2. pc-audio
  3. 123994-79745

USB Disruptor Is the Real Deal

This very inexpensive addition to my MacMini server based audio system has had a profound and positive influence on the sound and my listening experience. Immediately noticeable effects: more tone, more body, more spatial effects and all were improvements in a good way. There is also more detail. I use a Peachtree Nova 125se and it's integrated DAC with expensive Von Schweikert speakers (a holdover from when I spent nutty money on gear). Since the Disruptor and cable together cost a little more than $100 with a guaranteed return policy, you have nothing to lose. I had tried the $50 Audioquest Jitterbug product and it made a barely perceptible change to my sound, worth the money but marginal effect. The disruptor and it's companion usb cable addition was like a substantial component upgrade. And no, I am not in any way affiliated with this company, just wanted to share with other like minded audio people.


tuberist
13 responses Add your response
zmanastronomy's avatar
zmanastronomy
738 posts
 

Any time you can separate the dirty power from the computer to the dac is a good move. Even the power running along side the signal wire in the USB will cloud the signal going to the dac.

I've also tried the Jitterbug and though it does something... it done it in a destructive way in my system. It seemed to clean up the space between instruments, but I lost some of the delicate nuances and extension on piano notes along with decay.

They are coming up with some great products to address USB problems in CA. You may also want to try the Uptone Audio Regen or the W4S Recovery. The Regen worked wonders on my Bi-Frost DAC, but I went with a PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC and found the USB implementation was so good on the PS Audio that I didn't need the Regen any more.

On the other hand, many people I know that own much more expensive DAC's than I... have had great improvement using the Regen.

Good luck in your quest for better sound in CA.

davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
tuberist:

I absolutely agree the USB Disruptor makes a nice improvement. Mine goes from a Lenovo PC to an Antelope DAC ( with it's own power supply ). So even with an expensive DAC + power supply the Disruptor improved the sound.

In my system the Regen gave more detail but less emotion, so it was returned. One Jitterbug makes a small improvement - much less than the Disruptor's positive effect. Two Jitterbugs was not better.

There are a lot of ways to improve the Computer based sound system. Try products that have a return option and have fun experimenting.

For further improvement, audition a Synergistic Research Black fuse in the DAC. You may just like what you hear. If not return it.

David Pritchard
ahendler
416 posts
 
The disrutor in my system did nothing. The Regen with outboard power supply is better
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 

I have owned 2 Regens, many Jitterbugs, USB disrupter, Wyred Recovery, Intona and the Mutec 3+usb.

Once I heard the Intona, I sold the Regens that I had thought was the greatest even used them with a high quality Linear power supply.

The Disrupter can be purchased without the power supply. It was a surprise to me that the power supply was not needed. Easy way to test is to unplug the power supply if its still passes the signal the power supply is not needed.

The best for sound quality in my opinion is the Mutec 3+usb. Followed by the Intona.

The best bang for the buck might be the Disrupter.

davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
ozzy:

Absolutely correct! The best bang for the buck is the USB Disruptor.

Maybe the best approach (for the money) to improving the USB-DAC sound is the combination of a USB Disruptor + a Synergistic Research Black fuse upgrade for the DAC.

I also have tried the Regen and Jitterbug with much less success than the combination of using a Disruptor and upgrading the DAC fuse.

Both products come with a friendly and honored money back policy.

Give them a try. I found it to be a fun experiment.

David Pritchard
tuberist OP
951 posts
 
Funny but I went the same route except put a "RED" fuse into my Peachtree....amazing result


davidpritchard's avatar
davidpritchard
866 posts
 
tuberist:

The Synergistic Research Red is a very good fuse!
That Peachtree is now ripe I bet, and playing some excellent music.

David Pritchard
ejr1953
914 posts
 
I have a Windows 10 PC connected to a PS Audio DirectStream DAC via USB.  I read about the possible improvement from isolating the ground on the USB connection to a DAC, got onto eBay and purchased a "USB Isolator with an ADUM4160 chip" (not an expensive one) and the results were slight but noticeable.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear an improvement of the timbre from things like cymbals and violins, an improvement in the distinctness of low bass sounds (bass guitar, kick drum, etc) and a slight improvement in the placement of sounds in the soundstage.
ahendler
416 posts
 
The device that has made the biggest improvement in sound in my system is the Itona gavonic isolater. Nothing elese comes close
Alan
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 

ahender,

I agree the Intona is very good. But to me, the Mutec 3+usb is the very best. I actually have 2 of them in tandem. However,  I am using the Itona before the Mutec.

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
ozzy, curious as you mention you are using two of the Mutec in tandem and then an Intona before the Mutec. Would the three be connected serially? In other words computer>Intona>Mutec>Mutec>audio input usb or digital? I ask because the Mutec is rather expensive and it would seem to me one should be more than sufficient.  
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,461 posts
 

gdhal,

Yes,I am using them that way. My source however is a Bryston BDP-2.

The Mutec is very good, but 2 Mutec’s is better than one. That being said, if the first Mutec is a 8 on a one to ten scale.The second Mutec added to first was about another 5.

gdhal's avatar
gdhal
1,641 posts
 
Thank you ozzy. I often wonder if there is there any end financially to this hobby. The Mutec's are a grand a pop and you have two of them :) 
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
RSX MUSIC SERVER RSX MUSIC SERVER
80x80
Bricasti M5
80x80
B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) 801D4