Author Topic: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest  (Read 5898 times)

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Offline JonHendryTopic starter

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Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« on: August 31, 2018, 04:56:43 am »
So Audioquest, of the overpriced magic ethernet and HDMI cables, has a USB DAC called the Dragonfly https://www.audioquest.com/dacs/dragonfly/dragonfly-red

Among the marketing spiel for it is this bit, which I find hard to believe:

Quote
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution that delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower power consumption. Drawing 77% less current than the previous microcontroller, the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller enables true compatibility with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Further, we simply cannot overstate the significance of Gordon Rankin’s contributions to AudioQuest. The new DragonFly models embody many of Gordon’s most innovative, creative, and elegant digital-audio solutions to date.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Microchip probably didn't need to collaborate with an outfit like Audioquest to design a new microcontroller?

Also, they have a $50 USB noise filter called the "jitterbug":
Quote
DUAL DISCRETE NOISE-DISSIPATION CIRCUITS
Reduces the noise and ringing that plague both the data and power lines of USB ports.
Measurably reduces jitter, unwanted noise currents, and parasitic resonances.
Packet errors are sometimes eliminated completely.
Improves dynamic contrast, warmth, and resolution.

And there's this gem: "Use an additional JitterBug in parallel for improved playback performance."

As in, "plug a second one into the empty USB socket next to the socket you're using for your DAC, which is connected through a Jitterbug."


And: "Use JitterBug with other locally connected USB devices, such as hard drives, printers, and cameras, to effectively reduce audio interference."

And: "Use JitterBug with USB-enabled network devices, such as routers, NAS devices, and streamers."

Very important to filter that USB port on the router that you're not using.

It's small enough that I wonder if there's anything in it at all.
 

Offline glarsson

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2018, 08:02:33 am »
It could be a capacitor between +5V and ground. Then it would "make sense" to add more devices in other USB ports nearby. :-)
 
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Offline gedong

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2018, 04:57:44 am »
or maybe galvanic isolation ? it's usefull for reducing any EMI / RF.

don't know about jitter though.
 

Online Bud

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2018, 05:09:27 am »
PIC32MX is a general purpose type microcontroller family and was introduced quite a few years ago.
« Last Edit: September 01, 2018, 05:32:13 am by Bud »
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Online NiHaoMike

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2018, 12:58:34 pm »
I'm surprised they didn't use a PIC32MZ for USB 2.0 and 192kHz support.
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Offline Cyberdragon

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #5 on: September 01, 2018, 01:45:58 pm »
I'm surprised they didn't use a PIC32MZ for USB 2.0 and 192kHz support.

No, it has to be USB 1.0 because 2.0 is too fast and stresses your audio electrons. It has to be super slow to properly escort the electons to their destination without discombobulating them. Otherwise , you must have the 10K cable and filter to align and orient the electrons in the right direction so they can be quantum reencabulated. ;D Don't even ask what it takes to reencabulate 3.0...
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Offline amyk

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2018, 10:13:48 pm »
It could be a capacitor between +5V and ground. Then it would "make sense" to add more devices in other USB ports nearby. :-)
Yes, I suspect they're just bulk decoupling caps. Not true snake-oil but probably not much benefit either. Weird "power filtering" products have been around for many years:

https://www.ixbt.com/news/hard/index.shtml?10/66/54

I suspect they will show an effect only if your existing filter caps are already too dried-out to be of much use.
 

Offline ebastler

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #7 on: September 03, 2018, 10:53:42 am »
Among the marketing spiel for it is this bit, which I find hard to believe:

Quote
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution that delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower power consumption. Drawing 77% less current than the previous microcontroller, the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller enables true compatibility with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Further, we simply cannot overstate the significance of Gordon Rankin’s contributions to AudioQuest. The new DragonFly models embody many of Gordon’s most innovative, creative, and elegant digital-audio solutions to date.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Microchip probably didn't need to collaborate with an outfit like Audioquest to design a new microcontroller?

