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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Well, the swap to Curious cable did improve the dynamics so it appears the Morrow USB may not be compatible with the Intona.  The VPI Brick held the Intona down  (the Curious Cable is quite stiff) but I couldn't discern any effect on SQ.  Long story short, my system sounds better without the Intona.  I did come across some posts from Audio Circle that indicates the USB filters are very system dependent.   The Intona still imparted a bit of haze on my system. 

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=148457.0 

Oh well, another box for the audio graveyard closet!  If anybody wants it, I'll let it go for $200 including shipping in the continental US.


You mention sluggish which for others could mean space and time between vocals instruments etc (better separation) maybe you prefer faster pace or you system already has enough space etc while this unit possibly creates more space which in turn could seem sluggish to you.
Either way it had an effect which is at least something in this increasingly difficult minefield of audio add ons.