linear power supply for router

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Nick B

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linear power supply for router
« on: 9 Jun 2021, 03:53 pm »
I have an ASUS router and stream music wirelessly via my Auralic Mini with its own dedicated lps. I enjoy searching for music with Roon and currently don’t use a transport. I’d like to experiment and try a very low noise lps for the ASUS and see if it might improve things just a little. The ASUS ps is 19v.

I’d appreciate any information and also opinions if the replacement lps can be off by 1 or 2 v and the ASUS still function properly.

Thanks,
Nick

WGH

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #1 on: 9 Jun 2021, 04:39 pm »
You didn't mention how many amps the router needs, I would guess not many. My go-to linear regulated power supplies are made by Acopian. The power supplies are industrial quality, built like tanks and last forever so I get mine on eBay.

Acopian doesn't make a 19v ps, you would need one of their adjustable models such as the .5 amp Acopian A030MX50 ($260 list) $45 on eBay.

https://www.acopian.com/store/wide-l-goldbox-fixedcurt.aspx

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=acopian+A030MX50&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=acopian+A030MX100&_osacat=0

Acopian has Gold Box 18v and 20v ps, pick one that matches the amps you need and plug the model number into eBay. Keep looking until you find a great price. If you only need 1 amp or less but find a cheap 2 amp or 5 amp power supply, that will work too.
https://www.acopian.com/store/9-(7).aspx?min=18&max=25

If you have kids running around with forks then you will need to make it kid safe because the 120v connections are exposed. This is not a problem in my house.


toocool4

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #2 on: 9 Jun 2021, 04:53 pm »
I have heard of people using the Farad Super3 to power their routers, I use the Farad to power the motor on my turntable. It may be worth a try for you.

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/farad-super3-linear-power-supply


Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #3 on: 9 Jun 2021, 05:05 pm »
You didn't mention how many amps the router needs, I would guess not many. My go-to linear regulated power supplies are made by Acopian. The power supplies are industrial quality, built like tanks and last forever so I get mine on eBay.

Acopian doesn't make a 19v ps, you would need one of their adjustable models such as the .5 amp Acopian A030MX50 ($260 list) $45 on eBay.

https://www.acopian.com/store/wide-l-goldbox-fixedcurt.aspx

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313&_nkw=acopian+A030MX50&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_odkw=acopian+A030MX100&_osacat=0

Acopian has Gold Box 18v and 20v ps, pick one that matches the amps you need and plug the model number into eBay. Keep looking until you find a great price. If you only need 1 amp or less but find a cheap 2 amp or 5 amp power supply, that will work too.
https://www.acopian.com/store/9-(7).aspx?min=18&max=25

If you have kids running around with forks then you will need to make it kid safe because the 120v connections are exposed. This is not a problem in my house.



Forgot about the amp listing. Without crawling around on the floor, I’m quite certain it’s 2.7 A
The eBay price is nice as I’ll be spending a little money on a better Ethernet cable from wall to ASUS router.
No kids to worry about and just a cat who thankfully isn’t interested in my ic’s and speaker cables

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #4 on: 9 Jun 2021, 05:13 pm »
I have heard of people using the Farad Super3 to power their routers, I use the Farad to power the motor on my turntable. It may be worth a try for you.

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/farad-super3-linear-power-supply

I took a quick look and didn’t find a US distributor. Didn’t find a price either in USD. As I think this experiment might yield just negligible results…if any… I’d prefer to spend $100 or less for this lps

toocool4

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #5 on: 9 Jun 2021, 05:47 pm »
You can get it in the US. Okay best to give it a miss, as it will cost you more than $100.

WGH

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #6 on: 9 Jun 2021, 06:10 pm »
Forgot about the amp listing. Without crawling around on the floor, I’m quite certain it’s 2.7 A

The amps is probably something you shouldn't guess at, you may be able to find the spec online. Every time I crawl behind my stereo I accidentally unplug something or a wire moves and a hum appears.

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #7 on: 9 Jun 2021, 06:19 pm »
You can get it in the US. Okay best to give it a miss, as it will cost you more than $100.

Thank you. For the application of using it with a wireless router, it’s probably best to keep it around that price point. I spent quite a bit more for a dedicated lps for my Auralic Mini and it yielded excellent results  :thumb:

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #8 on: 9 Jun 2021, 06:25 pm »
The amps is probably something you shouldn't guess at, you may be able to find the spec online. Every time I crawl behind my stereo I accidentally unplug something or a wire moves and a hum appears.

A little bit of crawling around verified it’s 2.37 A  This time I didn’t accidentally unplug something. I’m looking at the ebay site now. In case I find something else, is an 18 or 20 v ok or does it need to be exactly 19 v?

hifix

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #9 on: 9 Jun 2021, 06:53 pm »
Going with a linear supply (or a cleaner power supply) for the router has been a step up for me.  Highly recommended upgrade.  :thumb:

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #10 on: 9 Jun 2021, 06:56 pm »
Going with a linear supply (or a cleaner power supply) for the router has been a step up for me.  Highly recommended upgrade.  :thumb:

That is very helpful to hear! So in your opinion, it would be worthwhile increasing my budget of $100?

