Hey folks,
Has anyone compared these two network filters?
I’ve been wanting to try one out and found it difficult to decide which one to go for.
I’d be grateful for any comparisons.
Can’t comment on the SmoothLan, but did use the EE1 for a while, but found it made no difference.
If you do try them, make sure that you have free returns in case they don’t work for you.
DG…
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After a lot of research that included considering the EE8 and the SmoothLan I ultimately settled on the Network Acoustics Eno 2. My reasoning boiled down to a few factors including that the Eno 2 supports and prefers gigabit internet (which the SmoothLan does not), seemingly superior quality based on reviews and the fact I could get the matching ethernet cables to form a complete system.
Overall I’m very happy with my digital chain but I will say the Eno 2 really, really needed a lot of running in, a fact which surprised me.
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I have an EE1 between my EE8 and my Streamer. While it does seem to improve SQ it’s very subtle IMHO. Kind of grows on you. Can’t say I want to remove it FWIW
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I have an EE1 between my Modem and streamer and have also found only a subtle and marginal difference in improving the sound quality, I also still keep it in place for the small improvement.
Have not tried any other network noise devices.
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As others have said, effects are quite subtle, so probably doesn’t matter which one you get, if any.
I use EE1’s, just because I got them for a bit less than SmoothLAN’s at the time.
FWIW, I wouldn’t remove them either.
ATB, J
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From reading other forums and reviews, I get the sense that the SmoothLan produces a more significant effect, whereas the EE1 is more subtle. But, could be wrong… 
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That’s been my experience. EE1 effect was minor, while the SL does seem to take things up a notch to a more analogue sound. Thought about swapping the EE1 for a second SL, but no guarantee that would help given the unpredictability of these network tweaks.
Settled on placing the SL on critical last leg duty before the streamer while the EE1 sits further upstream.
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The website for SmoothLan says
Designed specifically for use with music streamers and capable of handling data speeds up to 100Mbps
Not that this is a problem for Naim because I think they all connect at 100Mb, but could this be an issue for devices that connect at 1Gb?
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One question I have is.
The SmoothLan is designed to work up to 100 mbs. But they include a Cat7 Ethernet cable with it, which can go up to 10 gbs, although backwards compatible to 10/100Base T.
Do you know why they include a Cat7 Cable out of interest?
DG…
“How much can I buy xxx Ethernet patch cables for”?
And there you are.
ATB, J
I know that there is no limit to the cost of Ethernet cables, which is why I use CatSnake.
The question was, why include a cable capable of 10gbs, rather than one capable of 10mbs?
DG…
Sorry, was trying to say, somewhat tongue in cheek, that it doesn’t really matter and purchasing would just put out to tender for a few hundred patch cables. CAT 7/7/whatever won’t make a lot of difference, so they’d probably buy the cheapest deal.
Or maybe not?
ATB, J
PS I standardised on Chord’s entry level Ethernet cable throughout my system, as used in Naim’s demonstration suite I believe?
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DG, I would imagine they settled on the cat 7 cable due to considerations other than data transfer speed, such as its effect on sound, its ability to keep noise low, etc.
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No problems, sorry didn’t get it at first.
DG…
Not to worry 
.
ATB, J
I have an EE1 and can’t honestly say I noticed any difference. The chain is NAS, 1m lead, Router, 1.5m lead, Switch, 10m lead, EE1, .5m lead, switch 2, Zenith mk3. All cables Cat8 as they are screened. After reading the screen could actually cause some issues I spripped the end of some single core wire and wrapped it around the metal plug of the lead going in to the second switch and connected the other end to a ground connector on my power filter. Now that really did make a positive difference!
I wonder if 2 SmoothLans (or 2 EE1’s) connected in sequence sound better than just one? If so, could 2 of them placed before the streamer outperform a bare EE8 switch… 
Err not in my set up.
I have two smoothLANS, both after switch before 222/272 respectively. Very effective in this arrangement. I did try one just before switch and then one just before 222, but didn’t detect any further improvement. Seemed to work best as close as possible to streamer. Could be why they give you such a short patch lead🤔
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I’ve been meaning to borrow an EE1 and try this. I have one close to my streamer(after my switch) but I’m curious adding another one before my switch. If there is enough improvement I’ll keep it. Only one way to find out…