as well as an Ankor 5 volt battery. Before of after I try a new internet switch(bought used) going from Motorola 2180 that I only use the Ethernet ports on to a Cysco Catalyst 2960G I received yesterday in mint shape bought on Ebay for $59, supposed to be a very clean switch. Speaker(amp, DSP, etc included as active unit) for now is a very fine Martin Logan Vision X sound bar (bought used several years ago for $225, a steal of a deal) which unfortunately has an issue that just started up I am working on with the line level inputs so have to use optical or coax.

I would spend the day outside working on our all out full time RV remodel but most of the day just to darn cold so I can play indoors a bit, only 17 our right now.
 
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Update: I just ordered a used iPad charger on *bay for $6.49 shipped from a very reliable seller, it had a clear picture showing details so I know it is an original apply 5 volt charger.
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I would like to include an OEM Apple iPad 5 volt charger, found some used ones on Ebay and likely real Apple since being sold as used and under $10 shipped but I will look into buying a new one direct from Apple if still just $19. That way I can listen to the WiiM original charger, even try an original Samsung one, the battery bank, iFi iPowerX, and the Apple unit.
 
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Update: I just ordered a used iPad charger on *bay for $6.49 shipped from a very reliable seller, it had a clear picture showing details so I know it is an original apply 5 volt charger..........
Exciting times , both you and @Musician and me have power supplies coming in to see if and how the output of the Wiim can be improved. Are you using the analog or digital output of the Wiim?
 
Yes, I agree, great fun and not a ton of money, even better:)
I will be using an outboard DAC once I get a problem fixed on my temp system and certainly on our higher end system once I get it up and running but not ready to install it yet, still remodeling. For now testing the digital out only as that part of my system is working fine(Martin Logan Vision X soundbar, dang fine unit, listed for around $1700, bought it used for $225) I picked the Pro Plus though going to use an outboard DAC (Topping E70 Velvet) I wanted to take a listen to it with the analog outputs and I got it on sale for $175.
 
Yes, I agree, great fun and not a ton of money, even better:)
I will be using an outboard DAC once I get a problem fixed on my temp system and certainly on our higher end system once I get it up and running but not ready to install it yet, still remodeling. For now testing the digital out only as that part of my system is working fine(Martin Logan Vision X soundbar, dang fine unit, listed for around $1700, bought it used for $225) I picked the Pro Plus though going to use an outboard DAC (Topping E70 Velvet) I wanted to take a listen to it with the analog outputs and I got it on sale for $175.
Same here, I am using the digital output only of the Wiim Pro, into Topping DX90 DAC / Headphone amp. Hopefully I will have the new LPS by the end of this week.
 
Just a quick simple test so far and quite a noticeable change, everything seems just a bit crisper and cleaner, more detailed.
System, for now.
Pro Plus using their app on Android phone to control it.
Feeding optical to surprisingly good Martin Logan Vision X sound bar
Steely Dan Goucho from Qobuz, 24/192, 1st two tracks, Babylon Sisters and Hey Nineteen.
OEM PS and iFi iPowerx

I went back and forth twice each track and with the two PS units
I can hear a pretty significant difference so far as mentioned above, it is with the iFi PS though the OEM still sounds dang fine.

I will do a lot more testing with a lot more differing music but all very good tracks, some from my limited high end CD's but sold my main player Oppo 83SE as no longer fit in the space I have for a player so using a really decent Panasonic BD player.

I will try the batter bank next.
 
Just a quick simple test so far and quite a noticeable change, everything seems just a bit crisper and cleaner, more detailed.
System, for now.
Pro Plus using their app on Android phone to control it.
Feeding optical to surprisingly good Martin Logan Vision X sound bar
Steely Dan Goucho from Qobuz, 24/192, 1st two tracks, Babylon Sisters and Hey Nineteen.
OEM PS and iFi iPowerx

I went back and forth twice each track and with the two PS units
I can hear a pretty significant difference so far as mentioned above, it is with the iFi PS though the OEM still sounds dang fine.

I will do a lot more testing with a lot more differing music but all very good tracks, some from my limited high end CD's but sold my main player Oppo 83SE as no longer fit in the space I have for a player so using a really decent Panasonic BD player.

