Analog, at least you tried. That's all we can do sometimes. 😛
Experience with Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator
Based upon some conversations about USB
galvanic isolation, I purchased the Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator to potentially
increase the SQ of my digital playback.
I connected the Intona between an Exogal Comet Plus and modified Mac
Mini (outboard PS). I used a 1M Morrow
USB cable on the device side and a 0.5M Wireworld Ultraviolet USB on the host
side. I burned in the assembly for 100 hours with music files. My first impression was an increased amount
of low level detail and a deeper soundstage.
However, this came at the cost of dynamics and drive. Music that I was very familiar with seemed to
play at a slower, sluggish pace. I replaced
the Ultraviolet with a 1M run of Wireworld Platinum Series 7 which helped a
little (other reviews indicated that host cable was not a factor – but I
clearly heard a difference between the two Wireworld's). I then swapped the Morrow and Wireworld with
a slight step backward in dynamics.
Any comments/suggestion to improve the Intona experience would be greatly appreciated.
Any comments/suggestion to improve the Intona experience would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, the rest of my system is a Pass INT-60
integrated amplifier, Thiel 3.6 speakers all connected with Morrow Reference
cable plugged into a PS Audio P10.
Analog side is a VPI Prime with Soundsmith Zephyr MIMIC
cart into an iFi phono.
- ...
- 17 posts total
announce a month ago - may not be a real thing yet... https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/31125-ifi-audio-igalvanic30-the-holy-grail-of-comput... |
Well, the swap to Curious cable did improve the dynamics so it appears the Morrow USB may not be compatible with the Intona. The VPI Brick held the Intona down (the Curious Cable is quite stiff) but I couldn't discern any effect on SQ. Long story short, my system sounds better without the Intona. I did come across some posts from Audio Circle that indicates the USB filters are very system dependent. The Intona still imparted a bit of haze on my system. http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=148457.0 Oh well, another box for the audio graveyard closet! If anybody wants it, I'll let it go for $200 including shipping in the continental US. |
- 17 posts total