Enhancing USB Audio: My Experience with ADUM3160 USB Isolator on WiiM Ultra

[vbutani]

I recently conducted an experiment with my setup that yielded noticeable improvements.

Since the WiiM Ultra has only one USB port, I use a TP-Link USB hub to connect both my USB drive and a DDC. Although my DDC already features galvanic isolation, I wanted to see if I could further reduce noise introduced by the USB hub and hard drive before it reaches the DDC.

After researching online, I discovered a USB voltage isolator based on the ADUM3160/4160 chip, designed to provide electrical isolation between USB ports.

Given that my DDC already incorporates galvanic isolation, I wasn’t expecting much improvement, but since the device cost only around $10, I decided to give it a shot. To my surprise, the results were remarkable. It further reduced noise, leading to an even wider soundstage, tighter and more controlled bass, and a refined overall presentation.

For anyone using USB as an input in their system, I recommend trying a USB isolator. It’s a simple and cost-effective tweak that can make a meaningful difference!

 

[Pragmatist]

 

[F1 Fan]

I recently conducted an experiment with my setup that yielded noticeable improvements.

Since the WiiM Ultra has only one USB port, I use a TP-Link USB hub to connect both my USB drive and a DDC. Although my DDC already features galvanic isolation, I wanted to see if I could further reduce noise introduced by the USB hub and hard drive before it reaches the DDC.

After researching online, I discovered a USB voltage isolator based on the ADUM3160/4160 chip, designed to provide electrical isolation between USB ports.

Given that my DDC already incorporates galvanic isolation, I wasn’t expecting much improvement, but since the device cost only around $10, I decided to give it a shot. To my surprise, the results were remarkable. It further reduced noise, leading to an even wider soundstage, tighter and more controlled bass, and a refined overall presentation.

For anyone using USB as an input in their system, I recommend trying a USB isolator. It’s a simple and cost-effective tweak that can make a meaningful difference!

View attachment 23051

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Difference in what way?

 

[HansD-NL]

"It further reduced noise, leading to an even wider soundstage, tighter and more controlled bass, and a refined overall presentation." --> These remarks are straight out of a (any) hifi magazine, this flowery language is used over and over again.

 

[vbutani]

"It further reduced noise, leading to an even wider soundstage, tighter and more controlled bass, and a refined overall presentation." --> These remarks are straight out of a (any) hifi magazine, this flowery language is used over and over again.

Thank you for the compliment—feels like my post could make it to a hi-fi magazine!

On a more factual note, I did a blind test with this setup, and even my teenage son, who has no technical background, noticed the difference. Without knowing any details, he described the improvements in his own words: “It feels like music is around me, the bass drum lasts longer, and the sound feels more lively, while the previous sound was flat and straight.”

To add some context, my environment might contribute to the noise issues—there’s a power extension board and plenty of wiring around my AVR and HT setup, which could be causing interference. So, this isolator might be addressing issues specific to my setup.

That said, after upgrading from WiiM Pro to Ultra, I felt the soundstage wasn’t as wide as before. Adding this isolator brought it back, which I suspect might be due to noise from the USB hub or drive, not the Ultra itself.

It’s also possible that my system is now revealing more detail than before because of previous upgrades, like changing speakers, amp, and speaker cables. Before these changes, I couldn’t perceive such subtle differences.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you all. I just wanted to share my experience since this tweak was cost-effective and made a meaningful improvement in my system.