Well I did It! I managed to damage my phono pre-am (sigh)

There are a lot of deep-rooted audiophile tropes that heavily color the LPS (linear) vs. SMPS (switching mode) issue:

• Heavier is better. LPS are typically much heavier. Big transformers (iron, copper) and big caps.
• More expensive is better: this also favors LPS. Those heavy parts are expensive.
• Doing things the "hard" way / classic way is better: LPS
• It’s got "Linear" in its name! It must be better!

As noted, SMPS generates noise - but this noise is typically outside (above) the audible band. It could affect audible sound though "indirect" means, but there are hard to quantify. I.e. we’ll fall back onto the old tropes and subjective listening to prove LPS is better). 

Linear supplies can induce hum / buzz noises which are DEFINITELY audible and way way more obnoxious than a "hiss" or whooshing noise (like that from tubes or groove noise).

SMPS also have a huge advantage that they can work from any wall voltage. With LPS you’re typically limited to a specific wall voltage. 

I’ve heard lower power components (phono stage etc) sound GREAT even with SMPS. But yeah, the deep-seated audiophile "wisdom" in my head keeps me looking for those big and obnoxious LPS’s lol. 

I know I goofed by not using the correct adapter.

I still feel the Ifi LPS would have provided some benefit to the 110lp if only I had used it correctly.

I am going to be sending my 110lp to SimAudio for eval to see if it be saved because I hate to just toss it to the curb.

I might even ask SimAudio if I can send the Ifi along and perhaps they can test it to see if it works, if they are willing to.

Regardless of all this, I am also going to be acquriing another phono stage, just not sure which one just yet.

I appreciate all the feedback as it helps me to learn new things.

I am not by any means as knowledgeable when it comes to all the nuances of power applications as many on there.

Thanks

Jay

As regards SMPS vs LPS, a well designed SMPS can do the job just fine.  Problem is that most of the low end "stuff" is using an SMPS to operate, and so we associate the SMPS with bad or mediocre sound.  David Berning has been using SMPSs in his amplifiers for decades, and his work competes with the best.  I can pick up his ZH270 with one hand. 

@dover Hi, I know you can't say for sure because you don't have the equipment in front of you but are you saying that I probably should have used the white adapter, which the ifi did come with?

@jay73 

Hi - short answer is I don't know.

Couple of things -

I checked on fleabay and found LPS for the Moon 110 - its 24v 1amp max.

It is possible your ifi at 2.5amps may have supplied momentarily too much current on switch on. One thing to be aware of is never switch gear on and off and on again straightaway because on switch on you get an inrush, and power supply caps that have not fully discharged can be overcharged if the power is turned off and on too quickly in succession.

With regard to polarity - you could get a tech to check your original moon SMPS for voltage, current and polarity - would only take a few minutes. If you don't know a tech, try companies that provide PA equipment - they usually have techs to service their gear. Alternately your local hifi shop may have a list of techs you could use.

I would try a local tech first as it is probably the cheapest option.