Which Intona is best suited for my use?

Using USB isolation for audio
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MhARdCOre
Posts: 2
Joined: November 2nd, 2024, 11:20 am

Which Intona is best suited for my use?

Post by MhARdCOre »

I would like to buy an Intona isolator but I don't know which of the models can be more suitable for my use.

I need to isolate the USB port for my DAC (RME ADI-2 FS) because connecting it directly to the PC the sound is flat and congested.

I had the confirmation that the ADI-2 can sound better when I tried to connect it to a cleaner source like my smartphone, I started the renderer mode of UAPP and through Audirvana I transmitted the audio via UPnP, here the sound of the ADI-2 becomes more open, the image is deeper and the sound is not tiring.

I deduced that when I connect the ADI-2 directly to the PC being a dirtier source than the phone which is powered by a battery, the sound worsens and is not satisfying to listen to.

I think I could solve it with the use of an isolator but I don't know which of the three models is more suitable.

I have no noise problems on my speakers nor any noise on the headphones, there is no ground loop noise, the only problem is the sound is not satisfactory when I connect it directly to the PC, It's probably high frequency noise that causes aliasing and jitter.

the PC has only USB 3.0 ports while the ADI-2 is USB 2.0 in this case is the 7055-B version more suitable? or the 7055-C version? since it will be connected to USB 3.0 ports on the PC? I think I will exclude the 7055-D version since I do not have a USB 3.0 DAC.

I read that the 7055-B version is advertised as having an isolation capacity of 5kV on USB 2.0 while the 7055-C version 1kV on USB 3.0 but on USB 2.0 is it 5kV or 1kV?

reading the datasheet of the 3 models from the image it seems that the 7055-C version has an advantage in terms of reduction compared to the 7055-B version and even the 7055-D version I don't understand why, also 7055-B and 7055-D refers to AC isolation while 7055-C refers to DC isolation... I'm a bit confused. :?

I plan to use it with my ADI-2 and with my Mojo2 and Hugo 2 battery DACs as they also don't sound very good if connected directly to the PC while they are fantastic via streamer Poly and 2Go.

Thanks

Daniel (Intona)
Posts: 118
Joined: May 6th, 2020, 8:29 am

Re: Which Intona is best suited for my use?

Post by Daniel (Intona) »

Isolation rating really isn't important for audio unless you have a high votlage DAC ;-)
I recommend 7055-C as it is tuned for audio purposes.
Daniel (Intona)

MhARdCOre
Posts: 2
Joined: November 2nd, 2024, 11:20 am

Re: Which Intona is best suited for my use?

Post by MhARdCOre »

Daniel (Intona) wrote: November 25th, 2024, 12:35 pm Isolation rating really isn't important for audio unless you have a high votlage DAC ;-)
I recommend 7055-C as it is tuned for audio purposes.
Hi Daniel, thanks for your reply, but I don't quite understand your statement:

"Isolation rating really isn't important for audio unless you have a high votlage DAC"

What do you mean exactly?

Daniel (Intona)
Posts: 118
Joined: May 6th, 2020, 8:29 am

Re: Which Intona is best suited for my use?

Post by Daniel (Intona) »

That was meant a bit ironically, because there is a potential difference of perhaps a few millivolts between an audio device like a DAC and the computer. It really doesn't matter whether the maximum permissible isolation voltage is 5 kV AC or 1 kV DC. This is more relevant if, for example, a PC is to be isolated from a power turbine or if a patient is connected to the computer via sensors and there are safety laws for this.
Daniel (Intona)

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