JayM Posted July 20, 2022 Posted July 20, 2022 Does anyone have actual experience of this. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-iso-plus-2 Have this coming this weekend, and will install into network and report back. Jay
POV Posted July 20, 2022 Posted July 20, 2022 No experience with this specific product, but I have designed several commercial grade filters so happy to discuss. What's the specific issue your are trying to deal with?
JayM Posted July 20, 2022 Author Posted July 20, 2022 1 hour ago, POV said: No experience with this specific product, but I have designed several commercial grade filters so happy to discuss. What's the specific issue your are trying to deal with? Hi POV To be embarrasingly honest, I am not unhappy with the current system - probably being indulgent in the quest for continuous improvement. A relatively low-cost solution looking for a problem! My system is just hooked up to the normal household wireless infrastructure, shared with all the other users in the family for work and study. and coming off a TPG broadband thing off the wall. I have bought 3 pairs to try as follows: between cable modem to Nighthawk router from rpi music server to Nighthawk from Nighthawk to rpi4/pi2aes hat Another thing I am looking at is an isolation transformet (but haven't moved in that direction yet) Thanks Jay 1
POV Posted July 20, 2022 Posted July 20, 2022 Ah ok. So you're not experiencing any issues but hoping for some kind of sound quality improvement? If that's the case I'll leave you to your experimentation. 2
JayM Posted July 24, 2022 Author Posted July 24, 2022 My son came back from LA this morning - with lots of audio goodies, including three pairs of these filters. I installed it into the network across the devices per my previous post and....it has made improvements I think based on an hour of listening across Spotify and listening to my ripped music from the music server. So all the devices in my audio chain with ethernet now have a pair of these. My router is on top of a bookcase, and I have to use a ladder, so I won't be doing an A-B comparison, plus there are 3 pairs of these. Just too hard and I am happy enough with it I won't bother to do A-B. So the improvements are (if I am not imagining it) in order of my confidence in hearing them.: I really think there is a fuller bottom end and fractionally more definition, I can follow the bass line more easily more natural dynamics maybe better soundstage, less glare/but not sure was the other side of softer top end. possibly possibly lower noise floor but 4 and 5 are marginal at best I think. All the above totally reliant on my sonic memory so let's all be aware of the limitations of those impressions. If my impressions change over the next few months I will report back. But I am not unhappy that I have bought these and I am happy enough that they are improving and not detracting from the sound. Jay 1
JayM Posted July 24, 2022 Author Posted July 24, 2022 I should add that when I swapped the Shanti for my Keces - that was a super definite improvement. This one I feel is an improvement, at this stage, but not a super definite improvement.
occargeek Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 Please let us know how much of a difference that makes. The interesting thing about your product is that they recommend one on each end. I went the minimalist route and got the emoSystems EN-70HD. I noticed a slight reduction in 'glare' but that's about it.
JayM Posted July 25, 2022 Author Posted July 25, 2022 It will take me a few days to report back. In the meantime if you have a look at what other people overseas have spoken about - that's generally in line with my own quick impressions. I had a quick read myself this morning on the way in to work while I was on the train - and thought - yes that's the improvement I am hearing. I've been skimming through those threads which mention your emo devices also with these. I am quite excited to go back home from work today to listen to it more. Any improvement from the effects of RFI is hard to describe and is a little bit more elusive, even if they are there. But for the money? I would buy them again tomorrow.
