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Which one to buy: UpTone USB REGEN or Intona USB Isolator?


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  • 4 weeks later...
On 3/12/2016 at 7:58 PM, sandyk said:

 

I don't use USB for Audio myself, as it is flawed, and you can spend more than the cost of your computer trying to extract the best from it. I use well implemented Coax SPDIF from an Asus Xonar soundcard into a highly modified X-DAC V3 which has an isolating transformer at it's input. . As for the USB memory stick when using a Regen with a modified USB cable (no +5V) , and even when powered by a Super Regulator PSU, it still can't match the SQ from the same music saved to an internal SSD powered by a 12V to 5V Regulator followed by a John Linsley Hood designed shunt regulator, when both are played from System Memory using A.S.I..O. and cPlay. When both versions are burned to the same CD-R and played via an Oppo 103 used as a transport into a higher quality DAC, the SSD version STILL sounds better, and which version is which can easily be identified with non sighted listening.

I don't give a rat's anus whether you believe me or not.

 

 

+1

 

Hi mate, sorry to revive an old thread. Just reading through this as I await the Uptone ISO REGEN.

 

What Asus Xonar card are you referring to and can I ask what about it's design makes the SPDIF well implemented?

 

Genuinely interested because I'm looking for a quality SPDIF source for a secondary system.

 

Cheers!

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On 4/8/2017 at 6:23 AM, Em2016 said:

 

Hi mate, sorry to revive an old thread. Just reading through this as I await the Uptone ISO REGEN.

 

What Asus Xonar card are you referring to and can I ask what about it's design makes the SPDIF well implemented?

 

Genuinely interested because I'm looking for a quality SPDIF source for a secondary system.

 

Cheers!

 

Sean:

 

Alex Ketel (sandyk) has ceased posting here at CA, most likely due to seriously failing health (I've been meaning to e-mail him or one of his close friends to find out how he is).  So I do not think a reply to your questions will be forthcoming from him.

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3 hours ago, Superdad said:

 

Sean:

 

Alex Ketel (sandyk) has ceased posting here at CA, most likely due to seriously failing health (I've been meaning to e-mail him or one of his close friends to find out how he is).  So I do not think a reply to your questions will be forthcoming from him.

 

Oh wow, thanks for letting me know :-(

 

Wishing him well :-(

 

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I remember Sandy saying he was in the process of moving and would not be posting for awhile.  But that was a few months ago.  If his health is failing, hope for a speedy recovery, mate.

(JRiver) Jetway barebones NUC (mod 3 sCLK-EX, Cybershaft OP 14)  (PH SR7) => mini pcie adapter to PCIe 1X => tXUSBexp PCIe card (mod sCLK-EX) (PH SR7) => (USPCB) Chord DAVE => Omega Super 8XRS/REL t5i  (All powered thru Topaz Isolation Transformer)

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5 hours ago, Superdad said:

 

Sean:

 

Alex Ketel (sandyk) has ceased posting here at CA, most likely due to seriously failing health (I've been meaning to e-mail him or one of his close friends to find out how he is).  So I do not think a reply to your questions will be forthcoming from him.

Not actually correct. Although Alex does have age related ailments the reason for not posting is that he has moved to a very rural area where there is currently insufficient adsl/optic nodes to provide usable internet for all residents. New infrastructure is on the way but it's a waiting game.

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25 minutes ago, topofdaworldma said:

Not actually correct. Although Alex does have age related ailments the reason for not posting is that he has moved to a very rural area where there is currently insufficient adsl/optic nodes to provide usable internet for all residents. New infrastructure is on the way but it's a waiting game.

That's good to hear, thanks.

Pareto Audio aka nuckleheadaudio

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  • 1 year later...

Sorry for intruding in with what might be an improper request, be it that this thread seems to be based on a comparison between two USB isolators that I consider rather expensive. 

 

Has anyone tested and compared any of these with other more affordable isolators?

 

I mean products like these:

 

https://electronics-shop.dk/?id=1038&google=1

 

https://hifimediy.com/high-speed-usb-isolator-480Mbps

 

Has that been done and I missed it?

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7 hours ago, carlmart said:

How do they compare the Intona with the Hifime in audio quality?

 

Well I can tell you that the raw parts cost alone for our ISO REGEN exceeds the retail price of the HiFiMeDIY isolator.

Ultra-low phase noise clocking, five of the world's lowest noise integrated voltage regulators (LT3042), additional 1A 5VBUS dedicated regulator, specially selected hub chip, and expert attention paid to signal integrity and impedance matching.

