iFi iPower X vs iPower2: Pick the Right Voltage for Hi-Fi

The voltage label decides more than the model name

The iFi iPower X and iPower2 are both low-noise AC/DC power supplies, but they are sold in fixed voltage versions. The iPower X here is 9V; the iPower2 here is 15V. Before comparing noise or price, confirm that your component expects the same voltage and does not draw more current than the supply can deliver.

A supply with the wrong voltage can prevent a component from working or, worse, damage it. Check the label on your existing wall-wart or the input specification in your component's manual. If the label says 9V DC, the iPower X 9V is the candidate. If it says 15V DC, the iPower2 15V is the candidate.

How to choose between the iPower X 9V and iPower2 15V

Work through these checks in order. The first two are non-negotiable; the rest help you decide whether the upgrade is worthwhile.

1. 1. Read the voltage on your component or its original supply: Match it exactly. The iPower X is offered here in 9V and the iPower2 in 15V. Do not assume a higher voltage is a safe upgrade.
2. 2. Check the current requirement: The supplied catalog information does not list current output for either model. Compare the current rating printed on your original supply with the rating on the iFi unit before buying; if the original supply's current rating is higher, the iFi may not be suitable.
3. 3. Confirm the connector fits: The catalog does not specify connector sizes or included adapter tips for these models. Verify the plug type and polarity your component needs before ordering.
4. 4. Decide whether lower noise is the goal: Both products are described as low-noise AC/DC supplies intended to replace generic switch-mode wall-warts. If your component is a streamer, DAC, phono stage, or turntable, that is the category where the supplied description says noisy wall-warts can feed sensitive circuits.
5. 5. Choose the model that matches your voltage: If your component is 9V, the iPower X 9V is the direct match. If it is 15V, the iPower2 15V is the direct match. The two models are not interchangeable by voltage.

What the iPower X 9V is designed to replace

• iFi iPower X Ultra Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply - 9 Volt: The iFi iPower X is a 9V ultra-low-noise AC/DC power supply. The catalog describes generic switch-mode wall-warts as electrically noisy by design, with noise riding into a component's ground plane and analog stages. If your 9V component currently uses a generic wall-wart, this is the model that matches that voltage and addresses the noise path described in the catalog.

  

What the iPower2 15V is designed to replace

• iFi iPower2 Power Supply - 15 Volt: The iFi iPower2 is a 15V low-noise AC/DC power supply. The catalog describes generic switch-mode wall-warts as electrically noisy, with noise riding into the component's ground plane and analog stages, where it can show up as hiss. If your component's original supply is 15V, the iPower2 is the voltage-matched option in this comparison.

  

iPower X 9V vs iPower2 15V at a glance

The catalog gives limited specifications, so this table sticks to what is supplied. Missing details are marked as not stated rather than guessed.

• Voltage: iPower X: 9V. iPower2: 15V. This is the primary difference and the first thing to match to your component.
• Noise description: Both are described as low-noise AC/DC supplies intended to replace noisy generic wall-warts. The iPower X adds 'ultra-low-noise' in its product name; the catalog does not provide a measured noise figure for either model.
• Catalog price: iPower X 9V: USD 59.50 (catalog comparison price USD 119.00). iPower2 15V: USD 39.50 (catalog comparison price USD 79.00). Prices are as shown in the catalog and may change.
• Current output: Not stated in the supplied catalog information for either model. Check the rating on your original supply and on the iFi product label.
• Connector type: Not stated in the supplied catalog information. Verify the plug size and polarity your component requires.

When the 9V iPower X makes sense

Choose the iPower X 9V when your component's input is 9V DC and you want the model the catalog describes as ultra-low-noise. It is the higher-priced of the two in this catalog, so the decision should rest on voltage compatibility and whether the noise description matches a problem you can hear or want to prevent.

The catalog does not state current output, connector size, or a measured noise figure, so those cannot be used to justify the upgrade. Use the voltage match as the deciding factor and confirm the remaining details against your component's documentation.

When the 15V iPower2 makes sense

Choose the iPower2 15V when your component's input is 15V DC. It is the lower-priced option here, but price should not drive the choice across different voltages; a 15V supply is not a substitute for a 9V one.

As with the iPower X, the catalog does not list current output or connector details for the iPower2. Verify those against your original supply before ordering.

Common questions about choosing between these two supplies

Can I use the 15V iPower2 on a 9V component?

No. Voltage must match. A 15V supply is not a safe substitute for a 9V input, and the catalog does not describe any voltage-adjustment feature for either model.

Does a higher price mean the iPower X is always better?

Not for a 15V component. The iPower X here is 9V, so it is not compatible with a 15V input regardless of price. Match voltage first, then consider noise and price within that voltage.

What if my component's original supply does not list its current rating?

The supplied catalog does not state current output for either iFi model, so there is no basis here for estimating whether it will suffice. Check the component manual or contact the manufacturer for the required current before buying.

Will either supply reduce hum or hiss?

The catalog describes noisy wall-warts as a path for noise into sensitive circuits, and describes these iFi supplies as low-noise replacements. It does not promise a specific reduction in hum or hiss, and hum can have other causes. Treat lower noise as the design intent, not a guaranteed outcome.