Best means of isolating digital equipment i.e. DACs, CD transports, wall warts etc.


Is it better to route these digital noise polluters through a conditioner, isolation transformer or both in series?  Is a "digital" power cord sufficient by itself or could it be used with any of the above without negative side effects?  There are a lot of anecdotal observations in many old threads.  Can anyone help clarify based on what they have found?  I'm getting ready to add a dedicated circuit for my audio system and will be reconfiguring power cable connections.
jc4659
@erik_squires I'm sure i read this once before and found it helpful though does not directly answer all my questions.  In your article a DAC is considered a noise emitter and I would agree.  Why then do you show it plugged in on the "clean side"?
 In your article a DAC is considered a noise emitter and I would agree.  Why then do you show it plugged in on the "clean side"?

Yeah, I honestly went back and forth, in part because some are powered by wall warts, but then the following point kind of became most prominent:

The DAC starts the analog signal, so it needs clean power.

If your DAC uses a wall wart, I suggest swapping it for a linear supply. If you get aftermarket power cords, shielded cords (which are cheap) are recommended to prevent radiating, and receiving noise.

As for dedicated digital cables... I'd have to see the specific item you are referring to. :)


I have two dedicated digital power cables.  A shunyata alpha digital and a Signal Cable digital power cable.

The best way to isolate DACs and CDP is Craig's List. I recommend listing under "free stuff" as that gets them gone faster. But you are welcome to try and get something for them if you think you can.

A wall wart is nothing more than a small transformer, diodes, and cap. The solution to wall warts is not to isolate but to improve. Swap out the cheap parts and hard wire better quality cap and diode. Or if you can't solder then contact Michael Spallone about modding them. 

Ideally you would sell the DAC for enough to cover Spallone.