Schiit Decrapifier released - USB power isolator

[MustelaNivalis]

Running the Wyrd now on 9 VDC for some time (230 VAC -> 9 VDC adapter) and no issues encountered. I use the Wyrd mainly to power my DragonFly so it becomes independent from the computer's noisy power-supply. The DragonFly only consumes little power however...

 

[leeperry]

BTW, can you break the +5V pin of the USB cable going between the PC and the decrapifier? An easy test would be to mask the +5V pin at the back of the schitt with electrician tape, less inteferences in the cable never hurt

 
I plan on using an über short cable for this purpose:

 

[ogodei]

  BTW, can you break the +5V pin of the USB cable going between the PC and the decrapifier?

 
Probably not as the PC often requires the +5V pin to be live in order to recognize the DAC.
 
This does not work on Schiit Gungnir, which is expected because it requires the +5V pin at all time.  But it also does not work on my Mytek or  Questyle DACs, neither of which requires the +5V pin to be live when connected directly to the PC's USB port.
 
Even if it did work I can't imagine any benefit to performance with the Wyrd in the chain.

 

[leeperry]

Many self-powered DAC's work fine with the +5V pin of their USB cable broken, Asus and Amimusik come to mind. The computer uses the ground for hot-plug detection IME and AFAIK.
 
Breaking the pin on the PC side of the cable supposedly lowers the rate of interferences in the cable, at least that's why the USB controllers from SoTM come with a switch to disable it.
 
Funnily enough, the iFi iUSB did require the +5V line to the PC to be intact.....I found it pretty ironic as the job of this unit is to replace it by a supposedly cleaner 5V signal.

 

[mcandmar]

Usually you need to present some load to the PC so it knows a device has been connected, you can easily accomplish this by disconnecting the 5v rail from the DAC and wiring an LED/resistor across the supply from the USB cable.

 

[leeperry]

Yep, like this guy did: 2channelaudio.blogspot.com/2013/01/audiophile-usb-yes-your-cable-makes.html
 
But I never needed it myself as all Asus/Amimusik DAC's do work just fine with the +5V pin of the cable broken, and not just on my PC.

 

[ogodei]

 
Funnily enough, the iFi iUSB did require the +5V line to the PC to be intact.....I found it pretty ironic as the job of this unit is to replace it by a supposedly cleaner 5V signal.

 
It could be the same with the Wyrd.  As I noted above my two DACs that generally work without the line intact don't when plugged into the Wyrd with the Wyrd's +5V line cut.

  Yep, like this guy did: 2channelaudio.blogspot.com/2013/01/audiophile-usb-yes-your-cable-makes.html

 
I built and used his "simplified" version of the cable but I like the LED load idea.

 

[Sonido]

I got the Wyrd as an attempt to fix the skipping problem I had with my Emotiva DC-1 DAC. I think the problem is my computer, but sometimes it would skip for a split second and it was very annoying. This didn't happen always and I'm sure it had to do with the load the computer was running at the time. Also, it seemed to only happen with USB 2.0 mode, and not 1.1, but Emotiva recommends running 2.0. I was skeptical at first about this product since the DC-1 doesn't draw power from the USB port, but so far with the Wyrd the skipping has been gone! Fingers crossed it's actually the Wyrd and not just getting lucky so far.

 

[ogodei]

  I got the Wyrd as an attempt to fix the skipping problem I had with my Emotiva DC-1 DAC. I think the problem is my computer, but sometimes it would skip for a split second and it was very annoying. This didn't happen always and I'm sure it had to do with the load the computer was running at the time. Also, it seemed to only happen with USB 2.0 mode, and not 1.1, but Emotiva recommends running 2.0. I was skeptical at first about this product since the DC-1 doesn't draw power from the USB port, but so far with the Wyrd the skipping has been gone! Fingers crossed it's actually the Wyrd and not just getting lucky so far.

 
I have had the same "skipping" problem on my machine, on multiple DACs.  For me it is definitely caused by apps on the PC even though the overall load is relatively light.  I can in fact cause the problem at will now by turning certain apps on and off.
 
