EtherREGEN: The long development thread. [Some Gen2 dev. pics and update starting on page 92.]

[Matias]

Alex, Ayre has implemented optical isolation to their QB-9 DSD USB input, I suppose it could be implemented in an external device as well ("OpticalRegen")?

 

"The QB-9DSD also utilizes opto-couplers to provide
total electrical isolation for the connections between
your computer and music system. This minimizes
the introduction of unwanted radio-frequency
interference (RFI), generated by all computers."

 

manual page 3

https://www.ayre.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ayre_QB9DSD_Manual.pdf

 

 

http://www.avmentor.net/reviews/2014/ayre_qb9_dsd_1.shtml

[Matias]

What are your 3 good reasons not to be a $50-savings bundle?

[Matias]

Would it make sense to use the B side for input, optical for an opticalRendu and the remaining A side Ethernet for other devices nearby? Does this provide low phase noise performance for the optical SFP?

[Matias]

13 minutes ago, Musikfan said:

Hi everyone, I'm thinking about buying the EtherREGEN, but I don't understand how it would get inserted into the system  if I'm using an optical module and opticalrendu.  Right now my switch is connected via ethernet cable to my optical module, and the optical module connects via optical cable to the opticalrendu.  How would I connect the etherREGEN?  I'm confused as to how to set up and integrate the EtherREGEN if you're using the Sonore products.  Many thanks for your suggestions and feedback.  

 

Replace your switch with an EtherRegen, use the B side clean output to the opticalModule, and link it to the opticalRendu. Seems to be overkill to me but I am sure many will try and use this.

[Matias]

4 hours ago, Superdad said:

 the better arrangement options will to skip the opticModule and run copper into the EtherREGEN and optical out to the opticalRendu.

...if he does not use the other A side copper connections to anything else non audio related, as John answered. 

 

I had the same doubts when planning my future upgrade path.

[Matias]

2 hours ago, LewinskiH01 said:

 

Would the optimal be switch>EtherRegen>Server>USB>ISORegen>DAC?

 

I have a similar setup.

That is one upgrade path I also have in mind.

[Matias]

8 hours ago, sahmen said:

Okay, Got it!  Thanks. I originally got one of the IsoRegens with the intention of using it with my Ultrarendu, but I was never able to determine conclusively from the few readings I did on this site at that time whether the IsoRegen was more helpful inserted in the chain or left out of it. There was also a question of whether to get a different power supply for the IsoRegen or not. Anyway, I stopped using the Ultrarendu (temporarily) when I got the Ambre, so I left the whole IsoRegen question unresolved and suspended. I have since got an LPS 1.2 that I can use with one IsoRegen, so if I can use it for more optimization, I'd like to know it.

You should definitely try an ISO Regen after the ultraRendu. I used it here and it does make a difference. Most likely after an opticalRendu as well.

 

In my case the option would be to upgrade the generic switch to an EtherRegen an keep the ultraRendu. Or keep the generic switch and upgrade to an opticalModule + opticalRendu combo. Decisions...

[Matias]

41 minutes ago, thotdoc said:

The etherREGEN. does something quite different than the OM & OR. I believe, the choice is use both ER and OM & OR or replace the OM with the etherREGEN.

 

My current setup:

ethernet cable coming to living room => generic switch => ultraRendu (and other non audio devices: AVR, HTPC, video game console) => ISO Regen => DAC.

 

Upgrade path option 1:

ethernet cable => EtherREGEN => ultraRendu on B side (and other devices on A side) => ISO Regen => DAC

 

Upgrade path option 2:

ethernet cable => generic switch => opticalModule (and other devices) => opticalRendu => ISO Regen => DAC

 

Both should provide electrical isolation and better phase noise to the different Rendus.

But option 2 raises the box count, which is not desirable...

[Matias]

3 hours ago, Adyc said:

For option 2, I would replace OM with ER. If what Alex says is true on the power supply of ER, one doesn’t need to buy an expensive LPS for ER. However, a lot of reports say OM improves with better LPS. So the total cost is actually cheaper for ER.  Second, the technology is much more sophisticated for ER.

 

That’s what I’m going to do.

 

In my case I meet Ethernet to other devices too. So using an EtherRegen B side input, optical to opticalRendu and other devices on A side is not ideal, as per John's explanation. This would work only if there were no other devices on the A side.

 

Also on my case there is the price difference between buying a new opticalRendu and selling my ultraRendu.

 

Option 1 makes more sense to me.

[Matias]

Using B side input and A side optic output exclusively makes the $640 EtherREGEN do the same function as the $250 opticalModule though...

[Matias]

Industry multipliers are around 6 with traditional retail channels as far as I know. 3 going direct. But 2 really is impressive!