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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

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ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,406 posts
 

For what it's worth. I have no problem with 4K downloads on my Apple TV, the picture is actually quite a bit better and HR Quboz audio streaming.

ozzy

agisthos
502 posts
 

@ozzy

I also have an ethernet cable out from the EtherRegen that is running to my Apple TV, so, I placed the 2nd SmoothLan before that Apple TV.

I think with this connection I am getting more additional "digititis" removed and it is improving the picture quality and... there also seems to an improvement further in my audio streaming sound.

But I’m not sure how this is possible yet. Any ideas?

The Apple TV device (or its SMPS) has noise, which rides back into the switch your streamer is connected to. The 2nd SmoothLAN isolates/removes this noise, improving the audio even though the streamer is not in the direct signal path.

I too found a nice picture improvement using SmoothLAN on my LG OLED. A slight reduction in grain and noise you never knew was there.

 

agisthos
502 posts
 

I am now going to check out the Stack Audio AUVA EQ footers. They could be giant killers like the SmoothLAN.

ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,406 posts
 
So, placing the SmoothLan before the EtherRegen does reflect some interaction and reduces some of the sound quality as noted by tksteingraber.
Today I am of the opinion that one SmoothLan unit located at my Apple TV seems to be the best for sound quality. agisthos, you are right on.
Even if I place it at EthereRegen output, again it seems to reduce some of the treble. Hard to notice at first but I can now tell it clearly. Both issues are more related to an EtherRegen conflict.

And with 2 of them, though the sound stage is deeper, I still feel that the treble is still affected.

Looks like I will have a unit for sale.

P.S Sorry about the different font sizes it seems to be impossible to correct.

ozzy

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