Intona USB 2.0/3.0 Isolators 2019versions

CKKeung

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We audiophiles are restlessly itchy and many of us got OCD in tweaking our hifi components, even the very top/hi-end ones.

For example, the Taiko Audio SGM Extreme server is IMHO the best CAS server in the market, yet we have been talking about ways to further improve the overall sonic performance.
There is recently a lot of discussion about that on the last several pages of this WBF thread :
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/taiko-audio-sgm-extreme-the-crème-de-la-crème.27433/page-33

Very few tweaks/accessories can get approval from Emile, designer/boss of the Extreme server but the Intona USB Isolators 2019 versions are some of the rare exceptions.
https://pro.intona.eu/en/products/

Intona launched similar isolators several years ago. They were for industrial but not audio use. The chassis was made of plastic and although sonically they worked, there were often incompatibility issues.
7054_01 (1).jpg

The new 2019 models are much much nicer and aim at audiophiles.
Here are the USB2.0 5kv model (left) and the USB3.0 model (right) :
20190628_192848~2.jpg

They now got a metallic chassis.
I had a glimpse of the interior. There are some EMF absorption pads sticked onto the inner surfaces of the metallic chassis.
The circuit boards are totally diff from the old models. There are now actually 2 circuit boards, the smaller one sitting on the bigger board.

Also, please note that there is a mini-USB socket situated next to the usb output on the new 2019 models.
It is for users to give the Isolator an external 5V dc supply. The occasional incompatibility issue of the old models is partly due to the 5V current becoming smaller after going through the Isolator. The new 2019 models solve the problem this way.
20190628_192829~2.jpg

In Hong Kong, both Intona and Taiko Audio are carried by the same dealer Volent Audio.
I tried the new Intona Isolators on the Extreme server.
They worked and gave sonic improvement!

However there is a small compromise in dynamics.
Can this be solved?
Yes of course!
It was then given an external 5V dc via the blue colour dc cable.
20190628_171102~2.jpg

A PLiXiR Elite Series 5V/2A LPS was used.
20190628_171014~2.jpg

It was like Popeye being fed spinach, all the micro- & macro-dynamics returned.
Fabulous!
 
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Sablon Audio

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CKK, which dac was used for this test? I can imagine sensitivity to boosting the power supply current will vary from model to model.
 

CKKeung

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CKK, which dac was used for this test? I can imagine sensitivity to boosting the power supply current will vary from model to model.
Intona Isolator to Totaldac Reclocker to Totaldac Direct dac.
 
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Rhapsody

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I am using the Intona isolator with two Ultimate Intona usb cables from the Extreme to the latest Aqua Formula xHD DAC. I have not tested this setup with any other DACs or against any other isolators/usb cables etc. I can tell you my digital NEVER sounded as good as it does now.
 

spiritofmusic

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Better not let Steve Williams see this. He's having enough problems w the proliferation of boxes out there, without adding yet another one to the mix.
 

Rhapsody

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Better not let Steve Williams see this. He's having enough problems w the proliferation of boxes out there, without adding yet another one to the mix.
:p:D
 

spiritofmusic

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CK, Bob, is this the equivalent or alternative to renderer like Sonore Rendu/opticalRendu, that maximises USB signal to the server?
 

CKKeung

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CK, Bob, is this the equivalent or alternative to renderer like Sonore Rendu/opticalRendu, that maximises USB signal to the server?
The new systemOptique Series of Sonore is for optical ethernet isolation instead of usb isolation :
systemOptique-flowchart.png

The Intona USB2.0/3.0 Isolators are for isolation of the usb pathway.

So they are somewhat different.
 

spiritofmusic

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But standard Sonore Rendu. That's a USB isolator/maximiser. Are the Rendu and Intona Isolator analagous devices?
 

Rhapsody

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I may be wrong but I believe the Rendu models are not usb isolators. They are renderer devices. ethernet in>>>usb out.

The Intona is usb in >>>>usb out.
 
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WilsonDaDa

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I am using Intona Isolator 3.0 with Reference USB for the upstream and Ultimate USB for the downstream. Before that, i used Ultimate to connect the player and the dac. It has already improved the performance of the whole system. However adding the Isolator, the performance get further improvement for its soundstage, the separation. Today, just bring the LPS home to feed the Isolator, like what CKKeung has said, all the micro and marco dynamics have been upgraded in my system. Popeye is now at my home......
 
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CKKeung

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But standard Sonore Rendu. That's a USB isolator/maximiser. Are the Rendu and Intona Isolator analagous devices?
The old Sonore Rendu and Signature Rendu are renderers, with no galvanic nor optical isolation inside.

The new Sonore systemOptique Series offers optical ethernet isolation.

Intona USB2.0/3.0 Isolators offer optical usb isolation.
 
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CKKeung

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Doesn't TotalDac make a USB cable with an isolator?
Actually 2 models.
But we don't know the internal isolation mechanism.
 

Rhapsody

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The old Sonore Rendu and Signature Rendu are renderers, with no galvanic nor optical isolation inside.

The new Sonore systemOptique Series offers optical ethernet isolation.

Intona USB2.0/3.0 Isolators offer optical usb isolation.

CK, what cable/connector is that blue cable that connects the Plixir to the isolator? Does it come with the Plixir?....thx
 

WilsonDaDa

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CK, what cable/connector is that blue cable that connects the Plixir to the isolator? Does it come with the Plixir?....thx
Yes come with Plixir
 

CKKeung

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CK, what cable/connector is that blue cable that connects the Plixir to the isolator? Does it come with the Plixir?....thx
Yes, that's the dc cable included with the PLiXiR Elite Series 5V/2A LPS.
Their Elite Series is one of the best LPS in the market.
Very quiet and dynamical, because of their use of balanced isolation toroids and double-regulation circuit.
 
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spiritofmusic

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So, in a SGC/Sonore world, we're poss talking
SGC i5 or 7 w LPS
opticalRendu w LPS
opticalModule w LPS
Intona Isolator w LPS
Switch (maybe upcoming Uptone EtherRegen) w LPS, or Paul Pang quad switch w additional LPS
Gigafoil filter (w LPS?)
Dac w LPS
Router w LPS.

I make that 16 boxes, 8 pwr cords, 8 dc leads, 12-16 isolation platforms.

Just looking at my one-box cdp and tt, and remarking how simple it seems in comparison.
 

CKKeung

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spiritofmusic

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The PLiXiR website talks balanced pwr. Is this correct, and across all their products?

Can I use them if I'm already using balanced pwr into my system
 

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