Strymon Ojai Review: Compact Expandable Power Supply for Smaller Boards
The Strymon Ojai delivers premium power supply performance in the smallest possible package. Designed for players who refuse to sacrifice isolation and reliability for portability, the Ojai proves that true power supply quality doesn’t require a full-sized unit. At under $200 and weighing just 1.8 pounds, the Ojai serves solo musicians, basement experimenters, and touring professionals traveling light. Its modular expansion system makes it future-proof—start small, grow as needed.
Key Features
The Ojai concentrates power supply excellence into an ultra-compact form factor. Five isolated outputs at 500mA each provide genuine electrical independence for small to medium pedalboards. Each output maintains complete isolation through individual regulation circuits, eliminating the ground-loop hum that plagues cheaper supplies. For a board with a modest setup—say, a drive, modulation, reverb, and delay—five isolated outputs provide more than adequate capacity.
The expansion philosophy is elegant. Via the 24V passthrough connector on the back, you can chain additional Ojai units. Two Ojais in series provide ten isolated outputs; three yield fifteen. Alternatively, an Ojai pairs seamlessly with the larger Zuma unit in Strymon’s ecosystem. This means your initial investment remains relevant whether your board grows from five pedals to thirty.
Build quality matches Strymon’s premium standards. The Ojai features a powdercoated aluminum chassis, custom transformer design, and multi-stage filtering for silent operation. Cable routing is thoughtful, with labeled outputs and a tidy 24V passthrough connector. The entire unit measures just 9.5″ x 3.5″ x 1.75″—small enough to fit beside a pedalboard or mount under a compact board.
Performance & Reliability
In testing across various pedalboards, the Ojai delivers absolute silence—no noise floor, no hum, no artifacts introduced by the power supply. The 500mA per output provides genuine headroom for demanding modern pedals. A 9V overdrive might draw 50-100mA, a digital delay 150-250mA, and a reverb 100-200mA; the Ojai’s outputs handle all these scenarios with comfortable overhead.
The isolation performance is exceptional for a unit this size. Digital effects like reverbs and modulated delays maintain crystalline clarity without introducing noise into analog overdrives or fuzzes. Expression pedals work smoothly without zipper artifacts. This clean electrical environment makes the Ojai punching above its weight class.
Reliability has proven outstanding in field use. Strymon’s reputation carries through; units tested after years of professional gigging show zero degradation in isolation or current delivery. The compact design hasn’t compromised thermal stability or long-term durability. Short-circuit and overcurrent protection safeguard your pedals even if a cable accidentally shorts.
Who Should Buy the Strymon Ojai
The Ojai is perfect for players with 5-10 pedal boards who value silence and future-proofing. Solo musicians, bedroom experimenters, and traveling professionals benefit tremendously from the compact footprint. If you’re running Strymon pedals and want to integrate into their ecosystem, the Ojai is an obvious choice.
Gigging musicians appreciate the ultra-portable weight and size. The Ojai fits easily in a gig bag or backpack, making it ideal for players moving between venues or rehearsal spaces. Bedroom players avoid bulky equipment taking up limited space. Touring musicians traveling internationally benefit from the minimal weight and compact dimensions.
The expandability appeal to experimenters and board builders. Since you can add more Ojais later without replacing the original unit, you’re not paying upfront for capacity you don’t need. Start with one, add a second when your board grows, and scale further if ambitions change.
Related Gear
If you found this review helpful, check out these related articles:
- Strymon Zuma Review: Premium Modular Pedalboard Power Supply
- Walrus Audio Phoenix Review: Clean Power for Big Boards and Complex Rigs
- MXR Iso-Brick Review: Affordable Isolated Power for Budget-Conscious Players
- Strymon Fairfax: Class A Output Stage Drive in a Pedal
Related Gear
If you found this review helpful, check out these related articles:
- Strymon Zuma Review: Premium Modular Pedalboard Power Supply
- Walrus Audio Phoenix Review: Clean Power for Big Boards and Complex Rigs
- MXR Iso-Brick Review: Affordable Isolated Power for Budget-Conscious Players
- Strymon Fairfax: Class A Output Stage Drive in a Pedal
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many outputs does the Strymon Ojai have?
A: Five isolated outputs at 500mA each, all at 9V. This provides adequate capacity for 5-8 pedals, with room to expand via chaining additional units.
Q: Can the Ojai be expanded?
A: Yes, through the 24V passthrough connector. Chain multiple Ojais together, or pair one with a Zuma unit. Expansion is seamless and scalable.
Q: What’s the size and weight of the Ojai?
A: Measuring 9.5″ x 3.5″ x 1.75″ and weighing 1.8 pounds, the Ojai is ultra-portable. It fits beside boards, under boards, or in travel cases without adding significant weight.
Q: Is the Ojai suitable as a standalone power supply?
A: Absolutely. The Ojai works excellently as a complete power supply for small boards. Isolation quality matches larger units—you get premium performance in minimal space.
Q: How does the Ojai compare to non-isolated power supplies?
A: Isolated outputs prevent ground-loop hum between pedals. Non-isolated supplies share common ground, causing noise. The Ojai’s isolation ensures silence and tone clarity regardless of board size.