iFi Audio iGalvanic3.0 - The Holy Grail of Computer Audio

[AMR/iFi audio]

Part 1: iFi Audio iGalvanic3.0 - The Holy Grail of Audio

In “The Last Crusade” in a cavern full of cups, Indiana Jones had to choose the Holy Chalice used in the last supper.

 

In USB audio, similar propositions are abound as selecting the best device to improve USB computer audio presents a mind-boggling array of choices.

 

 

It is widely regarded that one of the most effective USB solutions is galvanic isolation. However, its scarcity reflects the technological hurdles that are not without difficulty.

Having spent the best part of two years researching, (hence why we did not bring it out earlier!), we wholeheartedly agree. The iGalvanic3.0 has been one of our more ‘technically challenging’ projects.

 

But the team at iFi Audio are NOW over the moon to announce the iGalvanic3.0.

 

It is one of a kind - able to deliver galvanic isolation on USB3.0 Super Speed.

 

In a sea of USB audio improvement devices, the iGalvanic3.0 really is the ‘holy grail.’

 

We could have stopped work there and just brought the product to market. Yet, this is not in the AMR/iFi DNA. From this starting point, we invested more time to develop additional features that truly make this product the ultimate solution for USB computer audio.

 

 

We believe the iGalvanic3.0 will elevate the quality of the audio playback by an order of extreme magnitude.

 

 

What is the iGalvanic3.0?

 

 

The iGalavnic3.0 is the one-stop USB audio enhancement solution for every computer audiophile. It offers the USB Trinity of:

 

• Audiophile-grade galvanic isolation
• REclock2/REgenerate2/REbalance2
• Clean USB power supply*.

 

 

*Measured noise is 0.5uV(0.0000005V) @ 500mA load. Outclasses non-iFi USB devices. Bettered only by the micro iUSB3.0.

It is a ground-up, dedicated, stand-alone solution that elevates just about every computer audio system.

 

Who benefits from the iGalvanic3.0?

 

Everyone who uses USB for computer audio. More specifically, the iGalvanic3.0 is the ideal solution to:

 

 

1. Break ground loops
2. Avoid noise-coupling in applications that require hi-speed USB transfers.

 

Thus, the iGalvanic3.0 is the perfect solution for computer audiophiles through to recording studios seeking maximum sound quality from their USB digital audio system.

 

 

Stay tuned, next section coming soon!

 

Part #2 High-Tech & High Spec.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Promising new product but my feedback is that you guys have a big portfolio of similar products and we are getting confused. If you can organize your website in a way to provide some sort of other performance related categories such as 1-flagship, 2-Ultimate, 3- performance

You get the idea

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

You've asked for it, here it goes then...

 

iFi USB options with full galvanic Isolation

 

1) Ultimate Performance - iUSB 3.0 micro with iGalvanic 3.0 nano

 

2) Very High Performance - iUSB 3.0 nano with iGalvanic 3.0 nano

 

3) High Value - iGalvanic 3.0 nano with iDefender and iPower

 

4) Historical Value Upgrade - original iUSB Power (discontinued) with iGalvanic 3.0 nano

 

5) Lowest Cost - iGalvanic 3.0 nano

 

 

iFi USB Options without Galvanic Isolation (but with iSOGround ground loop breaker)

 

1) Ultimate Performance - iUSB 3.0 micro

 

2) Very High Performance - iUSB 3.0 nano with iDefender (no extra iPower needed)

 

3) High Value - iPurifier 2.0 with iDefender and iPower

 

4) Historical Value Upgrade - original iUSB Power (discontinued) with iPurifier 2.0

 

 

iFi USB Problem Solvers

 

1) USB 2.0 signal regenerator (e.g. long cables, improved signal integrity) - iPurifier 2.0 A or B

 

2) Earth/Ground-loop with DAC that operates on USB power - iDefender with iPower

 

3) Earth/Ground-loop with DAC that does not draw power from USB power (e.g. Handshake only use of VBUS) - iDefender only

 

4) RFI & USB Power noise reducer - iSilencer

 

 

iFi non-USB problem solvers

 

1) iPower - super clean 5V/9V/12V/15V DC power supply

 

2) iPurifier DC - clean up any DC power source 5V - 24V up to 3.5A load (e.g. Laptop, pro audio gear)

 

3) iPurifier SPDIF - Jitter killing memory buffer with highly precise clock, to clean up poor quality SPDIF feeds

 

 

 

We sincerely hope this will help, though it depends on your system and problems which combo is the best for you.

