Audiophile 101: Does Your Power Source Matter?

In the audio world, it can be hard to differentiate between what has real value for improving your sound, what’s snake oil, and what has some value—but not as much as its price tag would suggest. One of the toughest areas to make this distinction is power. There seems to be no end to the variety—and price ceiling—of surge protectors, power conditioners, and power cables designed to elevate your audio system to the next level. In this article, we’ll try to separate what matters from what doesn’t, and highlight some important accessories that can improve power delivery to your system on any budget.

Why Does Power Matter?

There are two main reasons power matters in your HiFi audio (or video) system. First, various sources of interference can be carried by power cables and introduce audible noise into your audio chain. Second, big bass and large dynamic shifts in your music require fast, consistent power delivery—if that gets interrupted, you can lose both bass impact and dynamics.

When it comes to noise and interference, the most common issue is the hiss and hum that comes from local RF interference or noise transmitted through power lines. Sometimes, this can be fixed by switching outlets or moving your power amp farther away from appliances like your refrigerator. In other cases, the best option is to address shielding and other electrical concerns directly.

Issues with consistent power delivery can be a bit more difficult to identify and fix. Even many high-end audio devices ship with basic OEM power adapters designed for general use in a variety of products that don’t draw as much power as a HiFi amplifier or DAC. If the power adapter or transformer is the issue—and it’s built into the device—there may not be a good way to improve it externally.

How Do I Fix the Problem?

If you're concerned about power issues, the two most important things you can do are:

1. Isolate the power going into your HiFi devices from outside interference.

2. Ensure your gear is receiving clean, consistent power.

Isolating Power from Noise Sources

The most basic way to isolate your power from noise is to use high-quality, properly shielded cables. Does this mean your setup needs to look like it’s being attacked by anacondas? No. But consider cables like the AudioQuest NRG-X3, which are a step up from the generic black cables that came with your device.

A more impactful upgrade is a power conditioner or a device like the iFi AC iPurifier, which actively removes RF and EMI from your circuit—giving you cleaner power and a blacker background so you can better enjoy your music. For a power conditioner, consider the AudioQuest PowerQuest 2 for basic improvement, or go up to something like the PowerQuest 707 for maximum features and filtering.

While many factors influence final sound quality, noise floor is an easy metric to demonstrate measurable differences between power sources. We tested a few options with a basic headphone setup, and here’s what we found:

A 3 dB difference in sound is audible to most listeners, and trained ears can notice even a 1 dB change—so there’s definitely a meaningful range of improvement possible by upgrading your power source.

In rare cases, grounding issues may exist in your electrical system. If rewiring isn't an option, a specialized solution might be necessary. Ground noise typically presents as the infamous 60-cycle hum (60 Hz). Some audio devices allow you to toggle ground settings, but if not, the iFi GND Defender is a simple fix for eliminating ground loop noise—though it won’t help with other sources of interference.

Getting Consistent, Clean Power

While external factors like radio towers and bad home wiring can introduce noise into your system, power components within the system itself can also cause problems. You typically can’t swap internal components, but the DC power adapter your device came with is often a weak link.

Most OEM components are built to be "good enough"—but if you're deep in the audiophile world, that probably doesn't cut it. Upgraded power supplies can provide improvements in both noise reduction and consistency.

The biggest measurable upgrade in a power supply comes from its capacitors. All incoming power passes through capacitors on the way to your device, and these components temporarily store energy to ensure a constant flow—even during minor wall voltage fluctuations. Bigger and better capacitors can immediately improve power delivery and even help protect your device from long-term damage.

Some manufacturers offer universal power supplies with upgraded internals, like the iFi iPower X, or proprietary options like the Burson Super Charger—both of which improve on the capacitors in the stock unit.

A further upgrade is a linear power supply—a more expensive but high-performing option. These use different transformer designs from the “wall wart” adapters you’re used to. They’re quieter but less energy-efficient and generate more heat. Some high-end amps, like the Cayin Soul 170HA, include a dedicated linear power supply, while others have options available as add-ons.

We did another noise floor test with the Burson Soloist Voyager, comparing its stock power cable, the Super Charger, and the Fusion Core premium supply:

Putting It All Together

So basically, if you're looking to improve the power going to your audio devices, here’s a priority checklist:

1. Identify local interference issues — e.g., don’t plug your amp into the same circuit as your fridge or place it next to a shortwave radio.

2. Get a power conditioner for all your HiFi or A/V gear to eliminate external noise sources.

3. Upgrade power supplies for your key components—especially the audio source and amplifier.

4. Use accessories like the GND Defender to eliminate specific issues like ground loops.

5. Replace cheap OEM cables (power, analog, and digital) with well-shielded, higher-quality versions.

While you can spend thousands on the best of everything, even a few hundred dollars spent on the right gear can result in audible, measurable improvements. And as a bonus, you'll also be protecting your gear and extending its lifespan.