Usage of the Intona USB Isolator

The Intona USB Isolator can be used anywhere along a USB connection going from a USB A connector to a USB B connector.

Normally its best use is at the end of the line, that is, the last connection of USB to the DAC. It isolates the DAC from noise that comes before it by repacketizing the music data (and in so doing eliminating noise) and also cleaning the USB power line.

It's clear from the description that the most important feature is galvanic isolation.

This means there is no metal to metal path between input and output. Sadly, even with modern DAC's which should all include this some still do not.  This is especially useful as the switching power supplies in PC's and laptops can create enough ground loop noise to create measurable jitter, even though we don't hear it like we do analog ground loops. Sometimes, like with my Mytek, you get both.

Fortunately I only need to use the PC as a source on very rare occasions and otherwise the DAC is isolated by other means.

Be warned that not all DAC's, again like mine, are isolator friendly. I've tried 2 different kinds and in both cases the DAC was no longer recognized by the player.

Best,

E