[AMR/iFi audio]

If the output available is 500mA, then an external power supply needs to be used. I can't imagine the setup in the iGalvanic3.0 takes 1-2mA to work.

USB 3.0 ports are rated at 900mA. To deliver 500mA downstream, the iGalvanic draws less than 900mA.

 

Most of the time dual ports share one power supply line, so in practice it means up to 1.8A are available from dual USB 3.0 ports and the iGalvanic 3.0 will in this case deliver the full 900mA for USB 3.0 downstream devices.

 

Just wonder how much conducted noise goes back into the AC from the PSU from ifi?

 

In the case of the iGalvanic 3.0 - non whatsoever. It uses bus power. Before anyone asks, it also doesn't neither conduct noise back into the host-PC/Mac, nor is USB noise from the Host PC/Mac conducted forward into the downstream section.

 

The iGalvanic CAN be used with the iDefender and iPower if there are concerns about the host-PC/Mac's ports or if for any reason it is desired to supply external power, however there are no performance reasons to do so.

[AMR/iFi audio]

1. What does the iUSB 3.0 add that the iGalvanic 3.0 nano can't do?

 

iUSB 3.0 micro

Lower power supply noise

 

Higher output current

 

BC 1.2 battery charging

 

Split connections (for Gemini Cable)

 

Dual device functionality

 

 

iUSB 3.0 nano

Higher output current

 

BC 1.2 battery charging

 

Split connections (for Gemini Cable)

 

 

2. And what does the iDefender 3.0 add to the iGalvanic 3.0 nano?

 

 

Adding iDefender and iPower (together) frees the PC from having to supply power for the downstream device and iGalvanic 3.0 itself.

 

I thought the iGalvanic 3.0 did "all of the above.

 

Full galvanic isolation of both power and data lines, Regeneration, breaking ground loops"

 

 

It does all of the above.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Can't edit my post above but I have another question.

 

It doesn't appear from some early pics that this unit will take external power. So is the internal DC-to-DC converter a switching type or ultra low noise linear regulated converter?

 

Cheers guys

 

You cannot provide DC-DC isolation using "linear regulated converters", simply because there is no such thing. All DC isolators are of the switching type. This does however need not be a problem. Modern electronics are full of switching converters.

 

We use a DC-DC isolator drawn from our Pro Series power-supply. We call this converter "stealth converter" as it does not suffer the drawbacks of common switching converters. By virtue of its design it is possible to remove in essence all switching noise from the isolator, or rather to attenuate it below the natural noise-floor.

 

In order not to compromise isolation we use primary side regulation for the voltage. In order to get a rock steady output voltage with very low noise we use a discrete, linear regulator on the secondary side for the attached device and separate low noise linear regulators for the downstream side electronics.

 

Thus there is no need for a separate power supply in most situations.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Thank you, everything is clear now

 

Sent from my Blackberry DTEK50 using Tapatalk

 

As you and one or two others have asked, we still have more background information on our USB technology DNA. And how the iGalvanic3.0 overcame hurdles some said were 'impossible.' Please be patient.

 

Don't order the iGalvanic3.0 until you have read all about the development and its blue bloodline.

[AMR/iFi audio]

Part 2: Not all are created equal

 

 

​ 1. All-new USB3.0 galvanic isolation AND all-new USB2.0 galvanic isolation

​

The iGalvanic3.0 is fully USB 3.0 (and 2.0) standard compliant, with support for all speeds (from 1.5Mbps to 5Gbps) and all transfer modes (including isochronous audio streaming).

