Douk Audio U2 Pro DDC - Poorman DDC for an affordable & clean digital signal

[CT007]

It sounds like you definitely care about sound quality, not just a device that does a simple conversion. That will cost you a little more, like with the addition of a better PSU.

The iFi Silent Power though, is super expensive

Mmm, well $79 is not so much in the big picture of how fancy PSUs can be($1000+, easily). I know that:

1) This PSU absolutely works great, and has improved sound quality(noise reduction, at a bare minimum) on pretty much any DAC/amp/DDC/etc I use it with. I consider a PSU upgrade an essential upgrade, if you're trying to save money with more budget hardware, but want to make sure you're maximizing what that hardware is capable of, sound-and-performance-wise. You KNOW the PSUs that come with budget stuff are gonna be horrible... iFi seems to be a Power Player in the power filtering game, and from my verification research it seems that their performance specs from testing this device are indeed accurate, and extremely impressive.
2) I only have 1 currently(for my DAC), but ultimately everything in my system(s) that need a better 5/9/12/15V PSU will get this iFi in the future.
3) There are a ton of connectors/adapters that come with it, which is just fantastic.

Can't comment about buying Leafaudio, but I've never had a single issue buying from Ali yet, except some translation difficulties. Got my Douk and iFi's from Amazon, tho.

 

[Jake2]

Re next gen USB 2.0 isolators I see there is a new USB isolator from JDSlabs - a very tidily finished TI ISOUSB211 chip based isolator, USB C in/out in a choice of alloy + glass or 3D printed enclosure. Reasonably priced at USD49/69 for a hifi brand and this level of finish.

https://jdslabs.com/product/synapse/
https://blog.jdslabs.com/2024/08/introducing-jds-labs-synapse-next-gen-usb-isolator/

@sajunky @doitttt as i know you have an interest in the TI ISOUSB211 chip.

 

[sajunky]

Re next gen USB 2.0 isolators I see there is a new USB isolator from JDSlabs - a very tidily finished TI ISOUSB211 chip based isolator, USB C in/out in a choice of alloy + glass or 3D printed enclosure. Reasonably priced at USD49/69 for a hifi brand and this level of finish.

https://jdslabs.com/product/synapse/
https://blog.jdslabs.com/2024/08/introducing-jds-labs-synapse-next-gen-usb-isolator/

@sajunky @doitttt as i know you have an interest in the TI ISOUSB211 chip.

Thanks, I am interested because development boards from TI sounded better than development boards for ADuM devices.

This one is cute. Just remember that you need C to B USB cable, as device is shipped with C to C cable. This is a pain if you already own expensive cables.

A second limitation will show up if your DAC draws to much power. Probably all XMOS based receivers will fail as take ~300mA peak.

My Audio GD do not draw USB bus power, it should work perfectly, the same JDS Labs DACs. Douk Audio U2Pro will only work when using external power supply. In all other cases you need a power injector.

 

[Jake2]

But wait, there's more! As I'm on a TI roll how about another TI ISOUSB211 based USB isolator, but with DC input and standard USB A and B sockets, also reasonably priced at USD67*?

https://www.altor.co/products/test-equipment/usb-isolator

As the product page refers to use of both AduM and TI isolator chips based on availability, I asked the vendor if they could supply the TI chip. He promptly replied just now to advise that the next batch, available end Nov, will use a TI chip. Result!

*about the same price as the TI evaluation board @doitttt recently tried with good success and wrote about on another thread.

 

[pokrog]

But wait, there's more! As I'm on a TI roll how about another TI ISOUSB211 based USB isolator, but with DC input and standard USB A and B sockets, also reasonably priced at USD67*?

https://www.altor.co/products/test-equipment/usb-isolator

As the product page refers to use of both AduM and TI isolator chips based on availability, I asked the vendor if they could supply the TI chip. He promptly replied just now to advise that the next batch, available end Nov, will use a TI chip. Result!

*about the same price as the TI evaluation board @doitttt recently tried with good success and wrote about on another thread.

If it's not too much trouble, can you tag me in a post when those are available?

 

[Jake2]

If it's not too much trouble, can you tag me in a post when those are available?

TBH if you're interested better to email them and either put in a pre-order or ask for an availability notification, if they do either as they're a small company of part time folk I believe.

Happy to tag you if I remember but I'm not sure I personally 'need' another USB isolator for my main speaker system and the USB C JDSlabs is probably a better fit for my semi-portable setup.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

If it's not too much trouble, can you tag me in a post when those are available?

TBH if you're interested better to email them and either put in a pre-order or ask for an availability notification, if they do either as they're a small company of part time folk I believe.

Happy to tag you if I remember but I'm not sure I personally 'need' another USB isolator for my main speaker system and the USB C JDSlabs is probably a better fit for my semi-portable setup.

@pokrog - Alex@Altor will happily put you on a pre-order waitlist; he will then let you know when it is available for purchase.

