How do I charge a DAC using USB power?

If you have a DAC that requires USB power (i.e. 5V, 1A) then there are several options: 1. A spare USB port on your computer; 2. A phone charger; 3. A 'power bank' battery pack that is usually used to charge mobile phones; 4. A linear power supply; 5. A 'specialist' switched power supply like iFi iPower 5V. There may be other options too.

Can a DAC work with a switching power supply?

Good modern DACs work really well with whatever power supply they came with. The noise issue with switching supplies is primarily common-mode. Fitting a common-mode filter on the DC feed to a DAC would be sub-optimal, its best position is on the mains side.

Which linear power supply should I buy for my DAC?

If you're looking for a linear power supply, I would recommend the Sbooster BOTW over the Wyrd4Sound PS-1. It's $100 cheaper and comes from a company that understands safety and has regulatory certification.

Does an external power supply improve DAC performance?

One of the most frequently asked questions about Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs) on audio forums is whether an external, usually linear, power supply enhances performance. It seems logical that it would, but let's explore this further.

Does power supply noise affect DACs?

We don't listen to power supply wires. The impact of power supply noise is very indirect as the DAC usually performs secondary filter and re-regulation. Its circuits may also be designed to have high rejection of power supply noise and ripple (called PSRR). I thought I start my testing with Topping D50.

Is Sbooster a good power supply for DACs?

Sbooster provides OEM products to many companies and follows proper engineering practices for safety standards. It is comparable to the switching power supply that comes with Topping DX3 Pro, which also has a strong commitment to safety and certification.