Ethernet Isolators

Stringerbell posted:

The etalon isolator was not limiting the dynamics, but somehow was removing some HF details within some of the tracks we listened that day. Probably the result of a different loading

Having got things working well with my digital chain I thought I would revisit the isolators. I used an EMO-70HD between the small switch i us for my HiFi and my microRendu.

I introduced the EMO when I was trying to tame an overenthusiastic top end, sibilance, and liked what it did. Removing it this afternoon echoes Stringerbell's comment. HF was attenuated, which reduced aural cues & air. Removing it does push my system slightly nearer the edge for some recordings, but the gains definitely mean it won't be going back in.

I will investigate my FMC bridge and an ISO I have between my pre and power in due course.

M

.....but the gains definitely mean it won't be going back in

And, two days later, it IS back.

With a lot of my recordings there is no doubt removing the EMO added to the experience, but as I stated above it does take my system nearer to the digital edge. In fact I found that slight increase in edge affected too much of the music I enjoy, and I found myself waiting for the next hard sibilant.

However, it also shows me that I do need to continue to revisit the whole of my digital chain when I install changes.

M

The test: Five hifi & AV nerdish got together Wednesday evening & we tested Acoustic Revive RLI-1 & Giso DS – which are focused at the 'audio' market (& priced accordingly) – the others were Noratel & Baaske & marketed as 'medical/security'.

The system was a Linn KDS, Netgear GS108, QNAP (2 bay) & all connected with AQ Cinnamon, also on the switch is a flat Cat-6 connected to a smart TV. The switch is Cat-6 ethernet connected to a wireless hub/router thats also connected to a office system with a 24 port HP switch serving 5 workstations, various office equipment & a separate business NAS.

We connected the isolators to the Linn DS port (except RLI-1) with a short Cat-6 patch cable. I found it hard to focus to be honest with too much chatter. The Linn's owner came away with the opinion that they all changed the sound slightly but he was not convinced one way or another.  After a longer listen on his own he found the Giso had the better SQ, but he was not convinced the SQ change was better, just maybe different, so no deal. 

Last evening I got hold of the RLI-1 & Giso to try on my system.  I plugged them into my system & my opinion is much the same as the Linn guy; the Giso gave better SQ than the RLI-1 but with both its all very subtle & hard to pin down. My conclusion was they both softened detail, the HF sounded dulled down, LF did not have the same feel of impact, maybe lost some of the dynamics. I can however understand that they could be an improvement in a system that has a hard or sharp edge to its sound, maybe caused by issues or defects in the network. But for me its a no thanks.

very useful insights for me, thanks Mike...I was wondering whether there was any major in SQ based on these. Apparently not that drastic.

Hi Manu,  I did not write up the whole story as it was too complex.  On the Linn session we found the isolators did make a positive difference but when we disconnected the leg to the business units at the router the Linn SQ was marginally better without them. They subsequently found a damaged ethernet from router to business switch.  I can only assume the cable defect had an effect on all the network although theoretically isolated from the Linn LAN.    

Getting back to my system & the isolators,  the difference was not that obvious,  I just felt it/they softened everything & for sure was not the big 'wow' gain in SQ that we read about in other places.  I have a simple basic but well specified LAN,  that might be the key. 

I'll be able to test for myself next week

Mike-B posted:

I can however understand that they could be an improvement in a system that has a hard or sharp edge to its sound, maybe caused by issues or defects in the network.

I am sure you will understand when I deny that my system meets this criteria!

That said I did move from Living Voice to Focal a year ago. The LV can be accused, with some justification, of being rolled off at the top end. That Focals are very revealing of downstream changes, and definitely not rolled off.

In my case I would point at the quality of the played recording. But accept that this is also speculation.

M