They're digital signals transmitted over reliable TCP connections - there is absolutely 0 chance of it affecting the 'audio quality' from the digital stream. Generally, all streaming services will download and buffer streams, so any network jitter is negated by the buffer. Audio streams do not require much bandwidth at all, so better quality cables etc will not affect that at all (cat5 vs c5e vs c6, c7, and c8 - this is mostly about bandwidth and reliability at higher bandwidth.) Any 'improvements' that you hear are purely confirmation bias. These devices are akin to those scam devices that tell you they're saving you electricity by having this arbitrary box plugged in and running all the time... (they're literally just capacitors that power an LED)...
I third this, any digital signal is inherently lossless - you can get hi-fi DACs and also DACs, preamps and amps which will ruin your signal, but FLAC playing over my 20+ year old, grey box, 10Mbit/s infrastructure will sound exactly the same as the same file played from the local disc!
Came here to say this, not a network engineer but did get a CompTIA Network + certification and it's just not how any of this works when it comes to steaming, music or video. With video there is still a buffer, maybe a one or two minute buffer as you stream. Every packet sent, there's another packet sent right after that asks the device "did you get this packet" and replies, "yes or no ' if it's no then that packet is sent again AFTER all the other packets are sent. Essentially it's sent to the back.of the line. If it didn't work that way any " download"or steaming" would be corrupted and missing data. Dropping packets happens over both LAN and WAN which is why these.pqxkets are sent, to.verifu all packets get to their destination. A better test would be streamer with WiFi, are there any audio differences between the two when all else is equal? The placebo effect is real. You want it to sound better so your mind plays tricks on you, at least with this device. The whole CAT cable thing is better shielding because CAT 8 is at least certified for 10Gbps and you may be able to get that over CAT5, it's just not guaranteed. It's just 8 cables in four twisted pairs, nothing has.really changed outside additional shielding for interference that slows down or causes real network issues.
@@Pete.across.the.street what was missed? Data rate, shielding, CAT version and.. length. First bandwidth. I have SACD ISOs and the max bitrate is 5.5MB/a for a 7.1 remastered version. Never seen anything here so 100Mbps (10MB/a) which is the slowest switch or NIC around and hardly ever used. Below is a cut and paste from a place trying to sell audio quest Ethernet cables for 400.US for 6.ft. There are zero benefits outside shielding. As long as it's shielded and not lying the Ethernet cable power mains you're good. So, since we are ignorant, what was missed or did you just spend a bunch of money on ethernet cable and one to justify it? I remember 10 years ago they sold HDMI cables that cost over $5,000 because they had diamonds in them and were supposedly better, they weren't. So.please explain in detail what we aren't getting? Why aren't there dedicated Ethernet cables for say, Netflix? When choosing an Ethernet cable, consider bandwidth, data transfer rates, shielding, and length. Opt for cables with higher bandwidth and robust shielding for Hi-Fi streaming to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality audio and visual transmission. Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data transmitted over a network connection in a given period. The higher the bandwidth, the more data that can be transferred simultaneously, resulting in faster internet speeds and superior audio resolutions. Data Transfer Rates: Data transfer rates indicate how quickly data can be transmitted from streaming services over your network connection. Increased data transfer rates lead to quicker internet speeds, enhanced performance, and improved audio or video resolution. Consider the data transfer rates supported by the Ethernet cable you're considering and ensure that they meet your needs for your network and high-quality streaming services. Impact of Cable Length on Performance: Be mindful of cable length as it affects performance. Longer cables might experience signal degradation. CAT6a and CAT7 are better suited for longer distances without compromising quality. Shielded vs Unshielded, A Critical Choice for Hi-Fi: Shielded cables are recommended for Hi-Fi setups, as they minimise interference and maintain signal quality, which is crucial for high-fidelity audio streaming. Shielded Ethernet cables, often denoted by an "STP or FTP" (Shielded Twisted Pair) designation, have an additional shielding layer to prevent electromagnetic interference from affecting the signal quality. If you're in an environment with potential sources of interference, such as electrical wiring or other electronic devices, consider opting for a shielded Ethernet cable. Unshielded Ethernet cables, often denoted by a "UTP" (Unshielded Twisted Pair) designation, do not have an additional shielding layer. While they are more susceptible to electromagnetic interference, they are suitable for most everyday applications where interference is minimal. When choosing between shielded and unshielded Ethernet cables, consider the environment in which the cable will be installed and the potential sources of interference. If you're unsure, opting for shielded Ethernet cables is generally recommended for better performance and reliability.
