ISO REGEN Listening Impressions (kicked off with some measurements)

[Quasar]

55 minutes ago, agladstone said:

@Quasar oh yes!! I have been constantly experimenting with a lot of different arrangements with the "chain" with the ISO Regen, the IFI iMicro, the LPS-1 and with 1 USPCB, 2 USPCB, and no USPCB in the chain too! 

First, I'm definitely convinced that I need to buy a 2nd LPS-1!! (1 for ISO-Regen and 1 for Micro iUSB 3.0)! So once I discovered the LPS-1 works very well with the Micro iUSB, I've been experimenting a lot also with having the LPS-1 power either one or the other and having either the ISO or the Micro last in the chain (and with or without the LPS-1 for both and for both of the as either first or last). 

So, I'm certain that if both were powered by their own LPS-1 that it would improve things to another level entirely regardless of which was first or last in the chain! 

I'm at this point assuming (any opinions

on this theory would be welcomed!!) that whichever one I use as last (closet to DAC) in the chain is the one that should be

powered by the LPS-1? Does this sound like a logical conclusion? 

Second, I think that the IFI Micro last in chain sounds slightly better than the ISO Regen last (but these differences in sound quality between which is last and which is first are subtle to me and to be honest, im just making changes and swapping the order of them in the chain and connections (USB cable or USPCB)

and also swapping around which is powered by the LPS-1 every couple of days and then listening to my music as "usual", so I probably need to really sit down for a few hours and do a more scientific "A", "B", "C", "D" type of comparison!

 

I would say at this point I believe (but not 100% certain) that:

 

A. Both divices powered by their own LPS-1 will be best regardless of positioning 

B. I believe that the IFI Micro last in chain (closest to DAC) has the slight "edge"

C. Using both the ISO Regen AND the IFI Micro iUSB 3.0 together as a chain is definitely better than using either one of them alone (this I'm 100% convinced of!)

D. I'm very undecided about the USPCB's VS Cardas split Highspeed 2.0 USB cables! 

I have tried every combo with these now (USPCB out of Aurender into ISO and/or IFI, 2nd USPCB into the next device and than Cardas USB into DAC, also the exact opposite (Cardas out of Aurender into ISO or IFI, then USPCB -> next device -> USPCB into DAC). 

Also using all Cardas USB cables and no USPCB's and also USPCB's out of aurender and into DAC with a Cardas USB cable

inbetween the devices!! It's very difficult for me to decide which of these combinations is better than the others !!!

I will say that each of these different combinations does actually alter the sound each time, but which one of these is best?? That's so far been very challenging for me to determine!! (Logically I would assume at least 1

USPCB going directly into DAC should be the best, but I'm not so sure that's actually the case! 

Im starting to think that at least 1 USPCB directly out of the aurender (music player) may be better than a USB cable out?? 

 

Thank you very much agladstone for your extensive response. I'll read it more slowly. My English is not very good.

I did not imagine a few months ago, that I would be doing this type of tests on digital links. Because I did not expect the one who could get so much gain in audio quality. The USB input of the NAD M51, which I have is not the best of its inputs, and has improved drastically with various elements only in the digital field.

I was asking you, to give me an idea of which of the two components can have a better USB signal regardless of galvanic isolation. I guess the best quality should connect right at the entrance of the DAC.

I have a Nano iUSB 3.0 and a USB extensions Startech, iDefender etc and I have also been doing many tests as you comment and I just made an order for an IsoRegen, which although I am very happy with it Nano, I think the IsoRegen should offer A better signal quality. The iFi Micro you have is better than the Nano, so I asked about your appreciations.
As well as you, I have noticed that the positive effect of some elements and combinations are cumulative.

I have also recently obtained two USPCBs and am very happy with them and I have removed all USB cabling from the system. I only have one ethernet cable

 

A greeting.

 

[Quasar]

Yes I hope so. I am quite convinced of it and that will also make good conbinación with the Nano. I've noticed improvements by placing devices before and after Startech extensors, so I know where to put them.

I will already comment on results when I arrive and while I take the opportunity to make other modifications so that the wait is shorter. I also use SU-1, better than the DAC's XMOS.

 

 

Greetings.

[Quasar]

Hello.

As if it is useful, I used a riser pciexpress connection and this in turn to a USB multiport card and has not been an impediment to get a very good sound with the IsoRegen and the rest of the USB chain.

[Quasar]

Hello.

Sorry, I use a translator, I hope to express myself well.

The initial components that probe and worked for me are the following. It probably can also work with similar ones. There are many models. Each equipment and combination, can have different characteristics and can give different results, work or not work, but in my case, these two components have worked well for me.They are not expensive and to prove you lose little.

 

In some cases, photos, I have interspersed a USB Startech extender. Whether interspersed or not, the ISO REGEN has worked.
The ISO REGEN has also worked, either when using it as an SD card reader, or directly in the USB path to the digital-digital converter, whenever I have used a USB 3.0 card, but not 3.1.

 

I would advise using USB 3.0 cards. With the 3.1 I have not been able to make it work.

https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B073VKSB6R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/B00NU2JSF8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I will modern and old photos. In the new and old configurations, not only includes the USB section, they are also included in the photos, power supplies and regulators for DAC, headphone amplifier and PC.
I think it is the set of improvements in all the sections, starting with the alternate power, they are what I have achieved good results.
The photos with the scattered components are the first test, the oldest and the checked ones. In your day and post them in the forum.
In modern photos, the Riser Card components and USB cards are different (Matrix audio), but they are not yet properly tested

 

This current configuration and settings not yet conveniently tested. (metal boxes). I am modifying the transformer box and I have not finished yet to prove it.

 

This riser pci express has worked for me but I only tried a few moments.

Initial tests working.

 

Final configuration with better results. Curiously using a card reader as transport in the ISO REGEN. The ISO REGEN with this configuration, together with the startech extender and obviously the DDC, would say that they are the components that contribute most to the improvement.