Intona USB Isolator

[Ammonite Audio]

I've bought an Intona High Speed USB isolator, in the hope that it might lift PC-based audio to a standard that I find musically involving. Up to now, I have used the (expensive) SOtM PCIe USb card in a dedicated and optimised music PC, and it certainly does improved SQ over the PC's own USB ports; however finding space for the PC, its monitor, and an two external PSUs is becoming irksome, so I've been looking at ways to lift a modest but good quality Lenovo sub-notebook to the same standard, over USB.

Before Christmas I bought an Audioquest Jitterbug, which does everything that the maker claims for it; also adding another in parallel really does help further. For £39 each, these little filters are an absolute bargain and easy to recommend. But, could a boring beige plastic box from Germany be the magic bullet for USB audio?

The Intona device is an isolator, so it will galvanically isolate the DAC from the noisy computer host. It seems to be an unpretentious, properly engineered thing. All the details are here http://intona.eu/en/products . It's not exactly dirt cheap at EUR 264, but worth a punt, I thought, particularly since it does not require a PSU, so it's one discreet little box that does not clutter the rack.

Well, it is worth a punt. Listening to a variety of music pieces, all uncompressed WAV and using the Hegel H160's USB input and JRiver17, there is definitely a 'cleaning up' of the sound, revealing details and harmonics that were previously a tad obscured, but that's not all. On Leif Ove Andsnes' recording of Grieg Lyric Pieces, it's really lovely to hear the left hand more clearly presented and nicely placed in space, which many systems don't seem to get right - without the isolator in place, things are a bit 'vague'. On all the music that I've played through the Intona isolator, there has been greater detail, and a greater sense of musical order. Most enjoyable.

I did wonder if the Intona would work better with a Jitterbug feeding its input. No, it does not!

So, this Intona USB isolator gets my nod. It's cheaper than most of the bespoke USB cards for PCs, and to my ears delivers pretty much the same benefits, without any faffing around. For anyone without EUR 264, the Audioquest Jitterbug remains a no-brainer, though.

I have no connection with Intona - just a satisfied customer.

[sq225917]

What's you PC and DAC?

[Ammonite Audio]

Lenovo sub-notebook (S205), running Windows 10 and JRiver MC17 (the last version that lets you choose the output format). DAC in this case is the one inside the Hegel H160, but I also have a Naim DAC-V1 but have yet to try the Intona with it.

[Spectral Morn]

Interesting, did you get the high speed or standard version?

[Ammonite Audio]

The standard version, but they are both 'high speed'. If I understand the specs correctly, the 'industrial' version has a 2.5kV isolation capability rather than 1kV for the 'standard' version, but otherwise the difference is just a matter of 'high retention' USB connectors.

[WAD62]

I suppose the relative benefits will be DAC dependant...:eyebrows:

I use an iFi USB Power between my SBTouch and my MDAC, it's a noticeable improvement, I presume the intona is fulfilling similar functions albeit in a slightly different way...:)

[Spectral Morn]

I suppose the relative benefits will be DAC dependant...:eyebrows:

I use an iFi USB Power between my SBTouch and my MDAC, it's a noticeable improvement, I presume the intona is fulfilling similar functions albeit in a slightly different way...:)

I too use an IFi USB power in my main audio PC rig and recently I bought a Jitter Bug, to try elsewhere - not tried it yet though. The iFi certainly works and its benefit to me was pretty obvious.

[technobear]

I suppose the relative benefits will be DAC dependant...:eyebrows:

I use an iFi USB Power between my SBTouch and my MDAC, it's a noticeable improvement, I presume the intona is fulfilling similar functions albeit in a slightly different way...:)

Your next step is the iFi iPurifier 2 into the back of the USB Power.

[WAD62]

Your next step is the iFi iPurifier 2 into the back of the USB Power.

Interesting, I had the purifier 1 as the last in chain between my gemini and MDAC, but I had to return it due to it intermittently dropping the connection to the MDAC overnight...I rather liked the effect when it worked

This may be cake and eat it time :)

EDIT; Ordered, MCRU will have it back if it doesn't work out...

I see, it's effectively upgrading the iUSB Power to the iUSB 3.0

From their website;

The iFi ‘Grand Slam’

To reach the absolute zenith in USB audio quality, iFi loves to push past the envelope of what is considered possible. We recommend the existing iUSB Power (to supply pure, clean power) and the Gemini cable (for separate audio + power transmission). Coupled with the iPurifier 2 to re-clock/regenerate and filter audio+power just prior to entering the iUSB Power (in this instance, not at the DAC end).

