[alekc]

I need to try and get the iGalvanic 3.0 and the others

As for the Mytek, I'll try to add that, it is something I noticed, the sonics were better on Optical in general, less noisy. Maybe there is a bit of variance from unit to unit, but I also suspect that the new bridge has better overall filtering at the USB level

It would be great if someone from Mytek or HEM could confirm if this is the same HW. One more thing that could be possibly impacting test results is firmware version. I am running 1.44 currently while it seems that for DAC+ the newest version is 1.28. It is hard to compare change logs due to different functionality but I guess Bridge firmware is based on DAC+ with streaming functionality added. In fact Bridge firmware changelog almost explicitly lists streaming features changes and bug fixing.

 

[iFi audio]

There is another interesting thing to test: how does nano iGalvanic3.0 with micro iUSB3.0 stack up against iSilencer Plus, after all iSilencer Plus is newer product.

I'd say they don't. Each product you listed was designed to do different things, so they're in that sense complementary (their input ads up) rather than competitive one to another. Considering what it is, iSilencer+ does the least and is the most affordable.

 

[dakanao]

@iFi audio What is the difference the tantalum caps make vs the iSilencer 3, which doesn’t have the caps? Like lower resistance, thus keeping the dynamics better?

 

[iFi audio]

@iFi audio What is the difference the tantalum caps make vs the iSilencer 3, which doesn’t have the caps? Like lower resistance, thus keeping the dynamics better?

iSilencer+ features low-ESR tantalum caps for improved input and output filtering, so to make its silencing work more effective.

 

[dakanao]

iSilencer+ features low-ESR tantalum caps for improved input and output filtering, so to make its silencing work more effective.

Did the iSilencer 3 also have filtering at the output, or only at the source?

 

[iFi audio]

Did the iSilencer 3 also have filtering at the output, or only at the source?

I'd have to double-check with our tech team, but most likely they did something on both fronts though less effective than what's in our latest iSilencer.

 

[dakanao]

I'd have to double-check with our tech team, but most likely they did something on both fronts though less effective than what's in our latest iSilencer.

I’m wondering, which one of these 2 devices (iSilencer 3 and iSilencer+) keeps the dynamic range the best? I’m asking, because I have a Jittrrbug, and while the Jitterbug does make the sound more refined, the dynamic range gets compressed.

I don’t know why that is, perhaps because the impedance rises because of the resistors in the Jitterbug, thus making the dynamic range more compressed?

 

[iFi audio]

I’m wondering, which one of these 2 devices (iSilencer 3 and iSilencer+) keeps the dynamic range the best?

I'm not sure whether the sensation of dynamic range lacking in music is measurable, but what I can tell you now is this: I haven't yet seen anyone mentioning that either iSilencer3.0 or iSilencer+ would impact this specific aspect in any way. Perhaps one day someone will report something like that, but thus far I got nothing

If anything, some power components are known to affect dynamics in music (i.e. some power conditioners), but from what I can tell USB sorters in general don't.

 

[dakanao]

I'm not sure whether the sensation of dynamic range lacking in music is measurable, but what I can tell you now is this: I haven't yet seen anyone mentioning that either iSilencer3.0 or iSilencer+ would impact this specific aspect in any way. Perhaps one day someone will report something like that, but thus far I got nothing

If anything, some power components are known to affect dynamics in music (i.e. some power conditioners), but from what I can tell USB sorters in general don't.

To clarify; with dynamic range, I mean the difference between loud and soft sounds in the music track. With my Jitterbug, treble gets a bit smoother and more natural, but the difference between loud and soft sounds get more in line with the same volume vs no Jitterbug.

 

[iFi audio]

To clarify; with dynamic range, I mean the difference between loud and soft sounds in the music track. With my Jitterbug, treble gets a bit smoother and more natural, but the difference between loud and soft sounds get more in line with the same volume vs no Jitterbug.

Ah, ok, so a distinctive difference between subtle and loud sounds to have a sensation of scale and momentum in music. If anything, effective USB cleaners should expand this. The more noise they trim, the darker background behind sound sources gets and the more clear everything in music becomes.

 

[AGT777]

Hey guys/iFi,
I have been looking at most of the posts in this thread and it seems that no one has tested these products with a setup that is geared for both PC gaming and audio/audio production, or at least it looks as if no one has tested the product(s) when in-game on a PC (ie GFX card and CPU usage increase power-draw significantly);

I am/have been using the following, and suspect the problem to be not limited to just a ground-loop?:

1. PC with USB powered DAC (audient EVO 4) feeding via TRS, 2x Fluid F5 active studio monitors
2. The USB DAC also feeds my HD650 headphones
3. I was previously using an ASUS STX internal soundcard (for 6-7 years) feeding the F5s (only had for around 4 years) and HD650s
4. PC, PC monitor, studio monitors all plugged into the same power strip

.. the studio monitors pick up what seems to be exactly the same 'sounds'/interference/buzzing/electrical squealing when I use either the internal STX sound card or the external EVO 4 USB powered DAC whether I am using the PC in-game or just browsing the web, however the headphones pick up no audible interference, etc, on either configuration - yet the studio monitors will continue to buzz/squeal/whine or whatever it is they love to do, whenever I am in either desktop on the PC or gaming; the F5s buzz etc whether they are being used for playback or not, ie if the headphones are plugged in on the EVO 4 it is by design meant to (which is does) re-route the sound to the headphones/cut sound from any speakers plugged in, however the buzzing continues whether this config is used or not.

