Wall Wart Power Supply’s

Most of the most modern small hi-fi gadgets like the Squeezebox Touch, Cambridge Dacmagic, Netgear Routers, Beresford Caiman DAC are all powered using direct current (DC) the main reason being one of safety as 12volts DC is not lethal if an accident occurs. There are many others and all have DC power supply’s housed in a small black plug, otherwise known as a wall wart. Inside is a switch mode power supply (SMPS), used because they are easy to produce, are very efficient and cost not a lot. From an audiophile viewpoint however they are the worst culprits for injecting interference into the mains supply.

The easiest way to improve the performance (sound quality) of your Squeezebox Touch (as an example) is to throw the wall wart in the bin where it belongs and buy a custom made power supply which is built on performance NOT price. Mains Cables R Us have a range starting at only £99.95, even for that low cost improvements are tangible. Up-grade to our next model for £295 and the improvements increase, right up to our best Squeezebox Touch Linear Power Supply at £495 which weighs 5kg and is a serious piece of engineering, designed to get the best from your Squeezebox, DAC or any other hi-fi component that currently uses a wall wart.

Some may question the idea of spending more on the PSU than the item itself, good question which can only be answered by auditioning one in your system. All our power supply’s including one for the Technics SL series of turntables can be returned if not 100% satisfied within 7 days, we have not had one sent back yet!

Here is a review of our latest Squeezebox PSU Mk II on The Art of Sound Forum.