ifi LAN iSilencer

Thanks, Dave.

I would avoid any Ethernet device with a ground wire. Based on an article I read a year or two ago, Ethernet surge protectors encourage high currents through the Ethernet cables. The better strategy indoors is to use Ethernet isolators which typically offer around 4kV of isolation between one side and another. This will force a surge current to take another path besides through the wires.

About the only place I might consider one is at the entrance to a home.  Personally I use an external gas discharge to protect the cable company's coaxial and internally use an Ethernet to fiber converter to create an air gap between their modem and my router.

@boucher Sorry to hear about your very rare negative experience with the iSilencer.  I have three iSilencers in my system to brilliant effect.  Happy listening.

@arnold_h

+1

There was a sequential series of clear and unambiguous audio performance improvements provided by the following upgrades as follows until concluding with the iFI Silencer:

in order: investing in the following for my MOON 280D MIND2 streamer / DAC.

- First, premium silver over copper high-end build Ethernet cables with Telegartner connectors

- Next, an “ audiophile grade’ Silent Angel network switch ( yeah, yeah I know, I was a card-carrying “WTF? Are you sh**tin’me?” Hardline skeptic too, until I actually bought one myself …. It worked for me )

-Next, an external quality high-end build linear power supply for the Silent Angel network switch, replacing the cheap provided OEM switch style wall wart .(this wall wart was better than most ) 

NOTE: All three.had progressive incremental audio performance upticks.

Finally, I read about first and drank the KoolAid reviews and bought the IFI gizmo…..

my take ….” Kind of? … maybe a bit, I guess ….” to even leaning to “meh?”

TAKEAWAY:

- The iFI did not have anywhere near the same clear and unambiguous audio performance upticks produced by my first three steps above .

- In fairness, it is a very small size apparatus and a non-unique device among other available peer options, offered at a puny fraction of the price of each other three items first listed .

= Choose wisely.

@erik_squires 

That's an interesting idea.  I talked with my wife about what they do -- they have two things going on. 

First, is patient safety to interrupt a surge because the patient is strapped to a machine that, in turn, is tied to the LAN.  What they do there is have the grounded/gas surge protector between the monitor and the LAN.  Having a ground wire is considered part of the standard of care and mandated by the FDA.

Second is isolation of the patient from electronic noise.  (They have multiple sensors detecting very faint electrical signals from the heart.  Kind of like a super EKG.)  This has to be very precise because they do ablations (surgery on the heart to stop irregular heart rhythms) while the patient is strapped up.  For these "very local" connections they use the simple, non-grounded, isolators.  They are typically less than $10.

The iFi silencer is one of these simple sub $10 devices, marked up.