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

[thuandb]

1 hour ago, agladstone said:

Thanks for all your help!! 

I am currently upgrading my Linear power supply, so trying to plan ahead in anticipation of the iGalvonic. 

I cuirently have a Wyred4sound Recovery USB Reclocker and I'm trying to decide between:

iGalvonic + Micro iUSB 3.0

iGalvonic + W4S Recovery

ISO Regen 

ISO Regen + W4S Recovery OR Micro iUSB 

Hi Agladstone,

 

I'm not AMR/iFi Audio but I own first Regen, then W4S RUR, lastly iFi iUSB3.0 (Nano version, as my DAC is in $2,000 range).  Even though I haven't tried ISO Regen yet, I love the SQ that Nano iUSB3.0, along with iSilencer3.0, iDefender, DC PUrifier, and iPurifier2, offers that I'm excitedly waiting for the iG3.0 to squeeze any ounce of SQ left from my USB setup.

 

Since you're using and perhaps enjoying the W4S RUR, let me friendly suggest that you try the iG3.0 first then go from there.  As for me, after tasting the iUSB3.0 for over 30 days (it needs that long to come to itself), I've been hooked and wanted nothing but iFi products to improve my USB music further.

[AMR/iFi audio]

To be shown with Sennheiser Orpheus HE-1 is a reason for us to be proud, hence we'll just leave the proof here...

[PPk]

21 hours ago, AMR/iFi audio said:

To be shown with Sennheiser Orpheus HE-1 is a reason for us to be proud, hence we'll just leave the proof here...

Igalvanic is not in the picture? 

[agladstone]

Hi, off topic question for you:

I recently bought a few of the DC Purifiers and I noticed that it says "5V to 24V up to 3.4A" on it. 

My question is, if I have a HDPlex LPSU 12V 7A going into the DC Purifier and then DC purifier going into my DAC, is this okay, even though the power source is 12V 7A (so above the rated 3.4A)? 

Second, if it is okay, will the DC Purifier "choke" the current / Amperage going into the DAC, so that not more than 3.4A current will be able to go to the DAC (vs the 7A coming from the Linear Power supply)?  

[thuandb]

IMHO, it depends on how much current your device is drawing.  Check current rating of your target device and if it's within 3.4A, you're good.  I've plugged DC Purifier into an external Bluray drive, then powered the combo with HDPlex 12V output.  The DC Purifier doesn't get lukewarm.  On the other hand, I've also powered a (pretty powerful) MAINGEAR laptop with HDPlex 19V output via another DC Purifier, and the DCP gets really hot.

 

Yes, I would think 3.4A is the max current amperage that can pass thru the DCP.

[agladstone]

@thuandbThanks for your input!

The DC iPurifier seems to be getting pretty hot IMHO, My DAC is rated at 4A to 6A at 12V and being powered by an HDPlex 12V /7A out. 

I think most of the time, it probably only draws around 3.4A power, but I think it can spike up to more at times? 

I am awaiting an official answer from IFI (I put a support ticket in also). 

I don't want to damage the DC iPurifier, but most importantly don't want to damage my DAC!! 

Also, if it is limiting max power draw to 3.4A, it may not make sense to use it anyhow, since I would prefer the ability for higher current draw if my DAC needs it (Mytek Brooklyn). 

[PPk]

iGalvanic is dead? yes no?

[christopher3393]

On 7/5/2017 at 10:11 AM, PPk said:

iGalvanic is dead? yes no?

 

in utero

[AMR/iFi audio]

2 hours ago, christopher3393 said:

 

in utero

 

In the pipeline, as we say. There is one thing left we still tweak, but the product will see the daylight, no worries 

[christopher3393]

 

[Albrecht]

On 7/6/2017 at 0:26 PM, christopher3393 said:

 

This is beyond HUGE

And what winning dance moves: crushing....