Huge improvement here, I have two, on two networks. Even the TV PQ improved, and that is according to folks in the house that had no clue I added these devices.
Unless you had electrical noise affecting your IP traffic traversing your ethernet connections that could not already be handled by the intrinsic galvanic isolation in ethernet devices (your router, switch, streamer, etc.), then this devices does nothing. It is simply an isolation transformer - a galvanic isolator. This is more typically used as surge impression for ethernet devices exposed to the potential of lighting, like outdoor wired ethernet cameras. Since analog audio isn't traversing your ethernet connection, this device will not affect the audio - the sound stage, dynamic range, frequency response, timbre, and other metrics that we typically measure audio quality by are unaffected by this device because ethernet is carrying only IP traffic, which is packets of digital data that your streamer would then have to convert, eventually, to an analog signal.
@@AudioTnT There are engineers on both sides of the issue and both have products to sell (although, in this case Paul isn't selling any ethernet signal correction equipment). But I just look at it from an engineering/common sense perspective. There is no audio in the IP traffic flowing through the ethernet. If there is excessive noise (somehow), data errors, etc. then those would appears as streaming issues in the form of pauses, disconnection, etc. - not sonic issues with the quality of the sound. With that said, if someone wants to buy ethernet isolation gear like this and they feel that there is really a difference, they should do whatever makes them happy. I'd argue it is a placebo effect, but ultimately it's their money and their satisfaction. At least this is < $100, whereas the Networks Accoustic stuff is a fortune.
I added this LAN Isilencer on the modem side (50 feet away down stairs from my streamer) and the improvement was quite noticeable, especially in the bass region. FYI, I have an EtherRegen close to my my streamer. Cleaning up my home network did improve the sound quality of my sound system.
@@AudioTnT oh absolutely, the EtherRegen was quite an improvement to the sound quality. And adding the Isilencer was another step up; no question about it; the bass notes where more discernible (from an do to a re for example) as well as gaining authority…
0.5% THD&N and 0.1% THD&N will not be visible in this way: 3:575:16 . The difference in 5:16 could be errors. Especially, the minimum level is not guaranteed to be correct in domestic uncontrolled SPL measurement. For example some low freqency noise you did not feel by ears could have affected the SPL reading.
Just saw your video. The biggest improvement I realized, was when I upgraded the ethernet cable from Audioquest cinnamon to (a pricey) synergistic formation cable. Hands down, smoother cleaner, more detail.
0 seconds as this device doesn't handle any analog audio signal. It simply provides galvanic isolation (a transformer) for the ethernet IP connection, which is comprised solely of IP packets carrying TCP or UDP encoded information.
@@АлександрЛущик-ц8т It doesn't prtext sound - it is just a $7 ethernet transmformer chip taht handles IP data - no audio. Here is a link to the exact part used in it: productfinder.pulseeng.com/product/HX5084NL
@@JasonPrice1 you haven't seen audio quest stuff have you. At least Monster got knocked back down to reality granite I still wouldn't recommend them. Audioquest charges 5K, for a 3.3ft HDMI cable with diamonds. Monster looks cheap compared to that. Audioquest sells a diamond HDMI cable that is $5,000 for 1 meter AudioQuest - Dragon 10' 4K-8K-10K 48Gbps HDMI Cable - Black/Gray
I thought about buying the ifi bluetooth adapter (for headphones, since my phone does not have a jack and I have some hard to drive wired headphones which I really like) but this company is dead to me now💀
They're digital signals transmitted over reliable TCP connections - there is absolutely 0 chance of it affecting the 'audio quality' from the digital stream.
Generally, all streaming services will download and buffer streams, so any network jitter is negated by the buffer. Audio streams do not require much bandwidth at all, so better quality cables etc will not affect that at all (cat5 vs c5e vs c6, c7, and c8 - this is mostly about bandwidth and reliability at higher bandwidth.)
Any 'improvements' that you hear are purely confirmation bias. These devices are akin to those scam devices that tell you they're saving you electricity by having this arbitrary box plugged in and running all the time... (they're literally just capacitors that power an LED)...
As a network engineer I second this. Any networking equipment marketed as HIFI is pure snake oil.
Thanks for the video. ❤
I third this, any digital signal is inherently lossless - you can get hi-fi DACs and also DACs, preamps and amps which will ruin your signal, but FLAC playing over my 20+ year old, grey box, 10Mbit/s infrastructure will sound exactly the same as the same file played from the local disc!
