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This model is for full-speed devices (max supported sample rates 96kHz/24bit and two channels. Also look at our High-speed isolator, and read our guide on choosing the right isolator.
The Hifimediy USB isolator is used to prevent ground loop noises and increase sound quality. It works by creating a new ground for the USB device so it doesn’t have to share ground with your computer and other devices that you might have connected in your house. This will prevent ground loops (but not all noises you might experience as not all noises are caused by ground loops).
It will also protect the USB device and host from electrical shocks or static electricity shocks. It can improve the quality of the DC voltage that powers the USB device. This can improve performance of sensitive equipment like audio converters.
This Isolator doesn’t require an external power supply. It features an isolated, regulated DC-DC module which is powered from the USB host (computer) and can give out 200mA, sufficient for commonly used USB equipment (but not all – check your device’s power requirement!). Power is filtered with a LC filter featuring quality Sanyo OSCON caps.
It features a professional grade isolation chip, ADUM4160 and with an optimal layout it features signal isolation capability of 5000V and voltage isolation of 3000V.
A low noise regulator is used to power ADUM4160 and low noise DC-DC converter gives a clean 5VDC power to the connected USB device. USB Full Speed 12Mbps is sufficient for samples rates up to 96kHz/24bit. It will not work with DACs supporting 192kHz/24bit samples rates as this requires USB “High Speed” 480Mbps. High-Speed isolator available here: Hifime High-Speed USB Isolator.
Features
- Signal Isolation 5kV
- Voltage Isolation 3kV
- Built in 200mA power supply from USB bus (no external power supply required)
- Power supply LC filter
- Copper ground
- ADUM4160 Support USB full-speed 12Mbit/s, but not hi-speed 480 Mbit/s.
- Also supports USB “Low speed” 1.5Mbit/s (two internal switches need to be moved to L position). – Alternatively look here for the hi-speed version that also supports low speed natively
- Size: 55x35mm + cable 10cm
Compatibility
- Works with stereo DACs that support sample rates up to 96kHz/24bit and that doesn’t require too much power.
- Supports other USB devices that run on USB Low or Full speed modes. High Speed mode 480Mbit/s is not supported (see here for other version)
- DOES NOT WORK WITH high resolution 384kHz or 192kHz DACs (they require USB High speed mode) – even when you play only 44.1kHz files. New High-Speed isolator here: Hifime High-Speed USB Isolator
- DOES NOT WORK WITH multi channel DACs/sound cards. They will also require High speed mode.
- Supports Low speed devices (mouse, keyboards, some midi converter) through internal switch. You need to open the box and move both switches to the L position.
- Some computers will not wake up the isolator after sleep/standby, require to disconnect and reconnect the isolator.
- Works with M-Audio MKII card, and most USB mics. Confirmed working with Prophet 12 synthesizer and other synthesizers (for MIDI).
- Does not work with Focusrite sound cards!
FAQ
Will the USB Isolator get rid of my noise?
Buzz noises are often ground loop problems, and this is exactly what the USB isolator will remove. However the noise you’re experiencing might be caused in another way and might not be removed by the isolator. We do accept returns when it doesn’t work or remove the noise from your device.
Will it work with my DAC?
It works with dac’s that support up to 96kHz/24bit, it does not work with 192/24 sample rates.
Also, some dac’s require more than 200mA power. This might be if they have a headphone amplifier, or a MCU that draws more power.
New High-Speed isolator available here: Hifime High-Speed USB Isolator (supports samples rates above 96/24)
Do you offer warranty ?
Yes, we offer a 1 year warranty on all our products. We will ask you to pay shipping cost for sending the item back. We have return addresses in USA, UK, Germany and China.
Troubleshooting:
It doesn’t work, do I need to install a driver?
The USB isolator is “transparent” for the computer, so there are no drivers to install. However, it doesn’t work with all USB devices. Your device does probably either require too much power, or needs USB High speed mode (480Mbps).
Some further explanation (also see our USB isolator guide)
- USB ports can supply up to 500mA of power, while the USB isolator will output max 200mA. Some devices will require more than 200mA and will not work with the USB isolator. If your sound card has mic preamps or other features that draw a lot of power, then it probably will not work if it gets all it’s power from USB.
- If your DAC supports sample rates above 96kHz/24bit, then it will require USB High Speed (USB Audio class 2) and will not work with the isolator. Also, if you have a 96/24 sound card with 4, 8 or more channels, it will also require USB High speed mode.
