Does a DAC need a large/strong power supply?

Large and strong cannot explain things well when the output voltage is 1V and the impedance requires <~1mA.

That is <~ 1mW, so it must be something other than large/strong. I can abide better filtering, but that can be done pretty cheaply… 

There are few places for the energy in a large storage bank of capacitors where the energy can go in order to drain out.

My point of emphasis is not so much the “large” as it is the “quality “ and strength of the power supply. Yet, if there are those who feel that cheap and less robust power supplies are all that’s necessary, no problem. To each their own.

Charles

The ones with wall warts can also have decent filtering built into them internally after the DC comes in.

I think it is easy to put the whole enchilada into a big and heavy box and it gives the impression of quality. But how do we know that it’s better, and not just ‘feel’ like it is better?

It would be great if we knew how to do that.

But how do we know that it’s better, and not just ‘feel’ like it is better?

It would be great if we knew how to

This is why I am an advocate of listening. My Pro-Ject RS2T CD transport comes with a SMPS wall wart. I have to say well implemented due to the very high quality of sound. Yet, when I replaced the SMPS with a Fidelizer Nikola II LPS there was an undeniable improvement in the sound quality. So a transition from very good to superb.

Charles