UpTone Audio EtherREGEN Listening Impressions

[Ponkbutler]

Here are my impressions using 2 x Etherregen (purchased from the very helpful Martin at Audiostore in the UK), daisychained in a Naim 500 system with twin PSU on the ND555 and Shahinian Diapason speakers, listening to most types of music. I previously used 2 x Cisco Catalyst 2960 PD switches (with external power supplies).
 

After around 10 days non-stop operation from receipt of the 2 x Etherregens, which had stabilised and become more relaxed and with greater texture in voices, I tried going back to the 2 x PD Catalyst 2960 switches.

 

As soon as I installed the Etherregens I recognised they were quieter and timed well, but had various reservations as they burnt in initially. They were encouraging, but didn’t wow me.

 

So going back to the Ciscos was a bit of a shock. The Etherregens are that much better in my system.

 

It’s not really a question of soundstage, although this is both wider, deeper and more composed in an unobtrusive “natural” way, nor of noise floor, which is much lower, increasing clarity. Nor is it just a question of detail, although there is more across the board. What’s really impressing me is that all of this is presented in an integrated, unforced way. Which brings me to the “above all”: the thing really excels in textural detail and subtle timing variations and interplay, doing a fantastically moving job of conveying the interpretative spirit of my favourite performances.

 

Double bass and cello textural detail is outstanding. Vocal textures are wonderful. Piano is, well, piano… from growling percussion to bell and all the rest. And it’s not just hammer and strings. I finally feel my digital connections are doing the ND555 justice.

So I like them 

On the pratting around front I also came to the following conclusions (none difficult to reach):

 

1 x Etherregen sounds better than 2 x Ciscos and also better than 1 x Cisco + Etherregen
2 Etherregens sound better than one. The difference is not as big as moving from 1 Cisco to 2 Ciscos, although the effect in terms of composure, delicacy, texture, noise floor, timing, space and soundstage is not dissimilar. Interestingly, there is, however, very little difference if you connect from the A side of the first Etherregen to the second Etherregen, testifying to the effectiveness of the design. Connect from the B side (as recommended).

I also found that things worked better with the Nucleus connected to the 1st switch as with the dual Ciscos, though the improvement was less marked (again testifying to the design of the Etherregen).

 

In conclusion, I certainly recommend people try this Etherregen. Buying two is a bit over the top, but worth it for me.

[Ponkbutler]

4 minutes ago, sandervdp said:

I'm actually contemplating purchasing a second one, replacing the other switch in my setup (which is JS-2 mac mini  > JS-2 powered netgear FS105 > 10m JSSG cable > Farad-powered EtherRegen > .3m JSSG360 cable > Metrum Ambre streamer)

 

Two are working well in my system and I have a custom PSU on order from Sean Jacobs for them. My understanding is that because the JS-2 outputs are not totally isolated you may need two power supplies. The best option for earthing still remains to be seen - totally floating or just earthing the second. I'm sure Alex or John can elucidate.

[Ponkbutler]

1 minute ago, Audioclyde said:

I'm powering both the EtherRegen and USB Regen (USB Regen between B side and my DAC's USB input) with my JS-2, without connecting any external ground to the EtherRegen, and cannot discern any hum or noise issues at this point.

 

Thanks, that's great to know. I think some of the issue is whether, with 2 EtherRegens, this may defeat the moat. As far as I am aware (which isn't saying much), both of the rails on the JS-2 are floating, so it could be that earthing the second EtherRegen from the terminal is all you would need. But don't take my word for it. I have no practical experience as yet and am unsure whether the earth shunt on the bundled PSUs is able to stop loops.

[Ponkbutler]

Similar setup here and there was a step up in SQ for both with the ER. I find Nucleus+ internal SSD stored tracks vs Quobuz on an even playing field. Also a good broadcast quality Belden CatSnake (preferably Cat 6a in my system) sounds better than any of the much more expensive cables I have tried. You can get this from DesignaCable in the UK or Ghent Audio over the channel. Second best in my system was the Blue Jeans Cat6a.

[Ponkbutler]

20 hours ago, flkin said:

 

I used the sPS-500 through a HPULN 5A cleaner, and a Gophert CPS-1610 II through double HPULN 1.5A. Also a 30W, 9V zerozone. And the including switching unit. 
 

No configurations managed to tame the treble. Within my specific system.

 

May I ask where your ER is installed. I found that having it near my Streamer DAC/Pre-Amp and their power supplies in particular (separate on my system) resulted in a more dynamic, less fluid and more brittle treble

[Ponkbutler]

It might also be worth pointing out that high frequencies were a bit brittle and harsh when my EtherRegens were new but that this significantly improved as it burnt it, becoming more detailed, nuanced and textured. They are not harsh at all. Around 100 hours was the first turning point.

[Ponkbutler]

Talking about the JS-2 does anyone have any recommendations from their own listening experience of JS-2 or LPS1.2 to power the EtherRegen in preference to the rather good SMPS supplied?

[Ponkbutler]

2 hours ago, Ponkbutler said:

Just to help, Bailyhill, there's basically only one helpful post in that thread with regard to LPS comparisons, finding a modest improvement with an LPS 1.2 and a bigger improvement with a Paul Hynes SR4. Another post comments that power cable changes make more difference than powering through an HDPLEX 200W. Practically all the other posts are about Ethernet cables.

 

To sum that up more accurately, having trawled through all 23 pages again: 

 

There was also one report of some improvement using an SBooster.

