Experience with Intona USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator


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.

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analog OP
Thanks for the post. I’m going to try a VPI brick (a piece of steel in a nice wood box) that I’ve had forever. I also have a Curious USB that I will try. Thanks!

Not wishing to contradict but VPI brick does not contain a piece of steel. Hint:
It’s not really a weight issue.
I recall from VPI that its steel plates from a transformer.  I have several "magic bricks" that I can't say did much other than to hold lightweight components from moving. 
Perhaps your brick was in the wrong direction since it’s directional. Mine worked great. Covering the transformer with Mu metal would most likely be better obviously.

I used the bricks on some Quicksilver amps that I had years ago. They looked good, but I can't say the bricks did much. I've got one brick on top of the Intona now with the Curious USB cable. I will let that settle in for a day or so and then take a listen. 
Since the magnetic fields in question are directional it's wise to rotate the brick 90 degrees if the first position is ineffective. Also it's best to place the brick on the output transformer is there is a choice.