Best power supply for 3A 5V DAC

[rikirk]

I own a SMSL M9 as my desktop headphone amp/DAC and I would like to find a better power solution. 

Should I go with a battery pack or teradak LPS or...

[FredericV]

sbooster botw mk2

In my case I use it to power a raspberry, our microtik haplite show router on 432 EVO shows and this 4K player in our home cinema:

http://minix.com.hk/products/neo-u9-h

[Dutch]

Most well regarded supplies don’t get near 3A @5V so this limits your choice.

 

In a recent test on a Dutch site some PSU’s were tested (measured and listened to) and the Farad one outperformed the SBooster. It is capable of outputting 3A.

 

In Dutch but I’ll post it anyway:

https://www.alpha-audio.nl/review/multitest-externe-12-volt-voedingen/

[4est]

2 hours ago, Dutch said:

Most well regarded supplies don’t get near 3A @5V so this limits your choice.

 

In a recent test on a Dutch site some PSU’s were tested (measured and listened to) and the Farad one outperformed the SBooster. It is capable of outputting 3A.

 

In Dutch but I’ll post it anyway:

https://www.alpha-audio.nl/review/multitest-externe-12-volt-voedingen/

And to this point, does your DAC actually NEED 3 amps? That seems like a lot of dissipation for such a small unit. I could easily be wrong, but I'd not be surprised if a one amp supply wouldn't be sufficient. Have you measured this, or are you just going by what the previous supply was?

[FredericV]

it's the same with the Minix player which I mentioned, which officially is bundled with a DC 5V, 3A adapter
but under normal use it won't require 3 amps!

the multi-test from alpha audio is interesting because it just confirms we hear differently
maybe he listened after measuring, forming his conclusion based on what he already saw on the analyzer

[Dutch]

I assumed the 3A was correct as it’s an amp and DAC all-in-one. 3x5=15W. But of course it could use less even at maximum output.

[4est]

6 minutes ago, Dutch said:

I assumed the 3A was correct as it’s an amp and DAC all-in-one. 3x5=15W. But of course it could use less even at maximum output.

15 watts is a lot of power for a headphone amp. From the pics, there are no heat sinks capable of handling that much power and the HPs will likely only use a watt or two. How warm does the chassis get? It would have to be the heat sink from what i can glean.

[rikirk]

Thank you all for the replies! I'm overwhelmed  

 

I enquired SMSL at the time and they say min 2A. They have their own LPS for another DAC, but with not enough juice and they do not recommend it.

 

I'm aware of the Sbooster, but I thought is a lot of $, but if you know it's miles better than a battery pack or a Teradak I will bite the bullet.

 

BTW, I had ifi Micro DSD, Teac 503 and 301 before and I dont miss any of them. The M9 drives the Aeon flawless in dual mono with the balanced output. For a second I though to sell it for the new iFi Pro, but it's not worth for the little use I have. I prefer speakers over headphones as a musical experience.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, FredericV said:

it's the same with the Minix player which I mentioned, which officially is bundled with a DC 5V, 3A adapter
but under normal use it won't require 3 amps!

the multi-test from alpha audio is interesting because it just confirms we hear differently
maybe he listened after measuring, forming his conclusion based on what he already saw on the analyzer

 

Agree! I was aware of the review and considering what they say about the AQ Jitterbug... well we do hear different.