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 🙂
Yes. It does matter. What the best position is, I can’t say. You will have to try.
I guess in theory each isolator should stop any kind kind of electrical contamination? Or? I’m only using logic and theory from changing out all my standard power supplies to Sbooster and plixir.
Yeah. They do. But the effect can be different.
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.
Makes sense.
Just to help others that might read here, if my words matter… :-)… I also want to share that my next step was to buy the Wireworld Starlight 8 ethernet cable which was a clear step up in price… But at this point I was no-longer questioning the logic and i just understood that I have to protect this lower noise floor I now have out from my switch, into my streamer. Maybe I went overboard with ethernet cable, i don´t know…
But, again, I was very surprised about the difference that also did, even though I was at this point prepared that it would make it better (by listening to others). These things are very fun and rewarding!
You are doing such a great job for the audio community, thanks a bunch!
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
Adding an IFI iPower X is definately a great step. The EE1 is nice, but a great switch with good power supply is also a very audible step up. Let us know how you experienced it.
Hi Jaap, in a AB test the IFI iPower X shows more dynamics, darker/more quiet background, more open space. You get the impression it is at a higher volume level, but that is the bigger contrast I think. The original power adapter the soundstage is more compact and hs more back ground noise. So a huge improvement! Thanks!
Welcome! Glad it worked out!
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.
This wasn’t a full comparative test.
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.
Seems like an extensive test! 🙁
That’s for sure, but there really was a problem with my system. I was already searching for 2.5 years several hours a day and night. Many parts of my system have been replaced a few times. A new ground system was installed. All cabling is replaced. The streamer is replaced. All sorts of power supplies are installed. The room is changed. Switched internet provider. There was really strange behavior everytime after a change it was near perfect again, but 1 or 2 days later is completely wrong again. Wel at the end literally after a few thousand hours of searching… near 150 themes… who could think about that. So lately the ethernet system came into the picture again. And now it seems it was the router all along which caused extreme impact. Of course I tried several times to disconnect the router, but even then it took too many hours before the system reacted and that’s why I never found it before.
Glad you found it. 👍
Thanks! Me too 🙂
Very interesting! I too have a Pink Fawn and would love to hear the results between the IFI and Pink Fawn.
I will see what I can do.
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.
I havent tested the IFI. Sorry.
Hi Jaap, my question was intended for Wijnand who wants to make a comparison between Ifi and Pink Faun. Didn’t address my question sorry.
No problem!
Jaap; Absolutely well done!!
Thanks man!