Linear Power Supply Network Findings

Ultrafast69

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I ran LPS for years powering modem and switches, and interestingly enough years later, removing the LPS have greatly improved my network performance.

I’m running 1000 Mbps service, and use an Arris 8200SB modem that feeds the Eeros brand mesh network that includes a wireless router. The router connects the switch with RJ45 and wirelessly supports 4 mesh beacon antennas for greater home WiFi coverage.

Despite the service speed at the modem, the wireless network would bog down enraging a teenage daughter, and because of this it forced me to look into to something I felt I did not need to.

I then ran tests using the Trifield EMI detecter into the AudioQuest distribution used for network gear, an integrated receiver and disc player. Tests reported TriField readings in the 800/900’s. Then I pulled the LPS, and now the readings are about 44, that’s a huge drop! Note: two LPS were used and the results were essentially the same.

I speed tested using the application Speedtest, the change was drastic, wireless speed went from about 80 Mbps north to over + 400 Mbps.

Then comes the sound quality, it significantly improved! As good as the Taiko Extreme is, the EMI was distorting the signal prior to the USB/Fiber output.

Whatever the reason, sonically I’m ahead. In my hypothesis the LPS was rippling current causing fluctuations in the modem power supply resulting swings in speed, and the Transformer was creating large amounts of EMI that was riding on the RJ45 copper into the switch and subsequently into the server. Others have more information, I am all ears.

The setup looks like this: Modem w/ Audioquest Diamond > Router w/ Blue Jeans RJ45 > Intona w/ AQ Diamond > Taiko Extreme w/Intona Ultimate USB > MSB ProUSB w/fiber > MSB DAC. Power for the modem and switch are now OEM SMPS.

Note: The Blue Jeans is an unshielded CAT6 RJ45 cable, the idea is to break the noise carrying ground brought on via the modem and router to the switch. I also circuit ground the modem and switch to the panel.

This was a significant gain forward for me, I hope it arises awareness for fellow members, do know in audio YMMV.
 

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aLLeARS

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I ran LPS for years powering modem and switches, and interestingly enough years later, removing the LPS have greatly improved my network performance.

I’m running 1000 Mbps service, and use an Arris 8200SB modem that feeds the Eeros brand mesh network that includes a wireless router. The router connects the switch with RJ45 and wirelessly supports 4 mesh beacon antennas for greater home WiFi coverage.

Despite the service speed at the modem, the wireless network would bog down enraging a teenage daughter, and because of this it forced me to look into to something I felt I did not need to.

I then ran tests using the Trifield EMI detecter into the AudioQuest distribution used for network gear, an integrated receiver and disc player. Tests reported TriField readings in the 800/900’s. Then I pulled the LPS, and now the readings are about 44, that’s a huge drop! Note: two LPS were used and the results were essentially the same.

I speed tested using the application Speedtest, the change was drastic, wireless speed went from about 80 Mbps north to over + 400 Mbps.

Then comes the sound quality, it significantly improved! As good as the Taiko Extreme is, the EMI was distorting the signal prior to the USB/Fiber output.

Whatever the reason, sonically I’m ahead. In my hypothesis the LPS was rippling current causing fluctuations in the modem power supply resulting swings in speed, and the Transformer was creating large amounts of EMI that was riding on the RJ45 copper into the switch and subsequently into the server. Others have more information, I am all ears.

The setup looks like this: Modem w/ Audioquest Diamond > Router w/ Blue Jeans RJ45 > Intona w/ AQ Diamond > Taiko Extreme w/Intona Ultimate USB > MSB ProUSB w/fiber > MSB DAC. Power for the modem and switch are now OEM SMPS.

Note: The Blue Jeans is an unshielded CAT6 RJ45 cable, the idea is to break the noise carrying ground brought on via the modem and router to the switch. I also circuit ground the modem and switch to the panel.

This was a significant gain forward for me, I hope it arises awareness for fellow members, do know in audio YMMV.
Hi Edward,
Interesting findings. What brand of linear power supplies were you using?
Thanks for the report.
 
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Ultrafast69

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Hi Edward,
Interesting findings. What brand of linear power supplies were you using?
Thanks for the report.
Hello -

From my understanding, it's not so much the brand, but what is actually occurring as it seems the LPS is a straight pass through for MHz frequencies, there is no high bandwidth regulation or high band width filtering so it is essentially dumping the EMI/RFI back onto the mains and ground.
 

wil

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Jul 22, 2015
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Ed, Interesting post.

So, have you replaced the LPS's with the original wall wart switch mode power supplies that came with your modem and router? This goes against standard practice to say the least!

And replacing the LPS speeds have increased your internet speed? I wonder how that works?

I'm skeptical about how much the readings from the Trifield/Alpha Labs EMI meter actually tell us. This is based on what two experts in audio/power have told me (not on any expertise on my part).
 

Ultrafast69

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Ed, Interesting post.

So, have you replaced the LPS's with the original wall wart switch mode power supplies that came with your modem and router? This goes against standard practice to say the least!

And replacing the LPS speeds have increased your internet speed? I wonder how that works?

I'm skeptical about how much the readings from the Trifield/Alpha Labs EMI meter actually tell us. This is based on what two experts in audio/power have told me (not on any expertise on my part).
Yes, I replaced the LPS with the OEM SMPS.