 

 

The iGalvanic3.0 features two distinctly separate galvanic isolation stages. One for USB3.0 and the other for USB2.0. They CANNOT be the same because the fundamental architecture is different:

 

 

• USB3.0 has separate transmitting AND receiving lines.
  
• USB2.0 is bi-directional, on one SHARED line.
  

Both USB3.0 and USB2.0 galvanic isolation stages are ground-up, new platforms dedicated for computer audiophile systems and available to no-one else.

 

USB2.0 Galvanic isolation technology (1st Gen) vs USB2.0 (AMR/iFi implementation)

 

 

The 1st generation is based upon SerDes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SerDes) This de-construction and re-construction of the USB signal is far from ideal. Latency (timing) among other things, suffers.

At an early stage, AMR/iFi considered, then discarded the SerDes platform - and developed a brand new platform which is, in our opinion, is technologically superior.

 

 

An Analogy: USB2.0 1^st Gen vs USB2.0 Next Gen:

 

 

• 1^st generation implementation - SerDes
  

 

Imagine for a moment, selecting a route that has a bridge (galvanic isolation) that is too narrow for a lorry (USB audio signal) and cannot handle the weight of the lorry. At the bridge the lorry needs to be dis-mantled into pieces, the pieces need to be carried across and re-assembled on the other side.

 

 

• The Next Generation - AMR/iFi implementation
  

​

The lorry takes a totally different route, one of a quiet, modern 4 lane bridge where the lorry just cruises across effortlessly.

 

The advantages over 1st generation USB2.0 are:

 

 

1. 100% transparent isolation - free from all the de-constructed and re-constructed, compatibility issues/challenges involved with the SerDes (USB2.0 bi-directional) approach.
   
2. Just the 3 stages of USB Upstream/Isolation/Downstream - instead of 7 compared to 1st Generation USB2.0 isolation
   

 

USB3.0 galvanic isolation – world first

 

 

The iGalvanic3.0 is the first product in the world to offer USB3.0 galvanic isolation. As previously outlined, with separate transmitting AND receiving lines, this is superior to USB2.0 at handling high data volumes and is future proof.

 

 

1. REclock2/REgenerate2/REbalance2
   

 

 

From the development of the iUSB3.0 devices, we already have the in-house technology to improve the USB signal (and power). These stages have been incorporated into the iGalvanic3.0.

 

This means that every data flow is regenerated, subject to the iGalvanic3.0’s own precision master clock and recreated in the process.

 

In the iGalvanic3.0 we have not one, but TWO stages hence REclock2/REgenerate2/REbalance2 which we felt was necessary for the ultimate in computer audio.

 

 

3.0 Audiophile power supply section. Built-in.

 

 

For ease of use and utility, the iGalvanic3.0 operates from USB Bus Power. A USB3.0 Port is preferred.

 

Measured noise is 0.5uV(0.0000005V) @ 500mA load. This is bettered only by the micro iUSB3.0 and comprehensively outclasses every other non-iFi USB device.

 

When operating from a USB3.0 or higher port, the iGalvanic3.0 can deliver up to 900mA iolsted low-noise power.

 

4. GroundLink. To suit different systems.

 

 

All computer audio systems are different. Understanding this is behind why the iGalvanic3.0 is dedicated for computer audio use – where it must suit different Ground/Earth setups.

 

The Ground link switch* is to optimize isolation in systems where:

 

 

• Full Isolation (default – center position)
  
• DC to RF soft ground-link (to avoid hum in systems without earth – up position)
  
• RF soft ground-link (to avoid audio drop-outs in systems without RF earth – down position)
  

 

*Earth/ground loops are commonly found and this switch deals with NO or Multiple Earths.

 

It is best to start in the center position and then to try the other settings.

 

5. Aircraft-grade aluminium for EMI/RFI shielding

 

 

The iGalvanic3.0 features the iFi trademark aluminum housing. This enclosure acts as a shield against harmful electromagnetic interference (EMI/RFI) to further minimize noise. Blocking all the noise coming from a PC results in vast sound quality improvements. Non-aluminium designs offer little to no shielding from EMI/RFI.

 

 

 

Stay tuned, there's more!

[AMR/iFi audio]

22 hours ago, ktm777 said:

Can I please ask why you recommend using the iGalvanic in conjunction with the iUSB 3.0 for ultimate performance, if it has reclocking, regen etc. built in?

 

iGalvanic3.0 provides galvanic isolation, that's the most important feature of this product. Yet since we have our own tech (REclock/REbalance etc.), we exploit it in our devices extensively. We see no reason not to. Because of this, said features do overlap indeed. But the most important one - galvanic isolation - does not and that's what makes the difference.  

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 18.03.2017 at 8:30 AM, Em2016 said:

 

Can you share some information about the voltage regulation inside, on both primary and secondary.

 

 

All regulators used are linear. The clocks USB repeater/regenerator chips utilise low noise regulators from Texas instruments. 

 

The main regulator for the downstream USB is a discrete design, using a mosfet series element and similar control circuitry as the ANC in the iUSB 3.0 nano and thus has similar noise preformance.

 

 

On 18.03.2017 at 8:30 AM, Em2016 said:

 

There are no switching regulators inside?

 

 

We have one 'switching' system for the power isolation, however it is a much more advanced design than what one commonly sees in isolated (or non-isolated) DC-DC converters.

 

Both the power input to the DC isolator and the output use heavy LC filtering to block noise from 'escaping' from the DC isolator block. The transformers used to isolate are quite small, due to the high frequency used. And they are fully shielded preventing the radiaton of RF noise that is so common and pernicious with open frame and other unshielded transformer types.

 

The DC isolator itself uses a very high switching frequency with controlled risetime, making the waveforms closer to distorted sinewave or triangular waveforms with much less high frequency noise than traditional hard squarewave switching. This combined with the high frequency employed means the LC filters used are highly effective in reducing any remaining RF noise below the noisefloor.

 

 

On 18.03.2017 at 8:30 AM, Em2016 said:

 

And what is the path of the VBUS power, for Dacs that need it? Is the 5V VBUS power also disconnected from the dirty PC USB port and a clean and linear regulated 5V provided to Dac?

 

 

The DC isolator used effectively blocks noise below the operating frequency (inherently) and the LC filter on the input to the DC isolator blocks higher frequencies very effectively. Also, as there is no secondary side regulation loop for the DC-Isolator, the secondary side voltage is not influenced at all by any noise from a computer. 

 

This DC isolator may be best thought of as a variant of the mains regenerator devices that are offered for audiophile use and take the incoming mains power and create a new AC power, which is then passed through isolation transformer and rectified into DC (this would be the part that happens inside the HiFi equipment attached to the mains regenerator).

 

In the case of the DC isolator in the iGalvanic 3.0, the operation frequency is much higher than the 60Hz mains frequency, so components can be much smaller for the same result. The isolation transformer and rectification are internal, but otherwise the operational principle is exactly the same.

[AMR/iFi audio]

1 hour ago, artsnparts said:

Thanks - you kind of answered my question. This means that the Intona is still kind of live and kicking. I am expecting a price point of 399usd or 499usd, because I don't think they'll price it higher than their IFI Dacs from a marketing perspective. So it comes down if it ticks all the boxes according to the user reviews to justify that price point. I am still thinking of buying the Intona or the IFI Nano iUSB3.0 to deal with my usb connection.

 

iGalvanic3.0 will be sold for $299.

[AMR/iFi audio]

15 hours ago, artsnparts said:

 

1. is it better than the Intona industrial?, 2. Does it cost more or less than the Intona industrial? 

 

1. We don't comment other manufacturers' products, that's our policy.

2. The price is listed one post above.

[AMR/iFi audio]

18 hours ago, jrd1975 said:

 

What's the UK price??? Thanks!

 

Said $299 is without tax. 

[AMR/iFi audio]

7 hours ago, Techland said:

299 is a very fair price. For the wolrd's first USB 3 galvanic isolator 499 would be fully justified as well. I am quite astonished, not to say sceptical, that this can be really true. Maybe iFi is not sure themself that the unit is 100% compatible. Intona spent some time and several firmware updates to get it working, and that was only USB2. There is also another USB 2 galvanic isolator called Alldaq (Google it), smaller nice metal box, a bit cheaper, and even has power input. But the first series failed and had to be recalled due to compatibility problems (surprise).

 

That said I hope the iFi will do what we all hope - just work!

 

iGalvanic3.0 is a very technology intensive product, it has come to market later as we took our time with its development - it should not hit the same common speed bumps. Plus, we dropped the USB2 SerDes system that is off the shelf (see current and future Tech Notes). We developed our own USB2.0 system. And then after this, we developed a whole other system for USB3.0 because its transmission system makes USB2.0 look quite antiquated.

 

We like to offer to our customers the best of both USB3.0 and USB2.0 worlds. As with the rest of the range, we are forging ahead on USB3.0 technology across the board (whilst retaining USB2 backwards compatibility). It is our belief that in USB audio technology, there is no such thing as too future-proofed! (which usually comes with even better sound).

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 25.03.2017 at 5:42 PM, jrd1975 said:

I have a question that I am not quite getting my head round.... (which does not take much!)

 

In my setup being able to isolate the DAC from the PC is my goal without buying an NAA, so this and the ISO Regen are of great interest. 

 

If one uses the iGalvanic with another re-clocking device after, the Micro USB 3.0 or the RUR (which I own) for example.

 

What is the impact of the signal being re-clocked twice?  

 

This is the main difference for me on deciding if I look at the ISO Regen (with LPS-1) - or use the RUR (with LPS-1) in conjunction with the iGalvanic.

 

I am not asking for advice which is better or for a comment on a competitors product. Just what would happen if the signal is re-clocked twice?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

In the iGalvanic3.0, USB is already re-clocked twice - either side of the galvanic isolation stage. Because ALL Isolation systems ADD significant amounts of jitter. And as USB is BI-DIRECTIONAL. The signal is a two-way system (think of a phone line making two ways conversations).

For it to be reclocked a third time by a separate external box, then that may be beneficial for long runs say more than 5m. Shorter runs should have much of an impact so probably not that beneficial.

[AMR/iFi audio]

21 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

Hi guys, is re-clocking the same as USB signal integrity regeneration? 

 

Are both of these done twice in the iGalvanic3.0? Or just re-clocking is done twice?

 

 

 

USB signal Integrity contains a number of factors; jitter, signal rise-time, its level and balance between the two wires are other factors and excessive ripple from reflection within the cable is yet another factor to impact signal integrity, potentially enough for data corruption (which is NOT corrected in isochronous streaming mode). 

 

Impacts on signal integrity are produced by among others (an exhaustive list would be challenging) by cable impedance mismatch, impedance mismatch at connectors, electrical fields from nearby cables and transmitters and not the least isolation devices.

 

In iFi's USB products that incorporate the ReClock / ReGenerate / ReBalance technology, all of these factors are addressed comprehensively and signal integrity is restored to "close to ideal".

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 24.03.2017 at 9:22 PM, jrd1975 said:

 

What's the UK price??? Thanks!

 

Let us address this question again, this time fully: 

• iGalvanic 3.0 price in EU: €349 (incl. VAT)
• iGalvanic 3.0 price in UK: £299 (incl. VAT)
• iGalvanic 3.0 price in US: $299 (excl. tax)

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

Part 3: How do the iGalvanic3.0 and iUSB3.0 fit together?

