Has anyone tried the new Synergistic Research UEF Performance Enhancer - Ethernet Filter?

I think all these Ethernet discussions are pretty mind blowing. People who argue for these devices and the companies, know nothing about Ethernet or how related protocols work, not a single person have demonstrated even basic knowledge. This is exactly what these companies count of, and why these companies harass people who perform objective tests, and refuse to have their products undergo any testing at all.

it is super simple, test the product by measuring the output from the speakers. If there is a difference, it will show there, but Uptone, SR and other absolutely refuse to submit their products to this type of testing. That alone, should tell you everything you need to know.

Yawn

I ordered two of these and they should arrive some time next week. I've had good luck with SRs somewhat unconventional products in the past (fuses and ECTs). On the other hand, my ethernet setup is on the other side of an optical network bridge (EMM Labs NS1), and in the past I have heard little difference with Etherregen and fancy ethernet cables with this particular setup. There was a big change from network stuff when I had DCS Bartok connected directly via ethernet, but I didn't like that DAC.

I have come to the conclusion that ethernet brings quite a few digital nasties along, and I have noticed some improvement using similar devices on USB busses.

I also find that the power or grounding systems may also be implicated in this. For instance, my current setup is largely impervious to ethernet cables and Etherregen makes only a small difference. But switching between a copper and silver DC cable from my LPS 1.2 to Etherregen did have some notable qualities. It seems extremely improbable that any change in the signal chain happened, so it would have to be related to the mains or ground noise. Having had a few experiences like these gives me some hope that these tweaks will have an impact on my system, despite the apparent odds. I'm hoping to bring noise contamination down from the system as whole from my router and Etherregen, but I dont believe these will effect the linear signal chain in my case.

We will see...

Ok, after a long wait (maybe some back order or shipping error) I finally received two of the UEF Enhancers. As noted above, I dont generally stream my audio, but my streamer is connected to the network.

First, yes these do change the sound. I found that they increase the space/soundstage and bring out little details like echos and reverb and increase separation. I didn't notice much increase in bass, and I'm guessing that is system dependent.

I tried one at my Etherregen, and the another at my wifi router and then switched it to the etherregen. They had a greater impact at the Etherregen, than the router, but cumulative impact was very similar. 

I actually found that while one was good, two of them start to bring out details to the point or making things a bit analytical and imstruments/voices two dimensional. I'm leaving them both in for a while on the chance that it mellows with time. But so far, with two UEF Enhancers it really robs my system of warmth and some body and gives that to air and soundstage. In all likihood, one is all I need.

Now, when I switched to Qobuz (instead of stored files) I noticed a different and more euphonic effect. Streaming still has some grit and noise that i don't like, but somehow there is a sweetness and 3D quality added that I am hearing. So, definitely improves streaming more than stored files, and in this case two of them are quite appropriate. I still prefer stored uncompressed files, however.

So yeah, they do some kind of ferrite-like thing that strongly favors network streaming, but also changes the sound even without streaming, and can be a bit much if you use too many of them (soundstage vs warmth/body).

I have some Furutech NCF boosters that I generally don't like near my audio stuff, but have been using the ferrite effect to good effect on the router and modem near the wall. Maybe removing one of them will balance the UEF Enhancers. And maybe they will change a little over time, but I think there probably isn't anything in there to burn in.

Ok, so after a day or two I originally removed both UEF Enhancers and had a mind to send them back, because what I was hearing was a bit analytical and lacking body.

Anyway, the sales rep talked me I to letting them burn in for another 150 hours. I honestly don’t know if they changed, my hearing changed, or of other small tweaks to my system contributed to it, but now things sound really good with both of them in there. Compared to my first impression the sound is smoother and more coherent, and there may be a little more bass weight and impact. Overall, I feel like my system is more transparent with them in, and the weight that might have been lost actually seems more like bloat now. I’m getting a very accurate frequency response, bigger soundstage, more detail, and more articulate bass.

Looks like they will stay after all. Pretty wild how something like this can make such a difference. It must be effecting the electrical field of the whole system. Similar to the SR fuses, but without the big improvements in bass and immediacy.