Which External Linear PSU Upgrade for my Router?


I'd like to upgrade the wall wart PSU on my Netgear Nighthawk RAX50v2 router to a linear PSU. 

The output is 12v, 2.5A 30W

I'm looking at a LHY Audio one - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005350110413.html

But i'd like to know what else is out there. Would appreciate your thoughts. 

128x128campo007

GZLOZONE LPS-35-MKI 35VA Linear Power Supply 5V 9V 12V 15V 19V 24V For Choose 35W PSU on Aliexpress

 

Thanks @antigrunge2 , it seems at 12v it outputs only 1.9A. Is that going to be enough when it needs 2.5A? 

I use this on my Draytek router with great results: 50VA HIFI Linear Power supply for amp DAC External PSU DC output 5V 9V 12V 15V 18V 24V, equally on aliexpress

W=VA

12V is your given and you need a power supply that provides "at least" 2.5A at 12V, so at least 30W.

Sbooster power supplies are fairly well-respected and this one would work for your situation.  The 12V model provides 3A, which is fine for your needs.

Ifi power supplies are not linear supplies, but they are designed for low noise and many seem to like them.  This 12V model provides 4A, which works for you.  This model only provides 2A at 12V so wouldn't provide enough power for your needs.

Fidelizer Audio Nikola LPS. I own their Airstream - used as an access point after my Nighthawk. I also have 3 of these - along with multiple tweaks for cleaning power.

A router puts a high demand on an LPS - especially for streaming movies and gaming. Be sure to get one that has a decent heatsink. Unlike a DDC or DAC which has a minimal load and barely gets above room temperature.

YesI got this started long ago ,call linear tube audio they have a great LPS 

retail $750 you just tell them the voltage. Their LPS can go up to 8 amps

 routers - modem combo are around 4 amps at most.

What is the goal in using a linear PSU as opposed to say, using a power conditioner?

I'm using the exact sbooster model as pointed out above on my router. Can't say I hear a difference, it was an extra power supply I had lying around is why I'm using it. Makes me feel better is all. 

I use this. It has 2 outputs if you need to power something else that's the same voltage. I got the premium version for the extra couple bucks.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805431512321.html?

I replaced my two (modem and router) LPSs from Aliexpress (complete with iFi DC Purifier and Bybee iQSE) with a 12V deep cycle automotive battery, which is only charged when not playing music. Moved my listening experience from mid-audience to front row seats!

I'm convinced that digital electronic equipment (in particular) are hypersensitive to the quality of input power and acoustic vibration. 

For routers, switches and NAS, I have found some LPS do not work so well, and can be worse than the included SMPS. I think its due to the fast high frequency nature of the network switches.

But some of those LPS that did not work well with switches were fantastic with DAC's and streamers. So you need to experiment and not presume any LPS is an upgrade..

These are on higher price points, but will also deliver on a higher level of performance:

Farad Super3, around $550-700

Ferrum HYPSOS, around $1200-1400

The Ferrum option is very versatile as it allows you to customize the voltage should you want to use it with another component down the line. They also now make a dual output device as well so you can power two components that have the same voltage. 

In my system, I found the performance of the Ferrum Hypsos to be above that of the Farad, so I became a Ferrum dealer.

Lots of reviews of both online. 

@tsampa - I want to hear more about using a car battery for the power supply.  what cables did you use?  where did you put it?  is it possible to post photos on this forum?

One consideration that might mitigate the need for LPS on modems, routers, etc. would be to use a separate music server and streamer, with the server located in a separate room (often with the network equipment) and away from your main system.  Locate your streamer in your system room and connect the two through an optical cable.  Even if you do not use a server, connecting your streamer using an optical cable could do as much to reduce noise as using LPSs.  With a lot of this stuff, you need to try it for yourself, in your own system, to figure out what actually works best.

I've never not heard an improvement when using lps on streaming components, Presently using combo of Teradak, Uptone JS2 and JCAT ATX on every streaming component, same Teradak has been running two different Netgear routers, present XR1000 24/7 for well over four years without a single issue.

The Ferrum Hypsos is $2k down here at the arse end of the planet. Is the improvement worth that? 

@campo007 Don’t buy low quality things that may set your house on fire.

The router doesn’t need that great of a linear PSU. Something like this Topping unit should be ok.

If you need to do a streamer or DAC with a linear PSU, don’t get any lower than this KECES unit for $550. It has 2 outputs and you can vary the output voltage for your use case, i.e. has more utility. Or you can try the KECES P8 for $900.

 

Putting a $2000 LPS on a $200 router really doesn‘t make sense. That said upgrading with a $100 Aliexpress lPS made an audible difference. 

I bought a linear PSU from AliExpress costing me AUD $400. Let's just the difference wasn't subtle. Very positive and far exceeded what i paid for it. 

Then i upgraded the DC cable to the Ediscreation. Again, a very positive change.