MXR DC BrickFrom real comments

Name: MXR DC Brick
Rating: 2.5 (10 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 10 mentions across 8 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment40%

PROS 40%

CONS 60%

Rank based on 10 mentions across 8 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want an affordable alternative to pricier isolated supplies like Voodoo Lab
You don't need fully isolated outputs for your pedal setup
You're avoiding ultra-cheap no-name supplies that risk frying pedals

What users love

Affordable and well-regarded0 mentions

Widely praised

Preferred over cheaper risky alternatives0 mentions

Widely praised

Compact alternative to bulkier supplies0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You require isolated channels to avoid noise (consider the MXR ISO Brick instead)
You're concerned about reports of units burning out or LEDs failing
You want to avoid any risk of accidentally miswiring a pedal into the wrong voltage outlet

What users complain about

Reliability and burnout reports0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Outputs not isolated0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Risk of pedal damage from wrong outlet0 mentions

Frequently criticized

LED indicator issues0 mentions

Generally negative

Plug adapter design flaw0 mentions

Mildly negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Mid

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns

Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz

Articulate sound

Great with extended-range guitars

Strong overall tone quality

Price concerns

2Premium

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings

Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay

Musical analog tone

Long-term reliability and board loyalty

Simple, intuitive controls

High price point

Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable

Distortion at high settings

3Premium

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control

Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive

Touch-sensitive dynamics

Long-term favorite / durability of appeal

Sweet, low-gain tone quality

High price versus clones

Deluxe loses some original character

Limited mid control

Best value

4Mid

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged

MXR Super Badass Distortion

Exceptional versatility

Natural, amp-like tone

Powerful 3-band EQ

Demo videos undersell the pedal

Noticeable noise floor

Volume drop when engaged

5Premium

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you

Eventide Orville

Exceptional reverb quality

High-quality warm pitch shifting

Strong aspirational appeal

High price

Cheaper alternatives may suffice

Effect can feel like it plays for you

6Premium

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb

Origin Effects Deluxe61

Authentic amp-like tone

Excellent low-to-mid gain drive

Underrated favorite among owners

High price point

Limited gain-staging flexibility

No built-in reverb

7Premium

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware

Roland TR-808

Iconic, powerful kick drum

Warmer, more alive analog character

Cultural and historical influence

Extremely high collector price

Analog noise and static requiring EQ

Reliability concerns of aging hardware

8Premium

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine

Moog Subsequent 37

Inspiring and addictive to play

Warm, fat analog tone

Strong DAW/VST editor integration

High price for what it offers

Limited versatility outside bass range

Needs effects/partner gear to shine

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones

Wampler Tumnus V2

Klon Centaur-style tone

Convincing demo influenced purchase

Excellent clean boost

Not suited for metal tones

10Mid

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions

Wampler Paisley Drive

Transparent tone

Versatile across genres

Works well across many guitar types

Two-channel routing complexity

Dry signal bleed-through

Inconsistent demo impressions

You are here

31Mid

MXR DC Brick

Affordable and well-regardedCompact alternative to bulkier suppliesPreferred over cheaper risky alternativesReliability and burnout reportsLED indicator issuesOutputs not isolated

MXR DC Brick

Affordable and well-regarded

Compact alternative to bulkier supplies

Preferred over cheaper risky alternatives

Reliability and burnout reports

LED indicator issues

Outputs not isolated

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1
Reliability concerns
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward1
2. MXR DC Brickarrow_downward2

Overall Impression

Users appreciate the MXR DC Brick as an affordable, trusted alternative to pricier boutique supplies. Multiple commenters mention choosing the MXR over other options: one moved away from cheap $40 Donner supplies that nearly fried pedals, and another was considering it as a smaller replacement for a bulky Voodoo Lab Power Plus 2. The brand's general reputation for being 'good and affordable' with mostly great reviews reinforced these purchase decisions, positioning it as a sensible mid-tier choice.

A key limitation raised is that the DC Brick's outputs are not isolated circuits. One commenter explicitly warns other buyers away from this specific model, clarifying that only the MXR ISO Brick Pro, ISO Brick, and ISO Mini Brick offer isolated circuits, implying the standard DC Brick can introduce noise or ground-loop issues between pedals compared to its isolated siblings, which matters for players building noise-sensitive rigs.

