Since the implementation of Uptone LPS onto my WEA, I am very satisfied with the overall performance. Enter the Plixir BDC and Ray Audio LPS used onto my Douk U4, both yield positive outcome. While Ray Audio is mopre forward and exciting, Plixir has the upper hand on being cool, poised , more spearation , deeper soundstage.
LPS on Router?
The last possible instrument that uses normal walwart SMPS is my cheapo ASUS WiFi Router. One day, I took out the 12V/2.5A iFi Power X LPS and replaced the stock SMPS, there seemed to be some improvement, sound and instrument harmonics has improved but ultimately the sound is a bit unrest/edgy and with with some glare, a signature of SMPS. I then replaced it with Ray Audio's LPS, now things tamed down but the highend airiness seems to be truncated slightly. After some investigation, I replaced the Gotham power cable to Luna Cable Gris and it seems to improve in overall sound. I cannot use the Plixir on it since the head of the DC power cord is for U4 which is different size from the ASUS Router.
Story does not end here. I still feel missing something with Ray' PS/Luna Cable, the liveliness and involvment was missing. I made a decision to use the stock Walwart PS again and to my surpise , things are back to normal, the liveliness, music involvement came back. Puzzled but relieved, but I do think "sometimes too much of good things may not be a good thing", one gotta know when to stop. However that said, the LPS on modem does help improve the overall sound in some devices, so it's just needc some painstaking trial and error.
Brief summary of experience
So far I have tried a few dedicated power supplies, here is my opionated/biaised opinion:
**1/2 LPS made by my friend (using old trannies taken from US made security system, it sounds great on my modem and is dirt cheap)
**1/2 to *** PS by Ray Audio (yields exciting and energetic sound from U4)
*** Plixir BDC (more polite, some will say composed and at ease and laid back on my U4 but cannot connect to my Router... I need more time to try, but more I use it the more I like it for its neutral character)
***1/2 approaches ****Uptone LPS1.1 (Superb sound produced when paired with my Wattson Emersion Analog, WEA never sounds so good!)
* iFi Power X (it was good but quickly fell out of rotation compare to the above PSs and I would not recommend it even as a interim upgrade )
I had used some other LPS from TB and the results were meh, so only if you can find a really good LPS, you are better without it sometimes.
Music over Hifi
Man it is hard to try different combinations to find out the best fit but at least for now, I had come out with a setup that I can sit down and listen and immerse into music. For me, I am very sensitive to musicality, if the system sound is well tuned, I can listen for hours. Otherwise, I will be restless and feel bored and disinterested very quickly despite there may be some gain in HiFi aspects but I rather have the musicality and involvement than HiFi gain.
For me, music comes first, lack of some HiFi attributes can be tolerated as long as I can immerse into the music and feel the spark of music and afterall, the essence of music is to touch and stir up your soul!!
Food Diary
炳勝品味 at Shenzhen, wanna try this for a long time. yummy and authentic Cantonese Cuisine, char Siu made of half fat/meat black hair pig charred on the edges
Steamed garoupa with beef , preserved radish and scallions is perfect match in contrasting textures and tastes.
Double boiled soup is simply pure flavour and essence of Cantonese Soup
Not cheap for usd 50 for 2 but worth the Michelin status.
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