Model: ISO-2
| Weight | 0.04 kg |
|---|
29 reviews for Hifimediy USB Isolator
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Mason –
Works wonderfully! Setting up an audio rig can come with many problems that you need to correct and it can feel like a treadmill of product solutions. It is a great relief when the quick fix fixes the issue quickly! Quick shipping as well.
Carl Sharpe –
I have a Behringer UCA202 sound card. I had a horrible, high-pitched buzzing noise. Tried an in-line Ground Loop Isolator on the RCA side, this reduced the noise by about 65-70%. But upon replacing it with this device….GONE! Absolute silence now.
Do not delay, buy one today!
Dan M. –
This thing works perfectly! I can’t believe I had been living with this static/noise in my setup for so long. This isolator absolutely destroyed it. Audio from my keyboard is dead silent now. My setup is an old Yamaha keyboard which I use as both an instrument and as a midi controller. I’ve got a Focusrite 4i4 for the soundcard (which this isolator is NOT connected to). I’ve got the isolator connected between the keyboard and the computer, so it’s basically just passing midi instructions through it, which for full-speed USB it’s plenty fast enough. It works flawlessly, thanks so much! And shipping was quick too!
menippee –
Entre mon Mac Mini et le DD externe où je conserve mes bibliothèques de musique pour lire sous Roon, le résultat est bluffant, bien mieux que le Dragonfly Jitterburg. L’enlever est immédiatement audible (clarté, aération, image 3D). C’est un don du ciel pour un prix ridicule sur une chaîne à 80.000€
koomz0r –
Doesn’t work properly with Steinberg UR242. Drops connection out of the blue at random intervals. HIFIME REPLY: UR242 is a 192kHz sound card and requires high-speed mode. You can return it for a refund.
Santeri S. –
Works as promised. Connected to an USB hub which sends MIDI to hardware synths. Zero problems.
Marcus Starlancer –
Today i received my isolator and OMG this improved my sound so much it’s beyond my expectations. For this price this little box of magic is worth it double.
I’m using this product in combination with my Audioengine D1 DAC that i have hooked up to my LSR305’s. No more PC noises no more ground loop buzzing. I can finally put my speakers volume up to 10 without hearing all of the annoying sounds i mentioned.
I’m definitely picking up the high speed version when i’m upgrading my DAC in the future.
Guy_Incognito –
Works great! I had serious issues with GPU coil whine being transmitted through the USB DAC, it’s all gone now.
bassplayer26 –
Very good product, solved problems with high pitched noise (ground loops..) on my Presonus USB interface. God service, fast delivery. Thank you
Luke –
Thankyou thankyou thankyou!! I was pulling my hair out trying to isolate the interference in my DAC and this thing has solved all of the problems I was having!
Petros Petrakakis –
Best choise. Excellent quality and delivery as well.
I hope to shop from you again.
Thank you very much….
Jim From Nova Scotia –
Received mine today and in a word (or two) "IT WORKS".
Immediately solved the ground loop issue I’ve been having with my iMac to USB external sound card to a single-ended triode (tube) amplifier.
Walter Cain –
This device is invaluable. It’s very impressive. We were plagued by USB hiss and hum (set up is Linux / UBUNTU Studio / Quattro USB2 external sound card).
This isolator slashed all our noise – it’s brilliant!
Top product, a must have for home recording setups. There is now a newer version with a better spec, which we’ll be getting soon I suspect, but this one have saved the day already. Quiet audio train at last. All good.
Simon from Australia –
Very happy. No more USB ground loop through my M-Audio Fast Track Pro. My monitors are now silent. Ahhhh! 😀
Ivo –
If you live in a country that has old 2-phase electricity grid with no proper 3rd grounding line, you NEED this. Applies to most eastern-european contries. It eliminated all my parasitic noises coming from the PC due to the poor grounding. Using it with PC > ODAC > Headphones/Active Monitors and it works like a charm.
Nick –
I got this from amazon not exactly for a dac, but for Kef X300A that has an integrated dac. It works fine on 24bit/96Khz
Gianmarco –
Just picked this up from the Post Office today and OH MY LORD!! I plugged this sucker in as soon as I got home and noticed the difference RIGHT AWAY! 0 Buzzing and the sound just comes out crystal clear from my monitors now.
Thank you soo much for this beautiful product! Already recommended it to my friends.
NicoA –
I received the isolator today. Without isolator I hear white noise and a glitch every second from my amplifier when the volume is more than 25 % open. Now with USB isolator my amplifier is dead silent even with volume 75 % open.
