@ozzy did the clock make a noticeable difference that you would buy it again? I am thinking about adding an ER and AD clock. Thanks
Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!
I just received this item that I purchased from Stack Audio after being impressed with the AUVA 100 Speaker footers.
For any of the Audio Streamers out there, my initial comment as to this item: The SmoothLAN Network Filter is WOW!
From first plug in, the soundstage deepened and widened immensely. How the heck this occurs is nothing short of amazing. I have tried many of the major brand ethernet filters, and some of them, maybe, did something. But not enough to keep them. I either sent them back or sold them. I did however keep an iFi Silencer unit.
My digital streaming consists of an EtherRegen sending out the signal via Fiber to my Lumin X1. I have the Stack Audio device going into the EtherRegen from the Modem.
And, since I have my Apple TV coming out of the EtherRegen it will be interesting to see if the Video improves.
Check out the review in EAR.
Stack Audio Smooth-LAN For Clean Streaming | The Ear (the-ear.net)
ozzy
Showing 20 responses by tksteingraber
@ozzy Thanks anyway…I couldn’t pass it up and I bought a used 2021 ER bundle that includes the ER, After Dark Clock, AD dual LPS to power the ER and Clock, and AD BNC Clock cable. Been looking at ER’s for a while. Sorry for getting off topic- my bad bringing up the ER clock etc..Look forward to hearing the Smooth LAN when it arrives. |
After several days of listening and testing the SL in front of my EtherRegen switch and after my ER switch I definitely prefer it installed after the ER right before my network streamer. It sounder veiled, less detailed and less dynamic installed in front of the ER. The SL has found its home. Really does improve the SQ. |
@ozzy Thanks for the recommendation. Just ordered one to give it a go. Thanks |
Ozzy - Thanks for your share. I have tried several filters Audioquest, Ifi, Pink Faun with little improvement. With Stack’s return policy and your feedback why not try! I inquired Stack Audio on what would be the recommended way to install the SmoothLan in my set-up which includes optical. Below is Josh’s response. I thought this might be helpful to others. From customer feedback and our own tests, I would recommend the following: 1. Router 2. Ethernet cable 3. Fiber Media Converter 4. Optical cable 5. FMC 6. Ethernet cable 7. SmoothLAN 8. Music streamer Placing the SmoothLAN between the last Ethernet cable and the music streamer ensures that any potential noise or interference introduced throughout the entire network path is filtered out just before the signal reaches your Hi-Fi system. This approach maximizes the effectiveness of the SmoothLAN's noise reduction and signal purification capabilities. Hope that this helped! |
Josh responded to my shipping update email and said that their new fulfillment service had a glitch and all orders after mine were filled but mine was not. He also informed me now black was not in stock but he could immediately send silver Fedex. I asked when my preferred black was back in stock and he informed me by next Tues ( no big deal) and he would give me 40 Euro credit for their error. Point being, Stack’s Josh is super responsive with communication and immediately solved my minor issue with professionalism. Great customer service!
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@ozzy can you explain exactly how you have the two connected? Is one connected into the other or are they separated by a cord or device? Curious🤔 |
@jaymark Glad to hear and I am now really looking forward to mine arriving. I also have an STR and that was a revelation in SQ improvement. Can you provide the set up chain you are using? Many Thanks! |
@ozzy Thanks that is exactly what I was interested in confirming. Do you use an external clock or lps on your etherregen? |
@ozzy Thanks. Is the optical port an in or out or both? I was planning to run optical from a FMC to the A side of the ER then ethernet to my streamer. My Bricasti streamer doesn’t have an optical input just ethernet. How do you go from the ER directly to your Lumin with optical? I thought the A side optical slot was just input not an out. B side only has ethernet. Still learning here. |
@ozzy disregard my question I just read you can reverse the B side to input and A side to output if your endpoint has optical input. Nice flexibility👍. So much to learn. |
Well sometimes one is just cursed by the delivery Gods. Order not originally shipped due to fulfillment system glitch (my order only), called after a week of no tracking and Josh apologized, item in black was then out of stock due to orders after mine being filled, back in stock several days later, Josh sent priority Fedex scheduled to arrive Friday 7/5, delayed a day in Memphis, further delay locally rescheduled for Monday 7/8. All one can do is laugh, say “ ..it” happens and hope it is not a sign I should not have ordered the device. |
Well miracles do happen…the SmoothLAN arrived after my post…Yeah! Well, right out of the box this was an “Oh My” moment. Everything improved on my modest system. The deep piano and guitar strings it’s as if you can feel the resonance and vibration. Separation of instruments clearer, improved 3D depth and bass just to mention the main takeaway. This is another winner recommended by @ozzy 👍👍. Thanks. Well worth the wait! My hookup is Mesh Router-ethernet cable-FMC-optical cable-FMC-ethernet cable-smoothLAN-SmoothLAN ethernet cable- Bricasti Network Streamer. Etheregan with ext. clock due on Monday to replace second FMC in the chain. |
With the improved sound quality results the SmoothLan gave on my main audio system, I added a SmoothLan to my Home Theatre System which is also used as a second audio system. I installed it between my second Fiber Media Converter and my streamer/DAC and like the first one it provides an excellent SQ improvement. Great affordable tweak that really gives a nice bump on my modest system. |
@jimboman Can’t help here. I use generic FMC/SFP’s with an LPS. I tried TP Link and couldn’t hear a difference and was happy with the sound improvement when I added the LPS so left it there and focused on filtering after the optical. I would also be interested if upgraded FMC/SFP’s impact SQ. |
@jimboman I use a Topping LPS. Reasonable price, nice build quality with dual 5V plugs to supply both FMC’s. |