Eric Teh Posted April 26, 2013 Posted April 26, 2013 There is some discussion on this in the DSD thread but thought it would be better to start a separate thread on this. http://www.ifi-audio.com/en/iUSB.html This sits between your computer and USB DAC. It has two USB outputs, one with power and data, and another one with power only. This is meant to be used in conjunction with their upcoming twin headed cable, or other similar cables like the one from Acoustic Revive. The iUSB is supplied with a 9V SMPS wall wart, which is filtered to deliver a clean 5V DC supply. I realised as a matter of coincidence that the device functions fine without the power supply plugged in, provided that your DAC works fine without the 5V DC being detected. A quick and nifty way to find this out, without having to tape your power pins etc. A USB to DC plug is also supplied so you can actually output a 5V filtered supply for devices like a Squeezebox Touch. Anyway, I thought this device was a mixed bag. It definitely had an effect on the sound, but was not better in all respects. This was inconsistent with some user reports that claimed an improvement across a wide variety of equipment. With my Calyx Femto, there was a useful improvement in definition of the midrange, but there was a trade off in dynamics, high frequency extension and micro-detail. I eventually preferred it without the iFi Moving on to my Calyx Coffee (which is powered by the 5V DC from the USB cable), there was significant improvements across the board, lifting the quality of the DAC well beyond its price tag. I did not hear any difference with the Isoearth engaged or off. The iFi can also be tuned further by the 9V power supply. Substituting the SMPS for a Kingrex LPSU added a weighty and chunky texture to music. The stock SMPS is actually quite well designed and sounds good. Will try it in the coming weeks with a Squeezebox Touch and Bel Canto u.link USB/SPDIF convertor. Any other user reports ? So far, I think DH and Valenroy have reported their findings.
kaydee61624705921 Posted April 26, 2013 Posted April 26, 2013 Here is my impression I have posted in another thread: I am using theiFi iUSBpower with the Meridian Explorer DAC. The iFi does bring the following improvement compared to direct connect to my laptop USB port: 1. Bass is tightened up 2. Wider and deeper soundstage 3. Less glare in the mid-high frequency All these improvements is subtle but can be heard once I plug in the iFi. ISOEarth is also turned on on the iFi. Here's a photo to share :) http://flic.kr/p/ebdi7y
pcking1624705747 Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 I have not tried the iUSB but I was thinking why use a SMPS then use filters to clean up the supply if U can use a clean linear 5v Supply in the first place ? :-[
Doggie Howser Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 Because apparently the SMPS is a low noise unit to start with
Quest88 Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 I don't own the iFi-usb but my experience with another high grade usb hub was that it sounded better with the included SMPS rather than my Kingrex linear psu even with a good power cord.. kind of similar to watchdog's experience even though it was a different product. Maybe they had already optimized the iFi's performance in relation to usage with the SMPS?
valenroy Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 There is some discussion on this in the DSD thread but thought it would be better to start a separate thread on this. http://www.ifi-audio.com/en/iUSB.html This sits between your computer and USB DAC. It has two USB outputs, one with power and data, and another one with power only. This is meant to be used in conjunction with their upcoming twin headed cable, or other similar cables like the one from Acoustic Revive. The iUSB is supplied with a 9V SMPS wall wart, which is filtered to deliver a clean 5V DC supply. I realised as a matter of coincidence that the device functions fine without the power supply plugged in, provided that your DAC works fine without the 5V DC being detected. A quick and nifty way to find this out, without having to tape your power pins etc. A USB to DC plug is also supplied so you can actually output a 5V filtered supply for devices like a Squeezebox Touch. Anyway, I thought this device was a mixed bag. It definitely had an effect on the sound, but was not better in all respects. This was inconsistent with some user reports that claimed an improvement across a wide variety of equipment. With my Calyx Femto, there was a useful improvement in definition of the midrange, but there was a trade off in dynamics, high frequency extension and micro-detail. I eventually preferred it without the iFi Moving on to my Calyx Coffee (which is powered by the 5V DC from the USB cable), there was significant improvements across the board, lifting the quality of the DAC well beyond its price tag. I did not hear any difference with the Isoearth engaged or off. The iFi can also be tuned further by the 9V power supply. Substituting the SMPS for a Kingrex LPSU added a weighty and chunky texture to music. The stock SMPS is actually quite well designed and sounds good. Will try it in the coming weeks with a Squeezebox Touch and Bel Canto u.link USB/SPDIF convertor. Any other user reports ? So far, I think DH and Valenroy have reported their findings. Hi watchdog, are you who I think you are? Interesting read indeed and like I told you earlier, your Calyx Femto may not benefit much from such a device as I am sure Calyx must have have done a lot to their USB input for them to command such a price point for the Femto. I would expect the improvements to be more substantial for your Calyx Coffee as you had reported.
Eric Teh Posted April 27, 2013 Author Posted April 27, 2013 Hi Ivan, Yes, it's me ! There is actually a very discernible difference with the Femto. I just don't think its an improvement. The thread on Computeraudiophile seemed to suggest that it improved even very high end equipment. DH is the best candidate here to give it a shot. :D
malsound Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 Slightly off topic but good new never the less. http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2013/04/amr-ifi-announce-ilink-usb-spdif-converter/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=amr-ifi-announce-ilink-usb-spdif-converter
Doggie Howser Posted May 23, 2013 Posted May 23, 2013 Weird, I hooked up the iUSB to the Playback Design MPS5 USBX box and couldn't get the MPS5 to recognize any incoming signal. I was using the Acoustic Revive double head from the iUSB to the USBX box. Maybe the AR isn't compatible with the dual port of the iUSB. The computer did recognize the USBX interface but the MPS5 didn't see an incoming USB signal. I'll try again with another cable later
Doggie Howser Posted May 23, 2013 Posted May 23, 2013 Swapped out the AR with the Wireworld Platinum and it works fine now. Maybe need to use iFi's Gemini USB cable for the dual port to work.
