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Hello Eric and fellow throttlers!
This is my first post on this forum. I have been lurking here for a little while, and I would like to share my experience so far regarding Eric’s throttle cable (v2) and the TP Link TL-WR902AC v4 (mini wifi client).
First, thank you so much Eric (and others) for sharing your wondrous discoveries and your tireless endeavours in the pursuit of improved digital sound. I have learned a great deal so far, the most surprising part being that a commitment to understanding fundamental scientific and electronics principles, rather than hype or marketing puffery, is the foundation of improved digital audio quality. The cost of the item and indeed the brand from which it emanates run a distant second. How refreshing!
Secondly, I naturally gravitate to people and concepts which do not blindly follow dogma or the established thinking – indeed iconoclasts! I would say – with great respect – that this site and the work going on here have therefore piqued my interest, even before trying Eric’s „experiments“.
As for me and my system: I am based in Australia. I have been climbing the hifi ladder at quite a fast pace the last five years or so and currently have two systems.
My main system comprises a Pink Faun 2.16 Ultra (with the latest PF Ultra USB card and PF USB cable), Aries Cerat Kassandra II Reference DAC, Aries Cerat Impera II Limited Edition two chassis pre-amp, Aries Cerat Concero Limited Edition monoblocs (two chassis per channel) and Aries Cerat Symphonia Limited Edition horn speakers. This is the only system of its kind in Australia and therefore I have been very keen to see what effect Eric’s throttle cable would have.
My second (home office) system comprises an Auralic Aries G2.1 streamer, Audio Note 2.1x Signature DAC, Audio Note M2 Signature pre-amp, Ayon Spirit amp and Grandinote Mach 2P bookshelf speakers. It is generally a very nice system but miles behind the main system; so I have also been keen to experience Eric’s throttle cable here and compare how it performs with that used in the main system.
I have implemented a v2 throttle cable plus a TP Link TL-WR902AC v4 in both systems. Well, the results have been very impressive – in fact better than some (quite esoteric) component upgrades that I have auditioned. The most outstanding improvements have been in markedly improved clarity, tonal accuracy and harmonic structure – things just sound more real. Both systems perform very well in these areas but the throttle cable plus WR902AC have taken things to a higher level. I would say the overall effect in both systems has been equivalent, although in subtly different ways. The main system is now even more captivating and real: in addition to the improvements mention above, the overall sound has greater air and spatiality (in all three dimensions). The second system has improved: for example in orchestral music, piano sounds cleaner (not in a digital/analytical sense) and more life-like. Strings in both systems sound much sweeter! Bravo!!
Apologies for the long ramble, however I thought that such a comparison might be helpful for some people. Also worth noting: nothing is lost in implementing these items – there are only gains in my experience!
I have also been experimenting with the use of Eric’s throttle cable (v2) in other parts of the network. For example, in my server room I have one feeding an EtherRegen (which then supplies a segregated audio-only part of the network) and one feeding my wireless access point in the roof. It’s difficult to say whether and how much of a difference these changes have made because I need to climb into the far reaches of the roof to swap out the ethernet cable, although the sum of all changes has been a great revelation and delight! I use linear power supplies for all DC audio/network devices, and I am currently preparing to implement a separate dedicated VLAN for the audio part of the network.
Next, I plan to experiment with Eric’s v2.5 throttle cable (although ordering the appropriate ferrites is a slow process from Australia). Plus I have ordered a couple of three metre USB cables (which I will wind onto the two types of Wurth ferrites, following Eric’s guidance here: https://ethernet-sound.com/forums/topic/usb-drosselkabel/page/4/#post-4505) to feed the connection between the Pink Faun 2.16 Ultra and the AC Kassandra DAC. I am again especially interested to see how that goes, at around 1/25th the the cost of my PF USB cable.
Best regards
Matt