Uptone Audio EtherREGEN review
An EtherRegen inserted just in front of my Tambaqui, with a Supra cable, improved my system to my ears. Replacing my Netgear switch with a Crux Audio Switch between my Modem and Nucleus improved things to my ears as well, but to a lesser degree. I did not try the new switch without the EtherRegen. Perhaps the EtherRegen is more helpful with cable than with fibre? |
@jl1ny I will say that an EtherRegen which I inserted into my all-fiber LAN recently made little/no difference. For reference, I noted immediate/obvious differences when adding in LPS's to my upstream components. Router, Intel NUC and every one of my fiber switches. And a huge difference when I converted from a copper LAN to fiber. The jury is still out there on this one. |
@jl1ny
Don't listen to those idiots on ASR..Honestly, search the threads and see how they treat people..It's just a group of bitter dicks who can't afford anything hifi who live in their Mom's basements. Just find ways to listen to items with a good return policy. Let your ears decide, not a bunch of nerds who think THEY have defined how we humans hear and sense vibrations, how our brains process it and beyond that have instruments to measure all that...It's all a farce, it's literally a website of guys who are pissed at the audio industry at large because it's over priced..Thats the only point I agree with them on. |
I’m open minded to most things Hi-Fi but I was pretty skeptical from jump street about a switch being able to noticeably improve sound quality. I was reluctantly about to get the etherREGEN until I watched the Audio science review. Now I’d really like to know if someone comment on what degree of sound quality improvement they are experiencing? Less than or equal to a set of new interconnects would bring? |
I would never get that. |
A company with 0 Ethernet experience (other than a cable), 0 related electronics experience, 0 appropriate measurement equipment to validate is going to crank out a better Ethernet switch? Call me skeptical ... sort of like how I am when I don’t see the absolutely required FCC declaration or test/compliance information.
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I want to add that I tested my ROON Core last night connected directly to my Ubiquiti switch. Previously the ROON Core was in another room connected to the network by 2 more NetGear switches. I was able to reproduce my ROON problems even when I was connected directly to the Ubiquiti switch. So, no point replacing the NetGear switches with Ubiquiti switches.
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In terms of RJ45 connections I doubt there is any difference. However, my one has 2 SFP Fibre Optical connections which was a massive improvement over Ethernet. I compared this to a Sonore microRendu (Ethernet) to a Sonore OpticalRendu (Fibre).
You can always spend more money with something like this. Though I doubt it is better than Fibre. Synergistic Research Ethernet Switch - Positive Feedback (positive-feedback.com) |
@yyzsantabarbara what's the difference between what you got and the Ubiquiti US-8-60W? |
I figured out today that my network switch or something else on my network is causing ROON to have hiccups. So I am going to get 2 more of these switches. Amazon.com: Ubiquiti Networks Networks UniFi Switch 8-Port 150 Watts, White : Electronics The first one I bought earlier in the year was $199 (I think). I believe it is cheaper directly from Ubiquiti. Not sure why the price jump on the Ubiquiti gear on Amazon. Switch 8 PoE (150W) – Ubiquiti Inc.
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How does the EtherRegen compare to something like the Ubiquiti Networks US-8-60W - for example? Fully managed switched, Ubiquiti generally considered best of breed at that price point and functionality combo - meaning pro features at more affordable prices ( compared to enterprise grade)? Has anyone ran a side by side evaluation?
( First post here, I think! - have lurked for so long, I am not sure! :D ) |
@andynotadam I know you posted this awhile back but I just ordered an EtherREGEN and the literature on the Uptone Audio website states there's no reason to purchase an external power supply. Here's the ad 'Of note, UpTone has specifically designed EtherREGEN so that it does not require an external linear power supply to provide nominal performance. Rather, it comes with an UpTone Audio switch-mode power supply specially designed to prevent the passage of high source-impedance leakage current to the EtherREGEN'. Have you compared the stock Uptone Audio switch-mode power supply to the the external SBooster LPS you purchased? Thanks, Brian ... |
A review with measurements, ouch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHPwPRLxDWc Power improvements can always help but the other stuff.... |
I think he means (and correctly uses later) "PoE", which is Power Over Ethernet. Basically, you can power a low power device over your ethernet connection from your switch or via a PoE "injector". One common use-case is for security cameras where you can just run CAT-5 or CAT-6 and power the camera over that line. Requires a switch that can do it, or a small device that adds the power. I use PoE to power multiple access points for my WiFi for example, and my Ring doorbell. |
Agree with improvement with etheregen and fiber optic cable. My set up is Router: ethernet cable >> Ubiquiti Unifi: fiber optic >> ubiquity unifi: ethernet cable >> etheregen: ethernet cable >> Server/streamer (Antipodes CCX/S30): USB cable >> Uptone iso-regen: USB cable >> DAC. It gets better with every step. I like the improvement seen and will not go back. |
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I'll echo the comments here by other ER owners. This is for me, the best $640 I've spent in audio. I've been through several Network cables (Cable Matters 8 and Supra 8+ and Monoprice 5e) and they certainly make a difference as well, though not on the level of the ER itself. I'm going to buy a Paul Hynes SR4T next and that'll probably do it. I'd suggest that anyone that is streaming should give the ER a try. You will be pleasantly surprised. BTW, I had read from a few users, and I believe Alex over at Uptone, that having the ER as close to the source as possible was the best place for it. I can say that I had it 20+' away for months and then moved it to my audio rack and after it settled for a day or two it was a significant and free upgrade. FYI - I also liked the Supra 8+ best as it seems to be the most life like in presentation. |
I got my ER in the first batch last year and noticed an immediate improvement in all aspects of sound right out of the box in my Roon Nucleus+ based system. Since then, I have enhanced its performance in stages first by adding an Sbooster linear power supply, then by going optical from the router to the ER with a cheap 10GTek optical converter powered by an HDPlex LPS, then finally by replacing the 10Gtek converter with a Sonore optical module. To me, the improvements were worthwhile every step along the way. Enjoy! |
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Good to read this morning, I have an etherRegen being delivered via FedEx today - looking forward to connecting to my Naim Uniti Nova and Innuos Zen MK III to see what if any gains it offers. I'm tempering expectations and expecting something along the lines of swapping out a higher end power cable. |
@djones51 no, the point is that it won't be apparent unless you are already familiar with the baseline sound. This IMO is the basis for all the pitchfork carrying anti cable people saying no one can pass an A/B test because of course you can't tell the difference in an unfamiliar system after listening to two 30 second snippets. In a system you've been listening to for months, yes you can hear the difference when something changes. When "A" is well known, the difference with "B" is noticable. At least that's how my ears work. That's why I brought up the fact that I'd been listening to the ER now for over 2 months. |
