PI2AES linear power supply?

Hi everyone from Italy.
I am happy owner of a Pi2AES+raspy pi4 combo.
I was thinking about the opportunity to upgrade the Meanwell power supply with a better one,a maybe a linear power supply?
I am looking for different brands (sbooster, Graham Slee PSU1, ora a reviewed in a blog switching Sotm Sps500, etc.)
Does anybody is experienced with this? Any clear improvement in sound quality?
Thanks!

 

Welcome, Francesco. We really do like new members to introduce themselves in this thread.

Additionally, there is already a long-running discussion for this product where you could probably learn some useful info or at the very least have a tuned-in audience for your question. We like to keep things tidy where we can without a lot of extraneous threads floating around.

I don't say that to scold you, just offering advice about how SBAF works.

To your question, I have an sBooster on my Pi2AES. The difference it made over the Meanwell was marginal -- a very slight improvement on some tracks, no difference on most of them. If you're looking for an upgrade, my guess is that moving up to a Pi2 Mercury will get you more mileage than a power supply upgrade to the Pi2AES.

 

A Pi2 Mercury can be upgraded with the power supply, too.

 

you can use an external linear power supply with mercury. But with a PI2AES, you can separate the power from the pie, which might offer a little bit better performance. YMMV.

 

There is a 5v mod.
Michael Kelly have made very clear that it does have some extra risk. Read the comments in the link

https://goldensound.audio/2021/07/22/pi2aes-streamer-measurements-and-5v-psu-mod-instructions/

 

Please be aware that this mod only applies to the early versions that require 24 V input. Current version uses 5 V only.

 

In this case is enough to remove the black jumper indicated on the webpage from goldensound about the 5v mod instructions, then plug both Pi2AES and raspberry with two different power cables?
With separate supply what voltage is correct for PI2AES? I can use again the Meanwell 24v?

Thanks a lot

 

Thanks for your kind reply.
I've just posted in the thread about myself.

 

Thank you but I prefer to live relaxed. I am not very happy with extra risks....usually i am not the luckiest man in the world... And neither in my little village

 

The current PI2AES 2.0 does not require any mods to run directly off 5V. See the HW reference Manual on the PI2AES page for more detail.

 

My PI2AES is the 1.0 version with Meanwell 24v PSU

 

In this case is enough to remove the black jumper indicated on the webpage from goldensound about the 5v mod instructions, then plug both Pi2AES and raspberry with two different power cables?
With separate supply what voltage is correct for PI2AES? I can use again the Meanwell 24v?

Thanks a lot

 

You can run the pi and the PI2AES separately with the jumper removed. Use the Meanwell for the PI2AES and the regular usb-c supply for the pi.

 

My 2cents... Build or have someone build a noise nuke instead of bothering with upgrading the meanwell. Noise nuke is audible difference.

 

+1 on the noise nuke.

 

Currently using the Pi2AES+Pi4 combo, same as OP. Having swapped the regular meanwell to a iFi iPower Elite and only because I got the iFi for a good bargain, I would say upgrading the power supply made perhaps a subtle difference, maybe more focus in imaging and a blacker-ground. However, this was very subtle and I had to "hear" to grasp the difference. This was too much effort and not something I would do during regular music enjoyment. Heck, I felt differences in my mind/energy/health would probably impact my perception of what I am hearing more than the upgrade. Of course, YMMV. I was just curious at the time and a good deal popped up.

My advice would be to spend your money elsewhere like the noise nuke others have suggested, or go for the Mercury V3 (which I think includes a version of the noise nuke?), or treat yourself to a nice drink while you listen to your rig. These would likely provide more appreciable differences.

 

Thank you everybody. I check about noise nuke and I will live relaxed with a gin tonic

 

I see only few DIY noise nukes online. Is it a DC blocker (there are some on the market) or is a different thing? Sorry I am not competent