For the iUSB3.0, that alone incorporates all that we have learnt over the past few years so the iPurifier2 is not required to improve the iUSB3.0.

[technobear]

Interesting, I had the purifier 1 as the last in chain between my gemini and MDAC, but I had to return it due to it intermittently dropping the connection to the MDAC overnight...I rather liked the effect when it worked

This may be cake and eat it time :)

EDIT; Ordered, MCRU will have it back if it doesn't work out...

I see, it's effectively upgrading the iUSB Power to the iUSB 3.0

I have an iPurifier 2 and it's effects are more obvious to hear than the changes brought about by the iUSB Power. Perhaps I'm lucky and my Acer Aspire V11 fanless laptop is particularly quiet.

I wrote a bit about it on Head-Fi:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003630

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003651

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003667

[WAD62]

I have an iPurifier 2 and it's effects are more obvious to hear than the changes brought about by the iUSB Power. Perhaps I'm lucky and my Acer Aspire V11 fanless laptop is particularly quiet.

I wrote a bit about it on Head-Fi:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003630

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003651

http://www.head-fi.org/t/784983/ifi-ipurifier-2-reviews-impressions-and-discussion-thread#post_12003667

Hi Chris,

The source in my main system is an SBTouch (EDO enhanced firmware), via USB to an MDAC (L2 upgrade 'Toy')...

The touch is fanless too, however it is still a linux computer running a wifi connection, and will generate noise, the MDAC by JW's own admission benefits from USB isolation, other DACs may already have a certain amount built in...I notice you're running the DSD Micro, I have the Nano (for work and portable duties) and as I recall there was mention of some built in isolation on the Nano, I'd imagine the micro would probably be even better equipped.

Initially I used one of the cheaper danish isolators with my MDAC, but noticed little or no improvement, however putting the iFi USB power in the middle provided a noticeable improvement, perhaps the Micro isn't as susceptible to USB noise as the MDAC, hence you see limited benefits from the iFi USB?

Looking forward to the Purifier 2's arrival, let's hope it's location upstream of the USB power will remove any potential signal 'drop outs' as I had with the original...:eyebrows:

[WAD62]

iPurifier 2 has arrived and is in situ, so the worlds most elaborate USB streaming solution is now complete...;)

QNAP NAS, with FLAC library and LMS> WiFi Router> logitech SBTouch(EDO)> Belkin passive USB Hub> 0.5M Kimber USB Cable> iFi iPurifier 2> iFi USB Power> iFi Gemini USB Cable> Audiolab MDAC L2 'Toy' Asynchronous USB input...:eyebrows:

Lets hope I don't suffer from the original Purifier/ dropped connection issues...given the power to MDAC connection has been perfect for 2 years 24/7 I'm hopeful :)

With regard to it's sonic effects I'm not sure I'm in a good position to judge at the moment, I've recently upgraded my speakers and cables from Mission 753s/Belkin AV, to IPL S5TL Mk2s/Van Damme 6mm HiFi, and my ears are still reeling (in a very good way) from the upgrade...they may still be breaking in, both ears and speakers that is :eyebrows:

My only potential reference point at the moment is GoGo Penguin's new album 'Man Made Object' (released early Feb), as I've only heard it on the new speakers, and as it's superb it's been on quite a bit...

Is it perhaps a bit more 'realistic', or 'natural' sounding? I'd need to give it a prolonged listen, then remove it to make any valid judgement...we'll see if I can be bothered, in the meantime its staying put :)

[louisxiawei]

I did wonder if the Intona would work better with a Jitterbug feeding its input. No, it does not!



Hi,

I have the setup as follow: PC- Intona - Uptone Regen - DAC. As you mention, Intona doesn't work with Jitterbug as its input, but what if I put jitterbug after the Intona? Have you tried it? Do you think it's still necessary to put extra jitterbug into the system like this?

Any help would be appreciated,
Louis

[Ammonite Audio]

Hi,

I have the setup as follow: PC- Intona - Uptone Regen - DAC. As you mention, Intona doesn't work with Jitterbug as its input, but what if I put jitterbug after the Intona? Have you tried it? Do you think it's still necessary to put extra jitterbug into the system like this?

Any help would be appreciated,
Louis

I can't imagine that putting a Jitterbug after the Intona will be worthwhile; however I have not tried it, nor have I tried the Uptone Regen. I suspect that the Intona's USB output is as good as it gets, assuming that the connected USB device doesn't want to draw too much power.