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

[BrainFood]

Interesting conversation. Using a usb c 'power meter' dongle, it shows that my 7055C is consuming 1w, 0.2a from a 5v source (in this case a battery), whereas the HS-02 registers 0 watts, 0 amps. Whether the intona sounds better I'm not sure

 

[feverfive]

FWIW, I bought two Jameco linear regulated wall adapters recently (12V, not 5V) and both were incredibly noisy. I ended up having to return them. I've had good luck with the Jameco linear regulated supplies in the past, so I was disappointed in the performance of those units. I'm not sure if just those particular 12V adapters or all of their linear regulated supplies, but I would definitely pay attention to that when you get them.

Yeah, I've heard/read similar, and these wall wart/adapter type power supplies seem to be hit & miss in general. I guess one shouldn't expect much for ~$16.00. I'll try USB bus powered & the Jameco (I'll be running direct from a USB-C port on my Macbook Pro to my Altor isolator). If it's noisy w/ the Jameco, yeah, I'll return it and just try out one of those beefy-looking LHY 5v power supplies from Aliexpress.

EDIT: ehh, screw it; just placed an order for the LHY 5v linear power supply at AE. These units seem to be fairly well regarded around head-fi.

EDIT, March 28: These new'ish head-fi posting rules aren't great. The last thread post was a week ago (by me) and because of that, I can't even add a new post; I need to edit this old one. Anyway....

I was very surprised to check my mail this morning to find my Altor isolator has been delivered. Paid for 3/11, shipped 3/18. My relatively inexpensive LHY 5v linear power supply (LPS) is still en route from Aliexpress (it's in the U.S.), so I'll be using the Altor USB bus-powered til I receive the LPS.

 

[Slackaveli]

Looking forward to your impressions.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Is the Altor USB A Male and USB Female at the terminations?

 

[feverfive]

Is the Altor USB A Male and USB Female at the terminations?

Female (-A, output, & -B, input) at each end

 

[rsbrsvp]

Can you put 2 or 3 Altor's in a row?

 

[feverfive]

Can you put 2 or 3 Altor's in a row?

I have no idea, nor do I understand why one would want to do that. Then again, my nervosa only goes so far.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Well- there is plenty of talk here about the benefits of multiple isolators;- so I am not the first one to mention the idea. I'm just focusing on his particular isolator and asking if anyone has tried more than one and what the results were.

 

[Slackaveli]

go with one Altor and one Intone USB Isolator Industrial version.

 

[rsbrsvp]

I sent the following message to Jake just now and wanted to ask others with experience to chime in please:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jake, let me ask you your experience with the following. We all work on cleaning the signal upstream- usually with a network switch and downstream- after our PC/streamer but before our dac.

Do you feel that using maximum multiple isolation and regeneration methods as you do in the downstream stage that the upstream stage of noise cleaning becomes irrelevant, or not?

On the one hand- I would think catching the problem earlier is more important, but on the other getting it right before entering the dac is super critical.

Thanks for your advice,

Steven

 

[sajunky]

go with one Altor and one Intone USB Isolator Industrial version.

You can't put two Intonas in series, probably can't mix with chip-based isolators too.

The original question was about two or more Altor isolators in series. Texas Instruments datasheet do not specify such configuration. It is why it is interesting.

ADuM based isolators can be put in series (up to maximum 3). Mixing with Altor (TI chip) also worked, it was tested by @Jake2.

In all cases if the isolator has built-in USB 2.0 hub on the output, place it as the first device in series, it will work.

 

[rsbrsvp]

So- I have a LHY UIP and hope to order the Altor.

Here is the chain. PC-LHY UIP-DI24HE.

The suggestion is to put the Altor at the output of the PC or the output of the LHY UIP?

Perhaps both locations......

How about this: One Altor right after the PC- which is the beginning of the chain. Then the LHY UIP is in the middle, than a second Altor right before entering the DI-24. I have one of those lossless Uptone audio USB A to USB B adaptors I can use to get the signal into the DI-24HE.?????

 

[rsbrsvp]

To power the Altor isolator, does it take a 5.5/2.1 barrel terminated DC cable?

 

[BShaw]

To power the Altor isolator, does it take a 5.5/2.1 barrel terminated DC cable?

Yes, standard fare, live center. and to reply to your previous post, the Uptone adapter is perfect. I tried to get one and Alex told me they stopped ordering them a while back because it wasn't worth it, so lucky you for having one! I use my Altor right at the input to my DAC, and it's very good in that spot.

 

[rsbrsvp]

Yes, standard fare, live center. and to reply to your previous post, the Uptone adapter is perfect. I tried to get one and Alex told me they stopped ordering them a while back because it wasn't worth it, so lucky you for having one! I use my Altor right at the input to my DAC, and it's very good in that spot.

Thanks. Good info to have. I am using the ADUM3165 isolator dongle from Ali Express now and have an Altor on order. The $20 3165 USB dongle is right at the exit of my PC- and does great work there. I think the Altor right before the DDC will be perfect- but time will tell.