IFI Purifier 2
machone
Posts: 1,207
I received my IFI Purifier 2 yesterday and wanted to share my initial findings with you all.
First it is packaged very well and its construction is solid with its all aluminum housing.
I inserted the Purifier 2 in between my Marantz SA8005's USB port and my Starlight 7 USB cable which is connected to my Quantum Byte solid state music server.
During listening the first thing I noticed on my system is more articulate bass with better extension. Drums have better transient or faster response with more power but without seeming unatural. There seems to be more definition in high frequencies with vocals being very natural and detailed all without any harshness. Sound stage depth and imaging is better with some music moving forward from the speakers closer to my listening position. The acoustic guitar in Pink Floyd's, The Wall, Goodbye Blue Sky really moved forward and felt like it was in the room with me.
Overall a very pleasant listening session that I hope to reproduce tonight.
I am pretty sure it's a keeper.
Bob
First it is packaged very well and its construction is solid with its all aluminum housing.
I inserted the Purifier 2 in between my Marantz SA8005's USB port and my Starlight 7 USB cable which is connected to my Quantum Byte solid state music server.
During listening the first thing I noticed on my system is more articulate bass with better extension. Drums have better transient or faster response with more power but without seeming unatural. There seems to be more definition in high frequencies with vocals being very natural and detailed all without any harshness. Sound stage depth and imaging is better with some music moving forward from the speakers closer to my listening position. The acoustic guitar in Pink Floyd's, The Wall, Goodbye Blue Sky really moved forward and felt like it was in the room with me.
Overall a very pleasant listening session that I hope to reproduce tonight.
I am pretty sure it's a keeper.
Bob
Mojo Audio Illuminati v3>>Quantum Byte w/LMS>>Rpi/PiCoreplayer>> Starlight 7 USB >> Mojo Audio Mystique v2 SE>>ModWright SWL 9.0 SE Signature>>Hafler DH-500 Amp+ (Musical Concepts Fully Modded)>>
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
Comments
How long did you let it burn in?.
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, PS Audio Direct Stream JR. Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Aries Mini, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11, W4S recovery, Massdrop Airist Audio R-2R dac
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
I think getting the digital side better in my rig is going to be my next step and I might need to give this a try.
Living Room:,T+A PA 1530R, Tyler Highland H2, High Fidelity Reveal RCA, PS Audio Direct Stream JR. Wireworld Silver Eclipse SC
Have but haven't used in a while: LH Labs VI Dac, Cayin SCD50T, Aries Mini, Grant Fidelity Tube Dac 11, W4S recovery, Massdrop Airist Audio R-2R dac
A year ago I decided to keep things as simple as possible when I installed the four 20 amp dedicated power circuits so I removed the IFI. I never reinstalled it until just now.
During the last year I have upgraded the Hafler 500 with new driver boards and power cord, upgraded power cords to the Mojo power supply and Marantz SA8500, added many acoustic panels and last but not least I introduced the Modwright preamp with an upgraded power cord.
Now that the power cords have settled in I decided to add the IFI back into the mix. It is installed in the same place as before between the USB cable and the Marantz (used as the DAC).
This time the results are very noticeable with tighter bass, really spectacular imaging and everything forward. After listening for several nights with and without it in the system I find that I love the imaging and tone but it is a little too forward and the bass can be a little thin with some recordings. An example of this is JB "Blow by Blow".
I thought about it for a little and decided to move the speakers back an inch towards the wall. They have been at 7" for a long time and the last time I moved them to 6" I did not like the results. But I don't have the same system as a year ago so I gave it a try.
Wow! The bass is plentiful but tight with the image moved back and the soundstage is w-i-d-e. I played many songs last night and was grinning from ear to ear.
If you are on the fence with this one give it a try. At $120 list it may be worth the risk. It sure is working in my system.
I love this hobby!!!
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
Thanks
Disregard ssw the pic
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
SRS 2.3TL (Fully Modded)...Velodyne Optimum 8 subwoofer
1KVA Dreadnought
Marantz SA 8005
Pioneer PLX-1000 Turntable - Shure SC35C/N35X - V15III/VN35HE
Yamaha TX-540 Tuner...Sony BDP-S570
Sony PS4
Separate subpanel with four dedicated 20 amp circuits.
1. Amplification 2. Analog 3. Digital 4. Video
"All THAT IS LOST FROM THE SOURCE IS LOST FOREVER"
Running iTunes lossless format from a recent remastered release. Nearfield setup in my office. Same volume settings, native sampling rate, just as before without the iFi.
Right out of the box, I immediately noticed a difference. Bass was noticeably extended, tighter. Drums were crisper. Highs were further extended as well. I was hearing more cymbals than without the iFi! I'm not an audiophile, but dare I say soundstage extended as well?
For my nearfield setup, even at moderate listening levels, this nifty little device will bring more out of your source material for sure!
I'm looking forward to more experimentation with the baby!
Thanks @machone and @dskip for the recommendation!
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
More reference material:
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
Your clock radio has the wrong time on it.
Dude, it's quarter after 44
Office: PC,EAR Acute CD Player,EAR 834L Pre,Northstar Designs Intenso DAC,PASS ACA Monoblocks,Denon UDR-F10 Cassette,Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers,SVS SB12 Plus sub,MIT AVt2 speaker cables,IFI Purifier2,AQ Cinnamon USB cable,Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
Spare Room: Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-8 Monoblocks,Tisbury Mini Passive Pre,Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38),Analysis Plus Oval 9's,Zu Jumpers,AudioEngine B1 Streamer,Klipsch RB-61 v2,SVS PB1000 sub,Blue Jeans RCA IC's
Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated,Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer,Rotel RCD-1072 CD player,Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner,Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers,Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
I find myself back here this AM after stumbling across, in other reading, a little device called a/the USB Disruptor, which is designed to separate the power from the USB, provide new power, and deactivate the conducting hardware of the USB cable.
https://usbdisruptor.com/usb-disruptor-works/
Got me thinking about whether iFi addresses this, and, of course, they have.
iFi has their version of this approach (while apparently offering additional tech) in their recommendation of the iPurifier2, Gemini cable, and iUSB. Looks like they're even offering power adapter/wall-warts.
Anyone considered this route? Seems to make a lot of sense for the best potential in USB DAC audio. The iPurifier2 alone seems to be stopping short of potential gains of separating power and removing unnecessarily conductive paths from the source to the DAC.
https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-gemini/
https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/micro-iusb3-0/
https://ifi-audio.com/portfolio-view/accessory-ipower/
I have to say, my initial experience with a USB DAC in a near field system offered noticeable improvement over networked Squeezebox player with digital coax. Imaging, specifically, and the experience felt more immersive and surrounding. Seems worth exploring USB power isolation and noise reduction. I'll have to see whether the USB DACs mention anything in their documentation about noise suppression.
This version of a USB Disruptor is the cheaper version of an isolation approach without iFi's additional tech. They apparently offer a separate USB cable that has the power and metal connectivity disabled for isolation. This no frills design is for those who wouldn't be partial to a particular USB cable. Reviews indicate the USBD offered greater improvement than any single USB cable upgrade the reviewers had tried.