How important is a Linear Power Supply Versus a Switcyed one?


I recently purchased a used Sutherland Insight phono stage to replace the built in one in my Plinius8200 MK II integrates amp. I was amazed at the improvement in openness and presence. It comes with a switched power supply but there is an option for a Linear Supply for about 35% of what I paid for the Insight ($350). I have a Van den Hul One Special cartridge (if that matters). Is it worth it?
sokogear
I think this is a mod, not an external box, so return would be messy if not impossible. The question is whether it would be noticeably better. 
Forgot to mention that I have a Furman Elite 15 conditioner which got rid of a very slight buzz I had with the volume turned up with nothing playing. Does this make a difference in this discussion/decision?
you know the answer... depends on what unit

some will see a drastic improvement, some slim to none, depends on how much internal filtering/noise isolation is happening inside the unit

but usually it matters and improves at least a teeny bit
That's what I am afraid of....  a teeny bit. I don't consider myself a tweaker and generally don't do things like aftermarket tonearm counterweights, cable stands so they don't touch the floor or that type of stuff. I do care very much about quality and was very pleasantly surprised by a tonearm I bought last year that blew me away (the phono stage made almost the same difference) but a 2 step turntable trade in/upgrade that cost more than the arm made only a very subtle difference and I was disappointed with that, but liked a couple new features so I kept it.  

I am very much aware of the law of diminishing returns and I think I am at the point where my strategy of paying up to $1000 for something noticeable being a no brainer is now impossible. Maybe I am wrong here. I think I am going to call Ron Sutherland - he is a very nice down to earth guy.
I have always found a linear power to be an improvement over a switching power supply.  This is both in analog sources/preamp as well as digital transport sources.  If your system is very warm and laid back, you may not notice any difference.  I think your Plinius integrated is going to be a much higher resolution and revealing amp.  Upgrading your phono stage to linear power supply will likely remove some glare from the sound and give you a smoother and more realistic sound.  I took a look at the Sutherland Insight phono stage.  The power supply is a separate board that can easily be taken out and replaced.  If you google for picture of "Sutherland Loco", you can see what the linear power supply board looks like.  They would use the same one in your Sutherland Insight phono stage.
I have always found a linear power to be an improvement over a switching power supply. This is both in analog sources/preamp as well as digital transport sources.


To give an idea here, there are some hi end manufacturers that offer a power supply upgrade they say is a considerable sound improvement, and that is to pay the extra $$ to get their "linear supply option" installed instead of the smp that come standard with the equipment.

I have yet to bench test any equipment that uses a SMP power supply that doesn’t show HF noise + artifacts infiltrating into the circuit and from the output. Not as low noise as I’ve seen from a good linear supplies.

You’ll get the idea of the HF noise with artifacts if you go near a smp power supply with a portable am radio tuned around 600-700khz off station but (not muted) it’ll squeal it’s head off, and that the airborn radiated stuff, then there’s the stuff that’s going back into the house wiring.

Cheers George