 

Another, slightly more detailed post reported improvements with an (unspecified) Small Green Computer LPS with Pangaea power chord which produced deeper bass and a "better" soundstage.

 

One person found a SOTM SPS500 improved clarity but lacked life and rhythm. They sold it on.

 

And Skatbelt reported a satisfying improvement with the JS-2 providing the ER earth terminal is connected to the common ground of the JS-2. 

 

That's it in a nutshell, but the thread seems to be taking off a bit again now that a new wave of deliveries has started to come through.

 

Over on the Naim Forum one user reported a big lift using a Sean Jacobs (Custom HiFi Cables) DC3 power supply.

 

The other thread seems to have returned to LPS questions, so I have also posted this there and suggest we continue there so as not mess up John's site housekeeping.

[Ponkbutler]

Thanks, Alex lots of facts and good and interesting to know

[Ponkbutler]

On 3/17/2020 at 1:52 AM, mourip said:

I have it clocked by a Mutec REF10 and fed from a JCAT Femto card in my server. This is by far the best my system has ever sounded: very clear, deep and for some reason more dynamic/taut. See my profile for system details...

Do you also have a LPS? If so which would you say made the biggest difference?

[Ponkbutler]

On 4/6/2020 at 10:02 PM, Vule said:

I am all ears too.

Just a minor suggestion. I f you want to hear how Double Bass sounds so real in your listening room try to listen album Those Who Were by Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen.

Cheers

 

 

Fantastic recommendation! Many thanks....

[Ponkbutler]

6 minutes ago, lxgreen said:

I agree, the EtherRegen was an improvement to my system. It was just that using an LPS didn’t improve sq over the supplied power supply. I did listen critically prior to installing LPS, after installing, and then finally after switching back to supplied ps.

 

Or perhaps that LPS. I use a Sean Jacobs  custom LPS on my EtherRegen and it made a very big difference. Noting subtle at all.

[Ponkbutler]

3 hours ago, TwinPeak said:

Give Al Di Meola and "Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody" (electric/acoustic) a try with your EtherREGEN and other gear. Absolutely mind blowing how the dense rhythmic and highly dynamic sections are presented, and it's a good record for testing your equipment - if you like that kind of music 🙂 With SD-card-booting Mac Mini now powered by JS-2, my system is from another planet...
Tom

 

Thanks for the recommendation. Enjoying it now....

[Ponkbutler]

I had a Melco S100 on demo here for around 10 days, putting in around 150 hrs to burn it in, and listening both with its own power supply and then with an upgraded Sean Jacobs/Custom Hifi Cables DC3, which improved things quite a bit. Having heard that the S100 could at least equal an EtherRegen with external LPSU (Paul Hynes SR7) AND Mutec Ref 10 clock connected I thought it could be a good way of keeping my box count down. 

 

Anyway it was a considerable disappointment. A quite seductive, very warm lush sound with artificial pop-out details and an equally artificial expanded soundstage that actually "exploded" instruments, scattering, piano, drumkit and even guitar across the soundstage. Moreover, the very low noise floor seemed to be at the expense of instrumental tone and texture compared with the EtherRegen and indeed no switch. Microdetail also suffered, with certain clear sounds of singers' pronunciation being lost for example. So although very smooth and calm, the sound was both less realistic and much less dynamic than the EtherRegen, which was considerably fresher and more vital, more propulsive and impactful with better pace, rhythm, timing and decay as well as instrumental placement. And that's alongside everything above in reverse: better instrumental, tone, texture and microdetail. Much more lifelike. Piano didn't sound like piano on the S100, just a dull and syrupy relative. There was really no contest. I was extremely relieved to get back to my EtherRegens. Just thought I'd let you folks know.

[Ponkbutler]

4 hours ago, Vangelis said:

Nice rack. I should be careful who I say that to, I could get in trouble. Are you powering a switch with one of your Super 3s? I am very impressed with the huge improvement my Super 3 brought to my EtherRegen. I have switch ahead of the EtherRegen. This switch did improve the sound of my network but it has a cheesy two dollar switching power supply. I’m just curious if I need to go as far up as a Super 3 on a switch ahead of EtherRegen or buy less expensive linear supply. Any thoughts?

The better the power supply the bigger the difference. The big PSUs from Hynes, Jacobs (CHFC) and MCRU are a big step up from the Farad. I would imagine the JS-2 is aswell.

[Ponkbutler]

18 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

 

For this sort of money, you'd be better off chaining two ER's.

The boost in sound will be more significant, and you'll be left with some spare change. 

Have you compared? I chain two EtherRegens and find it worthwhile but the Sean Jacobs (Custom HiFi Cables) DC3+ power supply made a much bigger difference.

[Ponkbutler]

49 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

Again, it might make a substantial difference in your environment. 

 

 

Not just in my system and my environment but also in others (on the Naim forum).

[Ponkbutler]

1 minute ago, jos said:

Agree, and Superdad was telling us from the beginning: it doesn’t make a lot of difference in sound quality. I have the same ifi iPower  x too. The Farad 3 could be best, but to expensive in my opinion, so I am happy with a little bit better.

 

On the other hand a big high-quality traditional linear power supply with big transformer and large current reserves makes a surprisingly large difference, but also costs more than the ER itself.....

[Ponkbutler]

27 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

If the current goes down as voltage goes up, and our aim is to get enough current, shouldn't we reduce to voltage so the current goes up?

 

It's not that the current goes up, but that the ER will require and draw more current for a lower voltage and the PSU may struggle to deliver it.