MattyW Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 (edited) Not running these though rather a Network Acoustics Eno-Ag filter in between my TP-Link Deco X60 and Soundaware D300REF network streamer. The filter drops network speeds to the Soundaware to 100mbps though that's quite sufficient for lossless audio streaming. Heck it's even enough for 4k video streaming so no biggie. It makes a definite improvement in the naturalness of my system and I'll not ever remove it unless I found something better. eno – Network Acoustics Edited July 25, 2022 by MattyW 1
Assisi Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 1 hour ago, MattyW said: unless I found something better. Try a Waversa EXT-Reference LAN Noise Isolator. For me it is better than the ENO which I still have, but stopped using for the time being. It is probable that too much filtering may not have an overall benefit. John
MattyW Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 (edited) 23 minutes ago, Assisi said: Try a Waversa EXT-Reference LAN Noise Isolator. For me it is better than the ENO which I still have, but stopped using for the time being. It is probable that too much filtering may not have an overall benefit. John Bastard.... I thought I had my upgrades behind me. I need to read up on this damnable thing now and potentially upgrade! EDIT: Cheap enough that I can't NOT try it. Ordering now. Crap, it was listed as $276 AUD on the AfterDark site then I go to checkoput with Paypal and it jumps to $1,500! I think I need to save for that sucker if going to try. Edited July 25, 2022 by MattyW 1
Assisi Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 28 minutes ago, MattyW said: I think I need to save for that sucker if going to try. Mine is the Reference. It retails now for A$7695. Yes you read correct. The price has increased dramatically since I bought mine. I would not have bought one at that price. So many significant price increases recently. The one on Afterdark is the smaller one in the range hence the lower price of approx A$1500. The smaller one is okay. Maybe similar to the ENO in terms of outcome. My Waversa Core has the equivalent of the smaller one onboard inside. It would be intriguing to know as to the relative benefit of the filters mentioned in previous posts. John John
rantan Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 5 minutes ago, Assisi said: Mine is the Reference. It retails now for A$7695. Yes you read correct. I wish I had read it incorrectly, then I wouldn't have to pick myself up from the floor and re-wire my jaw. I sometimes wonder if this hobby has passed me by or perhaps I am just a curmudgeon. 1 1
MattyW Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 Ah, I’ll stick with what I already have then. That price for yours is frankly nuts.
POV Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 1 hour ago, Assisi said: Mine is the Reference. It retails now for A$7695. Yes you read correct. Literally mind blown. We design and manufacture ultra high performance network filters for high criticality communications systems as part of our services. Our very best, cost no object filter, for system designs that require it for extreme interference environments and high sensitivity equipment we sell for $1125 (ex GST) and that has a considerable margin on it. 3
Assisi Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 2 hours ago, POV said: Literally mind blown. We design and manufacture ultra high performance network filters for high criticality communications systems as part of our services. Our very best, cost no object filter, for system designs that require it for extreme interference environments and high sensitivity equipment we sell for $1125 (ex GST) and that has a considerable margin on it. Firstly, I purchased the first the Waversa Reference filter that was available in Australia. At the time the cost was high but definitely less than it is now. Still a lot more than the product that you mention. I was staggered when I was told what the price is today for the Reference. Bit like shares. I had the ENO and knew that LAN filters could provide a benefit. I did try the lower level Waversa filter and it was good. Then I tried the Reference. Game set and match - lay down misere. No questions asked. I had to have it. The question is what is it that the filters that you mention are trying to do in networking Vs does the Reference do something in an audio context that yours do not? I do not know. Another question that arises what do the filters mentioned in posts above do and what are the extent of the benefits? I read the spec sheet for one of them but did not understand a lot. The little I did comprehend was that some of the LAN connections were “disconnected”. That may be the same as disconnection of the shield at the receiving end in of a LAN cable that I find can be a small benefit. I intend to have the shield disconnected at the receiving end of all my LAN cables. John 2
was_a Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 After doing my research on the components in your system (copy-paste-Google!), John, the price of the Waversa filter is pretty congruent with the rest of your setup, as fronted by the Waversa NAS and Weiss streamer. You've completely embraced the concept of streaming and gone all-out—hats off! I'd be interested to know if you prefer streaming from the internet, from local files stored on the NAS, or files stored internally on the streamer's hard-drive—if there is any difference.
