iFi iPower Elite - Low Noise Power Supply Adapter (12V)

I've purchased and compared the 3 Ifi 12 volt power supplies: Ifi ipower 2, ipower x and Elite. I started with the lowest priced one and I heard a difference, which led me down the rabbit hole...what are the differences with the higher priced ones? My review is completely subjective and reflects only my own personal experience. I did not perform blind testing. I simply listened to the same tracks of music back to back by just unplugging and plugging in different power supplies. My equipment used with these power supplies: Ifi Zen Stream, Geshelli J2S DAC, Thorens TD 309 Turntable and Dynavector P75 mk 4 Phono Pre-amp. First, there are legitimate reasons why some may not perceive a difference with audiophile tweaks. Count your blessings, enjoy your stereo and save your money if this fortunately applies to you or simply take advantage of a generous return policy. The differences I experienced fall into the categories of soundstage and imaging. With the Ifi Power 2, I found the background was blacker/quieter on all my devices compared to the generic switching DC power supply. Upgrading to the Ifi Power X, in addition to what I heard with the Ifi Power 2, there was improved soundstage depth, slightly increased soundstage width, and better imaging and separation. Now with the Ifi Power Elite, I noticed the most differences on the turntable and phono pre-amp. The overall difference in the turntable was an improvement in quietness over the the 2 other power supplies. The biggest surprising difference I found was in the phono pre-amp (possibly because I was using LOMC setting.) Not only was there an improvement in soundstage and imaging but the sound also changed in the bass, mids and treble. Most noticeable was the mids where less forward and the voices had more detail and texture. The bass was smoother and had slightly more detail. The treble was less bright but had slightly more air. Overall, the music just sounded more textured and life-like. These were all subtle but noticeably completely subjective differences to me. I chose to leave the ipower 2 on the streamer, ipower X on the DAC, and ipower Elites on the turntable and phono pre-amp. I hope this helps in your decision making.

Again, this is not a DC supply that the average punter buys....its domain is really to be used in high performance audio, where every millivolt of noise is a sonic compromise.And the noise here is allegedly in microvolts rather than millivolts!This is the second 12V Elite supply I am using.One is on a Lumin U2-Mini streamer that has been modded to allow external power supplies.I cannot say how this compares with other supplies on the Lumin as this is the only one I have used...but the quality of streaming is through the roof compared with the Bluesound Node I had before.But what I CAN compare the Elite with is the brick power supply that came with a TP Link Wifi router.Replacing the standard PS with the Elite in the router gave a far more natural, less colored sound over the standard PS.....although you would not expect a router to be so sensitive the the quality of its power suppy, it appears that it is exquisitely sensitive to it.The final sound I am getting with the Elite on the router is totally mermerizing and addictive. This however is not the first place I would spend the $300 in upgrading though.....this only makes sense if the rest if your installation is optimized-but when it is, the results are terrific.

I am using this with my RME ADI-2 FS v2 DAC (AKM 4493 version). I upgraded the originally supplied power supply from RME with a 12v iFi PowerX 12v power supply. This resulted in slightly smoother and more refined sound than the stock power supply; subtle differences. I then transitioned to a 15v version of the PowerX (fuller bass and more dynamic sound; subtle differences).But this 15v Elite version (used with a Pangea AC-13 mk2 SE IEC power cord) really upped the ante. It brought forward a smooth and effortless aspect to the sound. String, brass, and piano have both stronger attack but smoother and more extended decay. The sense of blackness within your listening space is increased. The notes just seem to emerge from this infinitely quiet (black/dark) background and their initial presentation is more dynamic. Yet everything sounds more refined.I’m running a Naim SuperNait 3 and Line Magnetic LM805ia integrated (summer/winter amps) with only lossless music. I use Amazon HD and local FLAC files.I’m very pleased at the performance increase (which likely lives mostly, if not entirely, in the analog domain with the RME). I run the RCA outputs at 3.08v RMS (unity gain is 3.46v RMS), so current demands for a line level device aren’t trivial. This is the best gain staging for my system.I expect the improvements I hear would likely be reduced for lower voltage outputs as I’m very confident that RME’s digital section is functionally faultless and that these improvements live exclusively in the always-more-complicated-than-theory analog domain.Either way, this is great insurance against less than optimal power going into your device. An issue that plagues nearly everyone these days. iFi/AMR did a great job.Oh, and it wreaks of quality and looks more expensive than it is. My wife has no idea what this does, but felt compelled to comment on how it “looks nice”. Don’t kid yourself; THAT MATTERS.

Recently upgraded the mini amp this was powering. The new d-class amp came with a cheap, genetic black brick power supply so I tried it. When I switched over to the ifi the speakers got significantly nosier with a persistent hum. Class d amps noise floor is largely based on the quality of their power supply. This $300 ifi is at least 4-5x nosier than a cheap power supply sold with a $78 mini amp.