Several isolated incidents point to reliability and usability concerns with individual units. One user accidentally plugged a pedal into the wrong 18V outlet and damaged it, acknowledging user error but flagging the outlet layout as a hazard. Another reports their unit's power source burned out entirely, while others note LED indicators failing to light and difficulty removing the included regional plug adapter, suggesting inconsistent build quality across units.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

attach_moneyAffordable and well-regarded

2 mentions

Widely praised

Commenters describe the MXR brand as reputably good and affordable, with generally great reviews. It was chosen over both pricier alternatives and riskier ultra-cheap supplies.

@torrentsofnothing2928

I tried to cheap out and buy those $40 Donner power supplies and it nearly fried some of my pedals. The Voodo Lab's seem promising but are pricey. I'm definitely going for this MXR supply. Nice vid!

smart_display

January 15, 2025

@designbyjohnperez

I like how MXR is reputably good and affordable. However, I've heard that their power bricks have ruined people's pedals in the past since its powered by a wall wort. But it's not common cause the reviews on them are great

smart_display

November 4, 2023

check_circlePreferred over cheaper risky alternatives

1 mentions

Widely praised

One user nearly fried pedals with a $40 Donner supply and switched to the MXR instead, viewing it as a safer, more trustworthy choice than bargain-bin options.

@torrentsofnothing2928

I tried to cheap out and buy those $40 Donner power supplies and it nearly fried some of my pedals. The Voodo Lab's seem promising but are pricey. I'm definitely going for this MXR supply. Nice vid!

smart_display

January 15, 2025

straightenCompact alternative to bulkier supplies

1 mentions

Generally positive

A user considering switching from a large Voodoo Lab Power Plus 2 saw the MXR as a smaller, more space-efficient option for their pedalboard.

@belo1971

Hello, i had the FUEL TANK JR (5 isolated outputs with 3 TC ELECT. current doubler for my 8 pedals ) and just bought a voodoo Lab POWER PLUS 2 ( 8 outputs) which is too big and takes too much place...I bought this one instead of the MXR because some people say the MXR might be noisy....what is you point of view please ? I am about to change and send it back for an MXR ( smaller ...) ! Best regards from France

smart_display

October 17, 2018

whatshotReliability and burnout reports

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

Some commenters mention hearing that MXR power bricks have damaged pedals in the past via the wall wart, and another user reports their power source actually burned out.

@elpechisv

Hey buddy, tell me what I can do if the power source for the MXR got burned. What kind of power cable do you recommend I buy, a universal one or not? Help me please

smart_displayTranslated from Spanish

June 12, 2024

@designbyjohnperez

smart_display

November 4, 2023

warningOutputs not isolated

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

A commenter explicitly warns that the MXR DC Brick's channels are not isolated, unlike the MXR ISO Brick Pro, ISO Brick, and ISO Mini Brick, which are true isolated-circuit supplies.

@Mauitaoist

You do not want the MXR DC brick in this video! The channels are not isolated, however the MXR ISO Brick Pro, MXR ISO brick and ISO mini brick are ALL isolated circuits and are fantastic pedalboard power supplies

smart_display

May 31, 2026

errorRisk of pedal damage from wrong outlet

1 mentions

Frequently criticized

One user accidentally plugged a pedal into an 18V outlet instead of the correct voltage and damaged it, highlighting a risk of miswiring on the unit's outlet layout.

@tileslinger31

Be carful I have this power supply I had it on the bottom of my board it worked great until I accidently plugged my Boss Rv-6 into the 18V outlet! My fault but gotta be careful.

smart_display

November 5, 2023

lightbulbLED indicator issues

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user noticed the LED lights on their MXR DC Brick do not turn on and questioned whether this was normal, suggesting possible indicator or build inconsistencies.

@habasnegrasstudios

Hello. I have noticed that the LED lights of the MXR DC BRICK do not turn on. Is that normal? I thought they should turn on blue too.

smart_display

June 10, 2024

powerPlug adapter design flaw

1 mentions

Mildly negative

One user reports the included regional plug adapter on their power cable is difficult to remove, pointing to a minor but frustrating design issue.

@theskidmarkoforion4829

The power adapter on my mxr comes with a us pin with other plugs to switch. I can’t get the thing off.

smart_display

December 29, 2022

MXR DC Brickchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

Reliability concerns

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

MXR DC BrickFrom real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression