Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!

@tkrtrb125 nope, only place I have put it is after. Total chain is router>generic ethernet>Cisco 2960>monoprice cat7>etheregen powered by Plixir BDC PS>SOtM dCBL Cat7>smoothlan>K50

I will try it before the ER if that is what you are suggesting- but not yet

Well holy crap, this thing works.

First impression after insertion is yes, I hear a difference. It is a more analog sound, everything is smoothed over, but possibly too much so? I thought on some bright and edgy tracks this is exactly what I have been looking for, but on others they sounded perfect already, so this may roll off the treble too much?

After 2 days of running I am astounded this tiny little passive block of metal is doing as much as I hear it doing. I mean I already have an Etherregen, and a SoTM ethernet cable with its filter, how much more "filtering" do I need? Apparently lots. Not going to give any adjectives, not going to print any exclamation marks, but I am not going to use the money back guarantee- it’s staying. My digital front end retails for about 30K, and this little 200 British pound black box makes it sound 9-18% better. If it gets even better after a few hundred hours, like many components do, I am going to freak. Seriously, people spend 5k to upgrade their DAC to get this type of improvement. Thanks for the thread @ozzy.

@tkrtrb125 did you experiment? Was that the best spot? Or perhaps the Zenith accepts fiber and that is the reason you want the ER next to it- I don't know about the Innuos stuff, I know the Lumin users prefer a fiber connection. 

I might as well state it- I tried fiber into the ER from the Cisco and I prefer copper. 

Yes but so does Stackaudio: 

"We recommend you start by connecting it directly to your streamer which should work best for most systems. However, as home networks and hi-fi systems vary, you may want to experiment by placing it next to or between other components in your network (for instance by your router)."

Haven't tried anything else, that is removing the ER, moving the Smoothlan to upstream etc. to what I stated above. But going off of memory from many months ago, so take it with a grain of salt, to the last time I re-tested the ER by taking it in and out, what I am getting by adding the Smoothlan to the exising chain with the ER is a much bigger uplift than adding the ER with a Plixir linear PS.

These ethernet tweaks are so system dependent, that is the beauty of money back guarantee's, but what I am getting with the Smoothlan is way beyond the vocabulary of "tweak". 

I saw the video posted above from the Aussie guy, never seen one of his videos before and haven't seen any since, but it was a few months ago so don't completely remember what he said, but I recall he had quite a nice setup, and was completely over the top, and the skeptic in me thought to myself I have seen this before- He sounds like Huff with all his " Wow! this is the best ______ I have ever had!!!!!!!!!!!!" until next week when he tests something else and says the same thing. But Aussie guy wasn't kidding- this little block of British alu-min-yum is the real deal- at least it is in his and my system. 

@audphile1 hey how are you? I saw the message but was on a road trip to Springfield to rescue some dogs. 

comments and observations remind me of my experience with Network Acoustics Eno. Does it do something? Yes it definitely does. Do I like the change? Not really. The smoothed over leading edges and mellowed out dynamics is the reason I eventually sold the Eno. 

I recall talking about your experiences with the Eno. I never did try it or the Muon pro, but I can assure you this smoothlan does not mellow out dynamics. I just turned on the system after returning so I still have listened to it for just 2 days but along with what it does as far as vocal smoothness (in a good way, it does make voices sound more "real") is add body and dimension to parts of music- piano notes have more impact, drums have more presence, not sure if that is interpreted as an increase in dynamics or not, but it is similar to what my ears told me when I put in the Purtian PSM156- transients had more presence and image precision and therefore seemed louder, which I suppose is explained as that reduction in noise produces that "blacker background" which allows everything to be more clear and pronounced. To use the most overused term in audio- more palpability. 

Need to listen more of course to determine a "final" outcome, and I'll listen for leading edges in particular, but I did hear the decays and reverbs in the recordings were more easily perceptible. The short is I like what it does! I am now inserting my new speakers into my system and after I get used to them I will do another A/B and test again but I highly doubt I will be getting rid of it. (the dog rescue was a lie, I picked up some speakers )

I thought I would revisit this smoothlan; it has been 2 months and the honeymoon period is over, and my "purchasing bias" has worn, right? I must have regrets. Skeptics would be elated to hear my confessions: I imagined the whole thing, and I must have justified this "huge" $300 purchase by convincing myself it sounded better. Otherwise how could I live with myself and the foolish decision I made.

I admit it is possible that just when I hooked up the smoothlan before all my neighbors coincidentally stopped arc welding, and when I unplugged it they plugged in their electric cars and did laundry, right? Could be?

Nope. With a different amplifier this time, I will concur what I heard before- massive factor in the believability in voices, more presence, and more easily distinguished low level details with it in. I only needed to take it out and heard the degradation in mere seconds. You know, that proverbial vail that covered the music. But I put it back in and out several times just to convince myself I am not dreaming, and to remove any doubt of neighbours playing with the grid.

I am still in shock with the improvement a few hundred bucks can make in my streaming signal. Like I mentioned before I could spend thousands and if it made this difference I would justify the purchase. Seriously. Now I have to debate trying a second one, or just going crazy and prepare for a Network Acoustics Tempus purchase? How much more cleaner of an ethernet streaming signal can be had?

Here is a fantastic track (Qobuz) to easily hear the differences, and a wonderfully recorded track regardless of what you have in your streaming chain:

Kuwai 45 and Sweet Cocoa- Just the two of us

Just 2 minutes of a sensational recording!