[iFi audio]

Cool - now we all know that 3 is the line between "acceptable" and "too obsessive"

That's a fair line alright

But while I had 3 to play with, I tried adding one between IR and M-Scaler (in addition to the existing one between NUC and IR). Bearing in mind that the whole point of the IR is to regenerate a super-clean USB signal, I was surprised to find that adding the iSilencer+ downstream of the IR gave me the biggest SQ boost of any of the locations I had tried so far.

It makes sense actually. The cleaner USB is before any USB device can get to work on it, the better. So I'd say that because of iSilencer+ put before your IR, the former had it this much easier. If I were you, I would stack all three iSilencers before IR to see what happens. I honestly have no idea whether this would work better, but if you noticed a substantial SQ boost there, it's worth a shot.

 

[TheAttorney]

If I were you, I would stack all three iSilencers before IR to see what happens.

I think I'll give that idea a miss. Partly because I'm taking a break from such things (and just enjoying listening to music ). And partly because stacking these in tandem puts extra stress on the components' USB sockets - because there is less cable flex to take the strain of accidental knocks when messing around with the cable spaghetti behind the components. I speak from bitter past experience of USB sockets dislocated from their boards.

I didn't keep detailed notes of all the variations I tried, and some of the tests were very quick-fire eliminations, so don't treat the following as conclusive:
The biggest impact of a single iSilencer+ was between IR and m-scaler. And this location also gave the biggest impact of adding a 2nd iSilencer+ in tandem.
However, adding the 2nd iSilencer+ in tandem gave diminishing returns and did not fully compensate for the removal of that iSilencer+ from its previous location.

So in my brief tests in my system, spreading the iSilencers around gave better results than stacking them together.
And finally, a reminder that these were all subtle differences on top of already incremental differences. Subtle, but worthwhile.

 

[iFi audio]

And partly because stacking these in tandem puts extra stress on the components'

OK, that's reasonable and understandable.

And finally, a reminder that these were all subtle differences on top of already incremental differences. Subtle, but worthwhile.

Sure thing, but if you were able to notice small differences, that's a win considering iSilencer's price. Enjoy your music!

 

[Dobrescu George]

I made a video review about the new iSilencer+, where I explore what it is best at, where it works, where it doesn't and who it will help the most!

 

[Joe Bloggs]

I made a video review about the new iSilencer+, where I explore what it is best at, where it works, where it doesn't and who it will help the most!

Awesome George! Hey check out my new siggy

 

[iFi audio]

I made a video review about the new iSilencer+, where I explore what it is best at, where it works, where it doesn't and who it will help the most!

Very nice work George, enjoy your weekend!

 

[Dobrescu George]

Awesome George! Hey check out my new siggy

Woah, you work at iFi now?!

 

[Aradea]

Anyone here use the isilencer+ with their mobile phones/tablets? The usb type c model.
As I currently use a dongle-type dac-amp to my mobile phone, I am curious whether this would make an audible improvement. I often read about the noisy USB ports of a computer, but I have never read one on a mobile phone.

 

[iFi audio]

Anyone here use the isilencer+ with their mobile phones/tablets? The usb type c model.
As I currently use a dongle-type dac-amp to my mobile phone, I am curious whether this would make an audible improvement. I often read about the noisy USB ports of a computer, but I have never read one on a mobile phone.

Some of our customers reported what iSilencer+ audibly improved audio quality in their mobile setups, but my suggestion would be to order one from your local iFi representative and give it a try with your own smartphone/tablet. Worst case scenario, our return policy is generous!

 

[Todd R]

I bought an iDefender+. Reason was this...
I have a Hugo 2 Dac that was feeding a Woo Audio amp from the RCA jacks. I was getting hum, which I tracked down to a USB ground issue. I stuck the iDefender+ into the back of my Mac, then the USB cable that was feeding the Hugo into the Defender.
Noise was cut by at least half! Excellent.
I scrounged around and found a 5v USB charger and the appropriate cable. Once I plugged that into the iDefender+ the noise was GONE! Wow, super happy.

I eventually sold the amp and went back to powering my headphones directly out of the Hugo 2, and put the iDefender+ back in the drawer because I figured I didn't need it anymore.

The other day I was reading something about USB isolators and I got curious about the iDefender+ so I plugged it back into the system.
Well crap! I got a big increase in dynamics and bass that I wasn't expecting. I thought maybe I'd hear a bit more quiet in the highs or something.

I was encouraged so I decided to get the iPower adapter to power the iDefender+.

Question for the iFi Audio people....
Should I be hearing any improvement with the iPower adapter over the generic USB charger, because I'm not. I can hear a small difference if I unplug the power to the iDefender+, but I can't pick out any differences between the 2 power supplies?

 

[iFi audio]

The other day I was reading something about USB isolators and I got curious about the iDefender+ so I plugged it back into the system.
Well crap! I got a big increase in dynamics and bass that I wasn't expecting. I thought maybe I'd hear a bit more quiet in the highs or something.

Cleaner backdrop behind musicians, tighter bass, lesser edge and better colors are the usual improvements. But the best thing is that your setup was capable of playing better, and iDefender helped it "a bit" to unlock this potential.

Should I be hearing any improvement with the iPower adapter over the generic USB charger, because I'm not. I can hear a small difference if I unplug the power to the iDefender+, but I can't pick out any differences between the 2 power supplies?

Most people hear improvements, but it depends on your mains. The more pollution there is, the more audible iPower will be. So perhaps your mains was quite OK.

 

[Todd R]

Well I do have the power supply plugged into a Furman PST-8 DIG so I'm sure that helps

 

[iFi audio]

Well I do have the power supply plugged into a Furman PST-8 DIG so I'm sure that helps

It most likely does

 

[OctopusKing]

Hello, I am having a very significant noise issue from my speaker. Right now my set up is Macbook Pro -> Topping E30 DAC (with external power connected) -> AMP (only using the pre-amp function) -> Speaker.

Since the DAC already has external power connected, should I get the iSliencer+ instead of the iDefender+? I can hear the noise right after I switch my speaker to AUX mode.

Any suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[iFi audio]

Since the DAC already has external power connected, should I get the iSliencer+ instead of the iDefender+? I can hear the noise right after I switch my speaker to AUX mode.

What kind of noise is it? And if you hear it in just one channel, I strongly suggest to check all connections first.