• Registered: 2019-02-01
  • Posts: 171

Topic: Linear power supply from ebay

What do you think about Chinese linear power supplies from ebay? I  doubt that there will be any measurable or otherwise performance difference but I need a PSU for my tube buffer and since I'm already paying for shipping might as well get one for RME, those things are pretty cheap.

2 Reply by Sebastian.Athea (edited by Sebastian.Athea 2021-04-12 18:55:49)

  • Registered: 2019-02-01
  • Posts: 171

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

It's a linear supply meaning it sacrifices efficacy for high output voltage stability and virtually no ripple, if it works correctly.
it does meet the specs (12v, 2a)
I worked as it specialist, it systems integrator, and yes as both electrician, and electronics technician smile
If you don't have any constructive input or knowledge on the subject please refrain from posting, my question was if anyone had experience with those units, and their reliability and build quality.

  • Registered: 2021-01-12
  • Posts: 91

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

I haven't tried a linear PSU but I've recently splashed out on an iFi iPower Elite, which I found made a very noticeable improvement.

  • Registered: 2019-02-01
  • Posts: 171

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

mediummanting wrote:

I haven't tried a linear PSU but I've recently splashed out on an iFi iPower Elite, which I found made a very noticeable improvement.

iFi iPower Elite is a linear PSU, and a pretty fancy one at that smile

  • Registered: 2020-08-12
  • Posts: 40

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

I just had a look at ebay. Those PSU's look very much DIY. So not sure. If you search for a lab/scientific linear PSU, you can find quite a lot of options with specs on amazon and ebay. They seem to be from professional companies, so I would trust the specs and build a bit more. Prices are comparable.

  • Registered: 2019-02-01
  • Posts: 171

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

helohe wrote:

I just had a look at ebay. Those PSU's look very much DIY. So not sure. If you search for a lab/scientific linear PSU, you can find quite a lot of options with specs on amazon and ebay. They seem to be from professional companies, so I would trust the specs and build a bit more. Prices are comparable.

Thanks for the advice, although those are quite more expensive, they go for around 250$, the cheapest one I managed to find under 100$ is a refurbished unit.

  • Registered: 2021-01-12
  • Posts: 91

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

Sebastian.Athea wrote:

iFi iPower Elite is a linear PSU, and a pretty fancy one at that smile

AFAIK it's a SMPS, albeit a very fancy one as you say.

8 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2021-07-21 15:22:07)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,041

Re: Linear power supply from ebay

If I remember right there was already a discussion of such changes / modification and common sense was that it brings nothing (audible, better sound). I think also Matthias Carstens confirmed that.

So .. use the PSU that comes with the ADI-2 Pro / DAC and you are fine, the rest put to "HiFi Myths..".

I do not want to exclude, that for other devices this might have had benefits ...
But for the RME ADI-2 DAC/Pro product line of devices it doesn't bring any benefit.
So you can save the money for sleeved cables instead wink

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13