iFi iPurifier3 USB Audio and Data Signal Filter/Purifier (USB Male Type B, White)

OK all of you fellow audio Homies, as you know, there is always the occasional audio related product (or products) that we periodically come across that leave us wondering if it's all snake oil or the real deal. And this particular iFi Purifier 3 was no different.As a matter of background information - to set the stage for this review - I am running an audio system centered around my desktop PC. I'm using several self-powered (active) speakers, mainly the Edifier S3000Pro's, the Edifier R2000DB's, the Edifier R1850D's, and the JBL 1 Series 104's. They are being fed with the following DAC units: The iFi ZenDAC, the Soundavo HP-DAC1, the Schiit Modi 3, the FX-Audio DAC-X6, and the Sabaj D3 switchable back and forth thanks to a hi-quality (lossless) GoHiFiAudio S1 RCA audio switcher. The USB cables I'm using are all Audioquest Pearl units. I've always experienced very nice audio quality with this setup and I'm quite picky about what type of sound I feed this system. Since I spend a good 6 - 8 hours daily on my PC, working, communicating, and photo processing in Photoshop (I'm a photographer also), I tend to listen to quite a bit of classical, big band, jazz, and other larger orchestral music styles. So having excellent sound quality is of the utmost importance to me.When I started reading about USB code reclocking (among other terms) and came across the ifi Purifier 3, I became intrigued to say the least - yet at the same time, I wondered if this device was just another ridiculous contraption to rid you of your cash? But being the guinea pig that I am, I ordered one.When it arrived I was very, very pleasantly surprised at the military grade build quality and the extra cable adapters that iFi provides. Now bear in mind I mentioned that I had a series of DAC units - and there was no way that I was going to order 5 or 6 different iFi Purifier 3's to fit each DAC. Instead, what I did was order just one and attacedh it to a USB hub (where I have the DAC's plugged into - and nothing else). And yes, it worked - in fact, I was sort of stunned to begin listening and hearing a much "cleaner" sound emanating from my speakers. I figured since all of my DAC's are plugged into this one USB hub (and only those DAC's), I'd just connect the iFi Purifier between the hub and the PC, crossing my fingers that it would work. At first (for around 30 seconds or so), no sound was coming out and I guess this was due to Windows figuring out how to accept this device. After that, all was well.Sound-wise, the iFi Purifier is definitely NOT snake oil. What I noticed - and it's not my imagination - is that some of the higher frequency "grundge" was no longer there. In addition, something happened with the bass that I was not prepared for, and that was the bottom end (or what your speakers can handle) was a bit more defined and tight. Some of the orchestral pieces that I enjoyed listening to (and use as my reference standard for evaluation purposes) now were presented in an even cleaner fashion - with no harsh overtones or harmonics. It was (especially with some orchestra pieces) as if a small yet very distinguishable veil was lifted between you and the orchestra. All of a sudden I felt more connected with the musical environment. High's that previously had lots of bite (and some that were raspy sounding for example), now were substantially smoothed out, at the same time providing more "air" around the instrumentation. And this leads to a longer listening time without listening fatigue.Additionally, another variable was now introduced into my listening environment, and that involved depth and imaging improvements. Sure, I was quite content previously with what I found to be excellent imaging (placement of instruments) and depth. But now, there's even more air and definition to that depth. Crescendo or heavy transients had more power - more immediacy. And nooooo, I'm not trying to search for more superlatives because what I've just described was the result of my adding this iFi Purifier 3.0 to my system. I can honestly state (as of this writing) that the iFi Purifier 3.0 is the type of audio ancillary equipment that can provide a noticeable improvement - far above what its price-point would indicate. The audio improvements it can interject into your system (again, all I can talk about what occurred with mine) can be remarkable. I cannot, within recent memory, recall a device of this nature providing such a major improvement for such a small price point - go figure?Look, I've been bitten in the past by misleading claims by various ancillary audio products that wound up being just that - snake oil! But not with this iFi Purifier 3 USB conditioner. This is $129 USD well worth it and it's built to last. My only other experience with iFi products was purchasing their absolutely superb iFi ZenDAC which is currently my reference standard.In fact, I may order another one of these iFi Purifier's - that's how much I believe in it.As is always the case with any product, Your Mileage May Vary (YMMV), but for most I can safely assume that most folks will be quite pleased, especially if they know what to listen for and if your listening standards are higher than normal.