I followed the “standard” complete with cables, distribution, isolation and in fact it was the source of the problems though sonically it appeared to present well so in this event I didn’t pay much attention, against my virtues. Others may not have any issues with similar setups, but in my case it was apparent, the numbers were there and the properties were failing.

The internet service speed did not increase, it still hovers around 960 - 980 mbps, the wireless speed (not used for audio) jumped significantly as shown in the picture above and has remained a constant improvement.

I agree with being skeptical in regards to the TriField, I was as well. Previous, the digital portion of the system was a tough setup to beat IMO, however, with all that is said, I’m ahead on all counts.

Now for a few but’s. Each home contains various electronics, systems etc that emit all types of distortion while creating all types of demands - there are a lot of variables, including in my own home where I have made many changes for the good, so I present this if one finds themselves in a similar manner.

With that being said, using the Trifield plus Speedtest data, coupled with easily qualifying by listening reaped unlocked benefits on my system further cementing my experience about the importance of EMI/RFI - audio never ceases to amaze me!
 

Ultrafast69

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What brand/model LPS were you using?
Hello There.

In response to your question, I mentioned earlier I did not want to say the brand as every situation, meaning setup and circumstance are different.

If your up for it and are running a similar type of some setup try what I did or take it further and see what results you come up with, but try to use data and your ears, it becomes supportive at that point.
 

nonesup

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MarcelNL

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That is weird....and annoying.

LPS on my audio switch here, 200Mbps down and 160 up via wifi, and the same router with smps does the same.
Could there be a coincidence with some other issue? Are your LPS cables EMI shielded? Long cables can become antenna's.
 

abeidrov

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This is really confusing:) I was looking for some information which would help me choose a linear power supply for my routers and found this thread.
 
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audiobomber

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Oct 13, 2020
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I have heard two different manufacturers state that a switching power supply is superior to a linear power supply with some pure digital devices, one here and a different source at Audiophile Style. Unfortunately I did not bookmark these posts.

My personal experience: I improved the sound of my audio system by replacing the SMPS on my router with a linear power supply. An LPS was terrible on my ethernet switch, much worse than the manufacturers' wall wart. I replaced the SMPS on the switch with an iPower "X" and heard a significant improvement.
 

MarcelNL

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It may well depend on what the very type is of the LPS used, some LPS do not excel at powering digital devices and a SMPS may do better there.
 

Tubeman66

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Mar 31, 2019
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There's nothing magical about lps power supply,
I have tested on some Cisco switches in the 29XX and 35xx series,
some makes it worse some is equal to built in smps
A good power cord for switch makes more difference
 

audiobomber

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Oct 13, 2020
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Sudbury ON, Canada
It may well depend on what the very type is of the LPS used, some LPS do not excel at powering digital devices and a SMPS may do better there.
That is entirely possible. I own a couple of better supplies but they are 12V, not suitable for the 9V switch. The LPS I tried on the switch was from Welborne Labs. It's a well-know LPS circuit layout, with good quality components; schottky low-noise rectifier diodes, Nichicon ultra low impedance electrolytics and toroid power transformer.

The Welborne LPS easily bested the standard iPower SMPS used on an sMS-200 Neo renderer, which is a purely digital device. The newer iPower "X" was as good as the LPS when used with the renderer. On the ethernet switch however, the LPS was worse than the stock SMPS and the iPower X was a significant improvement. The new iPower Elite SMPS seems to be getting some good buzz but I'm happy with the X for my application.
 

Tim F

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Jun 11, 2018
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I have heard two different manufacturers state that a switching power supply is superior to a linear power supply with some pure digital devices, one here and a different source at Audiophile Style. Unfortunately I did not bookmark these posts.

My personal experience: I improved the sound of my audio system by replacing the SMPS on my router with a linear power supply. An LPS was terrible on my ethernet switch, much worse than the manufacturers' wall wart. I replaced the SMPS on the switch with an iPower "X" and heard a significant improvement.
The SMPS you are seeing on Audiophile Style are specifically designed to move noise outside of the audio band. I believe Taiko do this.
 

Tecknik1

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May 29, 2017
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While every person will have different outcomes with an LPS it important to remember the LPS is only half while the dc cable is the other half. When I replaced the stock dc cable with a high quality solid silver with Oyaide dc plugs from my LPS,s to the router, switch and Fmc,s there was no comparison to a wall wart in my system in fact utterly amazed at the difference.
 

kennyb123

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Nov 30, 2012
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While every person will have different outcomes with an LPS it important to remember the LPS is only half while the dc cable is the other half. When I replaced the stock dc cable with a high quality solid silver with Oyaide dc plugs from my LPS,s to the router, switch and Fmc,s there was no comparison to a wall wart in my system in fact utterly amazed at the difference.
I think I'd take that one step further and say the power cord feeding the LPS is another third of the equation.
 
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joaovieira

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2 weeks ago I had an upgrade on internet speed from 200Mbps to 500Mbps. Then I decided to see if the speed was really changed. Used Speedtest.
All Wi-Fi was below 100Mbps.
The cable from the company router connected to my laptop was showing around 500Mbps.
So I removed the Ubiquiti Router that was making the distribution by cable for some points of the house. And the speed went up.
I thought it was the ubiquiti router. But based in your experience it may be the LPS I was using.
Now I will put the ubiquiti back with the SMPS and see what happens to the speed.
 

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