V-Link - USB Hub for Isolation

One concern I have with the V-Link is its use of the host computer USB connection as a power source, and and the potential for introducing power supply noise into the down-stream DAC due to the lack of galvanic isolation when using the RCA S/PDIF connection. This concern was touched on in the April review, with the optical output being recommended for this reason (though I think JA used the RCA output with good results).

I have purchased (but not yet received) a V-Link to use with an HP laptop and I am wondering if using a separately-powered USB hub to interface the V-link to the laptop would provide any isolation and alleviate the above concern. Assuming the hub utilizes a high quality "wall wart" that is quieter than the laptop power supply (maybe a big assumption), could this potentially provde any audible improvement? I'm interested to know if anyone has experimented with this.

May 30, 2011 - 1:58pm

bonhamcopeland

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Last seen: 9 years 11 months ago

Joined: Jan 21 2011 - 12:02am

adding another device, (and

adding another device, (and another cable), for the soul purpose of power isolation seems like overkill for a sonic benefit that would be slight, at best. that's just me. to your point - I think those wall worts are just as "noisy" as a computer's power supply. dig around Computer Audiophile and see what those guys think. honestly, i would spend more time optimizing your laptop for music playback because there are all kinds of bigger issues there that can affect sound quality.

but hey, USB hubs are cheap so it might be worth trying out if you have one laying around.

i've had my V-Link for about a month. i originally bought it as a switching device for high-res files since my DAC's USB input won't accept >48. i didn't expect much, but I was honestly kind of blown away how much of a difference it made.

my set-up: MacBook Pro 8gig RAM -> PureMusic software (iTune) ->Transparent USB -> V-Link -> MIT Coax ->Peachtree Nova (as a stand alone DAC).

June 13, 2011 - 7:51am

Reed

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Joined: Sep 6 2005 - 5:37am

Using the v-link with digital coax

I know this is a late post, but as of last week, I'm utilizing the v-link in my system. I really like what it has done for my system, and it is not coming out any time soon. It really works magic with my Rega DAC. I tried the optical out with an Audioquest Optilink-5 cable and very much prefer the coax out with the Stereovox XV2 digital coax cable I have on-hand.

I found the optical out to slightly more "diffused" sounding. The coax, however, is sounding fabulous.

Mac Mini -> Channel D Pure Music software -> Cardas Clear USB -> V-Link -> Stereovox XV2 digital coax cable -> Rega DAC -> Nordost Blue Heaven (Version 2, the new "non-flat" version) -> Rogue Audio Cronos Magnum integrated amp (all-tube integrated amp, 90 wpc) -> Magnepan 1.6QR.

The V-Link kicked things up couple notches.

June 15, 2011 - 5:49am

RGibran

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Joined: Oct 11 2005 - 5:50pm

As opposed to???

coming straight out of the Mac mini into the Rega? Curious...

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