Dac V-1 and USB power

Posted by: Fosfocreatina on 07 March 2014

Hi to everyone !

I'm building a new music server on the base of the Gigabyte B85n mobo that has a special USB socket called "USB DAC Up". This USB is gold plated and in the bios you have the possibility to switch off the power that goes in this USB socket. Has anybody tried this mobo ? Will this USB socket bring any SQ improvement when attached to the DAC V-1 ?

thanks and good music to everybody.

Posted on: 07 March 2014 by Jude2012

Hi and welcome,

I have not tried this as I am using a Mac mini. However, it is definitely worth experimenting with. The V1 does not use the power part of the USB.

If you do try it, I hope you are able to feedback your experience.

This has also got me thinking whether it is possible to switch off the power in the Mini's USB bus via a setting in Mac OS.

How are you finding the V1?

Jude

Posted on: 09 March 2014 by Fosfocreatina

Hi Jude !

the mobo will arrive the next week but I have to wait to test it until I receive the linear PSU from the company that produces the fanless case the mobo will sit in: when everything will be in place I will post my impressions.

About the DAC V-1 I have to admit that I'm very satisfied although the headphone amplifier could be better (I have a Grado GS-1000i). Apart from that, the SQ is very good and Naim typical. Naim did a clever project because they had already a very good DAC but without USB so they took the best USB to Spdif converter (Audiophilleo) available on the market, fed it through a very good toroidal transformer and put it "in front" of the Dac circuitry. The result is truly amazing for that little box and for the money you have to invest to buy it.

see you and good we, Andrea