Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!


I just received this item that I purchased from Stack Audio after being impressed with the AUVA 100 Speaker footers.

For any of the Audio Streamers out there, my initial comment as to this item: The SmoothLAN Network Filter is WOW!

From first plug in, the soundstage deepened and widened immensely. How the heck this occurs is nothing short of amazing. I have tried many of the major brand ethernet filters, and some of them, maybe, did something. But not enough to keep them. I either sent them back or sold them. I did however keep an iFi Silencer unit.

My digital streaming consists of an EtherRegen sending out the signal via Fiber to my Lumin X1. I have the Stack Audio device going into the EtherRegen from the Modem.

And, since I have my Apple TV coming out of the EtherRegen it will be interesting to see if the Video improves.

Check out the review in EAR.

Stack Audio Smooth-LAN For Clean Streaming | The Ear (the-ear.net)

ozzy

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jaymark,

I’m glad I can help you spend your money! LOL!

jerrybj,

Congrats, I hope you enjoy it like I do.

jimboman,

Where does your ethernet signal originate from? If it’s from a modem/router like mine it has a few extra ethernet openings. Just thinking, perhaps, you can run your computer system off of one of those. And, are you connecting to your modem wirelessly?

ozzy

Hi @ozzy 

Yes, my internet modem/router does have an extra ethernet port available, only thing is, part of the reason I bought the Cisco switch was because it has a fibre port — allowing me to use the fibre port on the Lumin U2 without any other external devices in the chain.

While it’s true that I could run a separate audio copper run (and hookup a SmoothLAN in the process), it would defeat the benefit (assuming there is one) of utilizing the fibre input on the Lumin.

And at this point, it would be an experiment, (and maybe not one I need undertake…) given that I’m really enjoying the current setup. Of course, one never knows until one tries, haha…

Oh the joys of audiophilia!

Best, JAMES

jimboman,

Can't you use the extra ethernet port on your Modem for your computer and then use the other port with a SmoothLan into the Cisco unit and then fiber out to the Lumin?

ozzy

Post removed 

Hey @ozzy 

That's an interesting idea, one that I had not considered.  Might be worth trying as an experiment.

One question for you -- before you tried the SmoothLAN, were you happy with your network Audio SQ?  Or did you feel there was something missing, thus prompting the move to the SmoothLAN?  At this moment in my journey, I'm liking the setup I have quite well, and wonder if I need to experiment any more -- or just enjoy the music?

I realize that statement is probably antithetical to the audiophile raison d'être, haha!

Best, JAMES.