Based upon some conversations about USB
galvanic isolation, I purchased the Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator to potentially
increase the SQ of my digital playback.
I connected the Intona between an Exogal Comet Plus and modified Mac
Mini (outboard PS). I used a 1M Morrow
USB cable on the device side and a 0.5M Wireworld Ultraviolet USB on the host
side. I burned in the assembly for 100 hours with music files. My first impression was an increased amount
of low level detail and a deeper soundstage.
However, this came at the cost of dynamics and drive. Music that I was very familiar with seemed to
play at a slower, sluggish pace. I replaced
the Ultraviolet with a 1M run of Wireworld Platinum Series 7 which helped a
little (other reviews indicated that host cable was not a factor – but I
clearly heard a difference between the two Wireworld's). I then swapped the Morrow and Wireworld with
a slight step backward in dynamics.
Any
comments/suggestion to improve the Intona experience would be greatly appreciated.
BTW, the rest of my system is a Pass INT-60
integrated amplifier, Thiel 3.6 speakers all connected with Morrow Reference
cable plugged into a PS Audio P10.
Analog side is a VPI Prime with Soundsmith Zephyr MIMIC
cart into an iFi phono.
