The EtherREGEN thread for various network, cable, power experiences and experiments

[Avalfa]

5 hours ago, austinpop said:

 

These arrived today, and they work great in terms of weight. For now, I am using it upside down, even though the top is slightly rounded. Thankfully, its net thermal effect is positive, and despite the limited contact area from the rounded top, there is a net reduction in temperature of about 5º F.

 

 

I would have been happy with no thermal change as well. Aesthetically it would be nicer to rest it with the silica gel tread on the eR, but I need to figure out if the tread can stand the heat.

 

I have 2 more left over for other small components. 

I used those things for years on different equipment. That black (gel?) Rubber will bring a nasty odour in the room when warming up.

 

It can easily be removed by pulling it firmly, it's just glued on. 

Underneath is plain steel. If you don't want it to scratch the equipment after removal, some very thin self adhesive felt might do the trick.

 

Worked for me.

[Avalfa]

Some while ago, I had the opportunity to listen to the newest Ikigai network cables.

 

Between the etherregen and streamer

 

 The first one I tried was the Sugure.
(Compared it to a Wireworld starlight platinum).

Okay this is interesting... Serious improvement happening here. From wider staging, more depth, better orientation of individual instruments, To details revealed I didn't notice before.
Everything just sounds more natural and more 'at ease'.

Next one I tried, is the top line model the "Kangai".

Well most of all immediately the attack /release of instruments are Just brought to another level. In other words the timing (PRaT) enhanced incredibly. On top of the improvement of the Sugure. Everything just came together in the nicest possible way. Never thought a network cable could be  this much of an improvement to my already (to me) great sounding set.

 

Almost the same upgrade as the etherregen itself was almost a year ago by now.

 

So I ordered it, the Kangai and it arrived a few weeks later, now in my system for about four weeks, today I found some time to once again compare it with the previous cable. Well that was a very, short switching back. In seconds it was clear I'm still very confident with my buy, and after a few minutes playing parts of  the same songs I did during the initial test. I know for sure I did the right thing by buying this cable. I still noticed exactly the same improvements.

 

The fact that 'just a network cable' makes it even more worthy listening, I'm now really considering trying upgrading the ps of the ER, and maybe the clock also later on?

Didn't expect this could make so much of an improvement on top of the ER.

[Avalfa]

13 hours ago, chungjh said:

Avalfa

 

WOW, $2500 for an ethernet cable? Do you have it on both sides of ER?

No Just one, between b-side and streamer.

 

(Price in NL is €1750 so not even close to $2500😉)

[Avalfa]

6 minutes ago, ASRMichael said:

You could have bought 3 Sablon Ethernet cables for that price! 🤣

Probably, but Never heard of.🤷🏻‍♂️

And after testing I wanted this one, plus I don't need three cables.

[Avalfa]

Just now, chungjh said:

Avalfa

 

What streamer/DAC are you using?

Audionet DNP

[Avalfa]

39 minutes ago, chungjh said:

Can someone recommend a more modestly priced high quality ethernet cable for ER? ASR mentioned Sablon for $375. Any others?

I would go for Wireworld starlight 8 in that case some where between €220-250 if I remember well.

 

Very good price-quality wise.

[Avalfa]

On 3/11/2021 at 10:43 PM, Stereophonic said:

Really interesting experience....

Where do you connect the external Kangai Ethernet ground cable?

 Sorry for the late response, I just read it now.

 

The ground cable, I've tried different places to connect it, at the moment it is connected at the ground terminal of my pre-amp/DAC/streamer (which is one device) and it stays connected there.

 

[Avalfa]

10 hours ago, keler said:

5 days ago, I received the Innuos PhoenixNet.  One box, with an OCXO clock, dual Sean Jacobs ps, a fancy case and no lights.  

Interesting! The first switch since the ER came to market that gets my interest.

 

Because of what you've mentioned here, One box with all the stuff in it,  a switch, a good clock and LPS, so no cable stuff, just one power cord and a network connection, nice box and no lights, as it sounds as good or better than the ER, this is a no brainer.

 

Despite that, I'll stick with the superb ER for now, since I've already got that one. Just building a very nice LPS with UC boards for the ER at the moment, I will enjoy my ER for a while longer. 😊

 

Nevertheless this Innuos seems like a great device also!

[Avalfa]

59 minutes ago, Rsbrsvp said:

My friends,

 

We will read many reports that there are super switches like the  Innuos, or Jcat, or S100, etc.  Pretty much every report claims they are somewhat superior to the ER.  The most recent, quoted above says that even the ER with a good PS is not up to the Innous.

 

I believe however that this analysis is perhaps somewhat unfair.

