USB Disruptor Loaner Program

[robpriore]

I haven't read it all, but for me the most interesting part of it so far was that it used to cost $49, not $149. @robpriore Can you comment on the price increase?

I'll probably join the review program because at least I can compare its ability to solve my ground loop issue with the iFi iDefender, which does it effectively as soon as external power is provided to it.

The price has changed over the last few years, we're on generation 3 of the Disruptors now. This price is based on margins that are required to successfully engage in this kind of business. For many people the benefit far outweighs the cost, and that is something you can determine by trying it out.

 

[Mediahound]

I received the loaner USB Disruptor today from Todd and so begins my test week with it

My review will be forthcoming in about a week, but I can tell you that right away I notice improvement over the Audioquest Jitterbug.

 

[Alcophone]

I received the loaner USB Disruptor today from Todd and so begins my test week with it

My review will be forthcoming in about a week, but I can tell you that right away I notice improvement over the Audioquest Jitterbug.

Nice, which DAC are you using? I signed up, too. Wondering how close to SF you are...

 

[Mediahound]

Nice, which DAC are you using? I signed up, too. Wondering how close to SF you are...

Hugo 2 currently. I'm in the east bay.

 

[Zachik]

I received the loaner USB Disruptor today from Todd and so begins my test week with it

My review will be forthcoming in about a week, but I can tell you that right away I notice improvement over the Audioquest Jitterbug.

Do you have / can you compare to iFi's iPurifier3 ?

 

[robpriore]

Do you have / can you compare to iFi's iPurifier3 ?

Hi, just wanted to make some observations about the differences between USB power treatments for high resolution streaming to USB DAC's. The approach we took at USB Disruptor was one of "there's no negotiating with dirty power" and therefore we killed the connection entirely. That is why a separate power supply is needed. There may be other differences though this is the most obvious.

 

[robpriore]

why did you call it the disrupter? i dont want it to disrupt my audio in any way

Hi, it's called the Disruptor because we cut out the computer's power and replace it with a separate source that is highly regulated. We disrupt the computer power.

 

[robpriore]

I received the loaner USB Disruptor today from Todd and so begins my test week with it

My review will be forthcoming in about a week, but I can tell you that right away I notice improvement over the Audioquest Jitterbug.

Hi, I recommend you remove all treatments and start with the Disruptor on its own. Thereafter you can add back in other treatments to hear any additional changes.

 

[gordec]

Hugo 2 currently. I'm in the east bay.

Haha, I just signed up. I'm in Dublin/Pleasanton. The Bay Area needs its own loaner program. I want to see if this improves upon Jitterbug and Pro iDSD which is Galvanic isolated.

 

[Nosaj1969]

Would definitely like to try one of these. I get a lot of noise from my USB in my system I use to watch TV. If I use optical, not a problem. I am in Southern California, so if you send one of these puppies to the east bay, I'm very close!

 

[Todd]

Hi All,

2 units are out in the world for you to test... so the top 2 names on the lists have the units already and we should see some reviews here soon. I will add my 2 cents - I have used the older version and the current version of the USB Disruptor with some pretty fine DACs in my desktop listening system and it has made a positive difference with everything I have used. I have an Exogal Comet I use a lot, a Meridian Direct DAC that I still use sometimes. Cleaner, clearer sound with better instrument separation is what I hear...

I will accept some more interested people if you want to give it a try... Todd

USB Disruptor Loaner Program…



Unit 1 (all in CA)

Mediahound

Alcophone

Gordec

Nosaj1969





Unit 2

Rhamnetin

wiljen

 

[Mediahound]

Well my week is almost up with the loaner and the USB Disruptor will be off to the next participant tomorrow.

I would like to thank Todd for doing the loaner program, I really appreciated the opportunity to try this device out.


~My Review~

I'm a big believer in USB clean up type devices (as well as using a good USB cable, I use a Supra USB cable which I really like) because I have certainly noticed a difference with them. Computer-based audio can be noisy with things like hard drives and fans in proximity not to mention wifi, cordless phones and AC all around.

I typically run the Audioquest Jitterbug in my system, actually two; one inline with my DAC and another in a different USB port. Audioquest states you get the best results running two, and this has been my experience.

Upon removing those and installing the USB Disruptor (inline with my Chord Hugo 2), I noticed immediately a slightly darker, more 'analog' type of sound signature. It reminded me more of vinyl than digital. The difference in my system was subtle and I do think a device like this will be sorta YMMV, depending on how resolving your system is, not to mention how resolving your DAC, amp and speakers or headphones are and how good your ears are too. The USB Disruptor did seem to make vocals more natural sounding and the highs less tizzy for lack of a better word.

The USB Disruptor has it's own power supply that you need to plug in and it completely disrupts (cuts off) the USB power in your USB line, replacing it with it's own cleaner power.

I guess my only slight complaint with the device would be that the casing of the unit is cheapy plastic and a bit of an odd shape and look. But, you may not even see it since it will be behind your DAC.

All in all, the USB Disruptor is a nice sounding device that does seem to improve things by making the audio sound a bit more analog. I noticed this mostly in the form of smoother vocals and highs (bass seems about the same). Compared to the 2 Jitterbugs in my system the difference was more subtle but compared to nothing at all, the USB Disruptor really improves things!

 

[Rhamnetin]

I've sent out the unit I had to the next person. I used the USB Disruptor with the following system:

- Amazonbasics USB cable and a UCEC USB type A to mini USB adapter
- Windows 10 PC running foobar2000 with WASAPI as the source
- Chord Hugo 2 DAC
- Kimber Kable Hero interconnects
- Mjolnir Audio KGSSHV Carbon
- Stax SR-009 headphones

I did vigorous A/B testing, and also tried to use it for a more extended amount of time (1 day) before switching back to not using it the next day. Emphasis on the A/B testing though. I didn't have any other similar USB device to compare, just using the Disruptor vs not using any such device. I found I was unable to reliably discern any sound differences. I would totally fail blind testing between the two.

For what it's worth, this is the same as my experience using the Breeze DU-U8 level 3 (USB converter with linear PSU) and Pink Faun High End Audio Bridge (coax RCA) powered by a Lithium battery pack. So my experience using USB directly into the Hugo 2 has been so good that I have yet to be able to improve upon it audibly.

 

[PointyFox]

Isn't this just three connectors with the USB power wiring not connected and instead connected to a power jack for a power adapter?

 

[Wiljen]

Isn't this just three connectors with the USB power wiring not connected and instead connected to a power jack for a power adapter?

Not quite that simple. Some USB devices wont register with the host if you cut the two power wires and shunt them to an outside power supply, I tried that sometime back with a linear power supply to try to remove noise from a ground loop and most of my devices would not register with the host when only the D+ and D- lines were connected.