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In my previous post I commented briefly on the effectiveness of the Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator coupled to my PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC. There was a definite improvement in overall 'clarity' with the Intona in my system that I did not experience with the Regen. The Intona also made the system sound a little more relaxed or effortless.Compared to my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC I consider the PS Audio NuWave DSD DAC to be a little more aggressive and dynamic, which isn't a bad thing depending on the music you enjoy and personal preference. With the Intona driving the PS Audio DAC the system had a slightly more "polite" presentation.
As promised, here are my quick impressions of the Intona on the Ayre QB-9 DSD. There was perhaps a very modest softening of top end treble and transient attack in cymbal strikes, for example. I consider the Ayre QB-9 DSD to be a very refined DAC on it's own, already relaxed and effortless in it's presentation with great clarity, never aggressive or edgy. I can say that I heard a difference with the Intona, mostly in the treble region in this case, and possibly an overall additional 'smoothing' but I can't say that it made an improvement. If I had to sum it up, I'd say the system sounded smoother and softer with the Intona driving the Ayre DAC.
I've had a number of DACs over the years and I consider the Ayre to be the best that I've owned, even over a newer "well reviewed" model from another manufacturer that cost about 50% more. I sold that one and kept the Ayre.
The improvement I heard with the PS Audio DAC wasn't night and day jaw dropping wet your pants toe tapping in the puddle huge. But I did hear some improvement with this DAC so I'm impressed!
I'm not so sure that I heard an improvement with the Ayre DAC in my setup, but I did hear a difference.
Mac Mini: Quad-Core i7 2.6GHz, SSD/HDD, 16GB, 12v LPS + inline LC filter, Audirvana Plus, Intona USB 2.0 Isolator, Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC
P.S. For those who might not "get it" [we know who you are], that display resting on the DAC is generically called a tablet. It's a portable electronic device and like many other inmates I keep mine at my side at the listening position to remotely control my music library. ;-)Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator from Germany, Industrial Version with -NF Option
Edits: 04/19/16 04/19/16 04/19/16Follow Ups:
Thanks for the write up. I have for the time being given up on USB add-ons. However if I decide to play around with one again, it may have to be the Intona. OTOH, the MSB DAC is pretty good as is, and I would think that like the Ayre doesn't really need much to "fix" it.
navman
I'm trying the Intona now with my MSB Analog DAC / Quad USB module.
navman
I'm working on it!
Thanks
Hi !
thank you very much indeed for the very interesting testing.
This tells me that at Ayre they know how to design and build usb dacs for sure.
This sort of "undependency" from the source upstream is what a very good usb dac or usb DDC should provide.
I still think that complete galvanic isolation is a big part of the game.
I am extremely ignorant in electronics but i would like a dac like thisXMOS receiver > FIFO memory > reclocking dac converter
in this way the dac can retrieve the bits stored in the FIFO memory with high clock precision eliminating all the incoming jitter.
The only jitter would be the one generated at the dac stage.
The FIFO memory could be a nice and very fast 8-16GB RAM for instance.
Sorry for the ramblings.
Thank you very much again for the very valuable information.
Have a nice day.
Kind regards,
bg
Edits: 04/19/16 04/19/16 04/19/16 04/19/16 04/19/16
DIYERs have been doing this for years. Iancanada over at diyAudio.com has been designing and selling asynchronous I2S FIFO with galvanic isolation and low jitter clock boards for years, all at very reasonable prices because it is a hobby for him. His day job is designing high tech digital equipment for medical use, I believe. There are many XMOS to I2S boards available too.
My digital setup makes full use of his designs.
those in CA and DIYAudio
Hi and thanks for the interesting information.
I like AES/EBU connection between source and dac.
I read that they are good for long distance.
This means that they will be just excellent for shorter distance.
I will have a look but i am a dog at DIY.
I am scared only by the idea.
Anyway i will look for sure. I just do not understand why commercial units do not work like this. Today memories cost quite nothing.
Maybe even cheap eMMC are perfectly ok as fifo memories.
Thanks a lot again.
Kind regards,
bg
Are you going to sell it?
Asking for a friend.
Run.
While you still can...
Not planning to sell it anytime soon, but if I do you'll be the first to know.... friend. ;-)
as I said..sit tight....
Man never is, but always to be blessed:
The soul, uneasy and confined from home,
Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
Why do you say that?
One..No one has got a shorter attention span than IT guys in audio....Two..In two months there will be a new USB fixit of the month to slobber over...
..Three..You are going to chase your tail perpetually with that commodity as a source.
..and lastly..it is butt ugly. Those Germans. :)
Edits: 04/19/16
these things costing you sales ?
http://mqnplayer.blogspot.co.uk/
Wow, you're making a lot of wild assumptions that don't pertain to me.
One - Attention span: I've had essentially the same source setup, with some minor mods along the way for about 5 or 6 years now.
Two - New USB fixit of the month to slobber over: More often than that but you haven't been around this forum enough to know that I am not one of those "tweak of the week" guys, USB or otherwise.
Three - See number one above. I've been very happy with my setup but will occasionally try a few things.... which fortunately is very easy to do on a "commodity" PC/Mac and nearly impossible on an expensive "appliance". ;-)
Lastly: The little butt ugly box can easily be hidden but who cares?
Thanks for your impressions of the sound of the Intona with both of your DACs.
Although I"m not expecting your impressions to mirror mine, I am looking forward to your more eloquent write-up.
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