[TheAttorney]

It was a typo from me in all my responses, written iSilencer+ instead of iSilencer3, and iSilencer3 instead of iPurifier3
iSilencer+ is the older version of iSilencer3. Had both, iSilencer3 is a much improved version I think with much better sonic results.

Really? I thought Silencer+ was the newer version, and therefore should give better results.
Can someone give a definitive answer please, as it's really confusing.

 

[Lacas]

Really? I thought Silencer+ was the newer version, and therefore should give better results.
Can someone give a definitive answer please, as it's really confusing.

sorry, do not write posts during a hangover ... got confused by iFi product numbering - iSilencer+ is the newer one

so my corrected post corrected:
I agree with TopPop, that the iFi units will not change the sound signature (smooth highs, etc).
Both iSilencer+ and iPurifier3 make the background blacker, definition of instruments better, imaging more precise. I assume due to the extra usb recklocing in iPurifier3 the bass became tighter, dynamics stronger, and made separation of instruments even better. YMMV with different dacs. I used and found the iPurifier3 beneficial for example for Audiolab M-DAC, Lotoo S1, Meizu Hifi Pro,iFi iDSD Nano BL, Chord Mojo. For using with a mobile phone the iSilencer3 is more than enough. In a desktop environment, for a good dac with inefficient USB power filtering and error management I would suggest the iPurifier3. Hope it helps.
isilencer+ just uses the newer version of iFi active power filtering, while iPurifier3 also recklocks the usb audio signal, providing better signal integrity, better usb audio input for the dac. i think it is worth getting at least the iSilencer+ for the Mojo.
Thanks Lacas

 

[dakanao]

Edit

 

[iFi audio]

iSilencer+ is the older version of iSilencer3. Had both, iSilencer3 is a much improved version I think with much better sonic results.

Actually, iSilencer3.0 (solid gray enclosure) was the first of its kind. The latest one is iSilencer+ (semi-translucent enclosure with prisms on top).

Both iSilencer3 and iPurifier3 make the background blacker, definition of instruments better, imaging more precise. I assume due to the extra usb recklocing in iPurifier3 the bass became tighter, dynamics stronger, and made separation of instruments even better.

In general, USB sorters should do things you listed. They don't change sound characteristic, but by removing excess noise in USB via various measures they make everything more smooth and liquid, with better textures and, yup, cleaner darker background behind instruments, which also increases the sensation of space around them. Tighter bass is another plus and noise removal upgrades instrument sepration too. So yes, your observations are a spot on.

 

[Xenderos]

I bought iSilencer+ for my PC and Lotoo Paw S1. Should I connect iSilencer straight to PC and then a cable to DAC, or should I place iSilencer directly before DAC?

 

[TopPop]

I bought iSilencer+ for my PC and Lotoo Paw S1. Should I connect iSilencer straight to PC and then a cable to DAC, or should I place iSilencer directly before DAC?

PC > iSilencer+ > cable > DAC

 

[iFi audio]

PC > iSilencer+ > cable > DAC

Yes, that's correct.

 

[johnston21]

It was mentioned a couple of pages back that the iSilencer+ is bi-directional but ifi Support responded to my case today saying it is not bi-directional.

Please help to be certain.

 

[iFi audio]

It was mentioned a couple of pages back that the iSilencer+ is bi-directional but ifi Support responded to my case today saying it is not bi-directional.

Please help to be certain.

USB itself is bi-directional and so is iSilencer+.

 

[Dobrescu George]

I made an in-depth written review about the iFi iUSB iPurifier 3.0!! Honest with actual results from my experiments, the rteview forumula is slightly different, since the thing itself is more experimental than my usual thing, but I hope it will come in handy to everyone looking for a way to improve their current systems for just a few dimes!

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2...ted-ifi-isilencer-plus-usb-filter-review.html

 

[Sebastien Chiu]

I made an in-depth written review about the iFi iUSB iPurifier 3.0!! Honest with actual results from my experiments, the rteview forumula is slightly different, since the thing itself is more experimental than my usual thing, but I hope it will come in handy to everyone looking for a way to improve their current systems for just a few dimes!

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2...ted-ifi-isilencer-plus-usb-filter-review.html

Thanks for taking the time @Dobrescu George! Enjoyed reading it.

 

[Dobrescu George]

Thanks for taking the time @Dobrescu George! Enjoyed reading it.

Always happy to help!

 

[iFi audio]

Always happy to help!

