UpTone Audio EtherREGEN Listening Impressions

[charlesphoto]

On 11/14/2019 at 8:27 AM, thotdoc said:

If you are on the fence about replacing the optical module, my experience so far is that it is worth it, no question.

 

Ugh, not what I wanted to hear...

[charlesphoto]

51 minutes ago, Superdad said:

This thread is on its 7th page--with detailed and insightful first-hand reports from many people with extremely refined (and expensive systems (looking at you @stevebythebay). And there is also an active 7-page thread going on over at ASR where they can't figure out what this device could possibly do and are just bouncing around being dismissive and insulting.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/uptone-etherregen.9260/page-5#post-266563

Oh well. 

 

Gawd, what a bunch of losers. Heck, I just got a $30 Cisco 2960PD for the office setup that's powered via poE from my main 2960-PS and it's even better than a standard 2960, but of course according to them a cheap consumer TP-Link is all you need to feed their recommended $150 DACs. Well it probably is, since living in your parent's basement it's hard to turn the volume up too much.... 👵🗣️😢

 

Unfortunately can't afford an etherRegen myself after going all in on opticaModules. Someday maybe, but looking at an opticalRendu first. 

[charlesphoto]

I don't have an etherregen, but I do a number of other Sonore and Uptone devices, and they can get quite hot, disturbingly so esp during a heat wave, so I've added AC Infinity USB fans per the recommendation of another AS member. Running just on the low setting they do the trick, well built, little to no vibration or noise, and everything runs cool. You can see one in the back of this pic. Inexpensive as well. 

[charlesphoto]

1 hour ago, R1200CL said:

You may struggle a lot with the LPS-1.2 powering the opticalRendu. If you try, do not connect USB at startup. Probably 9V works better than 7V. Order a Paul Hynes SR4T is a good solution. (Set at 7V). 

 

Or the Sonore Power Supply is very good and much easier to get if you're in the US. I run mine with an SR black fuse, Shunyata Venom NR cable on a dedicated circuit with an iFi AC iPurifier and it makes the oR sound incredible. 

[charlesphoto]

6 hours ago, OldBigEars said:

 

..initially I was impressed by its detail, but hated it after a week or two. 

Sorry to keep this veering o.t. but I expect for many (and that has included myself) it's easy to mistake that initial difference in sound for better, even if it isn't. It's human to do, and we're only human. 

[charlesphoto]

4 hours ago, George Hincapie said:

Has anyone tried both the EtherRegen and OpticalRendu? My current Roon hardware has been in place for several years and I am considering a refresh. I'm broadly feeling that one of these solutions will be the way to go, but quite honestly I am lost as to which to choose...

 

Owner feedback would be appreciated.

Do note that both products are currently discontinued and out of stock, and almost rare as hen's teeth on the used market. Personally, I swear by the oR (I have the Roon only version), but have no experience with the eR.