[shoaibexpert]

Hi @iFi audio

I need a quick note on my setup and in order to choose the right product. I am using a SOTA ESS 9038PRO chip based DAC (SMSL M500) and am using the below streaming options:

Setup 1 - PC-USB to DAC USB: I feel that the background is not as black, so would the iPurifier3 USB filter be helpful?

Setup 2 - Chromecast Audio Optical to same DAC: I feel the background is very dark and nice already and wonder if in my setup, the SPDIF iPurifier2 between the Chromecast and my DAC would be helpful as my DAC's 9038 Pro's chip has DPLL so would be removing jitter and resampling/reclocking anyways?

lastly, in case you do recommend the SPDIF iPurifier2 (which I'm guessing you will), would you advise connecting the SPDIF into the DAC (like a toslink to SPDIF convertor mode) or the Toslink out to theDAC? Again the source will be the Chromecast Audio?

Thanks

Shoaib

 

[iFi audio]

Setup 1 - PC-USB to DAC USB: I feel that the background is not as black, so would the iPurifier3 USB filter be helpful?

I would suggest getting either iPurifier3, or nano/micro iUSB3.0 reclockers, accordingly to what your budget allows. If you want to spend as little as possible, you could try iSilencer+. Although it's not a reclocker, it cuts noise incoming from USB to your DAC and there's some nice feedback on it on this forum.

Setup 2 - Chromecast Audio Optical to same DAC: I feel the background is very dark and nice already and wonder if in my setup, the SPDIF iPurifier2 between the Chromecast and my DAC would be helpful as my DAC's 9038 Pro's chip has DPLL so would be removing jitter and resampling/reclocking anyways?

Not knowing your DAC I can't say whether extra reclocking layer before it would do anything. If I had to guess, it should be a noticeable improvement, but I'd contact your iFi reseller and try the product at your place. That's the only viable action to know whether it'll do the trick for you

lastly, in case you do recommend the SPDIF iPurifier2 (which I'm guessing you will), would you advise connecting the SPDIF into the DAC (like a toslink to SPDIF convertor mode) or the Toslink out to theDAC? Again the source will be the Chromecast Audio?

It's up to which input your DAC has implemented better. Personally most likely I'd use coaxial SPDIF.

 

[shoaibexpert]

I would suggest getting either iPurifier3, or nano/micro iUSB3.0 reclockers, accordingly to what your budget allows. If you want to spend as little as possible, you could try iSilencer+. Although it's not a reclocker, it cuts noise incoming from USB to your DAC and there's some nice feedback on it on this forum.



Not knowing your DAC I can't say whether extra reclocking layer before it would do anything. If I had to guess, it should be a noticeable improvement, but I'd contact your iFi reseller and try the product at your place. That's the only viable action to know whether it'll do the trick for you



It's up to which input your DAC has implemented better. Personally most likely I'd use coaxial SPDIF.

Thanks for the prompt response. Shows you guys are a reliable manufacturer!

I've noticed that oversampling my PC output (multiples of 4) helps with the bringing the noise lower. Anyways, could be placebo too. I'm gonna buy the USB ipurifier 3 anyways to check more. I need USB connection for my EQ in Windows 10 setup while streaming Tidal Hi-Fi, which is not there with Chromecast Audio (unless I buy the obnoxiously expensive Roon to basically limit my Tidal experience!)

The DAC Chip (ESS Tech 9038PRO) surely has DPLL but dont know if there is anything else inside the DAC that's needed to reclock and remove jitter. As additional information, my DAC has a DPLL selection option from I guess 1 -14 with 7 as default. I saw your post where you said that the SPDIF ipurifier is only useful if there isn't a Dual PLL in the DAC itself (I'm guessing within the DAC Chip) said that back in 2016, 95% of DACs had ASRC in which case ipurifier made a difference and that obviously has changed since, that's why I asked if what you said applied here and if i might need to buy both the USB and the SPDIF version?!

The thing with resellers is that I am in UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi) and I don't think you have any here... especially not those that allow allow for testing or demos.

 

[iFi audio]

The DAC Chip (ESS Tech 9038PRO) surely has DPLL but dont know if there is anything else inside the DAC that's needed to reclock and remove jitter, I saw your post where you said that the SPDIF ipurifier is only useful if there isn't a Dual PLL in the DAC itself (I'm guessing within the DAC Chip) said that back in 2016, 95% of DACs had ASRC in which case ipurifier made a difference and that obviously has changed since, that's why I asked if what you said applied here and if i might need to buy both the USB and the SPDIF version?!

I've asked what iPurifiers do for DACs with DPLL inside, so once I'll have the answer I'll come back to you

 

[shoaibexpert]

I've asked what iPurifiers do for DACs with DPLL inside, so once I'll have the answer I'll come back to you

Thanks I'll wait for your kind answer.

Also, just wanted to confirm if the USB Ipurifier 3 also reclocks the USB signal...if that's possible...I'm not sure actually! Appreciate if you can shed some light or check on that one too...

Again, many thanks for your response.

 

[iFi audio]

Also, just wanted to confirm if the USB Ipurifier 3 also reclocks the USB signal...if that's possible...I'm not sure actually! Appreciate if you can shed some light or check on that one too...

It's a reclocker as well. You can think of it as a 'baby' nano iUSB3.0.

