USB Nervosa Thread Decrapifiers, pro interfaces, and bears oh my

Yup, I'd like to know a price. Thanks

 

Is this only for the MC-3+ Smart Clock USB (and not the MC-1.2)?

 

I will ask, as we are buying multple units, I guess.

 

Okay, so where does something like the Peachtree X1 USB to SPDIF converter factor into this?

Should it have the same result as the Wyrd, Regen, etc.?

 

USB to SPDIF boxes are quite different to these USB tweak divices. Upside they may offer galvanic isolation, and if the USB input on a DAC is not good this can bypass that. Downside is SPDIF has inherently more jitter than some of the better USB inputs, but might offer less noise. I would look to DAC manufacturer for better USB, or possibly for some setups external converters or isolators may always help. Right now for me, I had a high end converter and cabling, and high end computer hardware, and I was better off to use the USB input on my DAC. I guess it all depends but it's probably better to keep a level head and recognise that these devices are in my mind a bandaid.

 

Currently, my chain is PC-->Bifrost 4490 (USB)-->Project Ember II-->HE-500

I really don't have any issues with the usb setup, but then I've never attempted any sort of decrapifier to see if it will help.

Got the Wyrd and Regen loaner headed my way next week, so it'll be fun to play with.

Just making sure going optical wouldn't be a way to fix the usb uncertainty.

 

My expectation is a lot of these will be sidegrade, add something, take something away. But I think very setup dependant. Hopefully you find something useful at a reasonable price. Look forward to learn what you find.

 

In my system, with the Gungnir Multibit, the PC->reGen->Gungnir Multibit came second to a PC->USB to ifi Micro iDSD->SPDIF Gungnir Multibit in a tubed amp small speaker setup. With a solid state and large speaker setup, the PC->Regen->Gungnir Multibit was even with a PC->SPDIF->Gungnir Multibit, and in both cases the sound was very different, with a flatter sound stage with the USB set up, but more detail. With SPDIF, you hear more depth and micro gradation in dynamics among the different instruments (as it should be) but also gives you a wider soundstage, but this also means some things are less audible than others. This sounds more lifelike, like good vinyl can be.

How does the Wyrd fit in? I'll know soon enough, as I have the loaners ready to go tonight.

In some instances, it gets worst, like it did when I ran PC->Regen-> ifi Micro iDSD-> Gungnir Multibit in the small setup. It got overly bright and lean, losing midrange body (piano attack was there but no midrange bloom, or decay, bass was thumpy, and the notes sounded the same). So bad I didn't even bother trying it the SS / large speaker setup. Harsh is the word that comes to mind.

 

Help me decide on a USB regen. I narrowed my results down to.

Schiit Wyrd $100
ifi iPurfier2 $100
Uptone Regen $175

Any recommendations? I am going to be using it for my Bifrost Multibit. I am not having noticeable issues with noise or jitter. I am using a PC as a source and I want to see if I can get a sonic improvement out of my Bifrost Multibit.


edit: I could also use an optical S/PDIF reclocker instead of usb my computer has optical outputs.

 

I have only heard the Wyrd, but I picked up a used one a few months ago and it made an appreciable difference in my system. Deeper noise floor, smoother highs, that sort of stuff. Worth a shot, IMO.

 

I have a Regen and am very pleased with it, but I've not heard the Wyrd or ifi in my chain so I can't comment on the others.

While I did not have any "noticeable" issues prior to picking up the Regen I was well aware that my new but inexpensive/off the shelf PC (no SSD, Windows10, JR21) was probably the weakest link in my chain that includes an HA-1 and Alpha Dogs. Yes the HA-1 / AD are not loved around here but I trusted the numerous positive reviews for the Regen and hoped it could help some of the shortcomings in my other gear.

I have to say that my very first impression was that things were definitely different with the Regen, it was only when I took it away that it was very clear to me that the differences were generally very positive (with some variation depending on the music). WRT the variation.... some tracks that had always sounded a bit bright/harsh were still annoying in that respect but I perceived that overall details & instrument separation (across other frequencies) were heightened which overall made for a more pleasurable listening experience. Very good recordings that tilted more to the neutral/warm side sounded really great and I perceived a greater level of improvement!

So I bought the REGEN knowing that my PC was suboptimal anyway, and with the hope that some of the harshness of the HA-1 & AD combo could be tamed. My hope was misplaced somewhat. It feels obvious to me that the 9018 implementation of the HA-1 is the biggest culprit followed by the AD being slightly too bright. HOWEVER, I was very pleasantly surprised at what the REGEN WAS able to improve and it is not leaving my chain any time soon. Best way I can explain it (as a relative NEWB) is to say that all the positive/fun things I would normally associate with a more V shaped response were present without anything sounding exaggerated, unnatural or out of place. Even on really poor recordings (RHCP) where the REGEN's improvements were very subtle I can't say that it made things any worse.

