What is the latest greatest USB add on device?


What is the latest greatest USB add on device?

I have been out of the USB arena for a while. Last I remembered there was an Uptone Regen, iFi, Intonia, Mutec, and the Disrupter.
I still own the Disrupter and I just tried it again and it did seem to improve the USB signal.
Is there any new USB devices that I should consider? It would be used between a Bryston BDP-2 USB player and a PS Audio Direst Stream Dac.

ozzy
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Showing 27 responses by ozzy

Thanks radiomanjh,

I found a used ISO Regen on the gon and just bought it. I am going to wait to upgrade to any $$$ power supply until I asses the usefulness of the ISO Regen.
Anyone have experience with the ISO Regen?

ozzy
Thanks grannyring for your comments. I was beginning to think that no one is using USB .
Has anyone tried the newer version of the Regen called the ISO Regen?
ozzy
jaybe,

I have read some good things about the SoTM tX USB. Did you get the Master Clock option? Where did you purchase yours?

ozzy
So I just received the ISO Regen. It was very cold out of the box from shipping and was just so-so sounding. Later on last night it seemed to open up and I thought it sounded pretty good.
I also have on order the SOtM txUSB ultra the "Special Edition" along with a couple Regen LPS 1.2. I also have the Curious USB cables.

So we shall see how all this comes together. I am expecting great things...

ozzy

 
jaybe,

So did you get the external clock option?
I didn't but I did get the "Special Edition" which is supposed to have upgraded caps, wiring and EMI shielding.

ozzy
So, I now have the ISO Regen connected to the output of the SOtM txUSB ultra SE with the supplied standard wall wart power supplies. (The Regen LPS 1.2's won't arrive till after the holidays). 

This combo sounds a little better than when I just used the USB Disrupter but frankly I was expected a lot more. 
Does the power supply with these devices really make that much difference?

ozzy
Thanks cincyjim5,

iFi and Pangea makes some very good performing cables and at affordable prices.

Merry Christmas!
ozzy
jeenam,

I am with you on the USB Disrupter it was that unit that caused me to reach further into the usb decrapifiers universe. It is well worth the price.

cincyjim, 

I hear ya we are all like kids when it comes to a new audio toy!  I have been waiting patiently for my 2 Uptone LPS 1.2 usb power supplies for my recently acquired ISO Regen and SOtM usb units.

Lets hope the NEW YEAR brings joy and happiness to all!
ozzy
Well I received the (2) Uptone LPS 1.2 power units for my ISO Regen and SOtM usb.

So, now I hear that upgrading the DC power cables to star quad will also improve sound quality. 
Grannyring or any others, what do you think?
https://www.ghentaudio.com/part/dc-gac4.html

ozzy
jaybe,

Uptone actually recommended the Ghents. So, I went an ordered 2 of them. $85 a piece including shipping is not all that bad.

ozzy
grannyring,

I ordered and then cancelled 2 pairs of the POE from tubelover2.
There just seemed to be way too many cables to accomplish the task. 

ozzy
Before I received the Uptone LPS 1.2 units, I was using a linear supply unit that I got from China. With this unit I was able to power both the ISO Regen and the SOtM usb.

After receiving the Uptone LPS 1.2 units I thought that they would be even better being first powered by the same Chinese linear power supply. But no dice, it couldn’t handle the power demands of the Uptone LPS 1.2 units.

Now I feel that the Uptone power supply is about equal in sound quality to my Chinese linear power supply sans the LPS 1.2 units.
So, we shall see what the Ghents add.

Another concern is the Uptone LPS 1.2 that is powering the SOtM unit gets very hot and it is not easy to turn off when not using. There is a power button on the back, but it very hard to reach and you must use your finger nail to make the selection.

ozzy
Thanks jaybe for staying with it.

All I know is to use the 2 sets of POE's (4 units total) with my 2 units it would have required 4 ethernet cables (2 meter each is said to sound the best). Along with the 2 DC cables, 2 USB cables, 2 Uptone LPS 1.2 units and the ISO Regen and the SOtM unit that I am using.

I"ll wait until a more simplified version is available.

ozzy

cincyjim,

They are expensive! 
I bought a few of them direct (from I think Australia) a few years back. They were much cheaper then. Now that there is a US distributor he has to add his profit to the cost.

I must add that grannyring BBQ usb version is a pretty good substitute, perhaps even better than the Curious.

ozzy
Just received my Gotham Star Quad balanced DC cables. Now to see what the fuss is about...

ozzy
After about 8 hours of break in time, the DC cables are really starting to provide a much more transparent sound. 
Hard to believe that a DC cable can improve the sound quality. But I'm hearing it.

ozzy
That's why in this hobby, keep an open mind and you've got to hear it to believe it.

ozzy
I am using a 12A AC to DC converter to power the (2) Uptone LPS1.2 power supplies and the Gotham Star Quad balanced DC cables to power the Reference SOtM tX USBUltra and the ISO Regen.

ozzy