Came here to say this, not a network engineer but did get a CompTIA Network + certification and it's just not how any of this works when it comes to steaming, music or video. With video there is still a buffer, maybe a one or two minute buffer as you stream. Every packet sent, there's another packet sent right after that asks the device "did you get this packet" and replies, "yes or no ' if it's no then that packet is sent again AFTER all the other packets are sent. Essentially it's sent to the back.of the line. If it didn't work that way any " download"or steaming" would be corrupted and missing data. Dropping packets happens over both LAN and WAN which is why these.pqxkets are sent, to.verifu all packets get to their destination.
A better test would be streamer with WiFi, are there any audio differences between the two when all else is equal? The placebo effect is real. You want it to sound better so your mind plays tricks on you, at least with this device.
The whole CAT cable thing is better shielding because CAT 8 is at least certified for 10Gbps and you may be able to get that over CAT5, it's just not guaranteed. It's just 8 cables in four twisted pairs, nothing has.really changed outside additional shielding for interference that slows down or causes real network issues.
Network engineers are the most ignorant when it comes to networking and HIFi
@@Pete.across.the.street what was missed? Data rate, shielding, CAT version and.. length. First bandwidth. I have SACD ISOs and the max bitrate is 5.5MB/a for a 7.1 remastered version. Never seen anything here so 100Mbps (10MB/a) which is the slowest switch or NIC around and hardly ever used. Below is a cut and paste from a place trying to sell audio quest Ethernet cables for 400.US for 6.ft. There are zero benefits outside shielding. As long as it's shielded and not lying the Ethernet cable power mains you're good.
So, since we are ignorant, what was missed or did you just spend a bunch of money on ethernet cable and one to justify it? I remember 10 years ago they sold HDMI cables that cost over $5,000 because they had diamonds in them and were supposedly better, they weren't.
So.please explain in detail what we aren't getting? Why aren't there dedicated Ethernet cables for say, Netflix?
When choosing an Ethernet cable, consider bandwidth, data transfer rates, shielding, and length. Opt for cables with higher bandwidth and robust shielding for Hi-Fi streaming to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality audio and visual transmission.
Bandwidth: Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data transmitted over a network connection in a given period. The higher the bandwidth, the more data that can be transferred simultaneously, resulting in faster internet speeds and superior audio resolutions.
Data Transfer Rates: Data transfer rates indicate how quickly data can be transmitted from streaming services over your network connection. Increased data transfer rates lead to quicker internet speeds, enhanced performance, and improved audio or video resolution. Consider the data transfer rates supported by the Ethernet cable you're considering and ensure that they meet your needs for your network and high-quality streaming services.
Impact of Cable Length on Performance: Be mindful of cable length as it affects performance. Longer cables might experience signal degradation. CAT6a and CAT7 are better suited for longer distances without compromising quality.
Shielded vs Unshielded, A Critical Choice for Hi-Fi: Shielded cables are recommended for Hi-Fi setups, as they minimise interference and maintain signal quality, which is crucial for high-fidelity audio streaming. Shielded Ethernet cables, often denoted by an "STP or FTP" (Shielded Twisted Pair) designation, have an additional shielding layer to prevent electromagnetic interference from affecting the signal quality. If you're in an environment with potential sources of interference, such as electrical wiring or other electronic devices, consider opting for a shielded Ethernet cable.
Unshielded Ethernet cables, often denoted by a "UTP" (Unshielded Twisted Pair) designation, do not have an additional shielding layer. While they are more susceptible to electromagnetic interference, they are suitable for most everyday applications where interference is minimal.
When choosing between shielded and unshielded Ethernet cables, consider the environment in which the cable will be installed and the potential sources of interference. If you're unsure, opting for shielded Ethernet cables is generally recommended for better performance and reliability.
Gigabit ethernet port is galvanically isolated anyway. I don't understand why iFi LAN iSilencer has the galvantic isolation feature.
Huge improvement here, I have two, on two networks. Even the TV PQ improved, and that is according to folks in the house that had no clue I added these devices.
Unless you had electrical noise affecting your IP traffic traversing your ethernet connections that could not already be handled by the intrinsic galvanic isolation in ethernet devices (your router, switch, streamer, etc.), then this devices does nothing. It is simply an isolation transformer - a galvanic isolator. This is more typically used as surge impression for ethernet devices exposed to the potential of lighting, like outdoor wired ethernet cameras. Since analog audio isn't traversing your ethernet connection, this device will not affect the audio - the sound stage, dynamic range, frequency response, timbre, and other metrics that we typically measure audio quality by are unaffected by this device because ethernet is carrying only IP traffic, which is packets of digital data that your streamer would then have to convert, eventually, to an analog signal.
