You can build a decent linear supply using a line filter/shielded transformer/soft switch diodes in the rectifier/low noise regulator and some decent low ESR capacitors for much less than those products (as long as you only need 2~3A of current for a DAC or a pre). If money is no object (or almost), you can definitely buy your way to perfect sound, but you also need the speakers (or headphones) to match (!) This is mostly correct, but there are better regulators than the 317, so comparing to that old beast is really not quite right. Rastus wrote:You may want to look into other very highend offerings (very expensive): It is possible that the best result for the least amount of money would be using the conventional switching supply for the Pi, and a very small linear supply (or battery) for the DAC. The HiFiBerry DAC+ Pro has an option for separate supplies. So, for best results, you would have to have separate power supplies for the Pi and the DAC. With a Raspberry Pi, the situation is more complicated because its digital circuitry produces noise by itself, independent of the power supply. I am somewhat biased, because I also prefer class A/B amplifiers, preamps with low-noise regulators, toroidal transformers, line filters at the power in, etc.Ī switching supply CAN be designed for clean power, but this gets expensive, and the fact is that most manufacturers just do not do this, and most people are used to listening to music with a little noise mixed in, just like we are used to a compressed dynamic range, something that definitely would not be acceptable in a concert hall or in a studio. I agree that a linear power supply usually gives the best results. I plan to build and try a linear supply at some point, but it will not be this week (or next) Raising a Raspberry Pi with a 40-dollar DAC to audiophile level is not a simple (or cheap) proposition. I want price (low) + performance (low noise), and simplicity (plug and go). Obviously the extremely high price of these products defeat the low price of the Raspberry Pi.
![pi filter audio power supply design pi filter audio power supply design](https://electronicsreference.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/image-54-768x314.png)
![pi filter audio power supply design pi filter audio power supply design](https://i.stack.imgur.com/Nbu29.png)
You may want to look into other very highend offerings (very expensive): But, I will be doing a comparative analysis on these three products. I spoke to the distributor of iFi Audio in Australia, the iFi iPower won't be available for another two months. A friend has offered to loan me his SBooster (Raspberry Pi compatible). I have a custom built box type LPS (5V for a Raspberry Pi 2 Model B and 12V for a DSPeaker) on order. But to each his own, opinions are like arse-holes (everyone's got one).
![pi filter audio power supply design pi filter audio power supply design](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJuJjnYgjcQ/V-k6HwuNyeI/AAAAAAAAFAo/HFy0rrdlAysbJbLinKZBKV46C63MmbT2ACLcB/s1600/Dual%2BSymmetrical%2BPower%2BSupply%2BPCB%2BFor%2BAudio%2BAmp.jpg)
Anyway, I have always been of the opinion that Elvis is THE king. But for a very cheap comparison with the wall-wart that comes with the Pi, it's a no brainer. Indeed, as a battery pack's power drops the performance (for powering the Raspberry Pi) also degrades.