I will try the batter bank next.
Interesting ! Maybe Im gonna buy the ifi power X later, to see If its even better than the iPad charger and the lm317 board, - for my listening preferences.
 
I wish I had my real system setup, which will be some time from now and take at least 3 if not 4 or 6 different speaker typologies to get the best results in our RV which I have done considerable work on to even have a decent system. Horns, OB, Bass Reflex, Single Driver......

Just having a sound bar hanging from an 8' ceiling right over my head is obviously far from optimal. I can still hear quite a few detail changes and I can step back incrementally as far as 40 ft and be in line of sight. The SB has a surprising amount of decent bass output, can live without a sub and though might end up with sub(s) they would be small and not dig too deep, we have neighbors not far from us. Once our main system is done we will still use the SB as background music, watching a decent video, etc, actually very nice on movies since the center is much better for vocals than a stereo system.

No just chilling and listening to some HD Bill Withers, we listen to many varieties of music, blues, jazz, limited rock, classical, R&B, funk.....

Then I went outside in 37 degree weather and finished the custom ducting for the evap cooler into the AC ceiling vents, added fire stops to the framing and cut and fit the 2" R13 Insulation boards, just finished at 5:10, to dark to see any longer.
 
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Regarding the ifi power supplies, measurement is few on the internet but I found a very interesting review with real measurements here :


The original ifi power supply seems to be really good .:)

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I have always used external power supplies as it was proved to me long ago they made a difference.
I have several in my armoury, including HDPlex multi output LPS, Cheap Chinese ORDO fixed voltage LPS, Temple Audio Supercharger (Capacitor), Ifi iPower (SMPS) & various and various PowerBanks.

More recently, though, after following YouTube tests which were all very favourable, I have been using this from AliExpress:

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This is a Chinese SMPS Bench Power Supply, very stable, low noise & ripple. The voltage can be set & locked up to 32V.
I use a pair of these for my Analogue setup, one to control the motor, and the other for my Puffin digital phono stage. This unit punches way above its weight at a ridiculous price compared to LPS supplies, and is worth considering.
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Great post, that Gophert PS looks great and I need a bench supply so just have to get one:)

The iFi does seem to be excellent so far and for my with very limited space might be my go to PS for the WiiM but I hope to really like the Apple one as so cheap on Ebay it would be great to recommend it. The iFi seems a bit to good in one way due to the very poor layout I RVaudio10.jpghave to run, the OEM one is a bit easier to listen to siting right below the sound bar on the ceiling as not quite so not sure the term I should us, not sharp in a bad way, just really present, less laid back. Once I get the issue fixed with the SB and can use the E70 Velvet that might help a bit, I love the AKM sound though this one is supposed to be like a cross between a good AKM and ESS.

My desk is at the rear wall, in front of a big window, audio gear will be on it and under it, behind it a bit as well and the main speakers beside it when I get it all setup. I spend quite a bit of time at my desk so I am likely going to have a three system in one configuration. Sound bar for general music, quite good for movies as well, Main system for when we want to really get into the music, have a little two person and one doggy party and dance, my wife is an exceptional dancer and very fit for about to turn 60. I might have to setup some small near field monitors on my desk we can both enjoy but maybe with the E70 V the sound bar will do just fine and I have used it that way for a few years.

The main speakers are being readied to be built, XRK on DIYaudio design, XSD model OB with eight 6.5 bass drivers in a SLOB configuration though mine will have eight 8's per side instead of 6.5 in hopes of not needing a subwoofer. I have Egarhorn Slimlines full custom mods and others to build and test in planning stages. The RV pic is not quite there yet in the remodel though the back wall has been moved and completely rebuilt to add 18" more room.

With today's great gear values, compact sizes, etc I can setup something pretty cool whichever way it turns out and of course as much DIY as makes sense.
 
Has anyone tried a using a GaN charger and if so did they notice any sonic difference?
Very good question - Its new technology and has the pontential to be great I suppose. But maybe most maufacturers use this right now only to make things smaller and maybe cheaper ?
I havent seen any reviews with really low noise and low ripple power supplies using GaN technology . Please post If you know some.
 
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