ifi LAN iSilencer


I discovered this Ethernet signal purifier for network audio streamers, just by chance, while surfing the internet.  I have an extremely highly resolving hifi system.  After reading all the positive customer comments and reviews, I said to myself, what the heck, only 89 bucks, let's go for it.  After receiving the ifi, as recommended, I plugged it into my audio switch, then plugged one end of the ethernet cable into it, and plugged the other end of that ethernet cable into my DAC/Streamer.  Now, I already have a variety of audio tweaks throughout my system, including my speakers.  But when I added the ifi, the background got even deeper, darker and blacker.  It was absolutely amazing!!!  This little gizmo worked exactly as advertised!!!  Highly recommended.         

kennymacc

Reduced line noise could be considered an improvement in transfer. Subjective and marketing fluff to be sure, but technically probably correct. "Audio signal" is used as an understandable term for non-technical buyers. Minor stuff, this is not a technical document.

I get what you are saying about noise, how does it affect the stream? I don't know, but I do know that audio hardware manufacturers go to great lengths to reduce it and control it. 

You are railing against the marketing. For the price it is worth a try. I have not tried it myself, however I did buy the Stack Audio equivalent, as did a friend of mine. It makes a difference, I don't know exactly why. 

@zlone - they go to great lengths not necessarily for tech reasons but to be able to sell the product so audiophile community.

I love reading Nelson Pass. One of the best engineers making great gear. He obviously does not try and alienate potential customers with $$$ but he did say quite a bit about expensive power cables :-) 

If this is so important, then $79 thingy should simply be part of $2000 streamer. And it probably is....

@mikhailark couple of things here….

1. I agree with you that essentially what the iFi is doing should be part of a well designed streamer. And it probably is and hence the reason it makes absolutely zero difference in my system. However, I do not know what is and isn’t built into my streamer. If it protects against surges it’s worth keeping it in the chain for me.

2. Your urban myth about Pass. Nelson Pass is not against aftermarket power cords. He does encourage using certified cables though. I owned X250.5, XA30.8 and X260.8 mono amps and XP-12 and XP-22 preamps. I can tell you first hand that these components benefit from high quality power cords. Every Pass Labs manual has a section about power cables. It’s available online check it out. And don’t spread disinformation. You’re becoming annoying in more than one way now.

3. I owned Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System that includes a passive filter with a captive Ethernet cable as well as a separate Ethernet cable that would connect the filter to the router. It makes a difference. I happened not to appreciate what it did in my system and I sold it. But it doesn’t mean it’s a bad product or a scsm. It works. And the way it does is it throttles data transfer at 100mbps which is thought to be optimal for streamers (for some at least). Depending on the implementation it might work with some streamers and might not work with others.

Forget marketing and don’t get pissed off at companies making products that don’t align with your narrative. You’re fighting windmills. Go out there and try some of these products. If they don’t work, return them. Rather than posting theories you can’t substantiate get some real experience with this stuff.

@audphile1 - where did I say NP was against aftermarket? Don’t invent things. He said certified cables, supplied with the unit. Which is a regular good $50 cable. As is cable that came with $$$ Accuphase.

If you don’t have engineering explanation to effects, I would suggest you to stop reading what I say. This information is not for you.

@mikhailark You wrote 

I love reading Nelson Pass. One of the best engineers making great gear. He obviously does not try and alienate potential customers with $$$ but he did say quite a bit about expensive power cables :-)

can you please provide a link to the source of your information where Nelson Pass said quiet a bit about expensive power cables? 
 

If you had engineering background you would understand how you can manipulate the sound of a streaming system by passive filters, shielding, etc. and how it eventually impacts the sound of a DAC. I won’t be wasting time telling you how this is accomplished. Do your own research.