We invite you to audition for yourself.

 

395283306_HiFiMeDIYHighSpeedisolator.thumb.jpg.bef101b617a5aacc7ffd20c008fdaefa.jpg

238015656_UpToneISOREGENtop.thumb.jpg.276cae4e7fb9fdf6786a2dc919619fdf.jpg807123408_UpToneISOREGENbottom.thumb.jpg.1fc5faefc99813b38b4d0aaf26e59866.jpg

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Carlmart you most certainly would want to try and get hold of any of them to try in your setup first. Personally the Intona can on the surface make a difference but after listening for a while it takes something away which is hard to explain. I've had similar results with power conditioners and filters. But after 2 years mine resides in the cupboard with other power conditioners and filters that changed the sound but did not improve it with repeated listening. I have retried the Intona but I rejected it easily. It is DAC dependant. 

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  • 6 months later...
1 hour ago, McNulty said:

New Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator 5kV 7055 B released, time for a new comparison with the ISO Regen?

 

Features of the new model include an LT3045, for details see: https://intona.eu/en/products/7055-b#features

 

First review here: https://twitteringmachines.com/audiophile-tweaks-from-intona-technology-and-sonore/

 

Maybe I'm too disconnected from what a price should be, but at $370/380 isn't an interface a bit expensive?

 

This isolator costs more than my Topping D50, so something does seem to be wrong.

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18 hours ago, carlmart said:

This isolator costs more than my Topping D50, so something does seem to be wrong

I'm guessing the isolator has  expensive high grade  parts and isn't made in large quantities. In addition, it's being pitched to specialist audiophile, lab, medical, etc. markets. So the price is high. 

The Topping is a mass market item. Designed to perform well at a price consumers will buy in at.  Doesn't mean it isn't good. 
That's what marketing is. 
If you think the price for this add-on is too high, there are items that perform a similar function from other companies that cost much less. Probably starting at about $50 and going up from there. 

Main listening (small home office):

Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments.

Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three .

Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup.
Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. 

All absolute statements about audio are false :)

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Of course I'm aware that small productions like what this Intona comes from set a price.

 

We users are left to judge whether the changes (subjective improvement) justify the money we are paying. 

 

It would be interesting setting up a comparison between the different isolators around and have people comment on what changes, for the best of course.

 

Though in fact it should be DAC manufacturers who should include isolators on their products, as they would be able to reduce costs down to a minimum.

 

 

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57 minutes ago, carlmart said:

It would be interesting setting up a comparison between the different isolators around and have people comment on what changes, for the best of course.

I'm pretty sure there's commentary about that here on this forum.

Don't think it is worth much, though. I've used 4 different such devices. They each had different levels of results - both between themselves on the same system and different results on different setups. On some setups they made no difference. I don't really think what someone tells you happens in their listening room will have any relation to what happens in yours with these devices. You just have to sort of try them and see (hear). 

Main listening (small home office):

Main setup: Surge protector +>Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Strip/Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three (on their own electric circuit) >GIK Room Treatments.

Secondary Path: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Cayin iDAC6 MKII (tube mode) (XLR)>Kii Three .

Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup.
Living Room/Kitchen: Ropieee (RPi3b+ with touchscreen) + Schiit Modi3E to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. 

All absolute statements about audio are false :)

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I personally like the results with an ISO Regen in my system, and I have an inexpensive DAC as well. But depending on how much you like to do on your own, it's possible to try to do some electrical isolation somewhat inexpensively.

 

You can use a cheap NUC as a streamer, and feed it through a chain that uses optical Ethernet (converters and switches for this can be had for as little as the $20-$40 range, and optical cable is priced similarly). If you are careful to keep the power for these devices as clean as possible, that might have some effect on the end result (of course nothing like getting a better DAC or speakers, but that would cost significantly more).

 

Or you could buy an inexpensive calibrated mic and use free software to see if your room setup could be improved. 

Both of these possibilities can be done conveniently with commercial equipment and software, but you pay for the convenience.

 

So commercially sold isolators, doing it on your own, changing your room setup - lots of different ways to play with improving the sound. And of course you can do more than one.

One never knows, do one? - Fats Waller

The fairest thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. - Einstein

Computer, Audirvana -> optical Ethernet to Fitlet3 -> Fibbr Alpha Optical USB -> iFi NEO iDSD DAC -> Apollon Audio 1ET400A Mini (Purifi based) -> Vandersteen 3A Signature.

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