Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!

I canceled the order for the fmc with Andrew Gillis at SGC. Haven't heard back from him, he's not gonna be happy. Impulse buy on my part was a mistake! 

It happens. He’ll get over it. 

@audphile1 hey how are you? I saw the message but was on a road trip to Springfield to rescue some dogs. 

comments and observations remind me of my experience with Network Acoustics Eno. Does it do something? Yes it definitely does. Do I like the change? Not really. The smoothed over leading edges and mellowed out dynamics is the reason I eventually sold the Eno. 

I recall talking about your experiences with the Eno. I never did try it or the Muon pro, but I can assure you this smoothlan does not mellow out dynamics. I just turned on the system after returning so I still have listened to it for just 2 days but along with what it does as far as vocal smoothness (in a good way, it does make voices sound more "real") is add body and dimension to parts of music- piano notes have more impact, drums have more presence, not sure if that is interpreted as an increase in dynamics or not, but it is similar to what my ears told me when I put in the Purtian PSM156- transients had more presence and image precision and therefore seemed louder, which I suppose is explained as that reduction in noise produces that "blacker background" which allows everything to be more clear and pronounced. To use the most overused term in audio- more palpability. 

Need to listen more of course to determine a "final" outcome, and I'll listen for leading edges in particular, but I did hear the decays and reverbs in the recordings were more easily perceptible. The short is I like what it does! I am now inserting my new speakers into my system and after I get used to them I will do another A/B and test again but I highly doubt I will be getting rid of it. (the dog rescue was a lie, I picked up some speakers )

I added one of these to my system a couple weeks ago and it is a nice change. Not quite night and day, but I prefer the system with it in place.

Without sifting through all the posts again, has anyone experimented with replacing the supplied ethernet cable with something fancier? What were the results?

@zlone Did you ever try a new cable?

@evank   Did you ever try a new cable?

Funny you should ask, I just plugged in an Audio Sensibility Signature OCC Silver cable between the Smoothlan and my Innuos yesterday. I would call the results positive, cleaner, tighter and better definition.

Listening with the Smooth Lan inserted between the LHY SW8 network switch amd tjeLumin U2 Mini I have mixed feelings. Treble is definitley rolled off, soundstage seems to have shrunk and sounds more foward. The only thing I like so far is the blacker background it produces. I will experiment with the SL in a different position.

@evank I had a similar impression at first, especially the treble issue.  Had it in for a few weeks and then took it out. Yes more treble, but I would suggest you examine the quality of that treble closely. I put the Smoothlan back in and did not like the sound for a couple days, but it improved and I adjusted, with the end result I think is a net improvement in sound quality. All that said, my ears are not great with the highs, so you may be noticing more change than I did.

@zlone I too took it out and put it back in due to the decreased noise. I only have about 2 days so I am hoping it just needs to settle in

Finally got to sit down now and listen since last night. The SL has smoothed out. Everything I heard last night has changed for the better. My soundstage is back as well as the highs. Added bonus is the reduced noise floor which gives more definition to the music.

@evank Finally got to sit down now and listen since last night. The SL has smoothed out. Everything I heard last night has changed for the better. My soundstage is back as well as the highs. Added bonus is the reduced noise floor which gives more definition to the music.

Good to hear that it is working for you again. This pretty much mirrors my experience.

I thought I would revisit this smoothlan; it has been 2 months and the honeymoon period is over, and my "purchasing bias" has worn, right? I must have regrets. Skeptics would be elated to hear my confessions: I imagined the whole thing, and I must have justified this "huge" $300 purchase by convincing myself it sounded better. Otherwise how could I live with myself and the foolish decision I made.

I admit it is possible that just when I hooked up the smoothlan before all my neighbors coincidentally stopped arc welding, and when I unplugged it they plugged in their electric cars and did laundry, right? Could be?

Nope. With a different amplifier this time, I will concur what I heard before- massive factor in the believability in voices, more presence, and more easily distinguished low level details with it in. I only needed to take it out and heard the degradation in mere seconds. You know, that proverbial vail that covered the music. But I put it back in and out several times just to convince myself I am not dreaming, and to remove any doubt of neighbours playing with the grid.

I am still in shock with the improvement a few hundred bucks can make in my streaming signal. Like I mentioned before I could spend thousands and if it made this difference I would justify the purchase. Seriously. Now I have to debate trying a second one, or just going crazy and prepare for a Network Acoustics Tempus purchase? How much more cleaner of an ethernet streaming signal can be had?

Here is a fantastic track (Qobuz) to easily hear the differences, and a wonderfully recorded track regardless of what you have in your streaming chain:

Kuwai 45 and Sweet Cocoa- Just the two of us

Just 2 minutes of a sensational recording!