So basically I am wondering if an iDefender 3(+), with the iPower plugged into the side to feed the EVO 4 USB DAC, will eliminate this issue (or issues for that matter)?

I have attached some audio examples of different usage scenarios for my setup (yes, that lowish-sounding motorbike-like noise in the Parkitect file is not the sounds being produced from the game itself, this is either a ground-loop issue and/or electrical interference as far as my understanding goes - I lower the volume using Windows at around 35s into the file so you can hear this);
Notice how the buzzing/squealing is constant and just more or less unbearable when in-game as opposed to desktop use.

[ The in-game audio files have moments of no 'buzzing' - I may have lowered the volume on the studio monitors to isolate the 'noise' they produce or the game may be loading (ie not much gfx card/cpu power draw) ]

[ If you have listened to the horrendous sounds coming from the studio monitors in the attached files, you can be sure that I do not use anything but headphones to game on,as they have no buzzing or anything electrical-sounding or interference coming out. The noises made by the F5s are just ridiculous and basically are intolerable, even if the faders on the front of the F5s are on the lowest setting usable. Non in-game use for the F5s is tolerable, ie, music or video playback as the noise isn't so bad, see 'Non in-game use' file ]

Non in-game use
In-game, Path of Exile
In-game, Parkitect

EDIT: I stated that using headphones (HD650s in my case) out of the headphone jack from the EVO4 had no buzzing or interferance - I had to turn the F5s completely off in-game to make sure I wasn't hearing things, but I am actually getting the same 'sounds' through the headphones/headphones jack as the studio monitors, although it is so faint even at very low audio settings in-game, it isn't an issue.

Tempted to buy the defender 3+ with ipower or even something like the igalvanic, or DAC from ifi that can get this issue resolved, but unsure of what route to go down (cheapest would be preferable, lol).

 

[iFi audio]

Tempted to buy the defender 3+ with ipower or even something like the igalvanic, or DAC from ifi that can get this issue resolved, but unsure of what route to go down (cheapest would be preferable, lol).

First of all, thanks a lot for your impressions, that's really useful to know how our stuff works for gamers!

In general, if you hear any sort of buzzing on your speakers and headphones, this most likely is due to a ground loop somewhere in your setup. iDefender was designed to break ground loops in the USB pipeline so it might help, but first I'd locate the source of the problem.

If possible, I'd include a separate power strip in your setup just for monitors and see whether this helps/changes anything or not. I'd also check these monitors connected to i.e. a laptop and see whether they buzz or not.

 

[AGT777]

First of all, thanks a lot for your impressions, that's really useful to know how our stuff works for gamers!

In general, if you hear any sort of buzzing on your speakers and headphones, this most likely is due to a ground loop somewhere in your setup. iDefender was designed to break ground loops in the USB pipeline so it might help, but first I'd locate the source of the problem.

If possible, I'd include a separate power strip in your setup just for monitors and see whether this helps/changes anything or not. I'd also check these monitors connected to i.e. a laptop and see whether they buzz or not.

Thanks iFi,

For the record, I haven't tested any iFi products with my setup yet - I don't own any, was just curious to gather more info around the source of the problem(s) as you are expanding on (thankyou ), as it seems the iDefender with an ipower in the side will eliminate a potential ground loop issue for my setup (USB-powered DAC).

* I had a separate/old desktop PC in Australia that I was also using these studio monitors on, with my old STX soundcard - they still buzzed, etc (the sound is the same as in those audio links I posted previously).
* I will use a separate power strip for the monitors as you have suggested for my desktop PC setup and see how that goes.
* I will also try a laptop I have and see if the buzzing sounds are the same, etc.

EDIT: Separate power strip method did not work, tried same wall outlet and a different wall outlet, 1 monitor in 1 strip and another in the other, 1 monitor directly in wall socket/no strip and the other on a strip, etc, still same buzzing.

Tried a laptop but it only had a headphone out which just loudly hummed/buzzed my monitors, so I unplugged them quickly.

 

[iFi audio]

For the record, I haven't tested any iFi products with my setup yet - I don't own any, was just curious to gather more info around the source of the problem(s) as you are expanding on (thankyou ), as it seems the iDefender with an ipower in the side will eliminate a potential ground loop issue for my setup (USB-powered DAC).

Yes, iDefender should be able to solve ground loop issues on the USB pipeline and it's a good way to start.

 

[AGT777]

Yes, iDefender should be able to solve ground loop issues on the USB pipeline and it's a good way to start.

Thanks for your time iFi.
By the sounds of things It seems as if the idefender with the ipower is the way to go, so I will try those and report back the results.