[infinitemonkey]

I'm currently using a Firestone Fubar II DAC (with OPA2111) and a Cute Beyond amp (with OPA2107) and I'm wondering if there's much to be gained from adding their "Supplier" power supply.

The reviewer in this thread indicated a noticeable improvement, but it's more than possible that his ears are much better than mine. Most people's are. I'm wondering if a cloth-eared git like myself would be likely to notice an improvement.

Both the DAC and amp run on 24v. They come with little wall wart power supply units. The wall warts are 200 ma and the Supplier is apparently 500 ma. Beyond the extra current capacity, there's likely to be some filtering and such going on, but I have no idea how good it would be.

So, my question is, is the addition of a Supplier to either my DAC or amp likely to improve the sound quality at all. They're about $95 apiece, and you need one for each of the amp and DAC.

If it matters, I'm using 600 ohm AKG headphones. My understanding of driving higher impedance cans is that the voltage is the most important factor, but my knowledge is pretty limited.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[Nattydraddy]

Your amp need to put high Voltage out for 600ohm headphones. But therefor not so much current. That´s makes a PSU less important for high impedance hp. The filtering is less important for high impedance hp ´cause to hear less hiss and hum.

If you have "No-Name" AKG headphones i would say - an improvement there would be better.

If you own AKG K-340 headphones a PSU would deliver you better sound. But it´s only sensefull if you realy love your headphone amp.

 

[infinitemonkey]

Well, for right now, I'm using some K141s. By the end of the week, my K240 sextets should be here. K340s are a possibility in the future, but I want to at least try the sextets before I start looking at more headphnes.

As far as really loving the amp, well love is a strong word. I'm pretty happy with it, though, and will likely keep it as my main amp for quite a while. My previous amp was a CMOY if that gives you perspective as to where I am in this hobby.

 

[Frihed89]

Wall warts are switching amps. At a minimum, an external DC supply will cut down on noise, distortion and rf. There will be an audible difference.