Power Supply for Streamer - Sbooster or iFi iPower Elite? (2024)

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a power supply for my iFi Zen streamer and have narrowed it down to 2 options within my price range

- iFi Audio iPower Elite - new to me.
- Another Sbooster BOTW MK II - I already have one of these on my router.

Obviously the Sbooster would be the more familiar option, but I'd be interested to know which one other people would choose out of the two.

Thanks,
Andy

Andyb90 said:

Hi everyone, I'm looking for a power supply for my iFi Zen streamer and have narrowed it down to 2 options within my price range

- iFi Audio iPower Elite - new to me.
- Another Sbooster BOTW MK II - I already have one of these on my router.

Obviously the Sbooster would be the more familiar option, but I'd be interested to know which one other people would choose out of the two.

Thanks,
Andy

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That's a great question and I look forward to replies what people like. But the way I see it, both SBooster and iPower Elite are fairly known to the audience here. Individual choices would probably also narrow down to one's topology of choice. Linear PSUs are popular, but iPower Elite isn't a linear device to prevent noise at the rectification frequencies and at multiples 50Hz, 100Hz, 150Hz (or 60, 120, 180 for 60Hz countries) etc.

Andyb90 said:

I checked my Sbooster and it is 12v, so I've ordered the 12v iFi Elite. This should allow me to do a comparison between the two.

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Excellent news and we look forward to your findings upon comparing these PSUs! Thanks!

Andyb90 said:

I checked my Sbooster and it is 12v, so I've ordered the 12v iFi Elite. This should allow me to do a comparison between the two.

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What are your findings? I just bought a Zen Stream & I want to buy either the SBooster or the Ifi Elite.
PS Did you also consider the 15V option? Is it safer to go with the 12V?

GuyM said:

Did you also consider the 15V option? Is it safer to go with the 12V?

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It makes no difference to ZEN Stream what DC voltage it gets as long as it's within the 9V/1.8A-15V/0.8A DC range

I put an Uptone lps1.2. on my ifs streamer. Beat the ifs power x by a long shot. I bet a sbooster would be the same.

compared to the lps1,2. the ifs power x was lean not as full. still better that stock ps. But. ifs streamer needs good power.

I have a booster just have to find the box. for my adapters

M

m usicguy said:

But. ifs streamer needs good power.

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Yes, ZEN Stream surely benefits from a good power supply

I just put my Sbooster power supply on my Ifi streamer. I think it might sound a little more full in the sound. Its so close. Plus right now you can't can't a Uptone lps1.2 due to parts shortage.

I might buy another Sbooster. the one I have is for another device. Im just testing it out for now.

I find the Sbooster a good match.

M usicguy

m usicguy said:

I think it might sound a little more full in the sound.

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A higher-tiered power supply usually provides extra fullness and color, so that SBooster had to be a bit better than what you had in use before it. Here I'm guessing that it was ZEN Stream's own power supply?

I tried both the sBooster and iPower Elite with my Zen Stream. Both give a significant improvement over the stock ps. Bass feels more precise and instrument separation is better. Also prior to using the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs on some tracks were a little harsh and I sometimes felt the need to use a filter on my Hugo 2 to handle this. With the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs don't really feel harsh. I no longer feel the need to apply filtering.

I didn't detect any significant difference between the sBooster and iPower Elite. I'm impressed with both of them.

It should be noted the sBooster had previously been powering my router for well over a year 24/7 so is burnt in. The iPower Elite has about 10 hours so far. So I wouldn't consider it burnt in.

I'll be putting the sBooster back on my router and have the iPower Elite on the Zen Stream. I really like the small form factor of the Elite. It sits next to the Zen Stream.

Andyb90 said:

I tried both the sBooster and iPower Elite with my Zen Stream. Both give a significant improvement over the stock ps. Bass feels more precise and instrument separation is better. Also prior to using the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs on some tracks were a little harsh and I sometimes felt the need to use a filter on my Hugo 2 to handle this. With the sBooster and iPower Elite the highs don't really feel harsh. I no longer feel the need to apply filtering.

I didn't detect any significant difference between the sBooster and iPower Elite. I'm impressed with both of them.

It should be noted the sBooster had previously been powering my router for well over a year 24/7 so is burnt in. The iPower Elite has about 10 hours so far. So I wouldn't consider it burnt in.

I'll be putting the sBooster back on my router and have the iPower Elite on the Zen Stream. I really like the small form factor of the Elite. It sits next to the Zen Stream.

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Did you get the 15V or 12V iFi Elite? I’ve contemplated getting the iPower X, but I’ve read from a few people that they didn’t hear any improvement. Almost everyone that has used a quality LPS or the iFi Elite has heard clear improvements. Not sure if I can talk myself into spending almost the same amount on the power supply as the streamer.

ckhirnigs113 said:

Did you get the 15V or 12V iFi Elite? I’ve contemplated getting the iPower X, but I’ve read from a few people that they didn’t hear any improvement. Almost everyone that has used a quality LPS or the iFi Elite has heard clear improvements. Not sure if I can talk myself into spending almost the same amount on the power supply as the streamer.

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Well good LPS does improve SQ out of streamer. I ended up buying Uptone LPS which is more expensive then my Digione signature but it did bring improvement.