iFi Audio iDefender3.0 + USB Ground Loop Breaker
Now available in 3 versions. USB A to A . USB C to USB A. USB C to C
The iDefender3.0® protects against the common problems of ground loop noise and noisy USB power:
1. Breaks noisy ground-loops. Significantly reduces system noise floor and makes for better dynamic contrast, warmth and resolution
2. Disconnects the USB Power from the PC and replaces it with a clean external power (optional iPower* 5V for ultra low noise)
3. USB3.0 port technology – most advanced and highest USB specification
To be used directly at the Source such as the PC usb port, it breaks ground loops and cuts the noisy USB power line. From computer audiophiles, musicians, home studio artists to pro audio customers, it improves audio playback quality at home and on-the-go.
For DACs that require USB power, to obtain the best sonic performance, the iPower 5V is recommended to supply the iDefender3.0®.
Break the noisy USB power, but in the correct way
There are more than a few products that break the USB power connection, but of the ones known to us, they do very little because the noisy ground connection remains.
For DACs that do not use USB power (except for handshake) the iDefender3.0® breaks the ground connection eliminating earth loops, while allowing normal handshake operation to continue. So in terms of cutting out the noise, it does it in the most comprehensive way possible while at the same time, in an electrically correct way.
Need clean power? Inject iPower ‘quieter than battery’ technology
As the iDefender3.0® breaks the noisy power supply, this is for DACs with an internally-powered USB line.
But for DACs that require use USB Power, a separate ‘micro port’ power connection is provided for a 5V DC supply. Any 5v power supply can be used. Though we recommend the almost silent 1uV noise floor of the iPower®. It is a new-breed of near silent DC-power supply; low power consumption and low-noise.
With 12-Element Array on the output and 6-Element Array technology on the input, there is next to no noise ‘supplied’ to downstream devices and ‘leaked’ back out to nearby components.
USB3.0 technology, at the cutting-edge
It is now a hallmark of all the latest iFi signal and power products to be USB3.0 standard. First USB3.0 is backwards compatible with USB2.0. Second, in terms of the specifications, USB3.0 is superior to USB2.0 e.g. the wire gauge specification is more exhaustive and the connections are better.
Specifications:
- Super-Speed USB3.0 (and USB2.0 backwards compatible)
- Connectors: USB3.0 gold-plated connectors
- Dimensions: 48 (l) x 18 (w) x 8 mm (h)
- Weight: 6.5g (0.23oz)