iFi Audio DC iPurifier

[Duke40]

Some random thoughts ...

 

The website states that a white polarity inverter is included, specifically ...

“Professional audio applications typically require a ‘centre negative’ power supply. To lower noise with the DC iPurifier, use a ‘centre positive’ power supply at the input and use a special white ‘inverter’ at the output."

 

The white inverter was missing from all 4 of the DC iPurifiers packaging that I received.

 

On the box it does not state that a white inverter is included.

 

A bit of a mismatch, comparing the box’s listing of contents VS the website.

 

Apart from that the packaging excellent.

 

I like that the design of the DC iPurifier has a light to show if the polarity is inverted, it may save someone’s equipment one day.

 

Oh, I did try daisy chaining several in series, no further improvements above using a single DC iPurifier.

 

The build quality of the DC iPurifier was of a very high calibre.

 

Impressive.

[Duke40]

My thoughts on the iFi Audio DC iPurifier ...

 

 

Short Version :

 

 

A win, it is certainly a keeper feeding my Auralic Gemini 2000 DAC/Headamp.

I am so impressed … the iFi Audio DC iPurifier provided further immediate improvements over just powering the DAC by the HD-Plex LPS alone.

 

 

Long Version :

 

 

Below is a mind map of my headphone setup (minus the W4S Remedy Reclocker to remove any resampling effects from affecting my impressions). Galvanic isolation via Toslink between the two devices (Auralic Aries & Auralic Gemini 2000) and powered by seperate Isolation & Balanced Power transformers. Power supplies are the stock Aries LPS (quality is of a very high calibre) and the HD-Plex 100W (a well known and respected LPS).

 

 

 

iFi Audio DC iPurifier feeding Auralic Gemini 2000 (DAC/Head Amp)

 

 

Preamble :

The stock power supply that comes with the Auralic Gemini 2000 is a SMPS, looks like the type that usually comes to power a laptop. I considered that a positive attribute when I was looking for a combine DAC/Head Amp, as I could gain an improvement by obtaining a Linear Power Supply to further boost it’s performance. I really liked the Auralic Gemini 2000 when I first got it, when I added a HD-Plex 100W LPS, I loved it. The HD-Plex is powered by a 300W Isolation Transformer with nothing else attached to the transformer. My thoughts below after adding the iFi Audio DC iPurifier as the last device in the power chain feeding the DAC ...

 

iFi Audio DC iPurifier … further improvements.

Bass … better defined

Mids … more resolution

Imaging … more focussed

Performance improvement above using the LPS alone … 20%

Keep it ? Worthwhile ? … Yes, a definite Win

[Liam]

Some random thoughts ...

 

The website states that a white polarity inverter is included, specifically ...

“Professional audio applications typically require a ‘centre negative’ power supply. To lower noise with the DC iPurifier, use a ‘centre positive’ power supply at the input and use a special white ‘inverter’ at the output."

 

The white inverter was missing from all 4 of the DC iPurifiers packaging that I received.

 

On the box it does not state that a white inverter is included.

 

A bit of a mismatch, comparing the box’s listing of contents VS the website.

 

Apart from that the packaging excellent.

 

I like that the design of the DC iPurifier has a light to show if the polarity is inverted, it may save someone’s equipment one day.

 

Oh, I did try daisy chaining several in series, no further improvements above using a single DC iPurifier.

 

The build quality of the DC iPurifier was of a very high calibre.

 

Impressive.

 

Hi John. I was also confused regarding the white polarity inverter. No it is not provided with the DC iPurifier, only with the iPower. This is what iFi say.....

 

"Orange = on (power)

 

Red = Wrong polarity inserted. So you don't want this to light up.

 

This brings me to why the inverter is not provided. Basically the DC iPurifier works with only centre positive power supplies so the inverter must go after the DC iPurifier to work. We did not include this as some customers may get this wrong. It is shown on the website mainly for Pro audio market".

