9 months ago I had happily upgraded from my Uptone Audio Etherregen switch ( complemented with the LPS 1.2 power supply plus an external Ocxo clock powered by another sps) to the more expensive and compact Phoenixnet.
I enjoyed the clear sonic benefits and the visuals. So I put the ER kit in a storage box, with due respect for the time served and the value brought to the quest of SQ improvement.
Today suddenly I had a “what if?” thought and inserted the ER+LPS 1.2 (with stock smps to lps to keep it simple no external clock either) and just plain white ethernet cable.
First by mistake I inserted it between the phoenix net and the nd555 … and to my surprise there WAS a sonic benefit: volume level seemed to increase slightly and the low end became slightly clearer and tighter, more “muscular”. So already a keeper.
When I realized my mistake I implemented the logical setup with the ER feeding the phoenixnet, (while being fed by the wifi router). And there wasn’t much difference now, maybe a bit better so I keep it this way.
Has anyone experienced sonic benefits by inserting an ER switch before the Phoenixnet? Or any switch? Switching the switch? A bit strange as one could assume the Phoenixnet would take care of all that needed taking care…
What is the reason? The positive side for those that “upgraded” to the Phoenixnet is that there is no additional cost…just bring back the shelved device.
Please let me know…
I have an ER with Plixir feeding my PN. I originally needed 2 switches so had to keep the ER. I don’t now need it, but find it sounds a bit more relaxed with ER in place. Do not profess as to why?
Similar situation. I needed a switch in my hallway to accept router and Core and had PN as number 2 on my FRAIM 10 metres away. I found the EE8 with Farad 3 feeding PN better than PN solo. I have subsequently put both switches in the hall with PN acting as the second. From the PN I run a 15m Belden Cat6 to 1m Chord Music Ethernet feeding ND555. This was Suffolk Simon’s recommendation. The sound from CD rips and streaming is now the best ever.
Hi Gazza, yes this is also how it sounds to me. Do you have the PN feeding the ND555? And the ER feeding the PN? Or is it more of a parallel setup with both switches directly connected to the router?
Ok so now I added the full monty to the ER, mcru lps and Ocxo master clock, and do confirm even enhanced sonic benefits no question, more sharp attacks, wider sound especially in the bottom end.
So does this mean that if you would have 2 phoenixnet in series this would bring a meaningful benefit… is there a reason why a single Phoenixnet is not doing 100% of the job so that a second one will bring further improvements? Looks very much like the situation with 1 or 2 ps on the cd 555 or nd 555. However in this case we know the rationale linked to separating analog and digital sections.
Good question. Maybe the ER or the EE8 as a first switch cascading to the PN as second creates good synergy/blend. The config that I have settled on sounds superb so I’m happy as is.
I had the PN on home demo this weekend. Definate change in sound when adding my EE8 and MCRU PS before the PM.
Would need more time to determine if it is better or just different but certainly smoother and a bit warmer that way. PN was only on for about 72 hours in total so may not be fully warmed up/settled (though it is run in)
I prefered the PhoenixNet alone vs Etheregen/ top MCRU fiddling it. To my ears it was better balanced, more natural. @Michaelb prefers the PN alone too.
But maybe I would still prefer two PhoenixNet in cascade? However it will never happen, question of choices and money.
We have different systems and rooms no doubt. I have to say that the PN solo is great in mine also. But some folks have stated that they don’t like the PN in any position. Others prefer the SMPS’s to LPS’s with ER or EE8. So it must be a flavour thing rather than comparing 552 to S1 for example.
Exciting times