Lobby > Head Amps, DACs, Sources, Portable Equipment Discussion

USB cleaner, purifiers, decrapifiers?

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AllanMarcus:
OK, I know this subject is fraught with controversy. Please, let's not turn this into a religious war on the efficacy of the USB cleaning.

Michael Lavorgna has a totally idiotic blog post about this topic that is just non-sensical. I've given up on AudioStream. Lavorgna is just too defensive and dogmatic for my preference.

I'm interested in anyone has actually used any of these devices, if you have done the A/B testing (preferably blind), and your thoughts on which might actually work?

Not interested in hearing from people that have not tried any of these devices. Not interested in hearing about cables. I've tried the fancy cables and I cannot hear a difference, but I'm over 50 and never had the best ear.

So, of the following a few questions:


[*]Which do you have?
[*]Have you A/B tested it and did you hear anything?
[*]Did I miss any devices on the list?
[/list]

[*]Schiit Wyrd - $99

[*]iFi iPurifier - $99

[*]iFi Gemini (technically a cable) - $189-265

[*]iFI micro – iUSB - $226

[*]HiFiMeDIY USB Isolator - $29

[*]AudioQuest JitterBug - $49

[*]UpTone Audio USB Regen - $175

[*]UltraFi Aubisque Filter - $200

[*]Empirical Audio Short Block USB filter - $199

[*]totaldac USB cable/filter - €330

[*]   AQVOX USB Low-Noise 5V Isolated Linear Power Supply - €98

[*]B.M.C. PureUSB1 - $290 (2 meter)

[/list]

And another question. Why aren't DAC manufactures building this functionality into their DACs? Or are they?

Thanks,

Allan

Michael from Audiostream sort of redeemed himself, a little. This article is pretty good, and does point out that none of the USB products will do anything more than help a little.

http://www.audiostream.com/content/usb-accessory-roundup-uptone-audio-usb-regen-audioquest-jitterbug-schiit-wyrd#yczLIMcVpmLhDGdY.97

kothganesh:
I have the Wyrd. To me, it made a difference with the Bifrost Uber, removing some of the graininess...I am now using it with the Yggy but woefully short of data on A/B. Will update when I have more information.

The Alchemist:
I use the Bifrost Uber with USB Gen 2 USB but haven't noticed any noise from using USB. However, I haven't had the opportunity to try the Wyrd to see if it makes any difference, but so far I haven't noticed any problems.

songmic:
I'm no fan of iFi, but I must admit the iUSB Power with dual-headed Gemini cable did make a noticeable difference compared to dirty computer USB power when I had been using Stello U3, a USB transceiver that runs completely on USB power. Not sure how the difference could be heard with more recent USB modules, so YMMV.

Note that some of the cleaner/purifier/decrapifiers listed here are simply filters that supposedly reduces noise (e.g. iPurifer, Jitterbug), while others completely block dirty computer power and provides its own cleaner power (e.g. Wyrd, Regen).

DaveBSC:
Before trying any of these, if your computer has an open PCI-e slot, start with the JCAT card. Part of the problem with USB for audio is that all motherboard USB ports kind of end up in the same place, and none of these external devices can do anything about that. They can clean up the Vbus line, and the Short Block does a very good job at cleaning up the ground connection, but they can't stop interference from say the wireless controller for your USB keyboard or mouse.

As to why these things aren't built into DACs, it depends on which one you're talking about because they do different things. The Uptone, the Wyrd, and the iFi iUSB (which you missed) are all creating new 5V power for the Vbus line, taking the place of the power supplied by the initial USB port. Obviously it would be impossible for a USB powered DAC to create its own USB power, and there's no need for a self powered DAC to power the Vbus line. Self powered DACs can just power their USB inputs, and depending on the USB solution they choose to use, they can remove the need for the Vbus altogether. You can then simply cut the Vbus line, basically eliminating the need for the iUSB entirely.

The Wyrd and Uptone IIRC also affect the data stream, so they may still provide an improvement even on DACs that don't use the Vbus line, and even with cables were the Vbus line has been cut. The passive filters try to clean the existing Vbus line rather than create a new source of 5V power and some may or may not affect the data stream. The Short Block is a common mode choke, and for it to work, the DAC must NOT require any use of the Vbus line.

Because of the nature of how it works, the JCAT card will likely outperform all of these products, and improve the performance of all USB DACs.

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