One step forward: ER +lpsu

The opticalModule is much better than the SFP output on the Ciscos. Just something to keep in mind. I’m currently going Cisco>fiber>oM>ethernet>oM>fiber>opticalRendu. The sound is wonderful, much as you described your own current set up (and that Olafsson record is good). I tried going Cisco>fiber>oM>fiber> opticalRendu, but taking out that second opticalModule is an obvious change for the worse. Unfortunate, as I wanted to sell on the second opticalModule!

Do you mean Cisco>ethernet>Om>fiber?

Ah, correct, for using one module. Getting myself confused. Anyway, it sounds best with the opticalModule pair, thereby the only ethernet cable in the chain from router to optical rendu is the short patch between the two opticalModules (currently a Ghent Catsnake 6a JSSG).

Oh, wow! All the best! What did you have? Things get better faster than one imagines in the beginning…

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I have jumped onto this fiber “bandwagon” i am now going by BT hh6 > ethernet > netgear gc-110 switch > fiber > cisco 2960 > ethernet Innuos streamer > ethernet bartok. Very pleased with the results.

I had an aortic aneurism of 5.5 cm, its supposed to be 3. So they made a custom graft with 4 ports to align with my renal arteries and my stomach–all modeled in 3D. Then they inserted 4 stents in those arteries to help blood flow. I had no symptoms, and it was found by accident. Failed a blood test indicating I might have a Kidney issue. Well good news and bad news. Kidneys were find, but they noticed this Anerysm and my Primary Care called on a Friday night at 6 pm, and said I needed to see a vascular surgeon on Monday. He warned, if I feel any discomfort, don’t give a second thought, go right to the Emergency room–as one could bleed out in minutes. He told me there are 2 ways they find this condition. One was by accident (my case) and the other is you die.

Getting stronger every day. They heart surgery was 4.5 hours. I had no effects from it so far. The anesthesia did take quite a lot out of me.

Back to music.

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Glad it went well, i guess you were lucky they found it.

@bailyhill good luck with the recovery dude. Really good luck they found it in time! When I was younger a family friend was not so lucky. Lets enjoy the music while we can! :beers:

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Goodness me, you are one lucky man, enjoy the music!

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Wow! That was lucky! All the best for a rapid recovery from the anaesthesia and no doubt some shock.

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Congratulations @bailyhill on your extraordinary good fortune.

Delighted that the op went well.
May you live a long, happy and musical second life!

Best regards, BF

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Thanks for all the kind words. I really appreciate it.

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Hi @MichaelF,
When do you expect to receive your SR4T? I am thinking about buying two: one for the ER and one for the opticalRendu.

I also spoke with Sean Jacobs re a special DC3 to power both and he confirmed that it would ideally require a twin transformer custom supply to fully inhibit RF ground loops (probably not the right description). It would be more than buying 2 of his normal DC3 units.

Best regards, BF

@Bluesfan I have just received the custom DC3 I ordered. Quite different from the stock one and with 3 outputs. Cost was more than 3 separate units. Custom built transformer to Statement spec, DC4 internal wiring and external cables, Isoacoustic feet, full size case, ground post, no led on front and probably some more bits I have forgotten about as it took a while to make (I was very slow at replying to contact emails!)

Anyway I was using an older DC3 to power the ER over the last week and the uplift was staggering. I can’t believe a power supply on a switch can make that difference. It was in the context of my system like the addition of the second P/S to the CD555, maybe more. I was expecting no more from the new unit apart from the fact it would now power 3 units and I would not have to choose. Output 3 is spare right now. I power the ER and D100 ripper from the new one.

The P/S was delivered yesterday, opened the box on arrival and slipped her straight into the Fraim. Wired it all up and thought I would just have a few tracks to see if the sound was close to the old one without it being burnt in. I was and am staggered how it made as much of a difference again as powering the ER from the first DC3. This time though the system has all the good things from the first DC3 but adds - much more bass control, more low level bass, more connection to the music, live acoustic is staggering now, slightly more separation between instruments (builds on this from the first DC3) and an even deeper more 3d soundstage.

My partner came and listened to a bit of music last night and commented on the difference between live and studio recordings. She said that live sounded so real, she has never heard live music sound so good. Studio was good but not as present and a bit flatter. Now the music I played makes a difference and the Live recording was great and the studio recording very thick and bass heavy but that recoding also to my ears has never sounded better.

ER plus mega custom DC3 (powers 3 devices equally well) still comes in at less cost than a Chord Music streaming cable. That would be an interesting test!

Btw I am using 100% catsnake cat6 floating cables apart from Melco to ND555 which is a Vodka but I have preferred the Catsnake up to this point and am persevering on the advice of other forum members. Catsnake more open and natural, vodka sharpens the sound but has an artificial edge, adds more bass weight and punch.

Anyway that DC3 is the best value upgrade I have made to my music. Maybe one could argue its the ER thats making the difference but the P/S lets the ER live its best life!

In contrast I trued the first DC3 on the EE switch yesterday and the difference was not really noticeable. Poorer conditions though as its sat on the floor and the EE is on a Nova. Will remove after a few days and see if I can tell that way. The EE is a great switch for the Nova, no complaints at all. I don’t think it benefits in the same way as the ER to external power thats all.

@NigelB I believe you were also interested in initial findings @frenchrooster & @Michaelb also maybe. Apologies if I have that wrong!!

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[quote=“Bluesfan, post:261, topic:10204”]
When do you expect to receive your SR4T? I am thinking about buying two: one for the ER and one for the opticalRendu.

I am hoping that it will arrive sometime next week, apparently there have been some 20 COVID outbreaks on the Isle of Mull out of a population of 1800 which has hindered production somewhat. My unit is being worked on now. I will update once I have it.
If you are going to order be very patient as this is a very small operation hand building units so delivery takes time… I am sure it will be well worth the wait

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Crikey bailyhill, that must have been the most chilling/ sobering of phone conversations you’ve ever experienced! It certainly grabbed my attention just reading your note. Helps us all appreciate how thin the threads of us being here may be, even though hidden from our sight. You must be feeling like one of the luckiest guys on the planet just now.

Very best wishes for a successful recovery.

Peter

Hi Steve, bit confused then by the custom hifi website as it seems to indicate the DC3 at £1k and £250 for an extra rail…or am i misreading or just confused?

@Steve, great feedback, thanks.

Can I be really cheeky and ask if you might do one more experiment? Would it be possible to swap the ER for the EE in your main system (with the custom DC3 powering it)? That would be the ultimate test of ER vs EE.

I will of course completely understand if you don’t want to fiddle anymore and enjoy your music!

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Thanks Steve!
£3k for a 3 output power supply is quite a commitment but it seems to do the business. It is still a lot less than a 555PS!
It is evidently a few steps on from the HDPLEX200 that I currently have. It is powering both the Prestige 3 music server and the opticalRendu, so in theory may provide a noise transmission path that bypasses the fibre-optic network connection between the EtherRegen and the opticalRendu.

Now I have to choose the priority between Wave high fidelity cables for the Chord M Scaler to DAVE, an LPS for the opticalRendu and an LPS for the EtherRegen. It’s still nice to savour the choice and the anticipation.

Meanwhile, I’ll keep ripping & enjoying the new cds that keep dropping through the letterbox.

Best regards, BF

Thank you MIchael.

Best regards, BF