 

[WoodyLuvr]

But wait, there's more! As I'm on a TI roll how about another TI ISOUSB211 based USB isolator, but with DC input and standard USB A and B sockets, also reasonably priced at USD67*?

https://www.altor.co/products/test-equipment/usb-isolator

As the product page refers to use of both AduM and TI isolator chips based on availability, I asked the vendor if they could supply the TI chip. He promptly replied just now to advise that the next batch, available end Nov, will use a TI chip. Result!

*about the same price as the TI evaluation board @doitttt recently tried with good success and wrote about on another thread.

isousb211 has a built-in 24mhz clock designed into the chip
gives the same in eye diagram with jitter
as adum 4165/66
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100...-a844-53a7ac5b745a&algo_exp_id=54a6d948-e7f7- 4b3f-a844-53a7ac5b745a-5&pdp_npi=4 %40dis%21DKK%21909.72%21827.86%21%21%21132.35%21120.44%21%40211b61bb17293186302455397eb185%2112000041176354474%21sea%21DK%210%21ABX &curPageLogUid=TzIvD71UCTS3&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
the one with power i uv adum 3166 uses current regulator lt1963 has 40uv
while lhy uip uses lt3042 with 0.8uv
perhaps it gives greater clarity in the sound with the same chip adum 4165/66

https://www.mouser.dk/ProductDetail/Texas-Instruments/ISOUSB211DPEVM?qs=A6eO%2BMLsxmQxsQ5MYGLaYg==&utm_id=20109199418&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Py4BhCbARIsAMMx-_KIQ3ViIqa940VWdvq7U-_O1TOn2njuHyX2mnB9WftqWgc4t65ldtkaApLzEALw_wcB
I will refer you to that link
it says built in clock
but important in this isousb211 gives the same eye diagram as adum 3165/66 as well as 4165/66
it means a lot to the sound
LINK
https://e2e.ti.com/support/isolatio...m-optimal-configuration-feedback-clock-source

Sorry but that is incorrect. The T.I. isolator functions differently and there is not any internal XO, crystal, or PLL.

Seems to be some confusion here on this point about TI's ISOUSB211 having an internal clock or not. Upon research I do find the following items that indicate that it may have some sort of clocking internally as follows:

TI's ISOUSB211 High/Full/Low Speed Isolated USB Repeater datasheet:

Alfred Chong @ TI posted this:

Has anyone figured out how/why the ISOUSB211 does not need a clock or crystal and if it may in fact indeed have some type of 24 MHz clock for retiming built in internally?

 

[sajunky]

Has anyone figured out how/why the ISOUSB211 does not need a clock or crystal and if it may in fact indeed have some type of 24 MHz clock for retiming built in internally?

Is that a problem?

12/24MHz clock is needed for a microcontroller interpreting a protocol. Device like this can work purely on detecting logic transitions using modulation/demodulation to transfer DC level signals. It is done using gigaherz frequency oscilator, not a lame frequency you mention.

 

[doitttt]

I out for strange experience
just isousb211 and a cheap adum 3166 gives good sound
but suffered stuttering in the sound after adum3166 added
but found out about power socket with 9 volts lost the connection for 1 sec therefore
soldered a little 9 volt socket now all ok
but soon gets lhy uip

 

[doitttt]

ISOUSB211DPEVM provides more presence in the sound
believe in the eye diagram
if looking at tusb217
https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/t...61279&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
it used on ISOUSB211DPEVM almost the same with eye diagram
it produces less jitter

 

[doitttt]

https://www.altor.co/products/test-equipment/usb-isolator
with 5volt in
gives it 20 percent better sound
disconnects usb power and uses 5 volts for the usb port
from external power supply
https://www.audiophonics.fr/en/hifi...M7xzVt6yH0N-nfHP5-7MiwbBfQNIoKZNhqtIm_BxIMTQq
clean battery power
you must have an smtp power supply of 2 amps
and put filter between
5V jack filter with supercapacitor

 

[Jake2]

@pokrog - Alex@Altor will happily put you on a pre-order waitlist; he will then let you know when it is available for purchase.

Alex just emailed me yesterday in response to my query a month back - I didn’t even request to be wait listed - so although I REALLY don’t need any more USB isolators I pulled the trigger on it as it looks a nice build and reasonably priced.

Will keep you posted.

 

[pokrog]

Alex just emailed me yesterday in response to my query a month back - I didn’t even request to be wait listed - so although I REALLY don’t need any more USB isolators I pulled the trigger on it as it looks a nice build and reasonably priced.

Will keep you posted.

Thanks for the heads up. Bought one last night lol

 

[Lebowsky]

hey all, so I was about to purchase the Douk/Leafaudio with upgraded clocks on aliex, when I noticed something in the similar items...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008122505490.html

SMSL PO100 (the smallest SMSL model). I thought those were out of production and I had stumbled upon some old stock... but no! It's a new 2024 version:

https://www.smsl-audio.com/portal/product/detail/id/903.html

Anyway, I ordered it instead, I want to believe the newest design is the best . Worst case it's so inexpensive, I'll just get the Leaf with CCHD957 afterwards.