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

[MartinT]

3 hours ago, Mouna said:

thank you and in which tonal diredtion did it develop

 

All SR fuses generally lose some edge and deepen and widen their soundstage with improvement in the presence region.

 

I have a mixture of Orange, Blue and Red in my system, all good in different ways.

[MartinT]

18 minutes ago, LowMidHigh said:

 

Sound wise, other than anecdotal testimonies, there's nothing to suggest that high-end that DC cables can make a difference, 

 

Anecdotally, if you truly think a good DC cable doesn't make a difference over the cheap ones supplied, then either your system lacks resolution or you're not listening very carefully.

 

They do make a difference.  Try listening to one against the other.

[MartinT]

There are so many different ways to configure a system.  In my case, using the ultraRendu, playing files uses OneDrive or Google Drive for the file store.  I do have a few files ripped from precious CDs that are not available on streaming services.

 

Therefore, FBA for me is indistinguishable from streaming as they both come down exactly the same playback chain.

[MartinT]

45 minutes ago, Rsbrsvp said:

 

The combined effect of multiple connections is much more substantial.

 

 

I agree.  The impact of the AfterDark on my Mutec (the last link before DAC) is huge, I don't say it lightly.  Right now, the ER is back to its internal clock.  I will try running external when my Mini-Circuits splitter arrives.  However, being upstream of the ultraRendu streamer, I expect it to make less impact than with the Mutec.

[MartinT]

I would not have a PC in my music room. Far too noisy.

 

When you can have dedicated low noise streamer/bridges like the ultraRendu and signatureRendu which can do file-based or streams, I would always go for the dedicated component for the job.

 

I work in IT, so I have no shortage of PCs!

[MartinT]

No, I don't think my opinion would change.

 

I've worked hard to treat my power in the music room and take care not to have anything noisy polluting those attempts.

[MartinT]

I received my two DXEs today, just three days after ordering from the UK supplier.

 

I have used just one right next to the ER. I only have a 5m run of MeiCord from the 4G router but, even so, it seems to have had a positive effect in further lowering the noise floor a little. Subtle, but worth the money.

[MartinT]

1 hour ago, Rsbrsvp said:

 

I do think you are supposed to place two DX's in that chain- and perhaps give them two to three days to burn in.

 

I don't think I have a big RFI problem here, partly because, as I've theorised before, running 4G internet appears to have a lot lower noise than broadband over cable or phone lines. This is confirmed (sound quality wise) by someone else I know, having also tried both kinds of internet feed.

 

I'm running a single filter because I'm not trying to 'overcook' the filtering but deliberately listening to the effect of just one at the end of the chain right before the ER.

[MartinT]

18 hours ago, skatbelt said:

I just installed dual DX's between ISP router and opticalModule. Certainly not night and day in my system. Slightly cleaner / a lower noise floor is my first perception. But also a tad leaner. I am not yet sure whether it benefits musicality. My system was already very transparent and neutral. Let's see how things evolve, giving it some more time.

 

A very honest appraisal.  I have moved to using two DX units between router and ER.  There is some cleaning up of midrange smoothness and even more fluidity in delivery.  I can't detect any loss of dynamics so I don't think there is a downside.

 

As with you, it's an incremental improvement and certainly not night and day.  Other parts of the system should get attention first, this is just icing on the cake.

[MartinT]

On 5/19/2021 at 6:11 PM, MartinT said:

I have moved to using two DX units between router and ER.  There is some cleaning up of midrange smoothness and even more fluidity in delivery.  I can't detect any loss of dynamics so I don't think there is a downside.

 

Nope. For the second time I've taken them out of circuit. Some of the life was gone from my music. Not exactly dynamics but the DX filters just make it sound flatter. Removing them has restored its sense of life and vibrancy.

 

I'm afraid these are just not working for me. They're staying out.

[MartinT]

13 hours ago, One and a half said:

Hark back to days of USB where 'life' and 'bright' are due to noise on the USB, like a lift but masking details.

 

It isn't that - I checked carefully by playing some very low level detail songs, for instance the opening to Ry Cooder's Why Don't You Try Me.  There are all manner of cymbal shimmers and taps going on there so I know that low level details are coming through fine without the DXEs in place.  In fact, they're better.

 

It's simply that I've paid a lot of attention to mains regeneration, grounding, cables and support isolation.  In my system, the DXEs don't help.  I can fully understand that in others they work well.

[MartinT]

On 5/27/2021 at 4:13 PM, sgr said:

Those who upgraded to an AfterDark Clock and owned a Bg7tbl abd have purchased or thinking of purchasing another EtherREGEN don’t sell off the Bg7tbl connect it to the first EtherREGEN in your system. 

 

I did sell my BG7TBL but I went one better and bought another AfterDark clock.  One drives my ER and the second (even better) one drives my Mutec.  Sound quality is stunning, I hear so much in the music.

[MartinT]

6 hours ago, One and a half said:

Where did you place the DX that made the SQ worse again?

 

Right between the 4G router and the ER, coupled to a single 5m length of MeiCord ethernet cable both ends.

 

Apologies, @Superdad , will stop the DX discussion now.

[MartinT]

For those of you looking for an excellent quality alternative PSU for the EtherREGEN, I have been using a Zero Zone 01-A 2020 "ultracap" PSU capable of 12V 4A.  It's a really nice unit with a total of 0.1F of reservoir capacitance, great regulation and, most importantly, it gets the best sound quality from the ER.  Not expensive, either.

 

Available from AliExpress here:

GZLOZONE 2020 latest DC Audio linear power supply (smart version) 5 20V @ 4A with overpressure protection LED display|Amplifier| - AliExpress

[MartinT]

46 minutes ago, Pokey77 said:

I see it comes with a DC output lead -does it come automatically with the correct plug for the ER? Or do I need to ask for the correct connector? What is the correct connector?

 

Yes, the cable comes good to go.  It's a 2.1mm DC Plug.

[MartinT]

23 hours ago, scolley said:

@MartinT How warm does it run? I could use one, but in a location that is not extremely well ventilated, unfortunately. So need something that runs not too warm.

 

Mine only runs tepid, so no problem at all.

[MartinT]

16 hours ago, emailists said:

@MartinT can you comment which makes a bigger difference in the EtherRegen, the power supply you mentioned or the Upgraded clock?

 

Tricky question. Without getting into details, they both contribute a great deal to sound quality and take the ER to a whole new level. I'd probably start with the PSU as it's less expensive.

[MartinT]

There has been much talk in this thread about SFP compatibility, but not much about sound quality.  Trust me, they really do sound different.  I now have a decent collection of SFPs, fibre cables and AOCs (all-in-one Active Optical Cables).  Some are multimode, some single-mode with a mixture of 850nm and 1310nm wavelength.  It does help that I work in IT and can collect obsolete network items before we throw them out.  A few make the SFP cage on the ER run very hot, others less so.  But it's the sound quality differences that are amazing to me when you consider what they are doing.

 

I've said it elsewhere but my all-time favourite cable between the ER (used in reverse) and Signature Rendu SE is the Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M cable.  This has the least harshness with a wonderful soundstage, whipcrack dynamics, potent bass and lush (to quote AfterDark) midrange.  It is, for instance, far better sounding than the fairly identical spec. Finisar FCBG110SD1C05 cable.

 

Rather like tube rolling, it's worth experimenting as some of them are not too expensive to just buy and try.

[MartinT]

2 hours ago, Superdad said:

It would be helpful for us to know the model numbers of SFP transceivers that you find run particularly hot.

 

I can't remember exactly how each one compared, but I do remember that the HP JD094B-C SFP, rated at 1W, did make the cage corner of the ER run quite a bit hotter than the other SFPs.  Bear in mind that I do have a heatsink on my ER.

 

The HP, by the way, was the best sounding non-AOC SFP I tried in my collection.

[MartinT]

3 hours ago, JayDog said:

I am completely new t0 the fiber connections.  Can the SFP-10G-AOC5M cable be used with SFP modules or does it have to be SFP+ modules?

 

The Cisco is an all-in-one cable and comes with SFPs as part of the cable. It makes for a very easy solution with superb sound quality and minimal faffing around. Quite inexpensive if you find used ones on eBay, too.

[MartinT]

7 hours ago, dbastin said:

I am curious if you compared this with SFP+ modules or AOC  (I need to recap the consensus on the Optical Network Configurations thread).

 

The BlueOptics BO35J13610D is an SFP+ module, well lauded in networking circles.  The Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M blows it away in sound quality, and I don't mean by a small margin.  Where the BO sounds cold, hard, analytical with a really harsh edge, the Cisco is 3D, lush, incredibly dynamic and with bass to die for.

[MartinT]

3 minutes ago, simon_pepper said:

My feeling is to the OXCO route, given the level of galvanic isolation already provided on the A ports of the EtherREGEN.

 

 

I agree with that, the external Afterdark clock will give you more bang to start with.  Don't skimp on a good power supply for it.

[MartinT]

Like some others here, I use the EtherREGEN in 'reverse', with the router connecting to the 'B' side and my endpoint Sonore Signature Rendu SE connecting to the 'A' side via an AOC cable (Cisco SFP-10G-AOC5M).  I gain the double benefit of both the ER's and cable's isolation characteristics.  Further upstream I have DXE filters in the ethernet cable.  It's a case of the more noise reduction the better the DAC conversion and consequent sound quality.

[MartinT]

5 hours ago, dbastin said:

If @MartinT is getting doble benefit, I am currently getting triple benefit.

 

Every air-gap or moat is a noise reduction benefit.  These are mine:

• Internet via 4G+ data service
• DXE ethernet filters
• EtherREGEN moat
• Cisco AOC optical fibre
• Gustard U18 moat

[MartinT]

10 hours ago, Superdad said:

which will become EtherREGEN Gen2

 

Bring it on, Alex!

 

What news on expected readiness?