The Sound
Contents
We both listened to and measured the filters. The focus of this test is on the English Electric EE1. The rest of the candidates are purely for comparison, as we are curious about any differences in sound. And how that in turn might manifest itself in the measurements.
Test system
We tested on the Alpha Reference system. As a streamer, we used the Alpha Audio PC that has a JCat XE network card in it. We ran the network through both a Dlink switch with Pura Dodo power supply and a Netgear GS108 with standard power supply. This also proved to have a large impact.
Peace of mind and scale
The Dlink already sounds pretty good with the Pura. The effect of the English Electric EE1 was still audible, but it was subtle. A little more calmness – the Dlink with Pura is also quite hefty, we must say – and a little drier. In short: audible, but not shockingly different or worth the 299 Euro if we are honest.
With the Netgear, it’s a different story. That’s pretty rough with the standard power supply. Yes: it’s certainly better than directly from the router, but it’s not the most sophisticated switch (until you tackle the power supply!). The English Electric EE1 undoubtedly brings a step up in quality here.
We immediately hear more quietness, giving vocals and instruments the space they deserve. But beyond that, we hear an increase in air and scale. The stereo image pulls open nicely making you much more involved in the music. Focus is also tighter due to the increased stability in the imaging.
What this teaches is that the environment determines the result. If the network is already in order, then this tweak is not really necessary. But in a standard network, this easily applied filter can certainly give a nice result.
And the rest?
We put the English Electric EE1 next to a standard medical grade filter, Delock filter a Pink Faun model and a GS108 switch.
It’s fascinating to hear these differences. The Pink Faun and EE1 have a similar character. The effect is also virtually the same. So both give calmness without losing the “looseness” and playfulness.
The Medical Grade sounds a little drier and a little less fluid than the EE1. Finally, the Delock. This is a very goofy thing. We get a very strong sense of listening to a “tunnel” of music. The focus is good, but the width is gone from the stereo image. Very weird.
Has anyone tried the Acoustic Revive RLI-1 LAN??
Does it matter where in the network chain where you place these network Isolators?? I had a Pink Fawn and had it running into my streamer, there was a slight improvement. I have 3 ethernet cables in my system, was wondering if it would make sense to put a LAN isolator on the end of each ethernet cable? I would so to speak isolate my incoming fiber converter, router and switch. Or should i just go with the AA spirit and test all 3 for shits and giggles 🙂
The iFi is an affordable way to improve very noisy situations like my Intel NUC’s RJ45 port. Used with Cisco switches which are given quality power or a good singlemode fiber segment (I recommend Finisar FTLX1475D3BTL transceivers), however, this device doesn’t do so much in my system.
Thank you for your continued focus on the importance of the network to sound quality.
I have to agree on the Ifi LAN iSilencer. I already had the Netgear gs105 and the Ipower X power supply and then added the LAN iSilencer into my very noisy WiFi extender, before the switch.
Wow, it was the biggest improvement so far, which was not expected.
I hear on many forums that the LAN iSilencer seem to do an excellent job plugged into very noisy sources, as the starting point of a clean ethernet signal. Not so much if plugged in later in the signal chain.
Hi Jaap, very interesting! I have the same Netgear switch (on your advice) with Chord C-stream (in) and Chord Shawline (out) ethernet cables connected to my new Lumin D3 streamer.
I just bought an IFI Audio Ipower X for it. Is that right first upgrade path or would you go for a filter like the English Electric EE1 or the IFi just mentioned ?
regards Fransbert
What a pity the iFi LAN Silencer was missing.
And of course would be great to see the pioneers in this field, Network Acoustics with an Eno/Muon Pro.
Wow Nice! I just bought an IFI Lan isolator. The Ifi is supplied with an isolation transformer and filter ceramics. The price is below 100€. In the past I had 8 Pink Faun Lan isolators, which I used for a test. I sold 7 of them last year.
Hopefully I don’t take position of the wrong chair :-), but for the last 3 weeks I’m running a network test again myself. So I could not resist to share my experience as well. In the test are 4 routers. 6 Switch types, 300M Lan cable of different types. 4 optic converter types of which singlemode and multimode. 3 types of high grade power supplies. 2 types of Ocxo clocks.
I have tested a solution where the router was completely isolated by fiber connections. Also with the lan isolators.
What seemed to be important is that every setup needed several days to stabilize. Before I could jump into a conclusion. For example replacing the switch mode adapter of the Netgear switch by a linear power supply it needed two days before the sound stabilized.
What I think is very interesting. Is the effect of the router on the complete network. The router doesn’t really bother when there’s only one filtered Lan cable connected. Everything in the network behind this Lan cable is stable. For example on a switch are several devices (some not audio related) connected and they don’t harm the sound of the audiosystem much, but when one or more of these devices are directly connected at the router, then the trouble begins. When the router is troubled, there’s nothing that can make the sound good, by filters, power supplies etc. So keep the router in its comfortzone. Do not connect noisy equipment directly to the router. I would isolate the WAN and 1 LAN by an ethernet isolator. From the ethernet isolator directly to a switch for even better isolation. From there the network can be built. What I never will do again is connect a fiber converter directly at a router port.
I will give the IFI another week before I can compare it with the Pink Faun isolator.
Very interesting! I too have a Pink Fawn and would love to hear the results between the IFI and Pink Fawn.
I am very interested in how it will turn out with iFi. Let me know. Thanks David
I’m curious about the outcome of your comparison Ifi vs pink faun. I’m using an Ifi and considering purchasing more for my network. Thanks in advance for your comment.
Jaap; Absolutely well done!!