UpTone Audio EtherREGEN Listening Impressions

[thyname]

I received my EtherRegen today. Someone was home to get it inside, open the package, and let it at room temperature for about five hours. It’s cold here in DC area today.

 

I left work a bit early. Plugged in and left it working for a couple of hours.

 

Still too early, no real burn in, but I am so excited of this purchase, that I could not help it, but post here. And perhaps my post can help some people that have already implemented some type of optical isolation.

 

I was already using dual opticalModules (both powered by separate SGC linear power supplies). Fiber between the two. Then Synergistic Research Atmosphere X Reference Ethernet cable from the downstream opticalModule to Innuos ZENith MK3 (server and Renderer via Roon), USB out of the ZENith to my DAC (MSB Discrete).

 

Left the upstream opticalModule as is. Replaced the downstream opticalModule with EtherRegen. Stock power supply. Had already purchased the SFP Module for EtherRegen (the Sonore one Alex had posted). Everything powered up and worked instantly.

 

I have already only played five tracks from my Test playlist. I am thrilled to report that EtherRegen works! I was a bit skeptical, as the opticalModules already provided that isolation with good results, but EtherRegen brings things to a new level of satisfaction. First impression: everything opens up more by a good margin. Sound is deeper, more “organic”, and everything sounds just more natural. Acoustic guitar like the artist is in my room. Timbre and tonality to die for. Stuff that I don’t know how to explain, as I don’t know they existed.

 

You have a winner here Alex!

[thyname]

A few more listening impressions now, day three since the EtherRegen arrived:

 

I am 100% sure that EtherRegen has an impact on sound. In other words, it changes the sound. I am pretty sure even the hardcore Amir ABX types would be able to tell.

 

I have been listening to some of my favorite albums, stuff that I have probably heard dozens of times (not exaggerating), and I kept getting stunned how different something sounds. A drum beat for example, an acoustic guitar line, or (don’t laugh) banjo. I have found myself startled a few times. Is this really how this is supposed to sound. I do like the “new” sound however, and only wonder why I did not hear it this way before. For stuff that I am very familiar in live, not amplified music (I.e acoustic guitar), I am 100% sure what I am getting is closer to the real, natural sound.

 

I notice a not-so-subtle separation of instruments. Easier to identify what plays to the right, to the left, to the center, height, front, rear.... not making shit up. And all this without suffering on image. Phantom sound is untouched. I read some comments about sounding a bit harsh / elevated, and I get it, what they mean, but to me it’s simply that, the separation, that we may perceive as elevated, but it’s simply detail, more “information “ that was perhaps hidden before, or muddled in the “noise”.

 

Most importantly (for me), I love the subtle changes, improvements rather, that it brings to timbre and tonality. Nothing huge, just something I am happy I did not lose, but got better for me. I am a sucker and picky for MY timbre!

[thyname]

7 hours ago, firedog said:

However, I would say in the big picture they have a point: We've yet to see measurements showing improvement AT THE DAC OUTPUT for the  USB/network devices they denigrate. It's not so hard to show that a device itself is "quiet"; it's something else to show that the quiet actually improves the result at the DAC output. Archimago had a blog showing that a "noisy" server running full out directly connected to the DAC made no measureable difference to the output of the DAC compared to other devices. 

 

3 hours ago, firedog said:

The way to shut them up would be to post measurements that show your device improves the output at the DAC. They think it is impossible with network/USB devices and a well designed modern DAC

 

Measurements are always helpful. But they only tell one side of the story. Over the past 15-16 years I have been in this hobby, there have been many times when I heard stuff that I could not explain at that time, and later on, yup! it was explainable.

 

So my (hypothetical) questions are:

 

1 - How do we know we are measuring the right thing? How do we know what we measure is relevant to the quality and sound of the device? Say for example, we can easily measure the sperm count. But how useful is that data in determining the heart condition of that individual

 

2 - Assuming all these people have their own measurement device / instrument, how can they be sure that instrument is sensitive enough to provide a full explanation of what is going on

 

3 - Maybe there are other things that can really impact audio, but we don't know yet about them, so we are not measuring?

