Odyssey Audio TOD2X
USB Power Conditioner

NEW FOR 2011

Many of the differences between computer transport and USB cables appear to stem from variable noise on the 5V rail twining along the signal wire in a USB peripheral connection. Although materially irrelevant to a printer, it's poison to a conversion/amplification device like a DAC.

Although certain cables mitigate these effects, the closer to the source the solution, the more effective the remedy: the Odyssey Audio TOD2X tackles the problem before it enters the signal cable; filtering galvanic noise by regenerating 5V from the incoming feed using a 'virtual battery' circuit. Construction of these bespoke devices is something of a labour of love: they are silver soldered in small quantities.

But they remain the most reliable way of improving the performance of a USB DAC. In signal terms, they are completely transparent: compatible with USB 1 and 2 protocols. Their effect varies according to the nature of the computer: the biggest improvement is typically heard using off-the-shelf computers (and laptops) which are full of extremely pollutant components, or compact form factor PCs like the Mac Mini.

Odyssey's TOD2 and TOD2P only operates on the 5V USB power line, whereas the TOD2X also reconstructs the datastream. With most DACs, the TOD2X therefore performs better than the TOD2. In order to determine which version is best for your system, just give us a call – or, complete the loan form and find out for yourself: there's no charge (other than postage) to borrow a TOD2 or TOD2X.

The TOD2 (that really does stand for 'Tweak Of Digital!) was auditioned by TNT Audio as part of a general round-up of USB cable performance, in which the reviewer concluded that the conditioner made a greater difference to the performance of a USB DAC than any cable they had tried.

REVIEW:

“I have already auditioned two or three up-market USB cables and heard for myself that they can produce a small but definite improvement with computer audio sources that use a USB connection. The Odyssey Audio TOD2 USB lead goes a stage further in that it improves both the 5 volt electrical supply, and the signal itself. To avoid any confusion, let's make it quite clear from the outset that this is not a DAC despite bearing a close resemblance to the Devilsound DAC. What it is designed to do is to remove electrical noise that may be transmitted from the computer to the audio system via the DAC. The TOD2 uses a virtual battery circuit to clean up the 5 volt supply that then powers a USB repeater circuit. The regenerated USB signal output is therefore no longer mixed with noise coming from PC. The TOD2 will work with both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices.

The TOD2 is a shortish USB cable with a small black box situated toward one end. Although nearly all USB equipment is hot-swappable, the TOD2 should only be plugged in and out while the computer is shut down. It requires no special drivers, so having plugged it in between my PC running Ubuntu, and the KingRex UD-01 USB DAC, I powered up the PC. I should say that I had previously listened to the system (KingRex USB DAC, KingRex Preference pre, Virtue Audio V1 amp, open-baffle speakers with Goodmans 201 drivers) to get an idea of how it sounded while using a standard USB lead.

There is always a worry that when you have to wait a while before comparing two pieces of equipment that you will not be able to discern any difference and of course, having to power down the PC to install the TOD2, there was a delay before I was able to listen again. But even with the delay, the difference was quite apparent. The sound became 'larger' stronger, more pronounced. It was most noticeable using the Roger Waters album 'Amused to Death' where all the Q sound effects were brought out further into the room, and were slightly more tangible. As with the VertexAQ USB lead, the background was slightly 'blacker', and macro detail easier to differentiate. The sound was less digital, and generally more natural sounding. In essence, the TOD2 does what it claims to do.
I should point out that the KingRex UD-01 uses its own 12 volt power supply. I did try the Trends UD-10 USB DAC, that uses the 5 volt supply from the PC but I don't think that I heard a larger improvement with the TOD2 than I did with the KingRex UD-01. However, if you use a USB DAC that takes its power from the PC, the TOD2 will provide it with a much better supply than via a basic USB lead, and possibly an even greater improvement than I heard.” – Nick Whetstone, TNT Audio

Customer feedback:

“Regarding the TOD2X, it has really cleaned up the sound and I am very happy with it....."

“Last night, I installed the TOD2X on my iMac and use it with my Wavelength Cosecant v3 USB DAC and my Beyer T1 headphone.  I have listened to this combo for some time and with the TOD2X I can hear the difference right away.  There is a sense of clarity and increased focus.  Very black background, and the tones seem to take up extra weight.  I cannot rule out the psychological effect but the difference is quite immediate and easily distinguishable.  I have heard my Wavelength for a while so this is a welcome touch of improvement. ” –

• USB A plug input
• USB A socket output
• Compatible with any Windows, Mac or Linux PC.
• 12 month UK warranty

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