[Apos Audio]

Hi all,

We are excited to share with you a bit of good news. There’s nothing quite as annoying as ground loop noise sabotaging an otherwise perfect system. Sometimes, we spend hours troubleshooting the source. We've all been there and this is an affordable solution that might arouse the community's interest.
Presenting the TOPPING’s HS02 Audio Isolator. With inputs for USB-B and -C, and outputs for USB-A and -C, the HS02 is ready to handle a wide variety of interface scenarios. It’s as easy as plug-and-play.

Here’s the link to the blog for more information: https://apos.audio/blogs/news/buy-the-topping-hs02-audio-isolator-on-apos-audio

 

[parawizard]

Is it a galvanic isolator?

 

[incredulousity]

Does it support 1.5M/24 and DSD 1024, or just up to 768/32?

 

[h1f1add1cted]

Does it support 1.5M/24 and DSD 1024, or just up to 768/32?

• 32-bit/768kHz PCM compatible
• DSD512 Native compatible

 

[Mediahound]

Is it a galvanic isolator?

That's just a generic term for any isolator basically.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

Interesting. It's almost like a converter from USB-B to USB-C. I imagine it could be useful with dongle DACs. You could still use the super expensive USB-B audiophile cables but now use them on a dongle. Would that sound good?

 

[OhmsClaw]

Interesting. It's almost like a converter from USB-B to USB-C. I imagine it could be useful with dongle DACs. You could still use the super expensive USB-B audiophile cables but now use them on a dongle. Would that sound good?

Why would you? Is the RU6 or Ifi Go Bar your primary desktop dac amp? You isolating a laptop from a dongle?
Cell phone signal acquisition will still interfere if near the dongle no matter the isolation or recovery or reclocker.

Unless you have noise issues from a source this wont make anything sound better.

They're digital cables... not even going to expound on that.

 

[Mediahound]

Why would you? Is the RU6 or Ifi Go Bar your primary desktop dac amp? You isolating a laptop from a dongle?
Cell phone signal acquisition will still interfere if near the dongle no matter the isolation or recovery or reclocker.

Unless you have noise issues from a source this wont make anything sound better.

They're digital cables... not even going to expound on that.

I have no idea whether or not this product improves anything since I have not heard it (I would like to) but will say generally that it is not just a matter of - if you hear noise, you need this, and if you don't hear noise, you don't need it.

USB noise from something like a computer rides the signal and typically manifests as a bit of a harsh digital type of sound especially in the treble. I have experienced situations where I have cleaned up my USB signal and the sound became more warm and sound better. The extent this is noticed depends a lot of the DAC. Many high end DACs already include isolation of the type this Topping device provides built in. I imagine on DACs that don't include this, this device would make more of a difference.

Computer USB outputs can be inherently noisy mostly due to being connected to AC mains and not being optmized as an audio specfic device. Mobile phones are less so if you run them from the battery.

In terms of USB cables, they can also make a difference as well, but that is for another topic.

 

[OhmsClaw]

I have no idea whether or not this product improves anything since I have not heard it (I would like to) but will say generally that it is not just a matter of - if you hear noise, you need this, and if you don't hear noise, you don't need it.

USB noise from something like a computer rides the signal and typically manifests as a bit of a harsh digital type of sound especially in the treble. I have experienced situations where I have cleaned up my USB signal and the sound became more warm and sound better. The extent this is noticed depends a lot of the DAC. Many high end DACs already include isolation of the type this Topping device provides built in. I imagine on DACs that don't include this, this device would make more of a difference.

Computer USB outputs can be inherently noisy mostly due to being connected to AC mains and not being optmized as an audio specfic device. Mobile phones are less so if you run them from the battery.

In terms of USB cables, they can also make a difference as well, but that is for another topic.

If you're getting mains via USB 5VDC you've got other issues, especially if it's a laptop. Laptops are running on a constant drain via battery. Powerful gaming desktop rigs are also poor but not because of mains hum. Thats why lots of serious people invest in the little apple cubes or tablets or custom pi4 solutions.

Subjective takes on frequency response? A lower noise floor would never make a digital signal warmer. A different USB implementation in a DAC will only affect jitter and noise floor combined. Human perception of jitter and the effects of crosstalk are a much more worthwhile discussion than claims of galvanic EQ.

Regardless, this doesn't address why someone would be running an isolator between a dongle for potential gains that "system" could never even approach distinguishing.

This piece of kit is for peace of mind and comes in at an industry low price with a very generous PCM/DSD top rate. Most people justify a DDC between $400 and 1,000$ solely for isolation nevermind USB to PCM upsampling or I2S specific transport. Buy it for this, not for any psychosomatic sonic tweaks.

Lastly, ground loops are solved with good house keeping and electrical safety. Floating chassis are shock hazards and yes there's $300 wall outlets with the ground sockets sold as disconnected with fanciful claims of sonic bliss. A 240v 50hz floated amp will have a chassis to ground potential around 170vac; this on a metal rack or stacked with an earthed DAC is just a safety hazard. Any metal headphones/iems also connected to a floated amp will carry current/voltage to points on your head in contact with them as well.

Take care ~

 

[kfotheringham]

For those with an understanding of this devices's use case, If I have USB noise coming through my dongle dac via Laptop (USB-C ports) when not playing music i.e. whirring, clicking, static when I open Windows on my laptop, etc. Would this device solve that?

The noise doesn't seem (as) audible when playing music through apps such as Jriver, or Amazon Music, but without music playing, the noise is there, and I don`t need to turn up the dongle very loud to hear it.

 

[ExTubeGamer]

For those with an understanding of this devices's use case, If I have USB noise coming through my dongle dac via Laptop (USB-C ports) when not playing music i.e. whirring, clicking, static when I open Windows on my laptop, etc. Would this device solve that?

The noise doesn't seem (as) audible when playing music through apps such as Jriver, or Amazon Music, but without music playing, the noise is there, and I don`t need to turn up the dongle very loud to hear it.

I would say u need EMI shielding for your USB ports. For my use case the Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ has solved all my issues.

 

[kfotheringham]

I would say u need EMI shielding for your USB ports. For my use case the Audioquest Jitterbug FMJ has solved all my issues.

Thanks for the reply.!

After thinking about your reply/solution, I forgot I had a USB-C hub in my laptop case - so thought I`d give it a try to see what would happen.

Eureka! Noise gone.

https://www.startech.com/en-eu/usb-hubs/hb30c3agepd

 

[Forsaked]

I got yesterday the HS02, when i connect any source to the USB-C input with an cable longer than 1 meter i get crackling or dropouts out to my DAC, on the USB-B port this doesnt happen.
Tried multiple USB cables always the same, when it gets longer, anyone got an idea how to solve this?

Edit: This doesn't happen with an Raspberry Pi 4, but with an Laptop, Surface and Smartphone, also it doesn't happen if i connect those devices directly without the HS02.

Edit2: Looks like C to C is bad, going C to B or A to C is fine.