PIAUDIO DIGIBUSS

[rollo]

   The latest from Guru Dave of PIAudio. Where has this been all my life. So natural ans analog sounding my CDP plugged into this.
    Yes I sell them and proud to do so. Retail is $350 ea. Another no-brainer from PIAudio.
     


charles

[mdconnelly]

I've got a DigiBuss and had a bit of an epiphany with it...

I started it out plugged between wall and UberBuss on my big rig.  I think it relaxed things a bit, but to be honest, the Uber was already doing a very nice job.

I remember Dave saying that a lot of noise on the line is due to computers and all those SMPS wall warts and the like.   So I moved the DigiBuss to my computer room (opposite side of the house) and centralized as much of my digital toys there along with running my computer, hard drives, and what not through it.

I thought it made a noticeable improvement in listening to computer audio (PC -> USB -> ifi Micro -> either headphones or Audioengine A2s.   So I just left it there and contemplated whether I should ask Santa for another one to put back in the big rig.     

That was a couple weeks ago.  Here's where it gets interesting... I realized I'd been having a string of "great sound" nights listening to the big rig and wondered if the DigiBuss on the computer where my music was being streamed could be playing a role in that.  So, like any good audiogeek, I pulled the DigiBuss out over the weekend.  Damned if the big rig didn't sound worse last night.  Now, sure, that is what I was anticipating and I did have a couple glasses of scotch (which normally helps the SQ but not last night).

I need to play with it more to see if I can isolate what's going on.  Of course, the digital thingees in my house are multiplying at an alarming rate and my fear is that I may need another 3 or 4 Digibusses to keep up.

[ejk]

   A special conditioner to rid ALL digital nasties from your system. 6 outlets for computer, DAC, etc.
    Rollo Group offers in house demo in the NY Tri-State area. PM me here for a  demo. You will be glad you did.
  It is a black box so no photo now.

charles
rollo group audio

I guess this is just for digital components ? Can you use this for the rest of the system? I see on A/C guys are plugging this into the Uber Buss.

[mdconnelly]

  Yes recommended for digital only. What my customers tell me is they are getting more weight and jump factor plugging directly into an Uberbuss. A presence that just was not there before.
    ...

Charles, I'm not clear on where you're customers are placing the DigiBuss... between wall and Uber or between Uber and digital components?

My experience with it between wall and Uber was just a slight improvement - a more relaxed presentation.  But admittedly, that's where I put it first and perhaps didn't give it enough time to burn in there.

[mdconnelly]

  Yes recommended for digital only. What my customers tell me is they are getting more weight and jump factor plugging directly into an Uberbuss. A presence that just was not there before.
    ...

Charles, I'm not clear on where you're customers are placing the DigiBuss... between wall and Uber or between Uber and digital components?

My experience with it between wall and Uber was just a slight improvement - a more relaxed presentation.  But admittedly, that's where I put it first and perhaps didn't give it enough time to burn in there.

   Between Uber and component. One would desire the power correction of the Uberbuss first then the Digibuss filtering. You gonna be happy.

charles

Charles, Thanks!  Already am happy.  Now it's just tinkering to find best place for it.

[mdconnelly]

Charles, I'm putting the DigiBuss between Uber and my Devialet tonight and see what happens. 

And, no, nobody's going to the park until I've had my fill of awesome tunes.  Maybe next year.  

[P.I.]

First things first:  Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays everyone! We are in Portland OR with our daughters and families, presents are opened, pumpkin bread is eaten and oldest daughter Heather has the prime rib in the oven.  Life is good!

On to the DigiBUSS.

The Digi was designed as a bi-directional digital noise filter to KILL the digital nasties that are the rule not the exception these days.  iPhones, computers, power meter telemetry, kitchen appliances... everything has a chip or 9 insides anymore.  That is a bummer for most people.  It is also designed to be a better impedance match with SMPS than either wall supply or any of my BUSSes.  This is extremely important in the context of SQ.  This is particularly noticeable in soundstage dimensionality and timbre of acoustic instruments and the human voice (sibilance).

There are a couple of recommended ways to use a Digi.

I originally designed it to power all of the SMPS in my office/lab.  Even located at the opposite end of the house on the opposite branch circuit, I could hear the difference in SQ when all of the SMPS were on or off.  Sucked.  The second prototype solved the problem. 

Secondarily, it can be used as a standalone filter for a small system.  There is no PFC and it does contain an inductor, but the indicator is rated at 25A and the series resistance is < .001 ohm.

The primary audio function is to prevent digital hash from screwing with power supplies in a local system.  It will prevent RFI from polluting the PS of a digital source and/or DAC.  It will prevent the source and DAC from contaminating preamps, amps, crossovers... whatever.

Noise reduction begins at 120Hz.  100kHz is ~ -100dB down.  This frequency is where a majority of "digital filters" are at -3dB.  You can see why it is sooooooo quiet.  The 3 P&S 5362A Extra Hard Use Spec Grade are split into 2 outlets, each with its own filter for maximum noise reduction.  Choice of Furutech gold or rhodium plate inlets or a Neutrik powerCon input connector.  Standard finish is that adorable black textured finish that saves hundreds of $$$ in selling price.  Custom colors and enclosure materials are available.  Anything you can dream up I can do... you just need to be able to afford your dreams.

Additional and different receptacles are available, just inquire.

