The previous reviewer did an outstanding job detailing the unboxing experience, and going over the technical specs. Below I am going to add some thoughts of my own....
It was the middle of 2009 when I got my first taste of computer audio via USB. Actually, that isn't correct. I had been dabbling with USB audio RECORDING devices since around the year 2000. 2009 was the first time I tried to integrate a computer via USB into my Hi-Fi playback system.
Those were rough days. Poor clocking, data dropouts, excessive noise, limited sample rates just to name a few problems. The resultant sound was hard edged and lacking in musicality. My, oh my how far we have come!
The USB interface itself is still quite compromised for audio taken as it is. But thankfully companies like iFi have given us solutions to many of the issues that plague the interface.
Back when 'asynchronous' USB came out, it was supposed to be the 'cure all' for USB audio woes. And granted, the much more stable clocking it provides has gone a long way in making USB an 'audiophile' interface. But it isn't enough. Computers tend to be very, very noisy beasts, and they will transmit massive amounts of EMI and RF noise through the USB interface. Additionally, many downstream audio DAC's obtain their power supply directly from what is already a very, very dirty USB signal. All this extra noise is burdensome on what may be the single most important component in the signal chain; the CLOCK. I am not going to go into a deep discussion on jitter, nor an I really qualified to do so. Suffice to say, jitter is bad. And a compromised CLOCK is going to create a jittery audio signal. Asynchronous USB can only go so far is achieving this jitter free signal. What may be the cleanest clock ever created will be compromised by a dirty USB connection, regardless of which component is host or slave.
Devices like the iUSB 3.0 Nano address these USB issues. To get the most out of your USB DAC, you need more than just an asynchronous interface. Furthermore, you may need more help than in-DAC galvanic isolation provides. Many DAC's place the opto-isolators post USB interface on the outgoing I2S line. Which means dirty USB still affects the onboard clocking of the USB interface, and can still travel the ground plane via other paths, affecting the DAC conversion clock.
I used the iUSB 3.0 Nano with two different DAC's, and heard astonishing results in both instances. If you have a budget DAC, or even if you have a DAC that is several thousand dollars, you can expect positive results from the iUSB Nano.
The first setup in which I inserted the Nano (from henceforth I will simply be referring to the device as the 'Nano') was my work/office rig consisting of a laptop PC and an iFi iDSD Micro. All listening was done via Monoprice M560 headphones. The first thing noticed upon inserting the Nano was the increase in fine detail and the apparent increase in signal to noise ratio. The background just sounds 'blacker'. With the Nano, imaging is tighter. What was a slightly hazy sound is now very clear, clean and articulated, while still maintaining warmth, musicality and beauty.
The second setup, in which I found the greatest increase in quality, was my main listening rig. It consists of a PC based front end, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1LE Femto DAC, Icon Audio HP8 MKII tube headphone amp, and Audeze LCD-X headphones.
Even though the Wyred 4 Sound DAC has galvanic isolation on the I2S bus, there was a marked decrease in noise floor after adding the Nano. The W4S DAC always seemed to have some hardness/harshness in the upper-mids/lower treble. This harshness was completely gone after adding the Nano. The overall sound was much warmer, musical, and more realistic. Without the Nano, listening sessions could get a bit fatiguing. With the Nano, I could listen for hours at a time with no ear fatigue. Actually, the only fatigue was of the bodily kind, and many a late night listening session with the Nano in place was only interrupted by the need for sleep, or the unexpected sunrise that came much quicker than anticipated.
In conclusion, I give the iUSB Nano the highest of recommendations. I have used similar products from other companies, and none of them brought the same kind of musical listening satisfaction I felt when listening to the Nano. So what are you waiting for? If you have a USB audio setup and want a noteworthy increase in fidelity without breaking the bank, the iUSB 3.0 Nano is a no brainer!!!
