Proof of concept:
Recently inserted an Intona USB isolator between my core and USB DAC.
I just couldn’t get rid of audible noise through the speakers, which was independent of volume setting, grounding scheme and even whether the DAC was powered on, as long as everything was connected and the core being powered up.
The Intona USB isolator provides galvanic isolation while supporting full USB Hi-Speed (480 MBit/s), which I’m dependent upon due to maximally upsampling all content, and this does eliminate the noise completely.
Bought it via the manufacturer’s eBay shop for 189€.
Yes, used less expensive RPi3 and 4 bridges with varying OS’s for galvanic isolation before, but I experienced random and more or less frequent slight clicking noises which I desperately tried to eliminate ever since using Roon.
Now, no more RPi-clicking and computer noises, just music🤩