 

[alekc]

I made an in-depth written review about the iFi iUSB iPurifier 3.0!! Honest with actual results from my experiments, the rteview forumula is slightly different, since the thing itself is more experimental than my usual thing, but I hope it will come in handy to everyone looking for a way to improve their current systems for just a few dimes!

https://www.audiophile-heaven.com/2...ted-ifi-isilencer-plus-usb-filter-review.html

A very interesting results, especially for Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. Since I have Mytek Brooklyn Bridge which as you all probably know is DAC+ with added streaming capabilities I've decided to do some tests on my own. The reason for it was the fact that I’ve been comparing Mytek and Hugo TT2 USB inputs recently among few others DACs, and decided that both DACs are doing great job when using USB input and none of them requires any USB filtering/isolation gimmicks.

While I do not have iSilencer Plus it happens I have both iGalvanic and iUSB. I’ve disconnected Mytek from my notekbook docking station and connected Mytek to nano iGalvanic3 and micro iUSB3 and I've done 2 listening sessions (1,5h each) during weekend to make sure that results are repeatable. The testing methodology was as follows:

• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to notebooks docking station
• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to my i7 notebook directly
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to notebooks docking station
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to my i7 notebook directly
• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to iGalvanic and iUSB
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to iGalvanic and iUSB

Some additional notes:

• micro iUSB3.0 USB Power switch set to Auto, IsoGround enabled
• nano iGalvanic3.0 Ground Link set to Full Isolation (center position)
• notebook has been running using PSU with battery/cpu power saving features disabled
• Mytek has been running on stock PSU cable without external PSU
• Mytek MQA filter has been disabled, all other filters left in default state as advised by manufacture
• Standard USB cables included with particular products from Mytek and iFi has been used
• Both full size cans and IEMs has been used

Results: I found no audible sound quality improvement when using additional USB filtering. In fact I am even almost convinced it degraded sound quality in some cases. The most possible cases for possible sound degradation I’ve found in my library are following albums: Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio – Autumn In Seattle; (by the same Trio) Misty. Since I have no way to test it to prove it I will stick to the opinion that there is no audible impact on sound quality at the best case (or at least I can not hear it).

One more note: if your results are repeatable I guess it would be fair to update your Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ review stating that dac usb isolation/filtering is not perfect as it seems (while I have quite opposite experience). On the other hand I find it odd that Mytek manufacturer states that external PSU can improve sound but does not mention any usb filtering at the same time in user manual.

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.

 

[Dobrescu George]

A very interesting results, especially for Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. Since I have Mytek Brooklyn Bridge which as you all probably know is DAC+ with added streaming capabilities I've decided to do some tests on my own. The reason for it was the fact that I’ve been comparing Mytek and Hugo TT2 USB inputs recently among few others DACs, and decided that both DACs are doing great job when using USB input and none of them requires any USB filtering/isolation gimmicks.

While I do not have iSilencer Plus it happens I have both iGalvanic and iUSB. I’ve disconnected Mytek from my notekbook docking station and connected Mytek to nano iGalvanic3 and micro iUSB3 and I've done 2 listening sessions (1,5h each) during weekend to make sure that results are repeatable. The testing methodology was as follows:

• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to notebooks docking station
• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to my i7 notebook directly
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to notebooks docking station
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to my i7 notebook directly
• Running Audirvana with upsampling to DSD256 playing from FLAC files when connected to iGalvanic and iUSB
• Running Audirvana with upsampling disabled playing from FLAC files when connected to iGalvanic and iUSB

Some additional notes:

• micro iUSB3.0 USB Power switch set to Auto, IsoGround enabled
• nano iGalvanic3.0 Ground Link set to Full Isolation (center position)
• notebook has been running using PSU with battery/cpu power saving features disabled
• Mytek has been running on stock PSU cable without external PSU
• Mytek MQA filter has been disabled, all other filters left in default state as advised by manufacture
• Standard USB cables included with particular products from Mytek and iFi has been used
• Both full size cans and IEMs has been used

Results: I found no audible sound quality improvement when using additional USB filtering. In fact I am even almost convinced it degraded sound quality in some cases. The most possible cases for possible sound degradation I’ve found in my library are following albums: Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio – Autumn In Seattle; (by the same Trio) Misty. Since I have no way to test it to prove it I will stick to the opinion that there is no audible impact on sound quality at the best case (or at least I can not hear it).

One more note: if your results are repeatable I guess it would be fair to update your Mytek Brooklyn DAC+ review stating that dac usb isolation/filtering is not perfect as it seems (while I have quite opposite experience). On the other hand I find it odd that Mytek manufacturer states that external PSU can improve sound but does not mention any usb filtering at the same time in user manual.

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 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