Doggie Howser Posted May 23, 2013 Posted May 23, 2013 iUSB configuration: MBPr (not dedicated) -> Locus Cynosure -> iUSB -> Wireworld Platinum -> USB-X box -> Playback MPS-5 I thought this configuration was pretty impressive. The soundstage was pretty wide but there was a thing that bugged me when I was listening to Giorgio by Moroder from Random Access Memories (Daft Punk) cos the imaging on his voice wasn't quite so precise. At first I thought it was the recording, so I removed the iUSB and hooked the Cynosure directly from the computer to the USB-X box. This time the imaging on the voice was more locked and centred, but there was a slight collapse in the soundstage. I'm leaning towards this as my preferred configuration.
Eric Teh Posted May 23, 2013 Author Posted May 23, 2013 DH, try the AR with the heads the other way around. If AR didn't mark which is the data head and power head, you have an even chance you plugged the data head into the power only port of the iFi
Doggie Howser Posted May 23, 2013 Posted May 23, 2013 I did swap it around. When I initially connected it, the computer didn't even recognize the USB-X. With it the right way around, the computer saw the USB-X but the Playback didn't see a USB signal. The MPS-5 uses a 2 box solution to separate the PC stuff from the actual unit itself. When I am using the twin AR into the TEAC UD-501 from the iUSB, it works fine.
Eric Teh Posted May 23, 2013 Author Posted May 23, 2013 Hmm. Seems to be equipment specific then. I've had some strange moments with some USB / SPDIF convertors that wouldn't lock if you plugged them in halfway (i.e. the computer had to be switched on with the convertor connected). The funny thing is that the computer sees the convertor too. A reboot always fixed things.
valenroy Posted May 24, 2013 Posted May 24, 2013 Just a heads for fellow friends, Stereo Electronics just started retailing the iGemini today. 0.7m ($269) and 1.5m ($339) options available.
tiktokape Posted May 24, 2013 Posted May 24, 2013 Is the iGemini by Stereo cheaper or closed to what you had paid on per-order basis? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
valenroy Posted May 24, 2013 Posted May 24, 2013 Is the iGemini by Stereo cheaper or closed to what you had paid on per-order basis? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD I have no idea there was even a pre-order actually. Just going to buy to try as usual. I am going to attempt to run the power conduit off a portable rechargeable battery pack (for mobile devices) and see how it goes.
alamakazam Posted May 24, 2013 Posted May 24, 2013 I have no idea there was even a pre-order actually. Just going to buy to try as usual. I am going to attempt to run the power conduit off a portable rechargeable battery pack (for mobile devices) and see how it goes. don't use portable rechargeable battery pack, they are very noisy... they fluctuate alot... you will be shock if u just measure them by just a multimeter usually portable rechargeable battery pack are 3.7v battery pack and converted to 5v
valenroy Posted May 24, 2013 Posted May 24, 2013 don't use portable rechargeable battery pack, they are very noisy... they fluctuate alot... you will be shock if u just measure them by just a multimeter usually portable rechargeable battery pack are 3.7v battery pack and converted to 5v Oh dear, I didn't know that at all, and I was thinking battery power is going to as clean as it gets.
Quest88 Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 don't use portable rechargeable battery pack, they are very noisy... they fluctuate alot... you will be shock if u just measure them by just a multimeter usually portable rechargeable battery pack are 3.7v battery pack and converted to 5v How about something like this? http://us.sanyo.com/eneloop-9V-power/Pedal-Juice-0153- 9v battery power from eneloop.. :)
alamakazam Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 How about something like this? http://us.sanyo.com/eneloop-9V-power/Pedal-Juice-0153- 9v battery power from eneloop.. :) nice this is cool.. 9v still 3.7v battery inside... doubt they will use 3x3.7v, think is 2x3.7=7.4v upconvert to 9v at least this is "so call" build for music device... instead of a battery charger woah.. US$159.99 .... why don't they just make some "audiophile" quality battery packs http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-Pedal-Juice-White/dp/B003U4O644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370503052&sr=8-1&keywords=eneloop+pedal+juice
Quest88 Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 Audiophile quality battery packs are going to cost much more I think, if I were to judge by something like black lightning. In the past I nearly bought a CSE RPC-100 which can do variable voltage output. :) Sounds like an easy product to plug and play some single voltage input PCs actually, if not for items like ifi.
Guest ghemml Posted June 6, 2013 Posted June 6, 2013 There is another Low-Noise USB Power Supply from AQVOX, anyone tried it? http://www.aqvox.de/usb-power_en.html
Quest88 Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Just wondering, has anyone tried the i-fi on their keyboard/mouse? I did tests over last weekend and realise my SECOND computer in the chain seems to also benefit from a better usb hub. nuts.
darkasblack Posted July 8, 2013 Posted July 8, 2013 Well apparently, my steelseries sensei mouse seems more responsive when plug in to the iUSB. My headshot kills increased by 10% ^_^b
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