update 4/5/2020 I just wanted to give a update since i am so pleased with this product and company. (Yes my initial unit went bad, but those issue were quickly resolved by iFi, any product no matter how great can have an occasional reject) Anyways for those who have a gaming laptop know thier usb audio can be a little noisy. For myself it's a Omen by HP. And for those who have or had a Parasound P5 preamp know the DAC can eem a little basic as far as audio quality. However when the ipurifier3 is in the loop it's like having a completely different high end dac. And running horn speakers with 99db efficiency, it's pue joy having absolutely zero hiss or background noise. I can't speak for all iFi products, however the ipurifier3 is a winner.Update 10/15/19 It is extreamely rare for me to give a product update after a year, but this product absolutely deserves it. I can say this product is the best upgrade i have ever had for my system. What this has done for my audio coming from my computer is just remarkable. I know listen to almost exclusively audio from my computer (mainly spotify). What this does to make sure your audio is clean, reclocked and balanced is nothing short of amazing. Nothing is taken from the audio signal, it just keeps it well sort of perfect. Without this, i found the audio through usb was not so enjoyable. And i run a Parasound P5 pre and Anthem audio amp, with custom two ways and a 18'' sub. I can only say that almost everyone who has heard my system, has now bought the ipurifier 3. This company deserves 10 stars, not only for their product, but also their customer support.9/21/18- I am updating my review because the company (Tiffany) contacted me and is sending out a replacement. As long as the product sounds like the first unit and holds up, this is an awesome product and company.9/16/18 Took the chance of buying another one because I really liked the first one while it worked. I'm starting to wonder if there is a quality control issue or just a bad batch. This one has the occasion cracking or popping noise when switch the music or shut down a app. The old one never did that, and my DAC does not do it without this hooked up. This new one doesn't seem to have the solid tight punchy bass and doesn't tame those annoying sharp shrieking type highs that can get over exaggerated. Cant really tell a difference with this in use. My first one worked as advertised and did and sounded just I expected and liked very much, until that 3rd or 4th day when it went out. Just sucked because these really do improve the audio quality when working right. I may contact Tiffany from iFi and let her send me a replacement straight from the company instead of amazon. Hopefully theres wont have any issues. If I get a good working unit my review will go back up to 5 starsUpdate-9/13/18 after writing a good review the device quit working today. Not sure if I will try a replacement or not.Update- No need to actually wait two weeks for this update. AS LONG AS THIS HOLDS UP, IM KEEPING IT! Well I must admit I am shocked how much I like this device, I honestly thought my first impressions may have been a placebo effect, but happy to report it was not. With my equipment I just didn't think I would get any advantage from this. So I had my son come over to help me blind test this and try to fool me. But it was easy to pick a winner, the ipurifier3 has to stay in my system. By the way, my son was shocked to. He didn't think my system could get much better, anyhow here we go.With this device, not only did the sound stage become bigger, wider, and even taller. Bass is precise and now I don't have those occasional unnatural highs I used to get on some music. Best part is I am not using any bass or treble enhancements, just a straight clean pure input to output. My son and I were both shocked, we had to look several times just to make sure there was nothing else bass or treble added. I cant believe. I finally have the sound back that I used to have with a prior system years and years ago. And this is probably better. The music is clean and precise, no clutter, no tangled business. Every instrument is completely identified and proper placement. I just cant stop listening, im not getting anything else done or accomplished. LOL My 27yr old son even sat for a few hours listening to classical, percussion, and acoustic music. He said he never thought he could appreciate that kind of music. But who knows I may have opened his mind up to some real music. Maybe he will start to see that rap isn't really music. But we did test some rock, rap and country to see how it faired. He liked it, I liked it all except for the rap, it just aint my cup of tea.I must tell you I really hate giving out this kind of free advertisement, but this product (as long as it doesn't break down) actually deserves the endorsement. Don't listen to the one review telling you it's for lower end systems, that's utter nonsense. Maybe he doesn't understand the technology behind this device. I didn't think my decent 15k system would benefit from this and I can say with no qualms about it, I was wrong.______________________________________________________________________________________________________________I have had this now running about 6 hrs, so i'm still going through the initial test phases. I was reluctant to initialy try this as I had heard it is basically only beneficial to lower end systems. To be honest my system sounded great already, but if there is a way to get even a small improvement I will usually give it a try. My sound system may not be the most expensive system out there, but for a 2.1 stereo system I have about 15k in it. And I like it better than a few of my buddies who have double that in theirs. It is so hard, time consuming and important to pick the right components. Lots of research and even more listening and auditioning equipment. Anyways onto initial observations.I am still up in the air as far as rock or country music goes. However before when listening to Jazz, classical or any piano bar type music. To get the right sound I had to add or adjust a little bass and treble etc. Now when I listen to aforementioned music. I can have it as direct untouched no bass or treble adjustments or enhancements. And I must say, this seems to be doing a good job of accurately reproducing the music as intended. Horns, trumpets, piano, snare etc, all sound more natural. And I know this could be a placebo effect, wanting or hoping it sounds better. So this is why I will wait a week or two before making my final decision as to keep or return the product. I anticipate at least a hundred or so hours of comparing and listen test's to give an honest and accurate review.So check back in a couple of weeks for the update.