FutureShop is an authorised dealer for iFi Audio products. The customer reviews quoted in this guide are from verified FutureShop purchases.
Our Verdict
All three iFi iPower supplies deliver a meaningful and audible improvement over standard wall adapters, with the iPower2 offering the best value for entry-level systems, the iPower X suiting high-resolution DACs and streamers, and the iPower Elite delivering reference-class noise suppression for the most demanding setups.
Quick Take
- Standard wall adapters introduce electrical noise that raises the noise floor, reduces dynamic range, and limits the resolution of DACs, streamers, and headphone amplifiers.
- The iPower2 is the most affordable entry point, reducing background hiss and improving focus in smaller desktop systems from £69.
- The iPower X uses upgraded capacitors and refined circuitry for a lower noise floor than the iPower2, suited to high-resolution sources and headphone amplifiers from £119.
- The iPower Elite uses advanced linear design for reference-class noise suppression, delivering tighter bass, greater transparency, and effortless musical flow from £299.
- Verified customer reviews consistently report immediate, obvious improvements, with one customer describing the iPower X effect on a router as tighter bass, clearer treble, and a cleaner background after 100 hours of running in.
When it comes to getting the best from your hi-fi or headphone system, most listeners think about DACs, amps, and headphones first. But there's another component that can have a surprisingly big impact on your sound quality: the power supply. Electrical noise and interference from standard power adapters can compromise clarity, dynamics, and detail. That's where iFi Audio's iPower2, iPower X, and iPower Elite adapters step in.
Why Power Matters in Hi-Fi
Every audio device relies on stable, clean power. Cheap wall adapters often introduce unwanted noise, which makes your system sound flat or harsh. By using a high-quality power supply, you give your DACs, streamers, or amplifiers the foundation they need to perform at their best. The result is often a clearer, more natural sound with improved dynamics.
iFi iPower2: Clean Power Made Simple
The updated iFi iPower2 is a compact, affordable solution that delivers ultra-low noise performance. Designed to work with DACs, streamers, and other small hi-fi components, it significantly reduces background hiss and brings more focus to your music. For many users, upgrading to an iPower2 feels like a component-level upgrade.
"This is a fantastic and affordable upgrade to the cheap and nasty switching power supplies that are bundled with a number of audio or electronic components. Replacing the bundled power supply that came with an Ethernet filter with this resulted in an immediate uptick in clarity and soundstage. An absolute bargain for what it delivered." FutureShop verified customer review
iFi iPower X: Next-Level Performance
Building on the success of the original, the iFi iPower X takes clean power even further. With upgraded capacitors and refined circuitry, it delivers even lower noise levels and greater stability. It's an ideal match for high-resolution DACs, headphone amps, and network streamers, helping them reveal every last detail in your music.
"I recently bought the iPower X to replace the standard wall wart plugged into my router. The effect was significant. The background became less noisy. The bass became tighter. I got more clarity at the top end, and voices became clearer. You have to give it about 100 hours of continuous running for it to show its TRUE character." FutureShop verified customer review
iFi iPower Elite: Reference-Class Power Supply
At the top of the range sits the iFi iPower Elite, a reference-grade solution designed for the most demanding systems. Featuring advanced linear design, premium capacitors, and exceptional noise suppression, the iPower Elite provides the ultimate upgrade for high-end DACs, preamps, and network audio components. It delivers greater transparency, tighter bass, and effortless musical flow.
"This is the third Elite Power I've bought. This one was for my Thorens Turntable TD 1500. After a few days of running in, I was amazed at how it had tightened up the bass and the generally improved sound. I would strongly recommend it. First class." FutureShop verified customer review
If you are thinking about a broader approach to clean power, our guide to power conditioners versus regenerators explains how mains-level power treatment compares to DC supply upgrades, and which approach suits different system levels.
Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | iPower2 | iPower X | iPower Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise Suppression | Ultra-low noise | Even lower noise floor | Reference-class ultra-low noise |
| Ideal For | DACs, small streamers, accessories | High-res DACs, headphone amps, streamers | High-end DACs, preamps, network components |
| Price Point | Affordable entry-level upgrade | Premium upgrade for advanced systems | Flagship upgrade for reference systems |
| Key Benefit | Clearer sound, reduced hiss | Maximum detail, improved dynamics | Ultimate transparency and system refinement |
Which Component to Upgrade First and Which Voltage to Order
The three-model comparison above identifies which iPower level suits which system tier. The two questions that most buyers ask before ordering are: which component in my system should I upgrade first, and what voltage do I need? Here is FutureShop's practical guidance on both.
Which component to upgrade first. The most audible improvement from an iPower upgrade consistently comes from the component with the lowest-quality original power supply and the highest sensitivity to noise in its signal path. In a streaming system, this is almost always the network streamer or DAC: both use clock circuits that are directly degraded by power supply noise, and the bundled wall adapter supplied with most streamers at any price point is the weakest link in the power chain. In a headphone system, the headphone amplifier or DAC is the first priority for the same reason. In a vinyl system, the phono stage is the highest-priority component: phono stages amplify the cartridge signal by up to 1,000 times before passing it to the amplifier, and any noise riding on the power supply is amplified alongside the music. For network-attached systems, upgrading the power supply to the ethernet switch or network router with an iPower X is consistently reported by customers (as the review above illustrates) as producing improvements in background silence and detail in the streamed output, because conducted electrical noise from the router travels through the ethernet cable into the streamer's network input.
How to find the correct voltage for your component. Each iFi iPower model is available in multiple DC output voltages: 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, 15V, and 24V depending on the model and variant. Ordering the wrong voltage risks damage to the component. The correct voltage is printed on the original wall adapter that the component came with, next to the "Output" specification: it will read something like "DC 12V 1.0A" or "Output: 9V 500mA". The voltage (V) figure is what you need to match; the current (A or mA) figure must be equal to or less than the iPower's rated output current for that voltage. If the component's original adapter is missing, the voltage requirement is usually printed on a label on the component itself near the DC input socket. If neither is available, the voltage is listed in the component's specification sheet or owner's manual. Please confirm the voltage before ordering: FutureShop's team is happy to advise if you are uncertain, and getting this right before the order is placed avoids the need for a return.
iPower2 vs iPower X: the practical upgrade step. The iPower2 is the right choice for components where the noise improvement is the priority and the system is not resolving enough to reveal the full difference the iPower X delivers over the iPower2. In practice, this means the iPower2 suits desktop DACs at entry to mid-level (Chord Mojo, iFi Zen DAC, AudioQuest DragonFly), USB hubs, ethernet filters, and accessories. The iPower X suits components at mid to high level where the DAC or streamer is genuinely resolving (Chord Hugo 2, Chord Qutest, Cambridge Audio CXN, WiiM Ultra, and similar), and where the lower noise floor of the iPower X is audible in the output. The iPower X is also the more productive choice for routers and ethernet switches in a streaming system, because the improvement at the network level is multiplied by everything downstream.
iPower Elite: when linear supply quality is the deciding factor. The iPower Elite uses a different circuit topology from the iPower2 and iPower X: where both use switching-mode designs with active noise reduction, the Elite uses a linear design that fundamentally avoids the high-frequency switching artefacts that switching supplies produce even after filtering. Linear supplies are regarded as the reference standard for sensitive audio applications. The iPower Elite is most productive in components where the manufacturer has specifically designed the circuit to benefit from a linear supply, and where the component's own internal regulation is not sufficient to remove the difference: phono stages, high-end DAC preamplifiers, and reference-grade headphone amplifiers. The customer review above from the Thorens turntable owner illustrates a vinyl-context application: the turntable motor controller or internal phono stage powered by a linear supply produces a measurable reduction in motor noise in the output.
Upgrading your power supply may not sound as exciting as changing a DAC or amplifier, but the improvements are often immediate and obvious. With iFi's iPower2, iPower X, and iPower Elite, you can unlock the full potential of your hi-fi system by giving it the clean power it deserves.
All three iFi iPower supplies are available now at FutureShop. Not sure which voltage or model suits your component? Get in touch with our team and we will help you find the right match for your system.
