USB revisited


Because of USB’s ability to slave the server’s clock to the Dac’s it should have inherent advantages over other connections, particular where the DAC has superior clocking. Alas actual experience often differs. USB seems prone to ground level and RFI/EMI level incursions and the actual USB control often needs reclocking as well.

I have been through a long journey improving my USB link. After trying and rejecting conversion to SPDif and AES/EBU I started by inserting an Intona Isolator plus Intona Reference cables. Not entirely happy I added a Singxer UIP1 Pro decrapifier and reclocker, The resultant improvements were substantial in terms of reducing background noise, clarity and fluidity.

Out of sheer curiosity I now added an Ifi Purifier3 between server and Singxer to the chain, i.e. server-> Ifi Purifier3->Singxer UIP1 Pro supplied by Sean Jacobs LPS->Intona Isolator->DAC. Lots of boxes there, yet: to my substantial surprise there was another significnt lifting of veils. The conclusion seems that multiple moats and filters on USB are additive rather than redundant. The subject of noise incursion into digital links in my mind needs substantial further investigation; its negative effects are substantial on D/A conversion

antigrunge2
Post removed 

The death of USB is greatly exaggerated and spread by those marketing competing technology.  Especially toxic is the marketing by components who taunt their I2S or other connector as their leg up on the competition.  People should be tased for repeating BS they hear from salespeople.

I'm not a big fan of the widget add ons and think generally you are best off with a high quality implementation by a big name builder.  Think Innuos.  

My current Streamer is built around AES/EBU and it sounds great.  It is all about implementation.

Jerry

 

“The conclusion seems that multiple moats and filters on USB are additive rather than redundant.”

@antigrunge2

The use of multiple noise blocking filters also indicative of sub-par implementation USB in a server and DAC. You don’t say what server or DAC being used on opposite ends of Ifi Purifier3 >Singxer UIP1 Pro >Intona Isolator. I bet these type of tweaks would be far less effective or not needed at all if one is using a high quality dedicated streamer/server + DAC.

@lalitk

I use an Innuos Zenith mk3 and Antelope zodiac platinum with Sean Jacobs DC3/4 powersupply and Antelope 10m clock modified for the Sean Jacobs LPS. You may consider that inferior but its so far the best I have heard. Amp is a Wavac EC300b with Takatsuki 300bs into Duevel Bella Lunas on Auditorium 23 cables. All disclosed in my system listing on Agon. The dirty side is Draytek into Netgear into Lhyaudio Ocxo switch into Etherregen on lhyaudio LPS and Antelope 10m clock using Pink Faun and EM70HD isolators. I‘d like to know what you propose to get rid of all that.

@antigrunge2

Let me say it again, a subpar implementation of USB protocol in a device would necessitate the use of multiple noise filtering devices. Case in point, the USB Audio output of MK3, while it is better than the one you find in a laptop; it is nowhere near the level of USB Audio output found in Innuous Statement. To bridge this performance gap, Innuos introduced Phoenix for folks that wanted to elevate performance of USB in lower end Innuos models.

@lalitk 

A sucker punch indeed:

Price difference Zenith mk3 to Statement >$10.000

Price my collection of boxes and cables <$1500

You should have used a Taiko Extreme for your argument

Your definition of subpar is peculiar

@antigrunge2

I completely understand the price difference between MK3 and Statement. You are astute enough to understand what else being offered for extra $10k in Statement. I will say this; if streaming is your only source, I would beg or borrow to audition Innuos Statement in your otherwise excellent system. It may change your perspective on tweaking a component to nth level. 

I know you enjoy tweaking so tweak away my friend. I have been through tweaking la la land :-)

For the ‘it’s only 1’s & 0’s crowd’, they would have a conniption when hearing the SQ change instantly by adding a ‘warm’ or ‘cool’ tuning module to a Synergistic Research Atmosphere USB cable.  And then the SQ change once again when connecting the ground wire.  Their heads might explode. 

What is the SINAD of the warm vs. the cool? :) 

lalik our 432evo aeon sounded just as good as a 25k Innous Statement in a direct demo with upgraded psu the Aeon sounds fantastic and requires zero usb enhancing devices 

 

superior designs require no band aids

Dave and Troy

audio Intellect NJ

US importers 432EVO Music Servers

 

Last I looked the Aeon doesn’t reclock the USB connection so your claim looks fanciful

Check out Pink Faun’s upcoming Ultra USB card. I expect this to make a tsunami wave in the sea of USB connections!

 

- Ultra OCXO clocked

- Only externally powered

- Super capacitor system

- EMI isolation

 

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/43629-pink-faun-216/?do=findComment&comment=1251219