If you read carefully, the quote does not say that Microchip got any input from Gordon Rankin and Audioquest. Gordon worked "alongside Microchip", which seems to mean that he used their new chip in his circuit design. The new PIC draws 77% less current (but Gordon presumably had nothing to do with that), and Gordon made "significant contributions to AudioQuest" (but probably none to Microchip).

A nice example of marketing weasels at work...
 

Online newbrain

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #8 on: September 03, 2018, 12:31:05 pm »
It could be a capacitor between +5V and ground. Then it would "make sense" to add more devices in other USB ports nearby. :-)
Yes, I suspect they're just bulk decoupling caps. Not true snake-oil but probably not much benefit either. Weird "power filtering" products have been around for many years:

https://www.ixbt.com/news/hard/index.shtml?10/66/54

I suspect they will show an effect only if your existing filter caps are already too dried-out to be of much use.
L(?)C decoupling on the power lines and a common mode choke on the data lines.

As the product is not new, there's discussion aplenty on it online.
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Offline Domagoj T

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2018, 06:23:58 am »
Among the marketing spiel for it is this bit, which I find hard to believe:

Quote
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution that delivers improved signal-to-noise ratio and significantly lower power consumption. Drawing 77% less current than the previous microcontroller, the new Microchip PIC32MX microcontroller enables true compatibility with Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Further, we simply cannot overstate the significance of Gordon Rankin’s contributions to AudioQuest. The new DragonFly models embody many of Gordon’s most innovative, creative, and elegant digital-audio solutions to date.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think Microchip probably didn't need to collaborate with an outfit like Audioquest to design a new microcontroller?

If you read carefully, the quote does not say that Microchip got any input from Gordon Rankin and Audioquest. Gordon worked "alongside Microchip", which seems to mean that he used their new chip in his circuit design. The new PIC draws 77% less current (but Gordon presumably had nothing to do with that), and Gordon made "significant contributions to AudioQuest" (but probably none to Microchip).

A nice example of marketing weasels at work...

I wonder if Microchip appreciates being mentioned in this context at all.
 
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Offline schmitt trigger

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2018, 07:18:54 am »
It may be a flux capacitor
 

Offline RobK_NL

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2018, 11:38:32 am »
Quote
Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology
I.e. he was so out of his depth that he had to continually pester Microchip's FAE's to get a working product.  :-DD
Tell us what problem you want to solve, not what solution you're having problems with
 

Offline bob225

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2018, 11:46:51 am »
Quote
Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology to develop a new high-performance, full-speed USB microcontroller solution

Oh yes he printed out the pdf datasheet and had it on his desk  :) ;)
 
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Online Ice-Tea

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2018, 08:46:51 pm »
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology...

Translation: he posted a question on their forum once.
 
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Offline Halcyon

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2018, 03:45:25 am »
AudioQuest and DragonFly designer Gordon Rankin worked alongside Microchip Technology...

Translation: he posted a question on their forum once.

Or he parked his car outside their building, drew a doodle and called it "work".
 
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Offline mc172

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #15 on: September 19, 2018, 10:50:31 pm »
or maybe galvanic isolation ? it's usefull for reducing any EMI / RF.

don't know about jitter though.

Galvanic isolation is absolutely not useful for reducing EMI!
 

Online langwadt

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #16 on: September 19, 2018, 11:08:51 pm »
It could be a capacitor between +5V and ground. Then it would "make sense" to add more devices in other USB ports nearby. :-)

USB 2.0 specification limits capacitance on Vbus to 10uF to limit inrush current
 

Offline glarsson

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #17 on: September 20, 2018, 07:28:06 am »
USB 2.0 specification limits capacitance on Vbus to 10uF to limit inrush current
Facts and specifications will not stop an audiofool company.
 

Offline MrMobodies

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Re: Sketchy claim from audiophoole brand Audioquest
« Reply #18 on: November 05, 2018, 06:43:19 pm »
I hear all sorts of noises from different sound cards but they don't seem to bother me that much.
Sometimes it can be quite soothing.
 


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