 

[iFi audio]

Thanks I'll wait for your kind answer.

I have it already

If a DAC's design is solid, its secondary PLL should eliminate all jitter, which would make iPurifier excessive. But whether your DAC has what it takes, I can't say

 

[shoaibexpert]

I have it already

If a DAC's design is solid, its secondary PLL should eliminate all jitter, which would make iPurifier excessive. But whether your DAC has what it takes, I can't say

Thanks. Please see and if possible share the ESS Chip schematics with the experts for their opinion which shows a DPLL layer over the ASRC in the ESS 9038PRO chip. This i feel will close the matter as to whether I should go for the SPDIF Ipurifier or not.

Also, the IUSB was a powered device (active) but the USB Ipurifier 3 isn't. Would it mean that the iUSB is better at doing its job?

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Please see and if possible share the ESS Chip schematics with the experts for their opinion which shows a DPLL layer over the ASRC in the ESS 9038PRO chip.

The schematic alone won't do. Our engineers know it most likely. They'd have to have your DAC and dig into it to know how it behaves.

Also, the IUSB was a powered device (active) but the USB Ipurifier 3 isn't. Would it mean that the iUSB is better at doing its job?

iPurifier3 is also active, but the difference is that it's powered from 5V line of USB. iPurifier is our basic reclocker, thaen there's nano iUSB3.0 that does the same work but better, and micro iUSB3.0 designed for the same role is the best one we have. In other workds, all three devices are similar, but very in their effectiveness.

 

[shoaibexpert]

The schematic alone won't do. Our engineers know it most likely. They'd have to have your DAC and dig into it to know how it behaves.



iPurifier3 is also active, but the difference is that it's powered from 5V line of USB. iPurifier is our basic reclocker, thaen there's nano iUSB3.0 that does the same work but better, and micro iUSB3.0 designed for the same role is the best one we have. In other workds, all three devices are similar, but very in their effectiveness.

Hi @iFi audio

Ok so ive decided to got for the SPDIF Ipurifier2 for my optical. Appreciate if you can help me with some opinion from your experts around whether i should use my Chromecast optical source through the ipurifier to the SPDIF/Coaxial out (ie in optical to Coaxial conversion mode) or to the Optical out of the ipurifier to the DAC? I know generally Coaxial is better but since the source is optical (Chromecast audio)...its why i am asking.

Also, does the 10MHz master clock help with the optical signal as well...just curious there...

And does it ship with mini optical to mini optical cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm optical).

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Ok so ive decided to got for the SPDIF Ipurifier2 for my optical. Appreciate if you can help me with some opinion from your experts around whether i should use my Chromecast optical source through the ipurifier to the SPDIF/Coaxial out (ie in optical to Coaxial conversion mode) or to the Optical out of the ipurifier to the DAC?

I would probably try options you have available and just roll with what sounds/works best for you. At some point your ears have to decide what they like

Also, does the 10MHz master clock help with the optical signal as well...just curious there...

You'd have to list a specific usage scenario with specific hardware, I believe.

And does it ship with mini optical to mini optical cable (3.5mm to 3.5mm optical).

It doesn't.

 

[shoaibexpert]

I would probably try options you have available and just roll with what sounds/works best for you. At some point your ears have to decide what they like

Sorry a bit late there. Based on what you said earlier about it potentially having a noticeable impact and on the overall feedback, I've already purchased the SPDIF Ipurifier 2 and it's on the way. My question was whether it's better to use the SPDIF out or the Optical out from the ipurifier when the source is optical please.

You'd have to list a specific usage scenario with specific hardware, I believe.

Sure. It's Chromecast Audio optical (which is known to be jittery) as source to an SMSL M500 DAC and the ipurifier will sit in between them. Streaming through Tidal HiFi in lossless 44.1K 16bit format via their native phone app.

It doesn't.

I later found that there are adapters supplied so it's ok.

Thanks

 

[iFi audio]

Sorry a bit late there. Based on what you said earlier about it potentially having a noticeable impact and on the overall feedback, I've already purchased the SPDIF Ipurifier 2 and it's on the way. My question was whether it's better to use the SPDIF out or the Optical out from the ipurifier when the source is optical please.

Not having your DAC around, it's quite impossible to remotely answer this question. iPurifier2 doesn't prioritize one its SPDIF out over the other, so the key question to ask would be about your DAC's digital inputs. Do they sound the same, or is one clearly better? That's why knowing that you can go from iPurifier2 to your DAC in two different ways, I suggested that you should try both and select the one that suits you better.

Sure. It's Chromecast Audio optical (which is known to be jittery) as source to an SMSL M500 DAC and the ipurifier will sit in between them. Streaming through Tidal HiFi in lossless 44.1K 16bit format via their native phone app.

Alright, I'll ask internally.

 

[darkarn]

Since the Eitr is as good as gone, I am thinking of another angle: Using the SPDIF ports of my Modi Multibit instead

I am thinking of using ifi iPurifier 2 to convert my computer's TOSLINK signal to Coaxial instead of using an Eitr to convert from USB to Coaxial

https://ifi-audio.com/products/spdif-ipurifier2/

Has anyone done a comparison between both?

 

[iFi audio]

Has anyone done a comparison between both?

I personally haven't seen one yet, but it would be interesting for sure