Nick

rollo

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #11 on: 9 Jun 2021, 07:09 pm »
  As suggested to you before but does not suit your needs the iFi wall wart is a killer for routers. Improved my sound.


charles

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #12 on: 9 Jun 2021, 07:26 pm »
  As suggested to you before but does not suit your needs the iFi wall wart is a killer for routers. Improved my sound.


charles

Charles,
I’m looking at it again right now and the price is quite nice at $100. The ASUS likely uses a 2.5 mm barrel connector…which I presume is standard…. but I’m going to verify that
Nick

WGH

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #13 on: 9 Jun 2021, 07:30 pm »
In case I find something else, is an 18 or 20 v ok or does it need to be exactly 19 v?

You may have to email the manufacturer to find out unless someone has your exact same router and is successfully using it with a different voltage. When in doubt go with the manufacturer specifications.

A multimeter is needed to adjust the Acopian voltage. The fixed voltage supplies can be adjusted +/- .5v.

Regarding spending more, Acopian has specification for all their power supplies.

The 2.5 amp adjustable Acopian A030MX250 specs:

Regulation, Ripple (constant current operation):
Load Regulation: ±0.2% or 5 mA.
Line Regulation: ±0.1% or 2 mA.
Ripple: 0.1% rms.

There are a couple of options for a fixed 20v

Gold Box B
B20G270 20volts
2.7 amps
regulation 0.15 load, line 0.1
ripple 1.5mV RMS

The Gold Box A has better specs but cost more
A20MT400
4 amps
regulation 0.005 load, line 0.005
ripple 0.25    

WGH

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #14 on: 9 Jun 2021, 07:39 pm »
  As suggested to you before but does not suit your needs the iFi wall wart is a killer for routers. Improved my sound.

Which wall wart is it? The iPower?
https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower/

At only 15V/1.2A when his router needs 19V/2.37A it just might be a router killer.


Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #15 on: 9 Jun 2021, 07:40 pm »
Charles,
I’m looking at it again right now and the price is quite nice at $100. The ASUS likely uses a 2.5 mm barrel connector…which I presume is standard…. but I’m going to verify that
Nick

Charles,
Max voltage on the ifi is 15 v…

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #16 on: 9 Jun 2021, 10:31 pm »
Which wall wart is it? The iPower?
https://ifi-audio.com/products/ipower/

At only 15V/1.2A when his router needs 19V/2.37A it just might be a router killer.

I called  Audio Advisor and Music Direct and neither have anything at 19v and one of the guys said do not try a unit listed at 18v   I am liking your idea of the adjustable Acopian from ebay quite a bit. I will measure the current asus ps barrel a little later. If I do get the Acopian, is the voltage measurement as simple as putting one probe on the barrel and the other one inside? I do have the jeweler sized screwdrivers for adjustments. I’ve got a couple of multimeters in the garage somewhere. Later tonight I mat take a look on the asus site regarding the voltage requirements.  Thanks for your help on this.

JTF

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #17 on: 9 Jun 2021, 10:56 pm »
I recently replaced the cheapo power supply on my Asus mesh router node with a 19v medical grade brick. You'll need an adapter as well, both links below. I was getting a pulsating noise when streaming music, and found that the Asus was the source of it. FWIW, changing the power supply did absolutely nothing, I ended up moving the router out of the room and I use wifi now instead of having my streamer hardwired.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RXHF246/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_5616JKWJER3RS8KR3YKC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JMX76MD/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_api_glt_fabc_3EJMPQ0AG94AQZPN9RKE?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1


WGH

Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #18 on: 10 Jun 2021, 12:20 am »
If I do get the Acopian, is the voltage measurement as simple as putting one probe on the barrel and the other one inside?

That's it. Watch the meter and turn the screw.

Where did you get the idea to put a different ps on the router?

Nick B

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Re: linear power supply for router
« Reply #19 on: 10 Jun 2021, 12:32 am »
That's it. Watch the meter and turn the screw.

Where did you get the idea to put a different ps on the router?

Watch meter…turn screw… got it  :thumb:
As to the idea of upgrading the wireless router ps, possibly read about it on Agon or another forum. I also plan on upgrading the cheapie, stock Ethernet cable from the wall to the router…maybe with a Blue Jeans or a Supra. Just experimenting, really. Part of the reason for posting on AC is get additional opinions and hopefully quite knowledgeable ones.

My 2 channel system is performing very nicely and would like to gain a bit more performance if at all possible. Just bought vibration control devices that provided very nice improvement.  Additional thoughts you might have are quite welcome.