Uptone EtherRegen

@discopants your reading of the comparison on WBF is wrong:

"(some guys in Hong Kong have done some listening tests and they prefer 2 SoTM fully loaded switches in sequence as a reference hifi switch but the cost of that is about 5 times more than Etherregen.)"
This has also been misquoted on the CA forums
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/sotm-snh-10g-network-switches-x2-the-new-king-of-usb-network-...
They unequivocally preferred the single SoTM to the single ER.
They also preferred 2x SoTM’s to 2x ER’s.

It was clear that the SoTM was the superior switch by far albeit at more than twice the price of the ER.
"2. However there was no miracle. All attendees of the gathering, including me myself thought that the SOtM switch was still significantly better. This was not unexpected, because the SOtM was several times more expensive.
3. Single SOtM was better than a single ER (no matter unclocked or clocked).

4. For dual switch format, the sonic performance was SOtMx2 > SOtM to ER > ERx2 (no matter unclocked or clocked). Actually we didn’t like ERx2."

For the record, I do not use nor intend to get either switch nor am I shilling for either.

Unless I missed it (quite possible), I haven't read any listener reports that have compared a stock SOtM sNH-10G (no upgrades at all) at $800 to an Uptone Etherregen at $640.  I would be very interested in reading about such a comparison.

@asindc 

It is interesting given the extreme levels of hype over the past year that the validating glowing reviews aren't just rolling in over the internet.  The buildup seems to have been more exciting than post-launch reality.

I was in the January batch. Evaluating over the weekend, I can confidently say that for my system, the etherregen is a very very positive upgrade. For my digital front-end, I only stream music from tidal.

My previous network audio path connected my bluesound node 2i directly to my router (an old TP link model) via ethernet cable. I inserted the etherregen between my bluesound and the TP link. So in my system, the clock in the etherregen directly replaced the clock in my cheap-o TP link, as well as provide all of the additional isolation benefits.

My system isn't anything fancy by standards on this forum (kef ls50, bluesound node 2i, ps audio stellar gain cell DAC, red dragon s500 class D amp, various aftermarket cables) and I clearly hear a dramatic improvement. Background is inky black. The musical presentation is just so relaxed and effortless, its very hard to describe. Its as if the etherregen removed something that you wouldn't have noticed was there otherwise. My speakers have completely disappeared in the room.

I haven't compared any other network switches, just took the plunge. I have to say that if anyone has a streaming front end and some cheap networking equipment, this is well worth a try in my experience.

I'm in the February batch, so haven't heard it yet. Honestly, I'm fully expecting to send it back for a refund - things like this rarely work out for me.  Regardless, I'll give it a fair listening test by doing a blind A/B test with my wife's ears. I'll report back when finished.