[Presence]

I also have a 12V Elite bypassing my music server power supply. Electrically, the AC IEC safety ground on the Elite is not connected to the Elite's metal chassis but as previously mentioned, connects the DC negative to earth ground. Noting that the original two-prong SMPS that comes with my Comcast cable modem/router is not earth grounded I decided to do a listening test after disconnecting the earth ground in the Elite to the music server. The treble immediately became more natural and relaxed.
This represents one data point as to why some have found the iPower X to sound less zippy than the DC negative earth grounded Elite.

 

[Presence]

Ooops!

 

[Presence]

The Elite's hardwired grounded DC negative does raise inquiry about utilizing the included DC converter jack reversing the polarity of barrel and center pin...

I'm not a marketing guy for this app so I am curious as to how many applications use a +12V supply where the DC jack barrel needs to be positive.
The iPower X would theoretically allow a -12V supply application using the converter jack connected to a device with common barrel.
But on the Elite, I believe this would short the power supply out.

 

[OCC7N]

The Elite's hardwired grounded DC negative does raise inquiry about utilizing the included DC converter jack reversing the polarity of barrel and center pin...

I'm not a marketing guy for this app so I am curious as to how many applications use a +12V supply where the DC jack barrel needs to be positive.
The iPower X would theoretically allow a -12V supply application using the converter jack connected to a device with common barrel.
But on the Elite, I believe this would short the power supply out.

I was also surprised by it. The included power cable is also inverted polarity if I remember correct

 

[pataburd]

15v/1.5A iPower X due Monday. Will compare vs. Elite with my headphone amplifier.

 

[doitttt]

check this
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/2/

 

[pataburd]

Excerpted from my post on the Hagerman Tuba thread:

Swapped in the [15v/3.5A] iPower Elite: smoother/quiter operation, rendering finer detail, greater resolution and transparency, more distinct separation and 3-dimensionality, fuller tonal body, better sense of bass weight, etc. vis-à-vis the [15v/1.5A] iPower X.

[Guess I didn't realize what I was missing! For $109, though, the iPower X holds its own in a highly respectable manner, but it is simply not the Elite's match in this particular application with the Hagerman Tuba.]

Glad I did the comparison. Glad, too, that the Hagerman is sounding its best with respect to DC power supply. The Tuba is an exceptional amp, made even more exceptional when paired with the iFi iPower Elite.

[Might swap the 15v/1.5A iPower X for a 5v/3.0A one and upgrade the PS on the USB Disruptor.]

Basic chain:
Neumann NDH-30 or Audeze MM-500<--Hagerman Tuba [2x Russian 6N14N]<--S.M.S.L. D400EX or Mojo Audio Mystique Gen1. [NOS] . . . <--Lenovo G50|Spotify Premium
[See signature for more detail.]

 

[iFi audio]

Excerpted from my post on the Hagerman Tuba thread:

Swapped in the [15v/3.5A] iPower Elite: smoother/quiter operation, rendering finer detail, greater resolution and transparency, more distinct separation and 3-dimensionality, fuller tonal body, better sense of bass weight, etc. vis-à-vis the [15v/1.5A] iPower X.

[Guess I didn't realize what I was missing! For $109, though, the iPower X holds its own in a highly respectable manner, but it is simply not the Elite's match.]

Glad I did the comparison. Glad, too, that the Hagerman is sounding its best w/r/t DC power supply. The Tuba is an exceptional amp, made even more exceptional when paired with the iFi iPower Elite.

[Might swap the 15v/1.5A iPower X for a 5v/3.0A one and upgrade the PS on the USB Disruptor.]

Basic chain:
Neumann NDH-30 or Audeze MM-500<--Hagerman Tuba [2x Russian 6N14N]<--S.M.S.L. D400EX . . . Spotify Premium
[See signature for more detail.]

Thanks so much for posting your thoughts and impressions here.

I have found this also, as an example I much prefer the X over the Elite in some situations. I love the X on my Zen Stream over the Elite.

Many times I have been asked this question and have encouraged folks to buy both if at all possible, from a retailer with a great return policy, and find out for yourself which one you prefer, then return the other.

Thanks again for your post!

Cheers!!

 

[doitttt]

to
iFi audio
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/2/
the link i sent
the alm ipower has good measurements
could think how much difference there is between ipower and xpower in measurement

 

[iFi audio]

to
iFi audio
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/2/
the link i sent
the alm ipower has good measurements
could think how much difference there is between ipower and xpower in measurement

Thanks so much for the info and link appreciate it!

Cheers!!

 

[doitttt]

a very bad power supply looks like this
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/#jp-carousel-76302

https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/2/
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/2/#jp-carousel-76312
IFI LN1230
ifi ipower gives good performance
then ifi power elite must be 5 times better
as good as Farad Super3
https://alpha-audio.net/review/multitest-external-12-volt-power-supplies/5/#jp-carousel-76342
measurements Farad Super3

 

[Presence]

I also have a 12V Elite bypassing my music server power supply. Electrically, the AC IEC safety ground on the Elite is not connected to the Elite's metal chassis but as previously mentioned, connects the DC negative to earth ground. Noting that the original two-prong SMPS that comes with my Comcast cable modem/router is not earth grounded I decided to do a listening test after disconnecting the earth ground in the Elite to the music server. The treble immediately became more natural and relaxed.
This represents one data point as to why some have found the iPower X to sound less zippy than the DC negative earth grounded Elite.

Coincidence to my post or not, I have to applaud iFi for the recent HW revision change to add the chassis ground on the latest Elite shipments.
If not coincidence, I'll have to add, "Respect and Wow!" to the iFi thread monitor for listening and responding...

 

[iFi audio]

Coincidence to my post or not, I have to applaud iFi for the recent HW revision change to add the chassis ground on the latest Elite shipments.
If not coincidence, I'll have to add, "Respect and Wow!" to the iFi thread monitor for listening and responding...

I will certainly pass along your compliments to the Chef!

Thanks!

Cheers!!

 

[pataburd]

Will ifi retro-fix existing Elites?

 

[wenbinbin2010]

@iFi audio I received an iPowerX today with plans to use it with my Schiit Lokius. I plugged it in and zero power. I thought based on the limited information I could about the power requirements that the 15V version would work. Is there something maybe I'm missing?