My IFI Micro iUSB3.0 died - what's next?

[billiam]

As the title says, my ifi Micro iUSB3.0 died and it seems that product has been discontinued. I had it feed my stock Singxer SU-1 Which fed my Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2v2SE. I was happy with the sound but with the IUSB3.0 dying it seems like a good opportunity to improve my system.

 

Not sure if I should wait until someone sells their iUSB3.0 and add a LPS, or go a different route. Only thing I can see that ifi has is the  Nano iGalvanic Isolation, which seems to be a bit of a step backwards. People seem to love the Uptone ISO REGEN and the UltraCap LPS-1.2 combo, but I was hoping to spend less than what those cost. I'm open to new or used hardware.

 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, knowing that I may have to go higher price-wise than I want to attain noticeable improvement.

 

Thanks in advance.

[audiobomber]

What about this DC power conversion kit and a good LPS?

https://kitsunehifi.com/product/singxer-su-1-dc-power-conversion-kit-kitsunehifi-2-1mmx5-5mm/

 

These fellows seemed pretty happy with the conversion and Uptone Ultracaps LPS-1:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/singxer-su-1-owners.839330/page-23

 

 

[w1000i]

Each DAC is filtering the input signal from USB, and I prefers a DAC with documented clean filtration.

For isolation I read rob watt a DAC designer mentioned that the best isolation is a galvanic, so I suggest to try https://ifi-audio.com/products/nano-igalvanic3-0/

 

[One and a half]

Would not recommend the iGalvanic, far too many problems with sonics and unreliability. ifi are non committal on the Micro USB3.0, pity I have two operating, and are very good, so not for sale. in fact I traded an iGalvanic for the micro3.

Perhaps the Uptone Regen and LPS-1 (or the newer model). 

[billiam]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I actually found the issue. My USB cable must have just been just a tad too long for everything to sync up properly. I went ahead and got an active USB cable and a 5v wall wart and it works like a champ now.

 

I tell ya what, having the micro USB3.0 in the chain made a substantially difference in the noise level.

 

I did contact ifi, they said they can replace the board on the micro USB3.0 for $212 plus shipping

[thuandb]

Glad to hear the Micro iUSB3.0 is working.  Since the SU-6 arrived, I've been using the Micro iUSB3.0 to power JCAT FEMTO USB card.  Someday I'll get a good enough LPSU to do the job and let the Micro iUSB3.0 do its primary task:  reclocking.

[One and a half]

3 hours ago, thuandb said:

Glad to hear the Micro iUSB3.0 is working.  Since the SU-6 arrived, I've been using the Micro iUSB3.0 to power JCAT FEMTO USB card.  Someday I'll get a good enough LPSU to do the job and let the Micro iUSB3.0 do its primary task:  reclocking.

I have an Acopian gold box linear supply on the microUSB3 which made a large difference to the noise factor compared with the iPower wall wart which is now in a cupboard. The level of gunge just went away. I do find the type of USB cable can still have an influence on either side of the MicroUSB3 at the moment SAEC (line side) and Acoustic Revive split cable (load side).

[6aardvark9]

I replaced my micro iUSB3.0 with a Mutec MC3+USB, was significantly better than the iFi in my system

[One and a half]

Ifi have had a rethink on the iUSB3 micro and are manufacturing the item again.

[andrewinukm]

Sorry to revive an old thread.

 

Just to share how I setup my USB chain with both iFi iUSB 3.0 Nano (not Micro) and ISO Regen.

 

Laptop (Jitterbug for wireless keyboard) 

 ↓ 

Lush v1 cable

 ↓ 

iUSB 3.0 Nano

 ↓ 

DIY USB cable (47 Labs Stratos wire)

 ↓ 

ISO Regen (powered by iUSB)

 ↓ 

USPCB cable

 ↓ 

DAC 

 

- iUSB Nano vs ISO Regen: iUSB sounds a wee bit rounder. ISO Regen is more effortless. Both very good.

- I prefer iUSB Nano before ISO Regen.

- Lush cable has a musical sound, but a little forward for me. Fits my preference when used before iUSB. Adds just a little lushness into the clean sound without being too forward. USPCB throws the stage perceptively deeper to the back, most cables usually pull stage to speakers' plane (probably more neutral/ accurate, but i like deeper stage.)

- bought the iUSB Nano at a fire sale mainly to power ISO Regen. Turned out to synergise well with ISO Regen. But the free iPower has a high pitch whine, will replace it some day with LPS.