This is a review for dc power supplies using the AQVOX audio grade switch. For those not familiar with the AQVOX here are details from the manufacturer :
http://www.myhifishop.de/Devices/AQ-SWITCH-Video-Audiophile-Network-Switch-8x-Giga::75.html?language... It is only available directly at a cost of 390€. I have been using the switch for the last 6 months and can say that it does make for a more natural and open sound. It is connected via a LAN cable from your hub to the switch and another LAN from switch to server/streamer etc. Your shortest cable should be from the switch to your components. AQVOX make at a very good LAN cable which can also be bought directly. The switch houses a reclocker and isolator and has 8 ports. There has been a positive discussion about this switch on Devialet Chat. I have also written about it on Audio Shark with some good feedback from a AS member in Spain about using the standard ps compared to one by Kenneth Lieu, which is considerably more money.
After using the switch for a while using the standard wall mart style ps supplied with the switch, I wondered if i could find a better 5V dc ps.
This review is a work in progress since I would like to try other ps not covered in this review.
The ps used were as follows:
King Rex
Uptone LPS1 with feed as supplied
Uptone LPS1 with 12v MCRUS feed
Uptone LPS1 with 12v Sbooster
Others I would like to test in the future:
Sbooster 5v
Paul Hynes
HDplex
Sotm
The system: BT infinity hub, AQVOX switch, connected with AQVOX LAN cables, fidata NAS, Lumin S1 using digital output, Vovox USB, Mola Mola pre/dac, Mola Mola mono block power amps, HiDiamond XLR 3 interconnects, HiDiamond speaker cables, toetapaudio/Bybee speaker bullets, Boenicke W11 loudspeakers. All components and the switch and hub have Bybee Signal Enhancers underneath them. Room acoustic tuning devices by Bybee and SteinMusic Harmonizers. Dedicated mains spurs to each component. No mains switches or fuses in line apart from equipment fuse and RCBO in consumer unit.
Music: streamed from Tidal and downloads.
I started with the King Rex. This is made in Taiwan and retails for £350. It’s a small neat black box with a blue LED light on the front, IEC socket and switch plus XLR output which is a better connector than the usual 2.1 jack found on other ps. Compared to the AQVOX ps, this is better. The sound is more transparent, less grain, a bit more open and three dimensional.
The Uptone LPS1 needs a feed and comes with a small ps with IEC socket and flying lead with 2.1 jacket. The LPS1 with its own ps was better than the AQVOX ps but did not match the sound of the King Rex.
LPS1 with MCRUS feed produced better results about on par with the King Rex. This is a more costly set up LPS1 £450 and MCRUS £300 approx.
LPS1 with Sbooster (£260). This set up was better than the King Rex, producing a sound that was even more transparent, relaxed and free flowing. The Sbooster I match with the Lumin D1 for a much improved sound.
Conclusion.
The King Rex offers good results at a reasonable cost. The LPS1/Sbooster is the best sounding set up but costs twice as much. Unfortunately, I don’t have a 5v version of the Sbooster to try on this occasion, but will test this at a future date. I would also like to test a Paul Hynes ps at some stage (is there anybody that would like to lend me one?). Review to be continued.
Just another thought, I should include the Sotm sPS 500 in another test if possible.
