The Weak Link in Your System Might Be a Wall-Wart
Streamers, DACs, phono stages, and turntables almost always ship with a generic switch-mode wall-wart — the cheapest component in the box, feeding some of the most sensitive circuits you own. Those supplies are electrically noisy by design, and the noise doesn't stay put. It rides into the component's ground plane and analog stages, where it shows up as hiss you can't account for, a grainy edge to the treble, and a background that never goes fully quiet.
Replacing it takes about a minute and works on gear you already own — which makes it one of the most efficient upgrades in the hobby. The iFi iPower2 5V is a purpose-built replacement that aims to deliver audibly cleaner DC power.
How Active Noise Cancellation II Quiets the Noise
Rather than filtering noise after the fact, the iPower2 generates a signal identical to the incoming EMI and RFI but opposite in phase, cancelling it out — the same principle behind noise-cancelling headphones. The circuit works at both the input and output stages, so noise is handled coming in and going out.
The result is an audio-band noise floor of roughly 1 microvolt. iFi rates the iPower2 as more than 10 times quieter than most audiophile power supplies, with improved internal components and thicker-gauge wiring over the previous generation doing the heavy lifting.
iFi iPower2 5V at a Glance
- iFi iPower2 Power Supply - 5 Volt: Output: 5V/2.5A, fixed voltage. Input: 100–240V AC universal. You must match the voltage exactly to your component. The 5V version is designed for streamers, USB DACs, small digital components, and single-board computers.
iFi iPower2 Power Supply - 5 Volt - iFi iPower2 Power Supply - 5 Volt: Includes five differently sized DC barrel adapters (3.5×1.35mm, 4.0×1.7mm, 4.8×1.7mm, 5.5×2.1mm, 5.5×2.5mm) plus USB-C and USB-micro to DC pigtail adapters. These adapters cover roughly 73% of DC plugs in circulation and make the iPower2 compatible with many USB-powered devices like a Raspberry Pi or streaming stick.
- iFi iPower2 Power Supply - 5 Volt: Audio-band noise floor: approximately 1 microvolt. Active Noise Cancellation II at input and output stages. The low noise floor directly reduces the hiss and grain that can plague sensitive components, giving you a quieter background and cleaner sound.
Compatibility: What to Check Before You Buy
The iPower2 is a fixed-voltage supply available in four versions: 5V, 9V, 12V, and 15V. There's no switch or adjustment — each version outputs one voltage only. Voltage must match exactly. Connecting a 15V supply to a 9V component can damage it.
Your component's current draw must also be at or below the iPower2's rating for that voltage. For the 5V version, that's up to 2.5A. Check the label on your component or its original supply, confirm the voltage and that the current draw falls within the rating, and order the matching version.
Polarity is also important. Most home and pro audio gear is center-positive, but some components are center-negative — the included white reverse-polarity adapter covers that, provided you know which yours needs. Check the user guide, or call us and we'll look it up with you.
Who Should Consider the iPower2 5V
This upgrade makes the most sense if you own a streamer, USB DAC, or other small digital component currently powered by a generic wall-wart. The audible improvement — a quieter background, less treble grain — is most noticeable with revealing systems.
If your component needs a voltage other than 5V, 9V, 12V, or 15V, this is not the right product. Also, the iPower2 is a power supply, not a battery or regenerator; it plugs into your wall AC. For battery-powered devices, a different approach may be needed.
