HomePod Would using a HomePod mini with a MacBook USB-C power adapter improve the sound?

[firoze]

I have been an audiophile for decades and one thing I have learnt is that better power supplies can make a huge improvement to the sound of a system. That being the case, would one of you who have a HomePod mini as well as a MacBook kindly try using the MacBook power adaptor with the HomePod mini and report whether they notice any improvement in sound quality? I do suspect there would be a noticeable improvement. For those of you who are worried about damaging the HPmini, you need not worry, it will be completely safe to do so since one can safely use any MBP USB-C power adaptor to charge an iPhone. This Apple document says so https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT202105
I do not have a MacBook else I would have tried it myself. Thanks in advance.

 

[Slartibart]

why would you think that? we can agree that the law of Ohm is valid for Homepods… mini… or else? If the original power supply which comes with the mini isn’t severely undersized in relation to current - what i doubt - what do you think is happening?

 

[firoze]

why would you think that? we can agree that the law of Ohm is valid for Homepods… mini… or else? If the original power supply which comes with the mini isn’t severely undersized in relation to current - what i doubt - what do you think is happening?

I think that because of my years of experience with high-end audio, which is that even a modest amplifier will sound dramatically better with a better power supply, even if the original power supply had more than enough capacity. It is just that much easier for a component to draw power, and thus sound better, when the power supply has huge headroom, far more than the component requires.

 

[chabig]

I understand that you are enthusiastic about sound quality, but your experience with analog electronics doesn't carry over to digital devices like a HomePod. With analog devices, it was not the amount of power that made a difference. It was the cleanliness of the power that could reduce unwanted artifacts in the sound.

Internally, the HomePod regulates and conditions the USB power input. All power supplies look the same to the analog amplifier components.

 

[BobRey77]

No, I can say with confidence that it would make no difference to the sound at all.

 

[firoze]

I understand that you are enthusiastic about sound quality, but your experience with analog electronics doesn't carry over to digital devices like a HomePod. With analog devices, it was not the amount of power that made a difference. It was the cleanliness of the power that could reduce unwanted artifacts in the sound.

Internally, the HomePod regulates and conditions the USB power input. All power supplies look the same to the analog amplifier components.

I understand you mean well, but from personal experience I can assure you that larger power supplies have a significant impact on sound quality whether it be analogue or digital audio components. I have heard the difference myself time time and again. In any case let’s us not debate that since it won’t get us anywhere.

If you have a HomePod mini and a MacBook adapter and are willing to try them together, I would be grateful. Else let’s drop the discussion. Thanks.

 

[firoze]

No, I can say with confidence that it would make no difference to the sound at all.

Have you actually tried a HomePod mini with a MacBook power adapter? If not then I’m not interested in your statement. Thanks.

 

[firoze]

Please let us drop the theoretical discussions on this thread. I’m interested in practice. If any of you who have both a HomePod mini and a MacBook power adapter could please try them together and let us know if they hear any difference vs the standard 20w adapter supplied with the HomePod mini, I would be most grateful. Thank you.