Hi,
Audinst HUD-mx1 portable DAC and headphone amp takes 12-15V or can rely on USB power entirely. Their tech emailed me that (1) if connecting a power supply, it feeds the analog section, while digital section still relies on USB, and (2) 15V, the max, is optimal (if properly stabilized).
I wonder if connecting a good power supply would provide an audible upgrade in sound vs (1) just using USB sound, and / or vs (2) just using the supplied wallwart power adapter.
I am looking at laptop grade power supplies such as:
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PS-1233/12VDC-3.33A-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY//1.html
http://www.trcelectronics.com/Meanwell/gs18a15-p1j.shtml
Are these typically better than the tiny wallwarts or do such regulated power supplies in fact tend to be noisy? I figure, the reduced size constraint and grounding at least gives them the chance to be better...
Are there any better options I should be looking into? I am not looking at anything that would cost more than the Audinst HUD-mx1 unit itself though.
Many thanks for your input
Alex