Mike C.,  for your system, plugging it into the Uber is definitely recommended.  Mike R.  No doubt that you are hearing the goodness of no hash.  What did you find out after you sobered up?     Then again, the best application is the one that sounds the best in YOUR system.  Please share your findings.  Inquiring minds want to know.

Let me know if ya'll have other questions.

Ho, ho, ho.............

[P.I.]

   Well after one week of burn-in it is still changing. However the bass, and dynamics are so much better. The top end needs more time like the Uberbuss.
   The Furutech rhodium duplex has a more natural presentation out of the box compared to the P&S. However not enough time on hand to tell.
   So far a quieter background with explosive dynamics. No Hi Fi sound from digital anymore. It is gone, gone and gone.
    Kudos Dave it is a winner.



charles
   

Thanks, Charles for the nice review.  Breaking does take time.  The GTXD-R is a study in bipolar, paranoid schizophrenic audio gear.   Way weird to a a few weeks and then AWESOME.

Who knew?!?

Enjoy,

<><

D

[P.I.]

The DigiBUSS is going through a small change right now.  Nothing huge or mind blowing, just a production change to accommodate component availability.  It does not effect SQ, just allows me some attitude in component sourcing.  The difference is +/_ 5Hz in the LF turnover frequency.  I can't hear the difference, I'm just trying to allow for components being 12 weeks out.

Parts sourcing is one of the hardest things a small manufacturer like me needs to contend with in providing the best gear that I can.  I try to stay on top of availability issues.  I'm just glad I caught this one.

The Digi continues to amaze me and my customers.  RFI is running rampant in our systems these days.  I is more than curious that the elimination of it cleans up a system so much.  My greatest accolades are coming from people that have analog front ends.  Seems that the elimination of RFI in the head amp is extremely important.  Makes perfect sense tome.

I hope that those of you that have the Digis will post your results and also suggestions for making it better.  Same goes for all of my products.

At this point all I can say is: Go Denver!!!  I just want to see Peyton get that which has always eluded him...  He truly deserves it.

D

[imassarano]

A few words on my experiences using the DigiBUSS.

I have the DigiBUSS circuit built into a customised MiniBUSS with a defeat switch, making comparisons very easy.

After giving the MiniBUSS several weeks burn-in period with the DigiBUSS circuit engaged, I disengaged it. Suddenly there was an added tizz, a flattening of the sound-stage and image depth, and an added quality to the music that made it seem less natural. All this was quite obvious, though not dramatic, never the less detracted from the listening enjoyment quite significantly, and I soon had to switch the circuit back in to resume my listening pleasure. I found what I heard quite surprising, as I was expecting something much more subtle, and all this after the MiniBUSS and two of the excellent LessLoss Firewall Modules, which together made a substantial improvement!

So, for the price of an inexpensive tweak, Dave offers a very worthwhile addition.

[HAL]

Have my DigiBUSS on order from Dave. 

Should be very interesting with the MS-3 Music Server and dspMusik digital crossover. 

[mdconnelly]

Having very nice success with my DigiBuss now between Uber and digital components.  I swear I could benefit having a couple more elsewhere in the house where things are generating lots of badness.

But, Dave, I gotta say... 'Go Panthers!'.  It's not often we North Carolinians get football bragging rights.   Should be an interesting game.

[P.I.]

A few words on my experiences using the DigiBUSS.

I have the DigiBUSS circuit built into a customised MiniBUSS with a defeat switch, making comparisons very easy.

After giving the MiniBUSS several weeks burn-in period with the DigiBUSS circuit engaged, I disengaged it. Suddenly there was an added tizz, a flattening of the sound-stage and image depth, and an added quality to the music that made it seem less natural. All this was quite obvious, though not dramatic, never the less detracted from the listening enjoyment quite significantly, and I soon had to switch the circuit back in to resume my listening pleasure. I found what I heard quite surprising, as I was expecting something much more subtle, and all this after the MiniBUSS and two of the excellent LessLoss Firewall Modules, which together made a substantial improvement!

So, for the price of an inexpensive tweak, Dave offers a very worthwhile addition.

Thank you for your observations on what the DigiBUSS concept does when used in your system.  I'm very pleased that you are pleased and appreciate the review.

Your use of the word "tizz" is one of the best terms I have heard in conjunction with digital noise.  That sense of graininess is a white noise component in the extreme highs.  It not only pollutes the power supply rails and ground plane in equipment, but uses more power than one would think in reproducing it.  It is hard on tweeters, too.

A little more info about Mr. Massarano's special unit. We talked for some time about what to build for his 250VAC application.  Ended up with a hybrid of a DigiMini(MiniDigi?)BUSS using Schuko receptacles.  We settled on the GigaWatt Schukos and I have to say that they are exceptional in build and sound quality.  Well worth the wait.  For any of you Nervous Guys that live where Schukos are the norm I highly recommend them.

[P.I.]

Mike, Charlie.  SB 50 will be very interesting.  Cam and that offense vs the Big D of Denver.  I just hope it is a good game.

Could be brutal...

[P.I.]

Having very nice success with my DigiBuss now between Uber and digital components.  I swear I could benefit having a couple more elsewhere in the house where things are generating lots of badness.

Remember that the DB was designed to quell the SMPS digital nasties.

If you can, get all of the wall warts together in one location on the opposing branch circuit to your system. You will still get noise on the neutral, but you will have 'some' attenuation on the hot.

You are right about additional noise suppression for D-nasties, no matter what you use.

Noise just sucks.