If you have a PC I suggest you try this tool to see if you have the same issue. Free, very light weight, no install required. (And although the notes state it does not work on Windows 8, it does for me.)
 

 
In the image above each red bar corresponds exactly with a sound drop out.  You can turn apps and drivers on and off to see exactly what's causing the spikes.

And unfortunately, no, the Wyrd does not fix this issue. 

 

 

[castleofargh]

try changing the buffer on your audio player?
you can try to update your usb drivers. you can try to change the priority of some process and make your music player one step higher. or use some software if that still exists to force a given process onto a specified core of the cpu. making sure that the music stays alone on one and doesn't lack anything(I used that on XP for games, but that was the old days).
it could be a sign for a bunch of viruses or spywares(not a great news but it's really a possibility).
 
those should be the main reasons, but sometimes a problem on a computer can go very far away from the supposed problem. maybe some settings that allow to disable usb to save energy? your hard drive that stops? maybe some gamers mouse with high rate usb forces usb ports to work at 500 or 1000hz (default is 125hz).
 
and if you're on mac most of what I said made no sens at all sorry

.

 

[Sonido]

I have tried various buffer and process priority settings and it doesn't seem to help. So far with the Wyrd the problem hasn't come back, so I think it's fixing the problem.

 

[Aeolus Kratos]

I have tried various buffer and process priority settings and it doesn't seem to help. So far with the Wyrd the problem hasn't come back, so I think it's fixing the problem.

Besides fixing the 'skipping' problem, are there any sonic improvement that you noticed with the Wyrd in place?
 
Thanks,
Kratos.

 

[Sonido]

Besides fixing the 'skipping' problem, are there any sonic improvement that you noticed with the Wyrd in place?

Thanks,
Kratos.

Perhaps a quieter background, but that's likely imaginary so take that with a heavy serving of salt. Fixing the skipping issue alone for me is well worth the money.

 

[KLJTech]

I think I'm going to order the Wyrd in the next few days to try with the Gungnir Gen 2 USB. The DAC sounds great, as a matter of fact it replaced my Bryston BDA-1 but every now and then (maybe one or twice a week) I'll get a little burp/odd noise coming from my speakers (with no music playing) and I'm wondering if this is due to the USB connection. I have a very good quality, name brand power supply in tower PC (running Windows 7 x64) but it a good power supply for a PC...doesn't mean that the USB output is clean. Who knows? I've had this same minor issue with the every USB DAC I've used in my office system so I'm curious to see if the Wyrd takes care of the problem. 
 
If the Wyrd fixes the issue I'll make sure to post it here and report back if I hear any differences in sound quality, be they good or bad changes. I primarily listen to speakers (B&W 805's or CDM-1NT's with a sub...bought both pair new and have had them for years) in the office and I'm VERY familiar with how the system sounds so if anything sounds different I'm sure I'll pick up on it over time. I don't like to sit back and "listen for changes" (good or bad) as I'd much rather just relax and listen to my music and if something stands out so be. 

 

[Aeolus Kratos]

  I think I'm going to order the Wyrd in the next few days to try with the Gungnir Gen 2 USB. The DAC sounds great, as a matter of fact it replaced my Bryston BDA-1 but every now and then (maybe one or twice a week) I'll get a little burp/odd noise coming from my speakers (with no music playing) and I'm wondering if this is due to the USB connection. I have a very good quality, name brand power supply in tower PC (running Windows 7 x64) but it a good power supply for a PC...doesn't mean that the USB output is clean. Who knows? I've had this same minor issue with the every USB DAC I've used in my office system so I'm curious to see if the Wyrd takes care of the problem. 
 
If the Wyrd fixes the issue I'll make sure to post it here and report back if I hear any differences in sound quality, be they good or bad changes. I primarily listen to speakers (B&W 805's or CDM-1NT's with a sub...bought both pair new and have had them for years) in the office and I'm VERY familiar with how the system sounds so if anything sounds different I'm sure I'll pick up on it over time. I don't like to sit back and "listen for changes" (good or bad) as I'd much rather just relax and listen to my music and if something stands out so be. 

Great! Can't wait for your impressions