One Box, Two Box, Three Box more
 

Reducing noise in a component that can interfere with playback plays a big part in sound quality.

To me, isolating power in a separate box from other electronics is beneficial, but no
matter the price point, manufactures take either this path or build it all in.

What’s your take?

What’s your preference?

I would think that noise isolation in separate box would be beneficial all other things equal. The problem is that now you have ANOTHER box to fit somewhere and the cost of the product is now increased substantially due to another box, shipping is more expensive etc etc. There are many desirable models that use the separate power supply chassis like the Audio Research REF 10 preamp and the D'agostino Momentum phonostage and preamps. Dan was doing this at Krell too with the Krell Audio Standards among others. I would assume that a lot of manufacturers don't want the extra cost passed on to their customers or you may see more of these type of components.

- Buck

As Buck said, the key is “all other things being equal.” Often they’re not though. I think much depends on design and implementation. There are many wonderful components with internal supplies, and some manufacturers go to heroic lengths to properly isolate the supply within one box. As with so many things in our hobby, there are design choices and trade-offs made by manufacturers, but I don’t think there is one best way.

Isolating the power is important.. How you isolate is irrelevant (to me). If you spend the time to isolate it properly within the same box, then no problem. If you decide to isolate it by using its own chassis, thats fine too..