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Intona USB 3.0 Isolator Review
- Thread starter amirm
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It is a desktop PC and I have tried every USB port on it already, thanks.
I‘m trying to research right now, whether a USB isolator or something like the jcat USB XE would fix this problem more efficient.
@sq225917: Do you believe a USB isolator would help in this regard?
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Do you hear the hum listening over headphones from the RME?
No, when using headphones (both outputs) everything is quiet.
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Okay, I would suggest trying some of those two prong to three prong adapters on your speakers. This lifts the safety ground which can be a source of ground loops. I don't know this is a problem, but this is a cheap way to test it. If the hum and other noise goes away, or goes down a great deal it probably is a ground loop issue. The adapters look something like this and should be pretty cheap like a few bucks.
This is not a safe permanent solution. It should not damage anything as a test. One way to continue using these and be safe is to swap out your electrical outlets on your speakers to GFCI outlets and it should be safe to continue using these. Or use some GFCI adapter plugs, and these two prong adapters together.
These adpaters should also be available at the big box hardware stores if you are in the USA.
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If optical connection solves the problem, then a USB isolator also should. However, be aware not all usb isolators are equal.
Ideally you want one that fully isolates the power - I believe the IFI defender will do this. It might need an isolated power supply for one side of it also.
I'm concerned though that your xlr connections are not also giving you immunity. Is it a fully balanced connection? (Balanced out on DAC to balanced in on speakers) Both for the mains, and the sub? Do you have any other connections to the speakers? Are the XLR connections fully populated (all three wires) and wired correctly (ground not connected to either of the signals). Does the noise happen on all speakers or just one? If just one does it follow the cable if you move it to a different speaker?
You should not be getting audible ground noise on correctly implemented balanced connections, unless the noise source is horrendous.
I just wanted to report back real quick, that the Intona isolator solved my problem immediately.
No more humming at all. I believe it was actually the super noisy source, that was exacerbated when playing games and running the GPU at full throttle.
Thanks for your answer. The connection is fully balanced (RME ADI-2 DAC -> XLR -> Adam Audio Sub7 -> XLR -> Adam Audio A3X) and there are no other connections to the speakers.
Whether or not the connectors are fully populated, I unfortunately have no idea as I bought them premade.
No more humming at all. I believe it was actually the super noisy source, that was exacerbated when playing games and running the GPU at full throttle.
Thanks for your answer. The connection is fully balanced (RME ADI-2 DAC -> XLR -> Adam Audio Sub7 -> XLR -> Adam Audio A3X) and there are no other connections to the speakers.
Whether or not the connectors are fully populated, I unfortunately have no idea as I bought them premade.
Veri
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Why?
Can you run those sweeps without the intona? Might be interesting to see what it is doing in your specific case.
First plot says "wo Intona" - without Intona.
Did you have a problem you were trying to solve?
Why the resampling?
I'd like to chime in to say I also have issues with a noisy USB connection, using an RME Babyface pro fs.
It's not a ground loop, I've tested the outlet with a ground fault indicator. I've also powered the Babyface using the auxiliary power connector. The Babyface is an interface though, so I still need it to connect via USB to have my XLR inputs and my low latency ASIO performance for VSTs.
As the user above mentioned, it worsens with GPU activity.
My PC is no slouch, I have an RTX 4090, a Corsair RMx 1000w PSU, and a Gigabyte Z390 designaire motherboard. This mobo even has two USB ports specifically designed to reduce noise. It seems the RTX 4090 is the cause though, I removed the card and the noise was gone.
It was very surprising to see my $900 interface wasnt able to filter out this noise.
It's not a ground loop, I've tested the outlet with a ground fault indicator. I've also powered the Babyface using the auxiliary power connector. The Babyface is an interface though, so I still need it to connect via USB to have my XLR inputs and my low latency ASIO performance for VSTs.
As the user above mentioned, it worsens with GPU activity.
My PC is no slouch, I have an RTX 4090, a Corsair RMx 1000w PSU, and a Gigabyte Z390 designaire motherboard. This mobo even has two USB ports specifically designed to reduce noise. It seems the RTX 4090 is the cause though, I removed the card and the noise was gone.
It was very surprising to see my $900 interface wasnt able to filter out this noise.
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That is almost certainly a ground loop.
A ground fault indicator says nothing about a ground loop. A ground loop doesn't even have to go to mains ground - any circular ground path in your system can be a ground loop.
And a $900 interface can't filter it out, nor can a $90,000 interface (unless they have input galvanic isolation - few do). It doesn't go through the interface electronics - only on the input to output ground, - it is added to the signal on the input to your amp as a result of different ground potentials on either end of the analogue link.
The only solution is to break the ground loop (optical connections are great for this - SOME USB isolators can also do a good job) or to use balanced interconnect throughout.
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I see. Would the fact that I remove the GPU and the noise disappears rule out a ground loop?
I still get the noise running balanced interconnects throughout.
RME babyface XLR -> Cayin HA-6A XLR -> 4 pin XLR out -> ZMF Atrium
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Most time and cost effective solution is talked about here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-hs02-coming.41614/post-1605962
I have it. It gets extremely hot and caused my interface gui to hang occasionally, something that's incredibly rare. It did take care of the noise though.
I ended up getting a schitt modius e and am using the toslink digital out to eliminate the noise. I was considering trying this intona isolator as well.
I'm curious if a different motherboard could also solve the issue, it's about time for a cpu upgrade anyway.
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