[wwmhf]

The ES9028 is an improvement over the ES9018?

Yes, it is, and it can be obvious if your other equipments in the chain are up to reveal its strength.

 

[Jimster480]

Yes, it is, and it can be obvious if your other equipments in the chain are up to reveal its strength.

You are wrong. It's a marginal improvement.
From someone who had both and tested side by side there was no difference between the two.
Also the original has better on paper specs (M8).
In terms of paper specs the 9028 is an upgrade more in terms of better power usage and thermals for slightly better audio performance.

 

[UNOE]

Is there any other power supply for this that is better than stock but not $140 (p1)?

 

[UNOE]

Like something like this possibly?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275642-REG/ifi_audio_0306007_9v_ipower_9v_for_usb.html

 

[DjBobby]

Like something like this possibly?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1275642-REG/ifi_audio_0306007_9v_ipower_9v_for_usb.html

No, this is the same switching supply, nothing better.
There are some custom made linear power supplies on Aliexpress which go for around $50. Excellent quality, I have 4 of them with different voltages. They are very bulky, definitely not for a desktop but to be kept underneath.

 

[Jimster480]

Yes as DjBobby said there are plenty of custom made linear power supplies which you can put under your desk.
But some people have tested the linear power supplies and determined that they have no effect at all.
I've never used my M8 with a linear power supply.

 

[wwmhf]

Is there any other power supply for this that is better than stock but not $140 (p1)?

If daring to buy from the EBay, then these seem to be decent:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25VA-Dual-...281405?hash=item25d611cf7d:g:k~oAAOSwKytZDWpv
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15VA-DC-Ul...018163?hash=item1c877a37f3:g:574AAOSwhOdXn2Rw

But I do not know how good they are because I do not use any of them. I built the power supplies for my M8 and M8A myself.

 

[UNOE]

Wish I knew how to build one I bought a speaker amp from Breeze Audio before it was not bad. That one seems to be wrong voltage for M8 though.

 

[Jimster480]

The ebay ones are fine, linear power supplies are not magic.

 

[carlmart]

If daring to buy from the EBay, then these seem to be decent:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25VA-Dual-...281405?hash=item25d611cf7d:g:k~oAAOSwKytZDWpv
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15VA-DC-Ul...018163?hash=item1c877a37f3:g:574AAOSwhOdXn2Rw
.

They do not specify what regulator they are using, or show any pictures on what's inside. That could give some hint on the quality.

.

But I do not know how good they are because I do not use any of them. I built the power supplies for my M8 and M8A myself.

Can you show schematics and pictures of your supply?

 

[carlmart]

Wish I knew how to build one I bought a speaker amp from Breeze Audio before it was not bad. That one seems to be wrong voltage for M8 though.

I did not understand. What speaker amp is that and what supply you are referring to?

Building a power supply, as long as you use "normal" size parts, is rather easy and a good place to start.

Building your own will guarantee the quality of the parts and help you buy better stuff.

 

[wwmhf]

They do not specify what regulator they are using, or show any pictures on what's inside. That could give some hint on the quality.

.

Can you show schematics and pictures of your supply?

A simpler one is quite standard like this:

A more sophisticated one is the sigma11 power supply kindly provided on AMB web page:

https://www.amb.org/audio/sigma11/sigma11_200_sch.pdf

Both works well with M8 and M8A. Make sure to use better (better quality and maybe higher capacity) filter capacitors and ultra low noise rectifier diodes. Use a by-passing capacitor across each rectifier diodes seems to help a little.

 

[UNOE]

I did not understand. What speaker amp is that and what supply you are referring to?

Building a power supply, as long as you use "normal" size parts, is rather easy and a good place to start.

Building your own will guarantee the quality of the parts and help you buy better stuff.

I owned a breeze audio tpa3116 speaker amp just basic stereo amp. But sounded good and still works.

 

[UNOE]

Do Linear Power supplies help with ground loop? When I use my JBL Monitors I get buzzing with M8 (USB from computer source). If I use optical with M8 I don't get ground loop issues only USB. I don't get buzzing with headphones and m8 with USB source, only the monitors.

 

[wwmhf]

Do Linear Power supplies help with ground loop? When I use my JBL Monitors I get buzzing with M8 (USB from computer source). If I use optical with M8 I don't get ground loop issues only USB. I don't get buzzing with headphones and m8 with USB source, only the monitors.

I not think so.