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

[Blake]

55 minutes ago, austinpop said:

 

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. 

 

Can you remove the gel tread?  Seems like it would be possible, particularly if you put a heat gun or hair dryer to it.

 

 

[Blake]

13 hours ago, kennyb123 said:

Plus one on what Ray wrote.  The Cable Matters CAT8 needed at least 3 days.  I could listen with it in my system initially.  To burn it in I placed it far away from my system.

 

Plus 3 on what Ray wrote (and Farad Super3 here as well😃). 

 

I'm now running a loom of 4 Sablon 2020 ethernet cables here in my audio system, plus the prior model Sablon ethernet between my modem and router.  The Sablon 2020 cables sounded terrific when installed fresh out of the box (not surprising since they replace generic cables).  After just 2 days of burn in there were noticeable improvements with the Sablons.   

 

Just for fun and to check my sanity level, I pulled all of my Sablon cables and installed 4 generic ethernet cables.  Yes, I am still sane as there was a very obvious reduction in sound quality with the generic cables.

[Blake]

Hmmm...  "loom" is the word the first came to mind, check out my cable mess:

 

 

[Blake]

@kennyb123I have never tried optical (have thought about it, but I've never been sufficiently motivated).  I dropped all the cables in at once and I never thought about testing for distance.

 

@Ponkbutler The new 2020 cables are better in every regard.  I can't think of any sonic area where the older version betters the new version.

 

[Blake]

6 minutes ago, kennyb123 said:

 

No, that is far from being a mess.  Nice gear!  

 

 

Thanks!  I am especially proud of the very expensive, custom-designed, rolled up white cloth used to support the ethernet cables going in to the etherRegen 🤪

 

Oh, and your system is awesome as well!  

[Blake]

@kennyb123 I noticed you have Nordost Sort Kones as well as Stillpoints.  I am using Stillpoints under all of my gear except for Rollerblocks in a few spots. 

 

I have Stillpoints under the etherRegen.  Are you planning to use any footers under your etherRegen once you rearrange your rack and if so, what footers?

 

How do the Stillpoints compare to the Sort Kones?

 

[Blake]

7 hours ago, PYP said:

 

As you should be.  The word "artisanal" came to mind   I won't include photos of pieces of the fancy hard cardboard spacers (from the center of wax paper container) that I strategically (of course) use to keep power cords and ICs separate.  Such is the work of an audiophile -- never done.  

 

Good idea.  Next project, A/B demo, rolled white cloth vs. cardboard tube roll.  Grudge match to the death.

[Blake]

3 hours ago, audiotunesx said:

 

Thanks for providing your findings on the Farad.  If a regular power cord is used like Uptone's do you think the Farad would still provide a good benefit over the the stock Uptone SMPS?

 

EDIT: Sorry, I need to clarify here, I am talking about power cords and not the DC power cable, I should not have quoted the post by audiotunes, as I believe he is referring to DC cables).

 

This is just my opinion and experience and in no way is this gospel, but, with my etherRegen experiments and audiophile power cords I found:

 

(a) Uptone LPS 1.2 powering the eR is a great combo and a worthy improvement in sound quality over the eR stock power supply.  For context though, the eR with stock supply is still a very big improvement over generic switches and worth every penny.

 

(b) I then tried a few different "audiophile" power cords to supply power to the LPS 1.2's stock energizing supply (again, LPS 1.2 powering the eR).  I didn't really get any improvement in sound.  The sound changed somewhat, but not in an overall positive manner.  I actually found the stock power cord to be better. 

 

(c) I then swapped in a Farad Super3 to power the eR.  First I used a generic power cord to the Farad for about a month, to establish a base line.  Farad and eR is a terrific combo.

 

(d) I then replaced the generic power cord with an audiophile power cord to the Farad.  I definitely experienced a further improvement in sound which was clearly audible.  I tried a few different audiophile power cords and all cords improved the sound.

 

My personal conclusion:  Using audiophile cords with the stock eR energizing supply is not needed and in fact, based on my experience using them with the LPS 1.2's energizing supply which I think is basically the same as the eR energizing supply, may be detrimental (again, YMMV).  Using audiophile cords with the Farad (if funds allow and you are obsessive with sound quality like me), then for sure, the Farad scales very well with better power cords.  

[Blake]

1 hour ago, audiotunesx said:

 

Thanks Blake!  I'm on the next batch and have been curious of what to power the eR with.  It seems unanimous that the Farad is a good choice.  Would you also say that it is smoother, less forward or brings ease to the sound?  That's what I'm targeting. 

 

On random network gear I'd say the Sbooster MKII provides that and is very organic sounding, but limited in dynamics.  It does something right on the bass, kind of like vinyl.  The Keces P3 is an exceptional value, similar to Sbooster but trades a bit of sweetness for dynamics/soundstage.  I suspect neither is a match for the eR and see some debate on the LPS1.2 (though I like the idea of this).

 

I don't have much to contribute to this topic at this time, but will respond with some experiments next month:

a) Cascade Bonn N8 and eR

b) Cable shootout:  Supra, Cardas, Wireworld Starlight, Linkup CAT8.  The new Sablon looks good too, but will need funds for the Farad first.

 

It has been a while since I did my Uptone LPS 1.2 vs Farad experiments, but with the Farad using a generic power cord,....  I recall the Uptone being comparatively warmer, smoother and slightly more organic, whereas the Farad was a bit more detailed, 3D, holographic and cooler. 

 

Keep in mind these are just in comparison to each other and not universal statements in comparison to other LPS options.  So in other words, when I note Farad was a bit more detailed that is not to say the Uptone was deficient in terms of detail, or that because the Uptone was a bit more organic sounding, the Farad is sterile sounding.  I could see the choice here coming down to just personal sound preferences and gear matching.  Both are outstanding options. 

 

Now, once you start using nice power cords with the Farad, all bets are off and the Farad scales up and improves to a point where I clearly prefer the Farad, but, it hurt my wallet.  And I am keeping my Uptone LPS 1.2 for my Chord Qutest, where the LPS 1.2 is far superior to the Qutest stock power supply. 

 

One way to look at it....  if you don't want to futz around with expensive power cables and avoid any future temptation to do so, get the Uptone  

 

The other thing I want to mention is after-market footers used under the LPS chassis.  These power supplies can really be impacted and tuned with different footer types.  On Thursday night I decided to experiment with Stillpoints, Synergistic Research MiG's, Boston Audio Tune Blocks and Symposium Rollerblocks.  The possibilities are endless, and the crazy thing with the MiG's is that turning the cups up or down really does change and tune things.  It was both shocking and fun to swap them in and out and listen for the sonic changes. 

 

Sorry, I am now starting to veer a bit off the thread topic. 

 

 

 

 

[Blake]

@audiotunesx  I look forward to your findings!  Particularly the grounding tests.

[Blake]

43 minutes ago, Superdad said:

 

 

And 24V will blow up your EtherREGEN.  Just sayin'... 

 

 

Ahh.... I was wondering why my audio room was 20 degrees warmer than the rest of the house and smelled like something was burning.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Blake]

11 minutes ago, FrankMA said:

Pulled the trigger on the 2020 Sablon Pantela as well for the final mile: ER/B-Side > Innuos MK2 SE. Replacing a Ghent Belden 1303E (ET11A) CAT6A (JSSG360)

 

Already shipped by Mark and looking forward to listening to it

 

Nice choice.  You will be a happy camper!