It is transparent and works out of the box up to 24 bit 96 kHz without any specific drivers. I use it between my Sony Vaio laptop and my Musical Fidelity V90 DAC. My OS is Linux Mint Xfce 17.2 with Audacious as my audio player. As my laptop’s battery is dead I always use it with 220 V power adapter. Because of this I had a ground loop between my laptop and DAC. I am listening 24/96 flac files for 2 hours now and the isolator works like a charm 🙂
Thanks HifimeDIY! I also would love to test your new ESS Sabre DAC but I will wait for a version with stereo RCA output connectors…
Dean –
Does not work on Focusrite audio cards. Looks like 200mA is not enough to power up any card with mic ins and headphone preamps via USB. Hifimediy reply: Yes it generally doesn’t work with sound cards that has mic inputs (phantom power) etc. We’ll add a note about saying that Focusrite is not supported. You can always ask us for an opinion on if it works with your device before ordering.
rlube –
I have a Raspberry Pi B Version 2 and am able to get a HiFimeDIY Sabre U2 Asynchronous USB DAC working with it. The only mod is to prioritise USB audio over HDMI and analogue.
I also obtained the HiFimeDIY USB Isolator, but when this is installed inline, the RPi is unable to identify the DAC at boot up. This is not a show stopper, as the DAC is working fine and I am not experiencing any white noise with it. This DAC is only designed to go to 96khz, and I am satisfied with that.
Ryan –
Definitely legit
If you have a dying motherboard and can literally hear the hiss/fuzz difference between different USB ports, then this is for you
Does as advertised
Advid –
I did a blind test with someone who bought it, along with the Sabre U2 DAC:
I prefer the sound without isolator than with it.
With the isolator it seems to me that sound lacks power, especially with the low frequencies. This is subjective but done in blind test with consistent results.
Maybe the isolator limits the current available to the DAC? (thus the lack of power in sound) Or that isolator could be defective.
Could someone try this blind test with someone else who plug and unplug the isolator between the DAC and the PC ?
Pär Strindevall –
I had noise issues coming from my desktop PC USB ports. All of them. I was happy to find that my audio interface needed less than 200mA (it needs 150mA) so I decided to try this USB isolator. It works marvellously! I hear absolutely no noise. Even with my unplugged laptop I would get some noise but with this little device my audio is as crisp as can be with any computer I’ve tried it with. I’m so glad it solved my issues without shelling out legit cheddar on an industrial isolator.
Big up!
simon –
the usb isolator works perfect. all noise is gone from the laptops’ signal, so sound is crisp, clear and powerful. great job done on such a tiny device!
twendyandy –
I have bought this Tiny Box and it just make exatly what I want. It kills the background noise who come from the laptop ground. Just look at this Video I’ve made. http://youtu.be/FwZTB8CDDgM?list=UUlKEA3X9xfbh-DU_JemPhxw
Thanks to hifimediy for the cheap price.
Earfonia –
The USB isolator works well filtering out the noise from my desktop USB port, connected to my Dr. DAC2 DX. I use Dr. DAC2 DX for Op-Amp rolling, and has been using it as headphone amp, connected to Yulong DA8. Yulong DA8 analog out connected to Dr. DAC2 DX analog in. Both DACs are connected to USB ports of my desktop PC. I keep getting high frequency noise on both of Yulong DA8 & Dr. DAC2 DX headphone output. I tried with AC power filter, didn’t solve the problem. I found out that the noise came from USB connection to Dr. DAC2 DX. When I disconnected the USB cable, the noise disappear. So I tried this USB isolator from Hifimediy, put it in between desktop PC to Dr. DAC2 DX USB connection, and the noise disappear 😀
USB isolator doesn’t work for Yulong DA8. Yulong DA8 was not recognized by Windows when I used the USB isolator. But it works perfectly for Dr. DAC2 DX.
Thank you Hifimediy!
unhappycustomer –
Bought this usb isolator – long delivery time and then it did not work. Was shipped from China and had to pay import TAX and handling expenses. Found that it only supply 200mA which is nowhere close to the 500mA USB normally deliver. Took it apart and the quality is poor with the loose wire soldering. Cannot recommend this. I have also bought the sabre which was better quality.
richard51 –
My experience with this isolator is very, very good. I ear much better the higher end of the spectrum, more details and more sepation, better soundstage… the expanse is very justified…
tilroh –
The HiFime USB isolator successfully filtered the noise from my laptop’s power supply. I can now charge my laptop while using it feed a UBS DAC. Makes both my laptops dead quiet. Just plug the Isolator in front of your USB DAC so the Isolator can clean up the power first.
I’m happy.