[Duke40]

Hi Liam,

 

Thank you for clearing that up for me regarding the white polarity inverter, I appreciate it.

Not a biggie, all my DC powered equipment is centre positive.

 

I really like the light feature , that it will light up Red if polarity is inverted as I once purchased a DC cable that had polarity inverted with centre negative. That DC cable killed something valuable which is why I currently DIY and make my own DC power cables now with Oyaide/Mundorf/Furutech parts. The DC iPurifier could also be used as a quick safety check if I ever decided again to buy new purchased DC cables again.

 

I am probably not expressing myself very coherently ... too busy enjoying the effects of the DC iPurifier on my headphone rig, especially the Auralic Gemini 2000 !

 

I have also attached a DC iPurifier to the linear power supply of my of Auralic Aries.

This is the most difficult test for the DC iPurifier, as the Auralic LPS already has outstanding low noise of 10uV. It is a bespoke LPS built by Auralic to specifically to power the Aries ... at the moment my impressions is that the DC iPurifier is providing a very subtle difference, probably slightly less than putting a HiFi Tuning Silver Star fuse into the Auralic LPS. This may sound like damning with faint praise, but I think in this application it is very difficult to gain further improvement as the noise level of the LPS is approaching the DC iPurifier. I am also Beta testing firmware with the Aries, so still getting a handle on any effects with the Aries.

 

Yet, when the DC iPurifier was inserted between the HD-Plex LPS and Auralic Gemini 2000 ... it was a night & day improvement

 

This is the best my headphone rig has sounded.

 

Next weekends test will be to attach the 3rd DC iPurifier to my ISP Modem (onto a SMPS) that connects to my router (Apple Time Capsule), and the 4th to the W4S Remedy Reclocker (bring that back into the rig, attached to a SMPS or a LPS). I am trying not to do too much at once, else I will not be able to accurately determine where the best results & improvements originate from.

 

I also like the flexibility of the voltage ranges (5V to 24V) so I can try it with different applications.

 

I am very pleased so far with the iFi Audio DC iPurifier.

 

Thank you (and others) again for journalling your experiences, I was curious about this product & when other members of CA provides their thoughts, I find it does help me with coming to my own decision if a product is right for me.

 

John

[asdf1000]

Hi guys, is the input to the DC iPurifier 2.5mm?

 

I've just used a 2.5mm power plug to go into the DC iPurifier (with no adapter on the input side) and a 2.5mm adapter on the DC iPurifier's output and it's working.

 

So out of the box it appears the input side is 2.5mm and output side is 2.1mm?

 

It's working, which is the main thing, but could something go wrong if these connections are not "proper"

[Duke40]

Hi guys, is the input to the DC iPurifier 2.5mm?

 

I've just used a 2.5mm power plug to go into the DC iPurifier (with no adapter on the input side) and a 2.5mm adapter on the DC iPurifier's output and it's working.

 

So out of the box it appears the input side is 2.5mm and output side is 2.1mm?

 

It's working, which is the main thing, but could something go wrong if these connections are not "proper"

 

Believe both input and output are 2.1mm

 

Sometimes a DC cable of 2.5mm can fit on the input (I did the same as you), found it did not have a secure connection so the device would sometimes lose power.

 

In the iFi packaging I think there is a 2.5mm to 2.1mm adapter that can be used in the input, may be worthwhile to use that. Just a thought.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

[asdf1000]

Believe both input and output are 2.1mm

 

Sometimes a DC cable of 2.5mm can fit on the input (I did the same as you), found it did not have a secure connection so the device would sometimes lose power.

 

In the iFi packaging I think there is a 2.5mm to 2.1mm adapter that can be used in the input, may be worthwhile to use that. Just a thought.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

Roger, I definitely want a secure connection so will use the adapter. It did 'feel' secure though but I don't want to chance it.

[Markk]

Hi,

 

No need to buy the DC iPurifier if you already have the iPOWER. For those who want the absolute best it is the iPOWER but it is only available in 5/9/12/15v.

