graz_lag
Major Contributor
... I think that it was initially designed to be used via battery power and with the signal coming from something like an iPhone/iPad which supposedly has very clean USB signal vs a PC ...
I confirm you that the supply from a battery vs. from the laptop USB port thru the USB cable may add quality in the sound restitution from a DAC.
I have in my secondary system a Korg DS-DAC100, which gets power via USB only.
What I did is a simple modification to a "Y" USB cable with two "A" connectors, where one connector (A1) was originally wired for both power and data while the other connector (A2) has just the power supply wirings.
A2 feeds the DAC from a RAVPOWER 20,000mAh battery, A1 feeds the "data only" from the laptop.
I have "unsoldered" pin #1 & pin #4 into the A1 connector so that the power path from the laptop is cut.
The better performances of this configuration vs. the standard one, although using a $50 USB cable from Supra of Sweden, has been confirmed by my family members and friends as well.
A good practical advantage is that the RAVPOWER battery can be kept fully charged from the main during it's operation, so I assume it can supply a very constant 5V to the DAC.
I have chosen RAVPOWER vs. other battery brands because of the their claiming abt. the << ismart+ >> outgoing tension and power circuit regulation.
I find this installation as simple, economical and efficient.