Most, who require the ‘holy grail’ of galvanic isolation, will use the iGalvanic3.0 stand-alone. Using the analogy of adding an external clock to a DAC, the micro iUSB3.0 compliments the iGalvanic3.0 in a similar vein.

Add the micro iUSB3.0 to the iGalvanic3.0 for those who wish for the last 5%-10% of sound improvement and additional enhancement options:

1.   The absolute quietest power supply AND
2.   Dual-headed outputs for audio + power transmission via Gemini USB cable AND
3.   Dual-ports: for dedicated SSD/HDD and DAC transmission lines

For the absolute perfectionist with a reference class, money-no-object system with a +US$10,000 DAC striving for the absolute zenith and wishing to squeeze out the last drop of performance from their system, we recommend complimenting the iGalvanic3.0 with the micro iUSB3.0. This adds additional benefits outside of the scope of the iGalvanic3.0, such as Dual-Ports and a noise floor of 0.1uV(0.0000001V).

 

 

The iGalvanic3.0 doesn’t really compare to others.

Other USB galvanic isolation devices are limited to Full Speed (12 Mbps) and Low Speed (1.5 Mbps) transmission.

By comparison the iGalvanic3.0 represents the next generation as it is capable of transmitting USB Hi-Speed (480 Mbps) and USB3.0 Super-speed (5Gbps) as well as the lower speeds while providing full galvanic isolation of both the data and the power/ground lines.

Where others have stopped at USB2.0 galvanic isolation, we started with USB3.0 galvanic isolation and absolutely turbocharged the device for the ultimate in USB audio:

1.   USB3.0 galvanic isolation and specified it for high-performance computer audio only
2.   REclock2/REgenerate2/REbalance2 stages
3.   Power Station: Stealth Converter –ultra low-noise, regulated USB power throughout

Summary

 

 

We hope you enjoyed reading through the technical notes on how the iGalavnic3.0 came to fruition. For any and every USB computer audio user, the sonic improvement is not subtle. With its dedicated USB3.0 isolation developed from the ground-up for computer audio and Grounding settings, it is ready to be perfectly dialed into any and every computer audio system with advancements that others just do not have.

It really is the holy grail of USB audio.

Features

•   Galvanic isolation of the USB bus (compliant with USB 3.0 & 2.0 at all Speeds (up to 5GBit/s) and all transfer modes)
•   Supports High-Resolution Audio beyond 32Bit/768kHz and DSD512
•   Embedded REclock2/ REgenerate2/REbalance2 technologies
•   Discrete ultra low-noise high current linear regulator for isolated power output
•   Aircraft-grade aluminum enclosure shields EMI/RFI
•   Power Station: powered by USB bus, super low-noise yet no separate power supply required
•   Transparent to host and device without added latency
•   Wide compatibility with all operating systems (works out of the box, no drivers needed)

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

3 hours ago, juanitox said:

Enough porn ,  when will it be avalaible ?

 

Soon™.

 

And seriously, very soon.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 1.04.2017 at 6:39 PM, photonblur said:

Soooooo, iFi Audio iGalvanic3.0->iDAC2

no problemo?

 

pb-

 

Nope, no issues.

[AMR/iFi audio]

20 hours ago, Em2016 said:

 

Hi again guys, just wondering if you can clarify.

 

You say re-clocking is done each side of the galvanic isolation stage.

 

Is the re-generating (REgenerate) also done each side (i.e. done twice)?

 

Is re-clocking and re-generating the same thing in this case? If not, can you explain the difference between them in this product?

 

Thank you !

 

 

Yes, our proprietary REclock/REgenerate/REbalance tech is implemented on BOTH sides of galvanic isolation. Why? Because galvanic isolation creates jitter like there's no tmorrow  

[AMR/iFi audio]

20 hours ago, Em2016 said:

And I know my next question will be answered by many user impressions shortly, but in your testing did you find the iGalvanic3.0 on it's own performed better than an Intona + iPurifier2 combination, for example ?

 

In terms of measurements (noise) and listening tests ?