[AMR/iFi audio]

USB is in the AMR/iFi DNA - part #6
Over a decade of development

 

2014. DP-777 SE. Ground breaking digital/analogue.

 

The Signature Edition (SE) of the DP-777 saw the following raft of changes:

 

1. AMR Tri‐Core Silver output capacitors

2. GE 5670 tubes (with adapters)

3. Quad‐Core Digital Engine*

4. Additional clock buffers to lower system’s intrinsic jitter even further*

5. Re‐optimised Clocking arrangement*

6. Latest XMOS interface with proprietary customised firmware*

7. Completely re‐designed 4‐layer gold‐plated circuits boards)

*For CD‐777 and DP‐777 only (not applicable to AM‐777)

 

On the digital side, we had a new Quad Core Digital Engine that we have always been enamoured with as MultiBit chipset technology reflects a ‘golden era’ of digital design based upon sonic performance as opposed to profit.

 

With a Quad-Core configuration of four Philips UDA1305AT Multi-bit chipsets, the sonics were even deeper and richer with an inner resolution that was right up there with the very best ‘analogue sound’ that’s to say, surprisingly close to vinyl.

 

 iFi and the XMOS USB platform ‘remapping the ECU’.

 

There is the XMOS USB platform and there is the AMR/iFi XMOS USB platform. The AMR/iFi approach is akin to letting Alpina loose on a BMW M Sport. This is what we do with the XMOS USB module that all others just use. It is not in our nature to do stock!

 

Inside the XMOS, there is a radical ‘Star-Clock’ scheme in the AMR/iFi-XMOS implementation. This is a major departure from the traditional ‘Daisy Chain’ clocking scheme provided originally by XMOS.

 

Why? With the stock XMOS USB platform, we were not 100% happy with the overall jitter levels, especially with high-speed signals.

 

One of our senior software engineers, who has military defense programming experience, spent a few sleepless nights pouring over the XMOS standard source code and discovered that the standard XMOS used a traditional ‘Daisy Chain’ clocking scheme. This was perfectly fine for low-speed audio signals, BUT was not the best topology for high-speed audio signals.

 

The reason he discovered this was his background in programming in ‘Ada’ when he used to work for low-level military projects.  One of the reasons (of course, there are many other reasons too) for doing the military stuff in Ada is because of the real-time requirements (he once worked on a targeting system for an air-to-air missile). So, everything must be in real-time and must have zero-timing errors. In other words, this guy is super ‘timing sensitive.’

 

 

After discovering this, for all iFI products, we redesigned the whole clocking topology inside XMOS USB platform using a ‘Star Clocking’ scheme which he used before in the missile targeting system he was part of designing.   To put this into an audio context, parallels can be drawn from the JVC ‘K2’ mastering grade clocking scheme.

 

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

USB is in the AMR/iFi DNA - part #7

Over a decade of development

 

And on the analogue side, things were equally far-reaching, the two most significant were:

1. AMR Tri-Core Silver capacitor
2. General Electric 5670 NOS valve

• AMR Tri-Core Silver capacitors

Each and every capacitor will have a small range of frequency in which it operates optimally.  Different frequency ranges require different capacitors for the best performance. What differentiates the AMR Tri-Core Silver capacitor, is that there are three capacitors inside to cover treble/mid/bass which along with the silver wiring, makes its coverage and transparency as close to the ‘no capacitor’ principle as it gets.

 

 

The upper frequency range is covered by a silver leaf capacitor. The mid-range is covered by a film & foil capacitor and the lower frequencies are covered by a metalised polypropylene capacitor. They all work within their most optimal frequency range by sharing the load intelligently. Finally, all of the elements are cast in a natural ebony wood body in a special resin for nil microphonics and a natural, organic tonality that is quite stunning.

 

• General Electric 5670 NOS valve     `Z`

The 6922 tube family is ubiquitous. It is the mainstay of nearly every tubed product out there. With AMR’s in-depth tube knowledge, we have upped the ante and focused on the GE5670 as a replacement for the venerable 6922. The GE5670/2C51/WE396A/6N3 traces its roots back to its original design as the premium version of the 6922. Compared to its 6922 cousin, among other features, the 5670 has improved warm-up, grid current, noise and microphonic tolerances. There is no comparison.

 

 

With these features, it comes as no surprise that the GE5670 is sonically head and shoulders above the 6922 family. Despite the same physical 9-pin setup, the electrical configuration is different, hence the 5670 family requires a specialist adapter which AMR developed from the ground-up, commissioning a specialist mould for the GE5670.

 

 

We are so impressed by the GE5670 that we have scoured the globe and, along with the TDA1541A, we have been steadily amassing an inventory of the GE5670.

 

Here is a picture!

 

 

[Techland]

Delay is in the AMR/iFi DNA

 

Still not shipping...

[AMR/iFi audio]

USB is in the AMR/iFi DNA - part #8
Over a decade of development

2015. The iPurifier2. Turns passive USB cables active.

 

We must tip our hat to another manufacturer whose product led the way - the Schitt Audio Wyrd, which came out in late 2014. It was the first USB regenerator of its kind.

 

 

http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/2015/09/schiit-wyrd-usb-decrapifier-review/

 

The Wyrd spurred us on to come up with a solution to the active USB cable project. After some serious brainstorming, we arrived at a novel idea - turn passive cables into active cables AND take them to the max. Thus, the iPurifier2 with REclock/REgenerate/REbalance technologies was born.

By selecting the type ‘A’ version, one could ‘Daisy Chain’ five sets of 5m USB cables to give an active run of 25m! We demonstrated this in Japan to the audio press there and also to the EISA judges in Brussels. Both were suitably impressed when we turned 25m of Belkin USB cables (5m lengths each) from generic passive to one VERY LONG audiophile active USB cable!

[AMR/iFi audio]

On 5.08.2017 at 4:00 PM, Techland said:

Delay is in the AMR/iFi DNA

 

Still not shipping...

 

Relax...

 

 

The official premiere is on the 25th of August, namely just around the corner.

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

 

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

USB is in the AMR/iFi DNA - part #9
Over a decade of development

2016. The micro and nano iUSB3.0. Super Speed ahead.

The original iUSB Power used USB2.0. Our experience told us that the writing was on the wall for USB2.0 which we had by now, considered obsolete. We made the strategic decision to focus our resources on developing USB3.0 and maximizing its potential for computer audio.

 

Mid-2016 saw the launch of the second generation, the micro iUSB3.0 and nano iUSB3.0. Both featured the critical REclock/REgenerate/REbalance tech but with different levels of feature sets to suit different DACs. All on the USB3.0 platform, naturally.

From the get go, the micro iUSB3.0 was one of a handful of US$1k components to be awarded a ‘Greatest Bits’ by AudioStream who wrote,

“I then compared the iUSB3.0 with its iPower adapter to the XXX Audio XXX with its power adapter. Keep in mind that I used the USB3.0 cable supplied with the iUSB3.0. The sound of these two devices was quite different in their stock form. The XXXXX was lighter sounding with less warmth than the iUSB3.0.

I found the performance of the iFi Audio iUSB3.0 to be not only impressive in my system, but a significant improvement over iFi Audio’s previous efforts with the iUSB Power and the iPurifier.“

 

http://www.audiostream.com/content/ifi-audio-micro-iusb-30#hmhDVD5eZcMEJM1y.97

iSilencer3.0 and iDefender3.0. Small. Serious.

Later that year, we brought out the iSilencer3.0 and iDefender3.0. The iSilencer3.0 is suited to ALL PCs as it ‘silences’ the noise of each USB port it is inserted into by up to 100x or 40dB.

The iDefender3.0 performs two specific duties - breaking ground loops and injecting a new, clean power supply.

 

2017. iGalvanic3.0. The holy grail of computer audio.

We are over the moon to announce the iGalavinc3.0. In many ways, it represents the synthesis of all we know about USB for computer audio. It contains 10 years of research, know-how and experience of over 10 different products (from $10,000 down to $50). We are quietly confident we are at the forefront of extracting the max from USB.

Full galvanic isolation on USB2.0 is still not completely trouble-free. Yet with our latest product, the iGalvanic3.0 our R&D team has attained unhindered, full galvanic isolation on USB2.0 and USB3.0 (both using our own platforms), that offer an unsurpassed level of audio performance for the computer audiophile.

 

This ‘brief’ history of AMR/iFi and USB technology has shed some light on why, how, and what we do with USB audio. We hope that when you try the iGalvanic3.0, you will hear the difference and arrive at the same conclusion as we did - it is the holy grail of computer audio. With this DNA, it bloomin should!

And that's it, folks! Our USB related ride is over, hopefully you enjoyed it. But wait, there's more, in the upcoming days we will reveal additional iGalvanic3.0 details. For now the most important thing is that:

The 25th of August 2017 is the premiere of iFi audio iGalvanic3.0

Stay tuned!

[Ralf11]

On 5/4/2017 at 1:24 PM, AMR/iFi audio said:

Anyone suspects what this critter might be all about?

 

 

marmot & it is about eating enuff in the summer to hibernate thru the winter

 

looks like that one needs a dentist

[lmitche]

That's a giant tree rat. Will it be USB powered?

[rickca]

The ISO REGEN uses a Crystek 575 clock.  What clock is in the iGalvanic?

[AMR/iFi audio]

Folks, iGalvanic3.0 is getting closer and closer. As per usual, we have some things we'd like to share with you before that happens. The very first is a long look years back, to the dark ags of USB isolation in audio. May we present to you...

 

A short history of USB Isolators & USB improvement Devices - Part 1/2

 

Why Isolation?

 

Due to the fact that the USB connection path carries a ground link, which cannot be defeated (or USB will stop working), it is common for USB connected audio systems to have noise problems created by ground loops.

 

Why USB improvement Devices?

 

USB was never specifically designed and optimised for audio. It was designed for hard drives and printers – hardly USB Audio Class devices!

 

As a result, a number of technical problems arise that may negatively influence sound quality. In addition to ground loops, which may be addressed by isolation or other means, USB can suffer from:

 

1. Ground/Earth Loops. Where modern power supplies lack ground and are of multiple Grounds. Both are undesired.
2. Poor signal integrity and noise transfer. Specifically of the frame & microframe noise.
3. USB Power Quality. The power available on USB connections is also often of limited quality, plagued by noise, which can influence dowstream USB powered equipment

 

Hence devices that address ground loops through means other than galvanic isolation, improve signal integrity, provide clean power and have the potential to substantially improve both objective and subjective performance of USB audio devices.

 

Note: The following is a historical overview of the devices that were launched (stands to reason they follow a chronological order). We are thus only listing them based upon the timeline and their specs/functionality. It is not a sonic assessment.

 

1st Generation

 

First generation USB isolators used USB isolation chips with 12Mbps limit speed and thus fail to allow high resolution playback or the use with multi-channel recording systems in studios.

 

The isolator chips used create massive amounts of jitter. The power isolation systems tended to be noisy and of very limited current, precluding the use of USB powered devices.

 

As a result, these first generation USB isolators were generally not used in audiophile or studio systems.

Example - Acoustic Revive USB Isolator (2011)

 

 

https://www.acoustic-revive.com/english/rui1/rui1_01.html

 

As an alternative, in 2012 iFi introduced the iUSB Power. This device allowed a different approach to break ground loops and thus eliminate the noise It also povided low-noise power for USB-powered products. The iUSB Power allowed full USB 2.0 speed at 480MHz and was widely applied to audiophile and studio systems.

 

 

While not offering galvanic isolation, the IsoEarth/IsoGround system applied by iFi solved the ground noise problem by different means.

 

2nd Generation

 

As it was not possible to create USB isolator chips that isolated at 480MHz High Speed required for many modern USB devices, a number of systems were developed, which in effect fully decoded USB signals using commodity grade USB chips and passed as a parallel stream across cheap commodity grade isolator chips. After this the USB signal was re-encoded and sent out via another commodity grade USB chip. The power isolation systems generally are very current limited and have comparably high noise levels.

 

The involved processing, latency etc. caused extensive compatibility issues as such devices in effect "break" the USB standard. The included USB transceiver chips allowed no better signal integrity than a generic PC USB port.

Nevertheless, these second generation USB isolators did get adopted into audiophile and studio systems as the allowed high resolution and multichannel audio streams and offered full galvanic isolation. In many cases other devices were added to supplement the galvanic isolation with solutions to poor signal integrity and poor power quality.

 

Example - JCAT USB Isolator

 

 

http://jplay.eu/jcat/#manual2

 

A number of devices using external power and "USB regeneration" circuitry were introduced as an alternative. These improved signal integrity but lacked galvanic isolation.

 

 

By combing the USB regeneration circuitry with a low noise power supply, IsoGround and even despite lacking galvanic isolation, iFi's iUSB 3.0 micro offered a comprehensive solution to USB's main problems; ground loops, power quality and signal integrity.

