USB connection to DAC: multi stage improvement

@antigrunge2 Quite the complex science experiment you have there. And to think I was feeling weird about inserting a LHY UIP ahead of an Innuos Phoenix USB for evaluation in my own system (the jury is still out). I previously experimented with the same Jhoinrch (ISOUSB211 chipped) unit with external 5V LPS ahead of the Phoenix, but the result was inconclusive.

"Bits are bits" is a simplistic argument that is valid only to the extent that the cause for clearly audible differences between bitperfect digital sources is not due to discrepancies in the digital data itself. 

Galvanic isolation in this context is binary for DC, but not for the undesirable AC currents of various frequencies responsible for downstream disturbances. 

Numerous influential variables, including quality and noise characteristics of the particular source, DAC, mains, home environment, interconnects, etc., render this exercise anything but a one-size-fits-all affair. At least the Jhoinrch device is inexpensive enough for anyone to try.

Cables are Huber and Suhner for clock, Intona reference for USB and Shunyata sigma for ethernet. Antelope happens to be a leading clock specialist.

@ted_b 

Try a good clock on the UIP, it made a big difference for me. Galvanic isolation from my experience seems dependent on the chip used. Different isolator models seem to attack different parts of the noise spectrum.

You literally insert 5 USB isolators / ddc, including a superly cheap $20 stick, bet. a quality streamer and DAC.  This is nothing but creation of a series of re-clocking, packet regeneration, latency and impedance discontinuities that likely end up fighting each other.  Overly done is not better.  Not a intelligent setup. 

A quality DDC like the Gustard U26 or a higher-end DDC from Denafrips, both of which have a track record of making meaningful improvements on a already decent streamer/dac combo, should be sufficient.

@antigrunge2 

sure. I have eero 6e pro via Audience Hidden Treasure into Meitner MA3i. This setup replaced Aurender N200 and Bricasti M3. 

I use Roon Nucleus One as Roon core and I also use Jplay to stream from qobuz and tidal.

I have in plans to try the new Matrix Audio SI-1 isolator to see if it will make any positive difference but there’s absolutely zero concerns with how my digital sounds, especially after the Roon update it’s been great as they finally fixed performance and sound quality!