 

All I am saying is that we as humans don't have an answer for all the phenomena in the universe. To claim that we have figured out everything there is to know is foolish. We have not.

 

As one famous person said (not sure who the original was): there are known unknowns, and there are unknown unknowns

[thyname]

17 minutes ago, pkane2001 said:

All they are asking for is any kind of objective evidence to support the claims or explanations proposed here

 

No that's not what they are asking. They are not asking anything at all. They are simply dismissing it without even owning one. And even before it was launched. Read the thread.

 

The phrase below (copy / paste) sums it all (from one of the industry participants on the site):

 

-----It's a con. We don't need to see or measure it to draw an accurate conclusion.-----

[thyname]

Maybe I am hearing “things”, but my EtherRegen definitely sounds better with my LPS-1.2 than with the stock PS. No blind tests done here, no crap like that, so take it with a grain of salt. Placebo, confirmation bias, brains playing tricks, whatever....

[thyname]

40 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

 

When you write "crap," do you refer to placebo and bias confirmation or blind tests?

All of the above 😉😂. I was just being dramatic. Don’t read too much into it. All I was trying to say is my impressions on EtherRegen with and without LPS-1.2 were purely subjective, and not backed up by science, facts, or properly conducted, scientifically and statistically controlled ABX tests. Basically, just me, putting in and out the LPS-1.2. Fully sighted, nobody else in the room with me (dog does not count in this case)

[thyname]

I’d say: Vote for Pedro!

[thyname]

9 minutes ago, MarkusBarkus said:

EtherReGen in the house yesterday and streaming all night and day.
 

Sounds sweet juiced with Farad3 from the "Tower of Power"rack I built for the blessed arrival. 
 

After a few days streaming, I will try to compare optical vs. PI Audio cryo-ed ethernet cable currently in play--which sounds excellent.

 

 

 

Just a wild guess... are you a Farad fan? 😂😉

[thyname]

2 minutes ago, MarkusBarkus said:

...a recent convert. They sound terrific. They look mint. Useful options. And Mattijs is very responsive. What's not to like? OK, well maybe a dedicated rack is over the top, but I thought you folks would understand. 

I know I know, just a joke.

 

Is that a Mapleshade Samson rack on the right?

[thyname]

13 minutes ago, yyz said:

Is the following scenario supported by the EtherREGEN?

 

1) 1 DAC with Ethernet input

2) 1 DAC with USB input connected by a microRendu powered by UltraCap LPS 1.2

3) Both DACs connected to a preamp

 

Is it possible for a single EtherREGEN to provide Ethernet input to both DACs? Is there some sort of splitter or some other means to connect both DACs with the EtherGEGEN's output?

Hi YZ in Santa Barbara. May I suggest you look at the pictures of the EtherRegen? It has one RJ45 outlet in one side, and four of them in the other side. So yes. With the caveat on potential grounding extra step you can read in the very short user manual: 

[thyname]

1 minute ago, yyz said:

Well I did see that and I also saw the statement by UpTone that A > B is preferred over B > A. Do you any knowledge on the product to clarify that statement regarding my use case? I was hoping to hear from someone from UpTone on this since they follow these threads.

Yes, I own one since first batch November 2019. It will work fine in your case, although not optimal. My suggestion is to use the sole B outlet on most important gadget of your system. Basically crossing the moat on that, with no potential interference from other units.

 

And the EtherRegen is identical when crossing A to B compared to from B to A, provided nothing else is connected on A side. 
 

See page 3 of the user manual I linked above 

[thyname]

34 minutes ago, xllms said:

I am not planning to get any streamer

So you are currently using a general purpose laptop / computer as a streamer? Computer—-> USB cable —-> DAC? If so, I am afraid the EtherRegen will not do much for you, if anything.

 

My suggestion is to get a dedicated streamer, then try EtherRegen in “supplying” Ethernet to it.

[thyname]

5 minutes ago, Superdad said:

and the rates love to eat that stuff! 

‘You surely meant “rats”!!😂😂🤔