 

Thanks for the help! It looks like I'll be getting an uptone regen from a friend here. Thanks to the guy who pm'ed me.

 

Hey all, just got the INTONA yesterday. IPA cleaned the pins and deoxited. Had to use a free printer cable as it breaks the chain.

I didn't think it would do that much as I run my music of a Sammy S5 -USB AUDIO PROplayer OTG -ifi ipurifier 2- OPPO HA1. (Being a battery source)

Now with the intona, I have to place the IFI P 2 before the intona, I think it needs 500mv in as the intona outputs 300mv....

I bought the cheaper Intona but pleased with the changes it brings. Percussion is now sharper with zing.. drums wood..
Voices are now easier to pick out and hear.
The sound is wider and more Holographic.
More cream to my coffee than a whole package.

My OPPO has only recently started to show it's potential through some work I did....


My OPPO was stripped down cleaned and Doxited for a major boost. The internal connectors to the main board and the power supplies push fits. I think the earth points made the real burst in performance potential. Now my modded ETHER... Maxx134 MOD is earning it's keep and the IFI now makes a difference.

To be cheeky please jump in on the tweaks thread and add your opinion to the list on RIG MAINTAINACE..... Even if you don't do any cleaning, maintainace, cables... I want the SBAFRIENDS adding to the what we do list... Nothing to ultra anal... If you have advice or tips that work..cheap free or expensive.. as long as it works for you..
Add them to the list or just jump in and say hi or give an opinion to any ideas just be honest..

From this community view I want to make a good wikiteach page for the best tips and best value advice

I am going full out ultra anal but a bit of deoxit blew my OPPO wide open. So it could help other rigs but I cover electrical safety, chemical safety. INDUSTRIAL ESD..
Last is soldering cheap plastic connectors with PC style nickel crimps on wires and silver contact grease.....

Please add to the posts so it is a guide from SBAF users for all SBAF users.
and people looking for good honest advice/Help. I want to add something here rather than take... this honest no bullshit site is a rare thing... At least do the poll..
Ignore my big posts btw...

oh the intona is staying but a touch expensive for my tastes. But Iam going for that last 10% in audiofoolery....Also THAD E is making me paranoid on the maintenance deoxit tweaks thread...that I am hearing things..... and keeping me honest...

Cheers and good luck

Dave

 

I am very skeptical of huge changes from Deoxit on products that are two years old. Also, you should keep the USB stuff in here, and the maintenance stuff in the maintenance thread.

 

Ah true was getting a bit over excited....and pandering for more opinions to make a WIKI. My boost was just getting back to potential ...not an on top of.. magic improvement ..wish it was..

If it is too cheeky ill delete it out no harm or offence intended...

Now its tip top the IFI IPURIFIER 2 makes a difference before it didn't really. Now the Intona is in the chain, my OPPO is just fantastic to what it was. There are limits though we're you could have bought a better rig rather than pimping the one you have.
I bought a small wire world chroma A B for post intona side to the USB DAC in... Thats it for me then. A side slush fund and a few years saving for a Schitt... Decrapifiers be dammed...

I suppose there isn't many places to go after end game Dac purchases like a Yggdrasil A2.....

Cheers for the heads up btw..

Dave

 

I do think the INTONA + IFI IPURIFIER 2 is now draining the battery faster on my Sammy S5. Not an issue via a PC powered USB bus. I'll see if the small wire world chroma makes any discernible audio difference post Intona or its just another piece of Audiophile bling in yellow...

 

Cleaned the 'new WW chroma'... black muck came off the gold connections. I bought this for the Intona as it is short and 90ohm cable. The 5V cable is separated away from the data lines... The galvanic action may make this a moot point anyway..
Attached it hard to tell is its better or worse.
Maybe just different.....

I do think the inline front end IFI P v2 adds more than takes away with the Intona. I Did find some thick silicone rubber feet. The ones that cover the screw holes don't grip much on my glass table. I could strip it and add some weight inside I suppose ...
I did this as others mentioned a better quality shorter cable can make a difference the output side of the Intona. Cheap and sorter A-B printer cables my do just fine in your rig setup.. The flat Wire world cable is very stiff and hard to move around...

 

Been messing with usb a bit. And well i noticed that hooking up my interface to the 2nd physical usb controller on the mobo seems to improve the sound(fuller and a bit more plankton).
Perhaps since it's further away from the cpu and mosfets and whatnot there is less noise? Maybe there is extra filtering/protection going on in those headers. The only thing i have hooked up to the back is a logitech unified receiver.

Maybe something to try out by hooking up your interface to the front and if you like it get a bracket for the back.

 

I had emi/rfi noise in usb ports before. I opened up my PC and saw that none of the internal usb cords are grounded. I wrapped grounded alluminum foil around the usb cords then wrapped electrical tape around them and it was dead quiet after that.

 

One of the usb wires is ground what you did is shield the cable from noise. But it is also something to consider if you want to use the other usb controller.