 

 

AMR/iFi policy refrains us from commenting on another manufacturer's product, hence we can't share any impressions. 

 

What we can say is that the iGalvanic3.0 was designed from the ground-up as a device dedicated for audiophile use ONLY. This means the cleanest, purest handling of the audio signal AND power.

 

As an example, the 'Stealth Power' tech where the iGalvanic3.0 is the first model to have this, gives it a noise floor of 0.5uV (or 0.0000005V) which is the same as the nano iUSB3.0 which is fed by the iPower!  

 

This is just one small indication of how we have improved power supply tech to aftermarket, bespoke levels.

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 7.04.2017 at 0:52 PM, Em2016 said:

Will this only be available in silver?

 

Any black option on launch?

 

 

Dark Titanium = desktop -> iONE/ Pro ESL and alike.
Black = portable -> nDSD2/BL and alike.

[AMR/iFi audio]

USB is in the AMR/iFi DNA

Over a decade of development

 

Our newest and one of our most ‘challenging’ USB products, the iGalvanic3.0 has stirred interest in the technology it possess. The following article sheds light on how we arrived at the iGalvanic3.0. It was certainly not our ‘first USB rodeo.’

 

 

2006. A long time ago in an audio sector far, far away…

Back in 2006 when AMR first launched the CD-777 Reference Class cd player, it was one of, if not the first to feature a USB input – just switch to ‘DAC’ mode, connect a laptop and enter the world of computer audio.

 

 

 

At the heart of the CD-77 beats the king of the MultiBit chipsets - the Philips TDA1541A. We have stockpiled these, the most rare and sought-after of ALL DAC chipsets. We believe we hold the world’s last remaining stock of several thousand pieces. We are holding them in reserve for something special, someday. Just like a vintage bottle of Dom Perignon, they are a great long-term investment.

 

Picture of some of our inventory of TDA1541As

 

Back in January 2007, at CES, we believed we were one of, if not the first, to showcase the CD_77 at the heart of Computer Audio System (CAS).

 

We had a laptop running Winamp feeding the CD-77 with a HTC Athena ‘e-Bible’ as remote control!

 

 

http://www.amr-audio.co.uk/html/24th_Jannuary_2007.html#q13

 

We were already demonstrating computer audio using a Smartphone as the remote source six months PRIOR to the launch of the iPhone!

 

 

Incidentally, this was the first time we had come across ‘IZ’.  His cover of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ was bewitching. We played the FLAC file during the rest of the show and everyone assumed it was a CD being spun on the CD-77!

 

More to come, 2008 and beyond…

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 10.04.2017 at 2:19 AM, alcarp said:

Can the IGalvanic 3.0 be used in conjunction with the MicroRendu?

If so, will it further improve sound quality?

 

MR has a Re-gen built-in. Hence it's inherently galvanically isolated from earth and mains (through the power supply) if a power supply without ground is used. And MR has a USB repeater build in.

 

Only the USB connection itself is not galvanically isolated, but that is generally not a big issue all by itself. 

 

With a MR the first focus should be the power supply to the device itself (e.g. iPOWER as minimum). Then power supply to the DAC if it uses USB power. And if a cable between MR & DAC is more than a few inches, a USB repeater on the DAC side.

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

2 hours ago, thyname said:

The iFi iGalvanic3.0 looks very promising. I read the post above on mircroRendu, but still not clear whether I would see any improvements if buying the iFi iGalvanic.

 

Here is my setup now:

 

mRendu as a Roon Enpoint / Player ---> USB cable ---> Singxer SU-1 ---> HDMI Cable ---> i2S Port on Holo Spring KTE L3

 

As you said, mRendu is galvanically isolated itself (Ethernet based), and SU-1 does the reclocking and so on, plus the added benefit if i2s usage.

 

Is iGalvanic3.0 redundant for my system?

 

We can't predict the exact outcome as we don't own your exact setup and are not equipped with your own pair of ears  

 

Hence the best way is to try our device, let your ears be the judge!