Power Supply options for RPI [Archive]

richie60

07-05-2017, 18:52

The Black Adder

07-05-2017, 19:19

I use the SBooster linear PSU with mine and it's smashing so I'd recommend one of those. :)

richie60

07-05-2017, 22:56

Very nice, more than I would like to pay though.

Simon_LDT

08-05-2017, 07:03

What about a HDPlex LPS? They're not cheap but for the price a real value for money device. It will power multiple items too so could be a worthwhile investment. I currently use mine to power a Rpi2, my phono stage and my USB hub connected to the Rpi2 (which powers 2 external drives). I've still got connections to spare also!

http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-Fanless-200W-Linear-Power-Supply-for-PC-Audio-and-CE-device.html

LC1979

08-05-2017, 09:24

I'm also considering the ipower. Probably better than a standard switching supply through the micro usb port on the Pi, but due to the Pi's poor (noisy) power regulator the real advantage comes from powering the DAC through the appropriate GPIO pins, which backpowers the Pi (if using an onboard DAC, obviously).

While this bypasses the noisy regulator, it also bypasses a protective fuse, so there might be some risk, apparently, depending on how well your supply is regulated.

I'm still trying to work out how to attach the ipower in this way without soldering (need to work out whether appropriate adapters exist!), and whether the ipower is good enough to do this safely, though I'm pretty sure it will be.

The Black Adder

08-05-2017, 09:36

I'd be interested in trying a battery option. It's been on the cards for ages.

richie60

08-05-2017, 12:54

Quite lucky with the Audiophonics dac, it's got a 5v input I can use instead of the micro usb on the pi.

LC1979

08-05-2017, 15:58

Such a simple thing to do, I wish Allo had done this with the Boss! Still, will hopefully crack it...

danilo

08-05-2017, 17:01

Interesting I have an unused Pi and anb Audiophonics gizmo. Also A drawer full of Nicad batteries.
Hmmm :-) One day... but TBH it's faded from interest.
Nicads have been tested for clean power output... in the past, when battery power was a current topic
Results were hampered by the fact that Nicads output was Sooo Clean that it was below the Test Lab Gear thresholds.
Not quite so clean an output for most /all other batteries though.
Decide soonish ..as Nicads are quickly dissapeariing

mr sneff

08-05-2017, 20:47

My ifi power supply has suddenly become noticeably noisy, the standard pi power supply is now actually quieter. Just ordered one of these (https://www.modmypi.com/raspberry-pi/accessories/power-supplies/power-bank-16000mah-5v-2a-usb-portable-power-supply/?gclid=Cj0KEQjwrsDIBRDX3JCunOrr_YYBEiQAifH1FrLwZX5 fkAVMs_D5HteYVSUsB4wuWrm_ofMxeXduZpgaAk8Q8P8HAQ) to try

Lunicycle

09-05-2017, 17:15

Has anyone tried one of these https://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/power-supplies/1088-regulated-linear-power-supply-for-raspberry-pi-pi-2.html#/905-colour-black/139-cable_up_grades-none/182-fuse_up_grade-none/145-mains_lead_up_grades-none ?

Dunluce978

09-05-2017, 19:15

Maybe I have missed something but for £215 I'd like to see a proper specification with noise figures etc. stated.

Lunicycle

09-05-2017, 21:30

I agree it's a lot of money based on a picture and a few pretty words. I was hoping someone might have some experience of it.

richie60

17-05-2017, 16:41

Can anybody tell me if this psu is a good one? I am normally wary of anything from China...

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271922367224

struth

17-05-2017, 16:50

been using one of these for over a year with success

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Charger-20000mAh-External-Nintendo/dp/B015R1ERXC/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1495039754&sr=8-10&keywords=5v+battery+pack

richie60

17-05-2017, 17:51

MikeyFresh

18-05-2017, 14:29

Can anybody tell me if this psu is a good one? I am normally wary of anything from China...

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271922367224

I believe that's a knock-off, the real McCoy is made in Singapore as far as I know, at least the one I have is.

Yes it's more expensive and no I'm not trying to spend your hard earned cash, but take a look at this listing (https://www.vinshineaudio.com/product-page/jay-s-audio-lps25va), it's not terribly pricey given the parts list.

I can also vouch for the seller, he seems to have re-branded as Vinshine Audio and is making an absolutely beautiful looking variant of the well regarded Soekris DAC as well as a higher spec'd 80VA version of that PSU too, but I'm pretty sure he also made the Jays Audio PSUs and wasn't just repackaging some Chinese junk.

EDIT: I see in the photo of the 80VA version of the PSU it says "Designed in Singapore" on the rear panel, so it appears he doesn't make them in Singapore anymore (maybe he never did?).

Stratmangler

18-05-2017, 15:09

Maybe I have missed something but for £215 I'd like to see a proper specification with noise figures etc. stated.

Oh ye of little faith.
Did you not see the name Longdog Audio mentioned?
Nick (of Longdog) is obsessive about power supplies, and his are very quiet indeed.

I use one of these PSUs with my Squeezebox Touch, and it has lifted the performance of my Touch considerably.

There's a thread somewhere on this forum where a number of PSUs were measured, and this one came out quietest of the bunch, and if I recollect correctly, one of the PSUs measured was a rechargeable battery pack.

Lunicycle

18-05-2017, 16:04

I noticed the Longdog name but the actual unit does not appear to be branded as such and the description seems a bit vague on this matter.

