ginetto61
1000+ Head-Fier
Hi !
i would like to get some opinions/advice on the cheap USB Isolators based on ADUM4160 that can be found on ebay.com.
But first a short premise.
If i understand well this very same chip is used also in the high-end ALPHA usb to spdif converter from Berkeley Audio.
In some reviews this USB to SPDIF converter has been recommended as the best available on the market. A true reference.
This sounds as the best endorsement possible for the ADUM4160.
This is a picture of the board in the Berkeley Audio unit:
http://easytubeamp.com/wp-content/gallery/berkeley-alpha-usb/berkeley_alpha_usb_002.jpg
The ADUM4160 is located under the small ferrite bar, downstream the XMOS usb receiver chip
(why after i do not understand).
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/attachments/f27-uptone-audio-sponsored/16659d1422475692-uptone-audio-regen-alphausb2.jpg
However ... at present i am "testing" this cheap isolator here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Low-noise-USB-Isolator-short-circuit-protection-ADUM4160-Hifi-JTAG-isolation-/111942885146?hash=item1a1050df1a:g:3AUAAOSwPgxVL63g
I kind of like the overall result, with both a Gustard U12 and a usb dac headphone amp from Audinst.
The sound seems cleaner that with the direct connection to the pc, with more defined bass and highs.
Clearly the result is dependent from the quality of the power supply used.
The regulator on board does not appear to be very high end. I will check the part model.
Moreover it provides a very handy DC socket for injecting clean DC in the usb line after it.
I mean ... it is handy, cheap and works of course without any problem of drivers or whatsoever.
Question
is there anyone so in the forum curious enough to buy one and try it in his high resolution system ? please
It works for me but i would like to understand if it is really detrimental for the signal (i heard of possible additional jitter caused by the isolator ? ).
I need to know if this a viable solution.
In this case i would look for a much better DC power supply to power it (advice very welcome and appreciated).
The power supplies good for devices like the Regen should be just perfect also for this little isolator.
I am using the cheap small Teradak ps now that provides a 9VDC out.
I think that 9-12VDC could be the best supply voltage to use.
On the board i see written from 6 to 24V for suitable power supplies.
Thanks a lot to anyone
Regards, gino
i would like to get some opinions/advice on the cheap USB Isolators based on ADUM4160 that can be found on ebay.com.
But first a short premise.
If i understand well this very same chip is used also in the high-end ALPHA usb to spdif converter from Berkeley Audio.
In some reviews this USB to SPDIF converter has been recommended as the best available on the market. A true reference.
This sounds as the best endorsement possible for the ADUM4160.
This is a picture of the board in the Berkeley Audio unit:
http://easytubeamp.com/wp-content/gallery/berkeley-alpha-usb/berkeley_alpha_usb_002.jpg
The ADUM4160 is located under the small ferrite bar, downstream the XMOS usb receiver chip
http://www.computeraudiophile.com/attachments/f27-uptone-audio-sponsored/16659d1422475692-uptone-audio-regen-alphausb2.jpg
However ... at present i am "testing" this cheap isolator here:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Low-noise-USB-Isolator-short-circuit-protection-ADUM4160-Hifi-JTAG-isolation-/111942885146?hash=item1a1050df1a:g:3AUAAOSwPgxVL63g
I kind of like the overall result, with both a Gustard U12 and a usb dac headphone amp from Audinst.
The sound seems cleaner that with the direct connection to the pc, with more defined bass and highs.
Clearly the result is dependent from the quality of the power supply used.
The regulator on board does not appear to be very high end. I will check the part model.
Moreover it provides a very handy DC socket for injecting clean DC in the usb line after it.
I mean ... it is handy, cheap and works of course without any problem of drivers or whatsoever.
Question
is there anyone so in the forum curious enough to buy one and try it in his high resolution system ? please
It works for me but i would like to understand if it is really detrimental for the signal (i heard of possible additional jitter caused by the isolator ? ).
I need to know if this a viable solution.
In this case i would look for a much better DC power supply to power it (advice very welcome and appreciated).
The power supplies good for devices like the Regen should be just perfect also for this little isolator.
I am using the cheap small Teradak ps now that provides a 9VDC out.
I think that 9-12VDC could be the best supply voltage to use.
On the board i see written from 6 to 24V for suitable power supplies.
Thanks a lot to anyone
Regards, gino
