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Hello Eric, and thank you for your comments.
If you ever venture to Australia, you would be very welcome to visit and share experiences.
It’s an interesting thing that there seems to be almost a stigma with using „cheap solutions“ as part of a high-end system. For example it seems that some people cringe when one uses relatively ordinary cables and not the stratospheric ones. I have tried some of the latter, and some are great but others are not. Personally I use the top-end Oyaide cables (interconnects, speaker cables, power distributor and home-made power cables) with great success. Perhaps it really is system-dependent. Either way, something either sings or it doesn’t; the fundamentals really do matter in my opinion.
To answer your question, my ethernet chain looks like this: Starlink dish (in bypass mode) -> Audiophonics Cat7 cable -> Ubiquiti Edgerouter X SFP (configured as a router). This splits to: (a) my non-audio network via SFP/fibre -> another Ubiquiti Edgerouter X SFP (configured as a managed switch), which connects to my NAS/computers/non-audio wireless access point; and then (b) my audio network feeds off the router via a throttle cable (v2) into an EtherRegen (facing „backwards“ in accordance with your recommendation), then a 10 metre Cat7 cable which mates to another throttle cable (v2), which feeds a Fritz!Box 7390 (configured as a wireless access point exclusively for the audio network). Importantly, I have separated the modem/router-DHCP server/switches/wireless access points into separate devices, rather than using a single ISP-supplied box. All network devices (router and switches) and the EtherRegen are grounded.
As mentioned in my previous post, both digital music streamers (the Pink Faun 2.16 Ultra in the main system and the Auralic Aries G2.1 in the home office system) are connected via a TP Link TL-WR902AC v4 in client-mode and a throttle cable (v2). You might also be interested that I have compared the Auralic streamer in both wireless mode (which it does natively) and wired mode (using the TP Link wireless client and throttle cable): the TP Link/throttle cable is the superior solution here.
I have also experimented with multiple Buffalo GS2008 switches, FMCs and fibre as part of the audio network, although these are out of the system for now – I prefer the TP Link wireless client/throttle cable, which has been a real revelation!
I do all of my own networking (as a layman, not an expert), I tinker a lot with the network, as I am keen to learn and experiment. As mentioned in my previous post, I am also preparing to set up a separate VLAN for the audio network, although the learning curve is quite steep.
Every device is fed by an LPS (I use an Australian brand called Gieseler and they have proved to be excellent), which all run off an iFi AC Powerstation in the server room.
All-in-all, I am very happy with how good digital sounds in my system, although it has taken a lot of work, experimentation and tinkering to get there…and the journey continues ;).
I would certainly be interested to try a v3 throttle cable, but I am inclined to try v2.5 first as I can repurpose the 74272222 ferrites if necessary, plus the effort and slow turnaround to order parts from Europe has created a mental block.
Best regards and thanks again for your tremendous contribution and sharing. I have to say, I do have a chuckle when you lay into the ignorant and the „unbelievers“; nothing beats coming from a position of real-world experience and knowledge – great work!!
Cheers
Matt
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
