DDC Sound Improvements???

what i found was the lps upgrade materially helps the s-q by reducing noise and providing the unit a purer power feed...

Same experience here. As previously reported, for this particular unit (Nano), which on paper requires only 5V/2A, I need to provide it with a 5V/3A adapter—either the LHY LPS25VA (5V/3A) or the iFi iPower X (5V/3A)—in order for it to sound right. The Nano with the LHY LPS15VA (5V/2.5A) or the iFi iPower X (5V/2.5A) sounds mushy in the bass. The power supply needs to provide some current headroom beyond the Nano’s minimum requirement. You mentioned that some LPS specifications are underrated, and I believe that.

Just find out, from Teddy's website, their LPS for Nano is also rated 5A/3V.

I also tried the iFi iPower X on the Rivo+, and it works, but I sense the bass is a bit soft and less controlled. However, the Rivo+ functions well with the LHY LPS25VA. Since the factory power supply (Lineo 5) for the Rivo+ is rated at 5V/5A, I am curious whether the LHY LPS50VA (5V/6.5A) would perform even better. I purchased the LPS25VA from the same company that sells the Rivo+. At that time, there was only one option, but now they offer the LPS50VA as an additional choice.

So, I think the more headroom the LPS provides to the streamer, the better the sound quality, with quieter background, fuller midrange and weightier more controlled low-ends.  I did not give the higher-priced, higher-power LPS due consideration because of my lack of experience with it as described above—and, of course, in an effort to save money.  A good lesson I learned from my own mistake.

But you do not have to spend more than $2k on a streamer to get state of the art performance - i.e., vanishingly low noise levels.

ASR would be proud.  Anyone else here buy this?!?

Well I can buy into the statement, and I think @mdalton makes some very good points. Maybe $2k isn't the right number, but if you have a good understanding on how circuits, especially digital in this case, and power supplies are designed (the fact that some streamers can benefit from a power supply upgrade is a good reference) you may be able to better understand how some "budget" products can perform as well as or even out perform products at a much higher price point. I for one would never buy a streamer that cost more than say $3k (I am looking now to replace my Auralic Aries G1 and Volumio Rivo + looks like a nice option). I might have to do some extra research, but I am confident I would be able to get what I want under that price point and have it meet my expectations. 

How the product is deigned will speak more to how it will perform than its price tag will. Unfortunately many audiophiles get sucked into selecting a product based on the latter rather than the former. Granted there are certainly sub-$2k streamers that aren't worth their salt, but there are some out there that are. One just has to be educated enough to know how to find them.

@clio09 

The Rivo+, at $1500 (or $2000 if you add in the LPS option), is exactly what I had in mind.  And here’s a link to a more in depth discussion of this issue:

Prior thread

@mdalton I saw that thread but just scanned it. I will go back and take a closer look at it. I am inclined toward Volumio at the moment but, I have to say my previous experience with their app wasn't all that good. I use the Lightning app for the Aries but just started using Jplay and it's not bad. Hopefully I will have some control point options with Volumio.

@clio09 

Yes, to be clear, I’m a Roon user, so I can’t speak to the UI of the various competing products out there.  And I don’t know how much of a difference it makes, but buying the Rivo+ means you get the premium Volumio OS for free, which is a nice touch.