FiiO DARKSIDE MINI Debuts With Active Noise Cancellation

The FiiO DARKSIDE MINI was launched today (August 17) in mainland China. It is a switching power supply designed with features intended to deliver performance close to that of a linear power supply. Its main highlights include active cancellation of power-line noise, protection against power fluctuations, and modular connections with multiple adapters. Below, you can find all the details about this new release.

Update (August 19): The FiiO DARKSIDE MINI is now available from FiiO’s official store on AliExpress.

DARKSIDE MINI Promises “Linear Power Supply Performance”

Although the DARKSIDE MINI is a switching power supply, its performance approaches that of a linear power supply. This is made possible by the technologies implemented by FiiO in this product.

Through a combination of hardware and intelligent algorithms, FiiO has achieved noise suppression of up to 40 dB. Below, we explain how the company implemented these solutions to achieve this result.

Active Noise Cancellation Chip

Through the use of an integrated controller chip, the DARKSIDE MINI monitors and detects noise present in the power supply in real time. This feature enables the generation of a signal with the same amplitude but opposite phase to the noise waveform, thereby canceling it. This is the same principle behind active noise cancellation (ANC) used in headphones.

High-Coupling Transformer to Reduce Noise from the AC Mains

To reduce Y-capacitor leakage current and the floating ground voltage at the output, the DARKSIDE MINI uses a high-coupling transformer. This helps limit interference associated with the power-line frequency (e.g., 60 Hz or 50 Hz) and power-supply fluctuations that may arise after devices are connected.

Protection Features

To protect audio equipment, the DARKSIDE MINI incorporates several electrical protection mechanisms. These include:

• Overvoltage protection
• Overcurrent protection
• Short-circuit protection

Modular Connections for Compatibility with Different Devices

The DARKSIDE MINI uses a 5.5 × 2.1 mm DC female connector. However, FiiO includes several adapters that allow the power supply to be connected to different devices. Below is the list of included adapters, along with an image illustrating how these accessories are used.

• 3.5 × 1.35 mm DC
• 4.4 × 1.7 mm DC
• USB Type-C
• USB-A

Different AC Plugs for Greater Compatibility

To facilitate the use of the DARKSIDE MINI while traveling, FiiO implemented a modular AC plug system. This allows the power supply to accommodate different types of electrical outlets.

FiiO DARKSIDE MINI: Specifications

• Color: Black
• Input voltage: AC 100–240 V
• Output: DC 5 V / 2.5 A
• Output ripple: < 3 mVpp
• Output connections: 5.5 × 2.1 mm DC to Type-C / USB-A / 3.5 × 1.35 mm / 4.0 × 1.7 mm
• Dimensions: 71 × 44 × 42.5 mm (excluding the AC plug)
• Weight: 130 g (excluding the AC plug)

What Comes in the FiiO DARKSIDE MINI Box?

The DARKSIDE MINI power supply comes with the following items:

• DARKSIDE MINI filtered, noise-reducing power supply × 1
• Adapters × 4

Launch, Price, and Availability

The FiiO DARKSIDE MINI is now available internationally for US$32.63 from FiiO’s official store on AliExpress.