@@rangerrecon Paul McGown of PS Audio agrees w you. Hans Beekhuzen doesn't. Both r engineers.
@@AudioTnT There are engineers on both sides of the issue and both have products to sell (although, in this case Paul isn't selling any ethernet signal correction equipment). But I just look at it from an engineering/common sense perspective. There is no audio in the IP traffic flowing through the ethernet. If there is excessive noise (somehow), data errors, etc. then those would appears as streaming issues in the form of pauses, disconnection, etc. - not sonic issues with the quality of the sound. With that said, if someone wants to buy ethernet isolation gear like this and they feel that there is really a difference, they should do whatever makes them happy. I'd argue it is a placebo effect, but ultimately it's their money and their satisfaction. At least this is < $100, whereas the Networks Accoustic stuff is a fortune.
I added this LAN Isilencer on the modem side (50 feet away down stairs from my streamer) and the improvement was quite noticeable, especially in the bass region. FYI, I have an EtherRegen close to my my streamer. Cleaning up my home network did improve the sound quality of my sound system.
Thanks for sharing. Glad I wasn't imagining the improvement. So EtherRegen worthwhile too, it sounds 👍
@@AudioTnT oh absolutely, the EtherRegen was quite an improvement to the sound quality. And adding the Isilencer was another step up; no question about it; the bass notes where more discernible (from an do to a re for example) as well as gaining authority…
0.5% THD&N and 0.1% THD&N will not be visible in this way: 3:57 5:16 . The difference in 5:16 could be errors. Especially, the minimum level is not guaranteed to be correct in domestic uncontrolled SPL measurement. For example some low freqency noise you did not feel by ears could have affected the SPL reading.
I agree 100%. The max levels r much more reproducible. Not sure any home test can validate what I seem to hear.
Just saw your video. The biggest improvement I realized, was when I upgraded the ethernet cable from Audioquest cinnamon to (a pricey) synergistic formation cable. Hands down, smoother cleaner, more detail.
Test system with Blue Jeans Ethernet cables.
Real difference and improved unlike most.
Thanks.
What app do you use to mesure db with your phone ?
@regisvoiclair Sound Meter by Smart Tools. Provides Min, Max & real time readings.
It is unclear what they mean by RF filtering. Computer data signals are RF signals by themselves.
I'm assuming airborne RF that a Cat6 cable m might pick up but I'm using this at the transmit end so no RF shielding in this case IMO.
This is a quality review. 👍.
How long does it take for the device to warm up?
@@АлександрЛущик-ц8т i found it sounded best after 1 hr when it was new.
@@AudioTnTAfter turning it on, the sound got worse. I'm waiting for it to warm up...
0 seconds as this device doesn't handle any analog audio signal. It simply provides galvanic isolation (a transformer) for the ethernet IP connection, which is comprised solely of IP packets carrying TCP or UDP encoded information.
@@rangerrecon
The sound is protected, but not immediately.
I am pleased with the result.
@@АлександрЛущик-ц8т It doesn't prtext sound - it is just a $7 ethernet transmformer chip taht handles IP data - no audio. Here is a link to the exact part used in it: productfinder.pulseeng.com/product/HX5084NL
Great review,Thank you.
Aardvark Classic Ethernet Isolator 😊
Good job 👍🏼
no audiophool has answered a question why data centers where streaming services host their content use any of these nonsense.
Indeed the only improvement is on the profit column of ifi 😂😂😂😂
Monster Cable will always have pretenders to the crown of total snakeoil sales.
@@JasonPrice1 you haven't seen audio quest stuff have you. At least Monster got knocked back down to reality granite I still wouldn't recommend them. Audioquest charges 5K, for a 3.3ft HDMI cable with diamonds. Monster looks cheap compared to that.
Audioquest sells a diamond HDMI cable that is $5,000 for 1 meter
AudioQuest - Dragon 10' 4K-8K-10K 48Gbps HDMI Cable - Black/Gray
I thought about buying the ifi bluetooth adapter (for headphones, since my phone does not have a jack and I have some hard to drive wired headphones which I really like) but this company is dead to me now💀
Neeeh!
Just use an optical network if you're really worried about this. Much cheaper than all this junk that does nothing.
How much r 2 optical converters? Need AC power too since Ethernet has no pwr pins on RJ45. I'm sure optical will provide galvanic isolation.
Great video, sorry for your lo$$
lol. no. Waste of money.
A waste of money.
U could be right. I plan to redo the tests n check again.