OK. Would a separate battery [5V] or a iFi [5V] wall wart make a difference over using another port for power connection of USB ?
charles
The short answer is yes. Avoiding the common noise present between USB ports on the attached device is a good thing. However, and this is a BIG HOWEVER, the 3 pole filter that is in the power leg of the Split Power pretty well renders that question moot. Also, the ground configuration in the Split power isolates the grounds between the transport, computer or streamer and the DAC or renderer.
So, this is a qualified "Nope".