USB isolator for Mac Mini to Chord Hugo

Posted by: Flumpet on 12 May 2016

I have a 2014 (latest version) Mac Mini with Audirvana, connected directly to my standard Chord Hugo with the white USB cable packaged with the Hugo. 

As we know, the USB input on the Hugo is not galvanically isolated, but I'd like to stay with the USB connection to the Hugo (my coaxial connection is interrupted by light switches and the like, and the optical connection is used for the TV). 

I'm interested in giving the Hugo sound quality a boost via a simple and value-for-money USB isolator device - the sort of thing where I won't bemoan wasted money if I can't detect an improvement. 

I'm aware of two such devices - the Olimex USB-ISO and the Sbooster VBus isolator. The former was recommended by Rob Watts at Chord, though the latter is more appealing in terms of its ergonomics. 

Does anyone have experience of either or both of these devices (or indeed, others of this ilk)? If so, can you make any recommendations?

Many thanks in advance. 

Posted on: 14 May 2016 by Flumpet

Thanks to all for their responses and suggestions. As Likesmusic says, there are so many variables in each of our experiences. Before I had the Mac Mini I had a slight preference for the coaxial input (over the optical) on the Hugo fed by my CD player (though the drop-outs were annoying) so the Gustard sounds interesting. But I would want to be confident that the drop-out situation could be solved beforehand or by the Gustard. 

All things being equal, my preference would be for a streamlined system without add-on boxes. Likesmusic, you certainly put an eloquent cases for a Hugo TT. Which active speakers do you have? 

Posted on: 14 May 2016 by likesmusic
Flumpet posted:

. Likesmusic, you certainly put an eloquent cases for a Hugo TT. Which active speakers do you have? 

Thanks! Some ATC SCM50ASL towers with anniversary amp packs. 

Posted on: 15 May 2016 by Flumpet

Many thanks to all of you for your suggestions. There are clearly lots of different experiences with people's systems, listening environments and personal tastes being so varied. 

I've decided as a first solution to order a Gustard U12 USB-SPDIF converter. There were some compelling views that the Mac Mini (specifically, Audirvana) prefers a USB output yet the Hugo (according to Rob Watts at Chord) prefers the optical input. The Gustard would in theory allow these two diverging situations to be combined.

I myself would like to keep the Hugo's optical input free for TV if possible, so I plan to compare my music from the optical and coaxial outputs from the Gustard into the Hugo, and then use the coaxial connection if there is no appreciable difference in sound quality.  

Although I don't own any Naim equipment, I'm enjoying reading and being part of this forum. Unlike some other forums I've read, the Naim one is neither excessively technical (for my level) nor too uncivilised!

Posted on: 15 May 2016 by Goodsounds
Flumpet posted:

Many thanks to all of you for your suggestions. There are clearly lots of different experiences with people's systems, listening environments and personal tastes being so varied. 

I've decided as a first solution to order a Gustard U12 USB-SPDIF converter. There were some compelling views that the Mac Mini (specifically, Audirvana) prefers a USB output yet the Hugo (according to Rob Watts at Chord) prefers the optical input. The Gustard would in theory allow these two diverging situations to be combined.

I myself would like to keep the Hugo's optical input free for TV if possible, so I plan to compare my music from the optical and coaxial outputs from the Gustard into the Hugo, and then use the coaxial connection if there is no appreciable difference in sound quality.  

Although I don't own any Naim equipment, I'm enjoying reading and being part of this forum. Unlike some other forums I've read, the Naim one is neither excessively technical (for my level) nor too uncivilised!

Out of interest, which cable do you want to use to connect the Gustard to Hugo?

Posted on: 15 May 2016 by Flumpet

Goodsounds, my current options for the two connection types are the small-ended optical cable that comes in the Hugo box (one of the few that fits?) and a QED Performance coaxial cable that was an ex-demo freebie. 

I do need to buy a USB cable for the Mac Mini to the Gustard, preferably only 0.5m long. I was thinking of a Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 (I wouldn't want to spend any more at the moment).

Posted on: 15 May 2016 by Goodsounds
Flumpet posted:

Goodsounds, my current options for the two connection types are the small-ended optical cable that comes in the Hugo box (one of the few that fits?) and a QED Performance coaxial cable that was an ex-demo freebie. 

I do need to buy a USB cable for the Mac Mini to the Gustard, preferably only 0.5m long. I was thinking of a Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 (I wouldn't want to spend any more at the moment).

Thanks Flumpet.  Once I was looking for alternatives for Wireworld Supernova 7 which did not fit, a dealer once confirmed that Audioquest Vodka optical should fit into Hugo.