solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 18, 2014 20:21:29 GMT
It does 2 things:
1: The incoming data is re-clocked and thus substituted for a more stable clocked USB signal. One could wonder what the value of it is when you already own a DAC with good jitter rejection. BUT... it can not hurt to supply a cleaner (less jittery) data signal.
2: It provides a clean 5V signal which can also provide more current than a standard USB. A DAC that is powered by USB MAY benefit from it.
What it (sadly) doesn't provide is galvanic separation and that is one of those things that MAY prove to be worth its weight in gold under SOME circumstances. The ground of the PC is still connected to the USB out.
The 'fun' part of this thing is it looks nice next to your Modi and Vali/Magni and for $ 99.- you get a nice looking box that won't harm the sound and could theoretically improve the performance (sound) of some DAC's in some cases.
I am still waiting to see when someone measures the differences in analog output signal from a DAC with and without it or other data that shows a DAC's jitter has improved (audibly) with it in its USB path. I am afraid there will never be such data though as most likely it will show no improvements in DAC performance.
If you were to use a galvanic separator (that can do high speed USB2.0), a decent 5V power supply and a USB hub that re-clocks (maybe replace the XO in there with a better suited one) make your own de-crappifier it would cost a more, certainly when you also need a nice looking enclosure but the galvanic separation may be beneficial.
If I were to buy a DAC it would have to have galvanic separation and excellent jitter rejection by itself so won't need a decrapifier.
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Javier
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Post by Javier on Aug 19, 2014 17:51:03 GMT
Isolators can really improve numbers, I have some RMAA files of the same DAC (my Will's DAC and a friend's Buffalo II) with and without an isolator between the Amanero USB adapter and the DAC and in some areas it went up to 18dB difference. Whether this improvement can be heard or not is another discussion.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 19:28:21 GMT
ok thanks. would this unit work with my hiface2 ? i believe the hf2 already has galvanic isolation, but i have been looking at options to clean up the 5v supply. cheers
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 19, 2014 22:02:00 GMT
The 5V regulator in the Wyrd is 'just' a uA327 and it contains an USB repeater chip that 'decrappifies' An USB repeater costs around E 15.-, an external regulated 5V linear power supply around E 20.- The hiface has an output transformer so is isolated from USB. To feed it you might as well use a linear regulated 5V adapter + USB plug which is lots cheaper than the Wyrd. The Wyrd also 'cleans' the USB signal though (it is basically a hub fed from a uA723 power supply and with a reasonable good XO (crystal Oscillator)) and could be used for other DAC's as well and in some circumstances could be a solution to weird noises or other problems. Don't be surprised if nothing changed in the sound though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 18:42:00 GMT
thanks Frans, i assume you mean the items you suggested a few posts back? the problem is finding one with the "ultra low noise 0.005mV" regulator, that you mentioned. any suggestions for an off the shelf item? (my diy electronics skills are limited, as i found making my HP filter) cheers
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 20, 2014 19:20:55 GMT
You really do not need ultralow noise regs for it. The Hiface is designed to run of crappy and noisy USB power rails so a 'standard' LM317 regulated power supply is already overkill. The Wyrd also uses an uA327 in its 5V power supply which is perhaps slightly lower in noise.
The linked wallwarts will do fine. You can also but an USB repeater in its path which 'reclocks' the PC's USB.
You need to build it in a box and modify a USB cable to insert the power.
An off the shelf solution.... the Wyrd.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2014 17:25:31 GMT
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 30, 2014 18:47:28 GMT
This in combination with the isolator will do the job as well.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2014 19:36:05 GMT
i think this psu may have sorted my issue with the hiface2. even when the hiface was working properly on boot up, i would be seeing a red cross over the speaker icon on windows task bar. this cross would disappear after about 20 seconds. this also happens with my new usb/spdif conerter. now i have connected the external psu and injector cable, there is no sign of the red cross on boot up, not even for a second. could be all my issues were down to the usb 5v.
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Post by richard51 on Aug 7, 2015 3:10:09 GMT
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on Aug 7, 2015 5:04:52 GMT
You will need 2 of those in order to get to 48V DC. Or you may need a dual power supply that can do +/-24V (in total 48V)
However, you should realise that hiss induced by tubes (that really sounds like hiss) WON'T be improved.
You might get some improvement if you hear strange sounds in the background when no music is playing BUT chances are you can improve this by grounding or moving the amp around.
You could test for this by moving the amp alone to another part of the house and listen (with the volume to minimum) out for 'strange sounds' that do not belong.
When you have weird faint sounds that do not sound like typical 'noise' we could look into grounding.
Currently Jeremy is playing with his linear power supply which is up and running but still not finished.
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Post by richard51 on Aug 7, 2015 23:09:39 GMT
You will need 2 of those in order to get to 48V DC. Or you may need a dual power supply that can do +/-24V (in total 48V) However, you should realise that hiss induced by tubes (that really sounds like hiss) WON'T be improved. You might get some improvement if you hear strange sounds in the background when no music is playing BUT chances are you can improve this by grounding or moving the amp around. You could test for this by moving the amp alone to another part of the house and listen (with the volume to minimum) out for 'strange sounds' that do not belong. When you have weird faint sounds that do not sound like typical 'noise' we could look into grounding. Currently Jeremy is playing with his linear power supply which is up and running but still not finished. thank you Frans...No there are no problem with The Ember for me ni hiss nor any anormal background sound.... But i want to connect the Ember to a be3tter quality power supply.... I will wait for your power supply i think but its take time ....Best regards to t5he two of you
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