Assisi Posted July 26, 2022 Posted July 26, 2022 13 hours ago, was_a said: I'd be interested to know if you prefer streaming from the internet, from local files stored on the NAS, or files stored internally on the streamer's hard-drive—if there is any difference. I consider that everything matters from the big to the small in audio. I am interested in this thread as it started with filters albeit small. My system front end is digital based. It has taken some years to get to the results that I have achieved to this point. My objective has been a quality outcome that suits the various music genre that I listen to and gives me definite emotional pleasure. The files that I have are all on the NAS that is the NAIM uniti core. There is no storage in the Waversas or either of the WEISS components that I have. I use ROON extensively with source from local files, Tidal or Qobuz. With the quality of the network setup components and the configuration that I now have the differences between local and streaming are minuscule or virtually non-existent. I consider that I have now reached a stage in that there are no overly obvious listening differences that I can discern that is source or format/resolution related. Once there were differences in that local files were better. The network bits are very important. I haven’t used the WEISS 301 for a while. It is not ROON ready. I can play CDs with the 301. The CD outcome is slightly better because it loads the file into memory and plays from the memory rather than the actual disc itself. I rarely use the 301 as player control is not as well developed as ROON. John 2
JayM Posted July 26, 2022 Author Posted July 26, 2022 Well I did a lot of listening last night. Definitely sounds more natural, seems to flow more easily, less hi-fi, and less glare. Life's too short to do A-B for me. Wifey is indulging me enough as it is. I don't have anywhere near as much money to spend on hifi as others, so my interest in this was based as much on the low cost (reflecting HAM enthusiast origins) and not the audiophile market. It has made a difference to my ears, It's USD50 per pair. That's about the price of one ENO filter for the three pair I have. I am happy and have achieved my objective. I can't contribute more than I have, at this stage, to this discussion, other than my own subjective positive feedback. I am grateful for the other posters to the thread. I've learned a bit from your posts. Next stop - maybe getting cat6 cabling for my network, and only the stuff I can buy from computer shops. I have a mongrel mixture of cabling, and Cat6 seems to do a better job of it vs Cat5. There's that other thread earlier on ethernet cabling, and I am picking up my jaw from the floor in awe at other's investments into ethernet cabling. Great that this hobby allows us all our different price points of access. Jay 1
POV Posted July 26, 2022 Posted July 26, 2022 15 hours ago, Assisi said: Firstly, I purchased the first the Waversa Reference filter that was available in Australia. At the time the cost was high but definitely less than it is now. Still a lot more than the product that you mention. I was staggered when I was told what the price is today for the Reference. Bit like shares. I had the ENO and knew that LAN filters could provide a benefit. I did try the lower level Waversa filter and it was good. Then I tried the Reference. Game set and match - lay down misere. No questions asked. I had to have it. The question is what is it that the filters that you mention are trying to do in networking Vs does the Reference do something in an audio context that yours do not? I do not know. Another question that arises what do the filters mentioned in posts above do and what are the extent of the benefits? I read the spec sheet for one of them but did not understand a lot. The little I did comprehend was that some of the LAN connections were “disconnected”. That may be the same as disconnection of the shield at the receiving end in of a LAN cable that I find can be a small benefit. I intend to have the shield disconnected at the receiving end of all my LAN cables. John Hi John - Considered providing an explanation but I suspect that it may send this thread down a pathway that the OP doesn't want. Perhaps in an alternative thread?
JayM Posted July 27, 2022 Author Posted July 27, 2022 Final bit of information that I should have included earlier, My listening impressions are based on network playback of my ripped files. I think the iso plus filters have definitely made a positive difference. On streaming I only listen to Spotify premium so I don't listen critically to it, and I don't use any other streaming service. The Iso plus filters certainly haven't hurt the sound quality.
JayM Posted July 31, 2022 Author Posted July 31, 2022 One week on and I actually have more to report on the change in the quality of my Spotify playback, Prior to the iso-plus filters being installed, I listened to Spotify (I have a premium account) as background and for music discovery. Last night, I was sitting in the family room and had Spotify going in the listening room. I kept on getting up and going into the listening room thinking heck that sounded good. Better soundstage - vocal tracks had the vocalist sounding well clear of the music. Pardon my prose or poor description BTW. Drum just sounded so clear. High frequencies were set in the soundstage clear and shimmered and decayed quite naturally. Overall I think the transformation was feeling like I am now listening to a musical event, and hearing the artistic intent, as opposed to hearing a tune playback on radio. I sent a review to dx engineering rating it as "good", but I feel like going back now and revising it to excellent! For the money - it's one of the best things I have ever done. 1 1
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