 

That's it for now, but stay tuned, there's more!

 

[AMR/iFi audio]

A short history of USB Isolators & USB improvement Devices - Part 2/2

 

3rd Generation

 

The 3rd generation are more recent and came about when finally isolator chips capable of supporting 480Mbps USB 2.0 speeds, direct and transparent USB 2.0 High-Speed capable isolators became available. Just like the chips employed in 1st generation isolators, high jitter caused problems. The solution was to add-on or incorporate ‘USB regeneration’ circuitry downstream from the USB isolator to reduce this jitter.

 

Such devices are just appearing in the market and generally fail to incorporate isolated low-noise power supplies for downstream devices and instead require expensive linear power supply add-ons to operate at their best.

 

Example - CoolGear USB Isolator

 

 

https://www.coolgear.com/news/usb-isolator-high-speed-debut.html

 

There is also an inexpensive DIY design with the Silannia chip that runs on USB2.0:

 

 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/high-speed-usb-isolator/msg1197100/#msg1197100

 

So as one can see, there are quite a few of these 3rd generation USB2.0 galvanic isolation devices.

4th Generation

 

At iFi we felt that the solutions applied in 3rd generation USB isolators held promise, however USB 2.0 is a massively outdated system (HDDs moved on aeons ago), superceded by USB 3.0/3.1 Superspeed system - which offers ten times the data rates of USB 2.0 High Speed introduced in 2008.

 

With the iGalvanic3.0, iFi audio is offering the final generation of USB isolation, with full USB 3.0 Superspeed support. In our evaluation of USB isolation solutions, we found that downstream USB regeneration was required for a reliable connection.

 

 

HOWEVER, by applying USB regeneration also on the upstream link gave a substantial further boost in signal integrity and sound quality, hence the iGalvanic3.0 not only incorporates USB 3.0 isolation but also the ‘REgenerate2’ system that removes USB jitter and improves signal integrity not only on the downstream connection but on both directions of the USB Link (it is bi-directional after all).

 

Leveraging iFi's experience in modern power supply technology, we further incorporated a fully-isolated, extremely low-noise power supply capable of delivering full USB specification levels of current with noise levels comparable to our externally powered iUSB 3.0 nano/micro range.

 

The iGalavnic3.0 offers:

 

I. REclock2/ REgenerate2/ REbalance2
II. Audiophile-grade USB3.0/2.0 Galvanic Isolation
III. Super-low noise USB power*

 

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

As result, the iGalvanic3.0 delivers a fully galvanically-isolated next generation single box solution to USB audio's bugbearers of ground loops and noise transfer, USB signal integrity and USB power quality.

 

It is a ground-up, dedicated and stand-alone solution that elevates computer audio.

 

Stay tuned, some big news coming up tomorrow!

[rickca]

Is the input to the iGalvanic 3.0 USB3 female type B or USB3 female type A?  Does it come with a cable to connect to the PC?  How long is the cable?

 

Can you please provide the dimensions and weight of this unit?  Thanks.

[Cornan]

5 hours ago, rickca said:

Is the input to the iGalvanic 3.0 USB3 female type B or USB3 female type A?  Does it come with a cable to connect to the PC?  How long is the cable?

 

Can you please provide the dimensions and weight of this unit?  Thanks.

 

Here is some info for you rickca: https://en.zococity.es/ifi-igalvanic30

 

Specifications

• Output Voltage: 5V ± 3% @ 500mA load
• Output Current: 900mA max.
• Output Noise foor: 0.5uV(0.0000005V) @ 500mA
• USB Standards: USB 3.0 Super-speed 5.0Gbps - USB 2.0 Hi-speed 480Mbps - USB 2.0 Full-speed 12Mbps - USB 2.0 Low-speed 1.5Mbps
• Connector host-side: USB 3.0 B-Type
• Connector device-side: USB 3.0 A-Type
• Input Voltage: DC 4.5V to 5.5V USB Bus Power
• Power consumption: 6W (includes powered USBdevice)
• Electrical Safety Standard: BS 7671:2008 ELV
• Isolation Device max Voltage: 3000 Vrms Isolation Voltage per UL 1577
• Dimensions: 93 (l) x 67 (w) x 28 (h) mm
• Weight: 128g