Stratmangler

18-05-2017, 16:18

It's built by Nick, regardless of what's on the case.

The Black Adder

18-05-2017, 16:26

Just ask Nick to make you one so it's not branded.

LC1979

14-09-2017, 13:41

I've just put together a Raspberry pi streamer coupled to an Audiophonics v2 DAC. What's the consensus on power supplies?

At the moment I'm using the standard Pi supply, but not sure whether to go for the Audiophonics low noise LPS or the ifi ipower.

Any thoughts?

Just bumping this thread.

@richie60
Did you buy a new PSU for your Pi?

I'm still toying with the idea of an ipower...

The Black Adder

23-09-2017, 10:13

Just bumping this thread.

@richie60
Did you buy a new PSU for your Pi?

I'm still toying with the idea of an ipower...I have a very nice linear one for sale if you are interested?

Sent from my 9001X using Tapatalk

richie60

29-09-2017, 19:40

Just bumping this thread.

@richie60
Did you buy a new PSU for your Pi?

I'm still toying with the idea of an ipower...

Not yet, I've left it on the backburner for now.

pgarrish

14-10-2017, 11:32

What’s the power draw? If you can find a big enough power bank thing, put that between the wall wart and the pi. Just done it with my chromecast and it seems to have improved things

LC1979

14-10-2017, 13:42

A new low noise SMPS in the pipeline from Allo, 5v3a I think, should be interesting to see how it pans out...

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/power-supplies/303257-5v-smps-post5118917.html

LC1979

29-12-2017, 23:48

I've just tried my Pi + Allo Boss set up with a very cheap 5v power bank. I was skeptical that I would hear any difference, but the improvement was very noticeable. I went back to the switching power supply just to check, listening to the same well known track each time. Basically better definition/separation between the instruments.

For example, a piano track with a long low note using the sustain peddle - on the battery I noticed that it went on for longer than I had previously known before fading out. Going back to the SMPS, I could sort of tell that it was still there, but it was more difficult to detect (plus I knew that it should be there, so was listening extra hard for it!). I guess this is about a lower noise floor with the battery?

Anyhow, my question is for those using batteries - what is the most convenient way of doing this? Is there any way to avoid buying two battery packs and constantly recharging them/swapping them over? Can you permanently charge whilst using it to power the pi? If so, would that negatively impact on audio quality?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be very welcome at this point!

struth

29-12-2017, 23:56

Think it depends on how much you use it and if you switch off after use. Ive been using a. Battery pack with my pi for almost ever. I have a charger with cable that I just plug into the pi when the % goes below 60 ish It's a 20k battery with a dig % output so easy to keep track of

LC1979

30-12-2017, 08:26

Thanks Grant. Do you turn the pi off after each use? How often do you have to disconnect the battery to recharge, and how long is it to fully charge, roughly?

struth

30-12-2017, 09:17

Thanks Grant. Do you turn the pi off after each use? How often do you have to disconnect the battery to recharge, and how long is it to fully charge, roughly?

yes i power it down then switch off battery. I have an inline switch made up with micro plugs on so i just flick a switch. then charge can take a couple of hrs from 70 say. its a big battery . got it off amazon... they do bigger and newer ones now so ay well charge quicker.

struth

30-12-2017, 09:24

I might add not all of these powerpacks are as great. I have one that doesnt sound so good. I reckon its something to do with the electronics in it. Will look out the name of mine for you.

LC1979

30-12-2017, 09:33

I might add not all of these powerpacks are as great. I have one that doesnt sound so good. I reckon its something to do with the electronics in it. Will look out the name of mine for you.

Cheers, that would be great. That is something I did wonder about.

But saying that, the one I've just experimented with is a cheap no brand thing off of Amazon that was gifted to me by someone who bought it in error, and yet that still sounds better than my SMPS (admittedly a very cheap PS). If I could improve on that further with a decent one I would be well pleased.

Still undecided though, I may yet buy this new 5v PS from Allo though, if they ever get round to releasing it!

struth

30-12-2017, 09:37

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Charger-20000mAh-External-Nintendo-X4-Black/dp/B015R1ERXC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1514626563&sr=8-1&keywords=iMuto

they do a bigger 30k size too

struth

30-12-2017, 09:41

Switch. I got mine on eBay

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171230/6b2ceaeb82e50e8336f9db0246074657.jpg

LC1979

30-12-2017, 10:39

Great stuff, thanks.

So the switch disconnects the battery from the pi without having to faff with about with cables, then you just plug in the battery into its charger, leaving it all in situ?

I like to set and forget but I think I could live with that approach :)

(I'm guessing that leaving the power supply connected to the battery while it powers the pi is a bad idea?)

struth

30-12-2017, 10:48

Yup I don't think it outputs and charges but if it did it would need isolation This one doesn't if memory serves. I did have a switch for the charger too but found it better to just plug in when needed Cable is just beside it anyway and is easy to do. No hassle

sourplum

04-01-2018, 22:52

As an owner of the Pi in combination with the Allo Boss and Isolator i feed my pi with an ordinary iPad charger and my Isolator/ Boss with a linear PSU made from a toroidal transformer in combination with a Tentlabs Heater Supply. http://www.tentlabsshop.com/DetailServlet?detailID=670
The result is a very, very nice sounding DAC streamer.