5 stars out of 5
Equipment used in this review
iFi iDSD Micro
iFi Gemini Cable
iFi iUSB 2.0
iFi iPurifier 2
Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1 LE Femto edition
WireWorld USB cables
Intona Galvanic Isolator
Icon Audio HP8 MKII headphone amp
It was the middle of 2009 when I got my first taste of computer audio via USB. Actually, that isn't correct. I had been dabbling with USB audio RECORDING devices since around the year 2000. 2009 was the first time I tried to integrate a computer via USB into my Hi-Fi playback system.
Those were rough days. Poor clocking, data dropouts, excessive noise, limited sample rates just to name a few problems. The resultant sound was hard edged and lacking in musicality. My, oh my how far we have come!
The USB interface itself is still quite compromised for audio taken as it is. But thankfully companies like iFi have given us solutions to many of the issues that plague the interface.
Back when 'asynchronous' USB came out, it was supposed to be the 'cure all' for USB audio woes. And granted, the much more stable clocking it provides has gone a long way in making USB an 'audiophile' interface. But it isn't enough. Computers tend to be very, very noisy beasts, and they will transmit massive amounts of EMI and RF noise through the USB interface. Additionally, many downstream audio DAC's obtain their power supply directly from what is already a very, very dirty USB signal. All this extra noise is burdensome on what may be the single most important component in the signal chain; the CLOCK. I am not going to go into a deep discussion on jitter, nor an I really qualified to do so. Suffice to say, jitter is bad. And a compromised CLOCK is going to create a jittery audio signal. Asynchronous USB can only go so far is achieving this jitter free signal. What may be the cleanest clock ever created will be compromised by a dirty USB connection, regardless of which component is host or slave.
Devices like the iUSB 3.0 Nano address these USB issues. To get the most out of your USB DAC, you need more than just an asynchronous interface. Furthermore, you may need more help than in-DAC galvanic isolation provides. Many DAC's place the opto-isolators post USB interface on the outgoing I2S line. Which means dirty USB still affects the onboard clocking of the USB interface, and can still travel the ground plane via other paths, affecting the DAC conversion clock.
I used the iUSB 3.0 Nano with two different DAC's, and heard astonishing results in both instances. If you have a budget DAC, or even if you have a DAC that is several thousand dollars, you can expect positive results from the iUSB Nano.
The first setup in which I inserted the Nano (from henceforth I will simply be referring to the device as the 'Nano') was my work/office rig consisting of a laptop PC and an iFi iDSD Micro. All listening was done via Monoprice M560 headphones. The first thing noticed upon inserting the Nano was the increase in fine detail and the apparent increase in signal to noise ratio. The background just sounds 'blacker'. With the Nano, imaging is tighter. What was a slightly hazy sound is now very clear, clean and articulated, while still maintaining warmth, musicality and beauty.
The second setup, in which I found the greatest increase in quality, was my main listening rig. It consists of a PC based front end, Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1LE Femto DAC, Icon Audio HP8 MKII tube headphone amp, and Audeze LCD-X headphones.
Even though the Wyred 4 Sound DAC has galvanic isolation on the I2S bus, there was a marked decrease in noise floor after adding the Nano. The W4S DAC always seemed to have some hardness/harshness in the upper-mids/lower treble. This harshness was completely gone after adding the Nano. The overall sound was much warmer, musical, and more realistic. Without the Nano, listening sessions could get a bit fatiguing. With the Nano, I could listen for hours at a time with no ear fatigue. Actually, the only fatigue was of the bodily kind, and many a late night listening session with the Nano in place was only interrupted by the need for sleep, or the unexpected sunrise that came much quicker than anticipated.
In conclusion, I give the iUSB Nano the highest of recommendations. I have used similar products from other companies, and none of them brought the same kind of musical listening satisfaction I felt when listening to the Nano. So what are you waiting for? If you have a USB audio setup and want a noteworthy increase in fidelity without breaking the bank, the iUSB 3.0 Nano is a no brainer!!!
5 stars out of 5
Equipment used in this review
iFi iDSD Micro
iFi Gemini Cable
iFi iUSB 2.0
iFi iPurifier 2
Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1 LE Femto edition
WireWorld USB cables
Intona Galvanic Isolator
Icon Audio HP8 MKII headphone amp