 

BUT, the DC iPurifier works for 5v > 24v (handles up to 3.5A).

 

One is a specialist and the other a generalist that works across a whole range and can be used here, there and everywhere (as it accepts the whole range of different voltages out there).

 

Cheers.

 

I've had stunning improvements from using the Ifi SPDIF iPurifier on my modified Gustard X20uPro. The included iPower 5V supply for it has a claimed noise level of under 1 uV. But, for virtually no effort, I tried the DC iPurifier in-line between the iPower and SPDIF iPurifier. Low and behold, everything the SPDIF purifier did, got another 20% or so better!

 

So now, I want to add active noise cancellation inside my gear! Bybee sells Music Rails for internal modifications and OEMs. Can we get a cost reduced version of the DC iPurifier without the connectors, aluminum case, and lovely packaging for less money? I'm probably going to want about 10 of them just for my gear, and I don't do modifications for anyone.

[crion]

Just wanted to verify with ifi that inserting the DC ipurifier into a chain consisting of a 12V/8A (HD-PLEX PSU) with an end device rated for 12V/3A (36W) (the HD-PLEX LPSU replaced an SMPS rated for 12V/3A) is that ok?

[Liam]

Just wanted to verify with ifi that inserting the DC ipurifier into a chain consisting of a 12V/8A (HD-PLEX PSU) with an end device rated for 12V/3A (36W) (the HD-PLEX LPSU replaced an SMPS rated for 12V/3A) is that ok?

 

Hope you don't mind me sticking my nose in, but yes that is fine. If the SMPS was supplied with the end device then the end device obviously draws 3A (amps) or most likely less. The HD-PLEX is rated 8A, so that has even more headroom for current draw (amps). The end device will only draw what it needs though, and the DC iPurifier is rated for 3.5A. The voltage of 12V is also fine as the DC iPurifier is rated for anything between 5V and 24V.

[asdf1000]

Hi,

Specifications

 

• iFI ‘FINAL’ aircraft-grade RFI shielded aluminium chassis
  
• With 3 DC barrel fittings: 5.5x2.1mm (adapters for 5.5x2.5mm and 3.5x1.35mm incl)
  

 

• Warranty period: 12 months
  

.

Hi iFi

 

I want to get a DC iPurifier for this: https://www.jaben.com.au/products/elementalwatsonamplifier

 

But it's voltage spec of 26V is JUST above yours but overall power is less than 21 Watts, within your spec

 

Will the DC iPurifier be ok for 26V at 0.8 Amps ?

 

Cheers

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 15.03.2017 at 3:47 AM, Em2016 said:

Hi iFi

 

I want to get a DC iPurifier for this: https://www.jaben.com.au/products/elementalwatsonamplifier

 

But it's voltage spec of 26V is JUST above yours but overall power is less than 21 Watts, within your spec

 

Will the DC iPurifier be ok for 26V at 0.8 Amps ?

 

Cheers

 

The DC iPurifier is rated for 24V which includes normal 5% tolerances, so 26V MAY work, but it will be near limits.

It is possible if the tolerances of the DC iPurifier protection circuitry and of the 26V DC power supply accumulate in a worst case - the DC iPurifier will enter protection mode and shut down, it may do so after a fair while if the status is just at the edge.

So we cannot recommend or guarantee operation with a 26V supply attached.

[BigAlMc]

Hi @AMR/iFi audio, 

 

I am considering the iFI DC ipurifier for use with a Sonictransporter that is rated 19v 5amps. I see the voltage is within range but the iFI is rated at 3.5amps. Do you think this would be ok. 

 

The Sonictransporter supports upsampling in HQPlayer to DSD512 but I'm using it on DSD128 so I don't envisage pushing the i7 that hard. 

 

Many Thanks, 

Alan 

 

PS I own and really like a couple of your iPowers! Great work.