Kills USB power noise by ‘breaking’ the earth/ground loops in the correct way.
It significantly reduces the system noise floor and makes for better dynamic contrast, warmth and resolution.
Is your audio still taking a beating from buzz and hum?
iFi’s iDefender+ is for those battling with noisy audio due to unwanted ground loops in their audio chain.
Beat the buzz
Is your audio still plagued by hum and buzz?
Using multiple plugs within your audio chain means separate earth/ground points. These multiple earth or ground points cause a ground loop problem. This creates an unwanted chain of noise, buzz and distortion.
Struggle no more. iFi’s iDefender+ provides the simple, effective solution you need.
Break the loop
When plugged into the source device’s USB socket, the iDefender+ detects whether there is a ground loop problem.
It breaks the ground loop by ‘intelligently’ disconnecting the computer’s earth and, as well as eradicating audible ground-loop hum, it lowers the system noise floor, improving resolution and dynamic contrast.
Using a USB DAC?
Are you using the iDefender+ with a DAC that relies on USB power from a computer rather than power from the mains or a built-in battery?
Good news. The iDefender+ offers an additional benefit. If an external power supply is plugged into the USB-C socket on its side, it blocks power from the computer and instead feeds the DAC with ‘clean’ power from the external supply.
If a high-quality, low-noise power adapter such as iFi’s iPower X is used, the performance of the USB DAC will be significantly improved.
New and improved.
We’ve upgraded the circuitry; low-ESR tantalum capacitors have been added for improved input and output filtering. Filtering capacitance has been increased 10-fold.
The iDefender+ now comes in 3 versions and includes the newer USB-C connector.
- USB-A to USB-A
- USB-C to USB-A
- USB-C to USB-C
Beat the buzz with the iDefender+.
Inject 5 volts of clean power clean via the ‘separate’ micro port. This disconnects the USB power from the PC and replaces it with clean external power. For ultra-low noise, use our 5-volt iPower X.
Adding the separate 5 volts to the unit is necessary to ‘break’ the earth/ground on USB-powered DACs. This is not required for DACs with an internally-powered USB section.
‘SuperSpeed’ USB 3.0 has a more exhaustive wiring specification which allows for a greater amount of audio transfer while still being backwards compatible. The units incorporate high-quality gold-plated connectors for optimal signal transfer.
Support
| USB | Super-Speed USB3.0 (and USB2.0 backwards compatible) |
| Connectors | USB3.0 gold-plated connectors |
| Dimensions | 50mm (I) x 20mm (w) x 9mm (h) |
| Weight | 6.6g (0.23oz) |
| Warranty period | 12 months |
We’re working on it — check back soon!
Reviews
It completely removed the noise issues I was having with my DAC!
“I tried the Audioquest Jitterbug and it did nothing. So I returned it and purchased this. When I first connected it, it also failed to have any effect on the noise, but when I connected a power source directly to the iDefender, BAM. Pure silence from my PC to the DAC.”
(Click name to read original review)
It worked first time without a problem
I wanted to isolate the output of my computer USB driving a CAD system to ensure ground spikes do not damage the only port available. It worked the first time it was plugged in and appears to do the job correctly..
(Click name to read original review)
worked for me, but only with an external power supply
I have a Topping E30, which receives its power on a SEPARATE cable than its data. According to the manual that came with this product, the iFi should NOT require external 5V power. However, this did not match my experience.
Without external power, the noise from the E30 actually got significantly worse. I was about to return this product as defective, but I had a 5V USB power cord lying around, so I tried plugging it in for the heck of it, and it made a 100% difference. The static/white noise basically disappeared. Whereas before, I could hear static/white noise from my speakers from several inches away, now, I can barely hear white noise, even if put my ear against the tweeter.
I would dock a star for the manual being misleading, but I’ll leave a 5-star review to counterbalance those other reviews that adamantly claim this product doesn’t work. It worked for me, but be prepared to plugin 5V power, EVEN IF your DAC gets power from a separate cable.
(Click name to read original review)
Killed the Noise
I had a coil whine issue that was being amplified by my speakers. Already tried all the obvious fixes, power conditioner, eliminating possible ground loops, ect. This was the magic button! No more noise through my interface! (PS don’t forget to order a power adapter if you are using it with device powered by USB. If the device has its own power, no power adapter needed)
(Click name to read original review)
solved, biggest pain in the arse audio issue for musicians with pc’s
I Didn’t even know how to address this issue at first. My usb interface was giving out thee worst waterboarding static like fm interference. Sooooo I buy a new usb interface, nope, new cords (trs and mic cord), nope, new soundcard for computer ( soundblaster z(nope), different outlets, nope, THIS $50 little itty thing, YES.
COuld not be happier, was going to get a whole new computer if it didn’t work. $50 seems like a lot and it is but it really saved the day for me. I just wish it was out there more so people would know what that terrible sound is and how to get this to destory it. I got lucky late night on youtube and found a sir whom used this.
(Click name to read original review)
Helped my noise issues a lot
I had a speaker that was driving me crazy with the bleeps and bloops. Connecting them to a common ground helped but didn’t quite solve it for me (indicating dirty power), so I decided to try this thing. With the USB-C power attached, it cleared the problem up.
I appreciate the information these guys have on their website, USB cable noise is complicated since there are at least 3 different things that can be causing noise (all at the same time) and they are probably the one place on the internet you can get some clarity as to all the different types of issues and solutions.
Definitely recommend going there and reading up before ordering since there are several products that might help you based on your scenario.
(Click name to read original review)
DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Converter)
DACs convert digital information, stored or streamed by computers, into music we can hear through speakers or headphones.
Every device that’s a source of digital sound has a built-in DAC (TVs, games consoles, CD players, phones, portable music players etc). Dedicated external DACs sound much better than standard DACs used in digital devices such as phones.
Ground Loops
In an electrical system, a Ground or Earth loop occurs when two points of an audio system both have a ground reference which causes a ‘potential voltage difference’ between them. Ground loops are a major cause of the noise, hum, and interference in audio, video, and computer systems.