 

Has a comparison of these super switches been made to a OM deluxe, and two ER's all with superb Power supplies?  Many confirmed reports claim adding an OM and another ER all with good PS's is a substantial upgrade to one ER with one good PS.

 

My three Teddy Pardo Power supplies along with OM, along with  two ER's (which I have not bought the second one yet) is approximately the cost of one Innous.  It is much cheaper than a Jcat switch.   For that comparison, to equalize the price ratio, I can add a great OXCO to both ER's and maybe even a third ER.

 

I do not know if my OM, double ER, triple Teddy Pardo will beat the Jcat or Innous, but until the comparison is made fair in terms of financial layout, it is meaningless to me.  Fair comparisons involve similar financial layout.  Obviously a Mercedes is better than a Ford.  It cost three times the price.  Lets be fair my friends...

 

By the way, as mentioned earlier, in my personal circumstances,  I already own a Mutec R10 se-120 which I have connected to multiple components in my system, so my super clock is already owned.  Why pay for another one?

 

 

True, and I do believe the ER should still sound best, if with best possible clock and PSU. 

 

However, the great benefit to me of the Innuos on forehand is, that it's all combined in one pretty looking box instead of a whole bunch of boxes and cables. 

All together it's not even expensive, the Innuos, of you put the prices of the loose components together.

 

I wishe there was a solution with as example,

A ER switch board pcb, a mutec clock and jss2.0 combined in one pretty box. Ideally modular build, so you can plug and upgrade it yourself whenever you're up to spending some bucks. 

[Avalfa]

1 hour ago, Rsbrsvp said:

Regarding the one box issue, go to aliexpress and buy a nice metal case for $25.00 and put all your ER's, PS.s and OM inside one covered chasis.

Well that's a funny one, try find a nice casing under $300-500 i where you can just send cad drawing files to the manufacturer in a western based factory and make them CNC machining holes in the surfaces where your connections should be. (And no, I won't support AliExpress on that one)

 

I just received a proposal of 1 for my LPS, it's made by the factory who makes the cases for the  Uptone js2.0, I will end up paying €300-350 for a one of a kind box with the cutout I need. Just to give you an idea of what a box will cost of you don't take bulk from a factory

[Avalfa]

Nevertheless I stick with my ER for the next coming periode, let that be clear, I just wished it was possible to buy a version where you can modulair build it up with PSU clock provided by the same manufacturer, so everything is optimised to the max and in one box without any lights

[Avalfa]

31 minutes ago, Rsbrsvp said:

Wow- I was wrong.  I see the Innous is around $3,600.

 

ER is $670 with shipping X 2.  OM around $335.  My Teddy Pardos tripple is $800.  I still have around a thousand dollars to upgrade to get equal grounding with the Innous.

 

I could get a third ER or less expensive OXCO in my setup to equal costs or perhaps a better PS..

 

Again- I realize this is the more messy way to go, but it is an option.........

Depends on where you are on the globe.

 

It's 'just' €2750.- where I am

 

Over here ER is around €800 lps1,2 €450

Clock€800-5000 depending on  which one another LPS 450-700 and than cable etc. 

 

So it's depending on so many factors, and than again I think few people have heard the Innuos yet, I haven't. So if it's any better? I Don't know. 

I just think it's interesting

[Avalfa]

After months of being a PCB with some parts on a piece of plywood, finally found the time to build the PSU with ultra Capacitor boards for the EtherRegen in a nice metal casing. 

I'm confident with it.

[Avalfa]

On 6/26/2021 at 12:46 PM, Avalfa said:

 

And of course a starquad (canare, something (I forgot)speaker)cable used for the DC to the ER, with ground .

[Avalfa]

7 minutes ago, R1200CL said:

Can you tell us more about these boards ?

Maybe start a tread about your built. 
 

Any reason to chose toroidal transformer ?

 

Where did you get the box ?

That are a lot of questions 😂.

 

1 it's a IanCanade PSU board which are extended with also Ian Canada UltraCapacitor boards, they produce a very, very nice 5VDC, I put two of them in series for 10V DC.

(Designed originally for  high-end RPI streaming solutions I believe)

A lot of info can be found on audiophonics in France. Or the diyaudio forum.

 

2 toroidal, I couldn't find an R-core with 2x 6V(5A) AC secundair.

 

So this company from Poland I believe, which I visited on "high-end Munich" in 2019  made me a toroidal transformer to my specs.

 

3. Casing is from the same manufacturer as where Uptone orders them I presume, since they have pictures on there website of the jss2 and the Ether Regen. They can  make a lot ( in fact this is the same one as from the jss2 only different dimension), but I'm warning you, if you decide to order just one, made to specs, as I did and send them the CAD drawings... It's not cheap. I just loved the quality and looks, so let this one made to my specs.

It's from Takachi in Japan.