Suggestions: SOTA Ethernet Server for a DAC Renderer

Empirical Audio

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Update: rather than buying a AQVOX switch, I modded my own router. This made a difference for both music and streamed movies.

I now have:

Modded router powered by a Dynamo (Hynes based technology) with earth-grounded DC common -> 0.5m WW Platinum cable -> EN70e isolator -> 2m WW Platinum cable -> my renderer (with <10psec of jitter)

This, along with a combination of Linn Kinsky/Minimserver/BubbleUPnP on my Mac Mini is delivering the best digital SQ I have ever experienced.

Much better than ANY USB I have tried, including Antipodes and XMOS isolated USB interface. Less work than USB to get a better result.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
 

Sablon Audio

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Can you share any info about the router mod? Shame we cannot all benefit from something like that, or can we??

+1 would also be interested in some insight as I have my Hynes router psu due to arrive next week and will additionally do the dc to earth tweak to it. I already have a diy lan shorting plug in there which is pretty effective.
 

Empirical Audio

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Curious why those specific distances?

0.5m because I cannot buy anything shorter

2.0m because I need that to reach all of my renderers

Just happened to work out well. Reverse the two cables and it sounds much worse.

Steve N.
 

Empirical Audio

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Mostly power delivery improvements. Trade secrets.
 

microstrip

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Empirical Audio

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Do you have any plausible technical explanation why this happens?

I expected this to happen because the speed of the driver is more impacted when driving a long cable to the isolator. With a short cable to the isolator, the risetime out of the isolator is faster. Also, any reflections on the long cable are isolated from the driver by the isolator.

Steve N.
 

Kingsrule

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Marcin

why don't u come out with a complete server or a complete server kit?
 

Kal Rubinson

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microstrip

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Not surprisingly, it seems very JCAT/JPLAY influenced.

Although I have no dog in this race, the simple introduction of JCAT Ethernet card in my Windows 10/ Roon server made a significant step in the sound quality of computer audio in my system. I have tried returning to the old cards for a confirmation check and the system lost most of its envelopment and easiness. Before you ask, no, it was not a controlled blind experiment, but lasted for a few days.
 

Kal Rubinson

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Although I have no dog in this race, the simple introduction of JCAT Ethernet card in my Windows 10/ Roon server made a significant step in the sound quality of computer audio in my system. I have tried returning to the old cards for a confirmation check and the system lost most of its envelopment and easiness. Before you ask, no, it was not a controlled blind experiment, but lasted for a few days.

My comment was not a criticism of JPLAY or JCAT in any way.

It was directed at the referenced article which leans heavily and obviously in favor of all their products and, imho, seems unsuitable as a guide for those not already committed to those products.
 

Kingsrule

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Good job Rubinson...u killed this thread with a stupid comment directed at Marcin's products.

IMO he was trying to be helpful, that's all....
 

Kal Rubinson

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Good job Rubinson...u killed this thread with a stupid comment directed at Marcin's products.
Not at all. I made no comment about his products nor will I. What I pointed out was an apparent bias in the article.

IMO he was trying to be helpful, that's all....
Me, too.
 
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Kingsrule

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Not at all. I made no comment about his products nor will I. What I pointed out was an apparent bias in the article.

Irrelevant to the thread and something for the reader to decide if there is any bias, relevant or not......Poor form
 

Pb Blimp

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Not at all. I made no comment about his products nor will I. What I pointed out was an apparent bias in the article.

Irrelevant to the thread and something for the reader to decide if there is any bias, relevant or not......Poor form

I gotta agree with you on this one Kings. We are fortunate to have Marcin here. I am not even smart enough to get Kal's post. Why would any one expect a manufacturer to come here and pitch any one's product than but their own? Should we expect Magico speakers in the Wilson room at AXPONA this year?
 

microstrip

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AFAIK, this is not Marcin's thread.

I stopped reading the linked-to page as soon as I saw the limited range of the writer's considerations. Ignore my comments, if you choose.

Kal,

Posts #130 and #131 were an answer to a direct request for a CAT product (#129) and Marcin signature identifies his connection to CAT.

As posts changed page between #130 and #131 you probably missed the connection.
 

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