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Old 11-15-2017, 06:10 PM
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Default SOtM ISO-CAT6 passive isolator --Anyone use or consider this device?

"With the advent of full-resolution streaming à la Qobuz and WiMP/Tidal subscriptions, the Ethernet link between router and PC has become more critical for SQ. Or so audiophiles who are invested not in WiFi but designer CAT6 cables believe. That incidentally is a subject rife with derision from the IT quarters. Their folks know that the Ethernet protocol is immune to cable quality. Either the connection passes signal. Or it drops out. There's no middle ground. Period. Amen. Those intrepid adventurers who've actually compared generic Ethernet meds to the costlier chems dispute it. This has opened the doors to €4'000+ luxo Ethernet cables. Their buyers are likely hip to this fact. Most ambitious DACs use miniature isolation transformers or opto-couplers on their digital inputs. Here galvanic isolation for USB DACs has become one of them busy buzzy words. Computers are noisy evil doers. Keep their noxious HF chatter away from our pure signal. That's the task at hand. Do you imagine that these same audiophiles have grown restless again worrying whether their music computer's Ethernet port is equally fortified?

South Korea's Soul Of the Music aka SOtM iSO-CAT6 inline 'black box' inserts a digital isolation transformer plus sundry unreported bits into the Ethernet pipeline. That strips off noise which invades from the routers' ground plane. As Wikipedia reports, "network isolators are installed as part of a copper Ethernet system as galvanic isolators. Network data continues to be transmitted across an electrically non-conducting barrier through the applied principle of electromagnetic induction whereby high-frequency AC voltages conveying data are induced across an isolating gap. The network isolator is therefore a passive device and functions without any requirement of an external power supply."

$350



Thanks

Bob
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Old 11-16-2017, 04:38 AM
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I have been looking into this for a while, did not know about the SOtM offer yet.

The one from Aqvox might be an option also, almost the same cost.

http://www.myhifishop.de/Devices/AQ-...ml?language=en
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Old 11-16-2017, 06:48 PM
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RJ-45 jacks in routers and switches are already transformer isolated. Isolation is part of the IEEE 802.3 specification that defines the physical layer of the Ethernet. So I'm not sure what this device would actually do. It is transformer coupling an already transformer coupled signal. It will most likely degrade the performance of an Ethernet cable which may have an audible effect. Not sure.

The AQVOX switch could actually do something that a basic switch doesn't do. Love to try one out on a no-risk basis to see if I could hear an improvement in SQ.
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Last edited by W9TR; 11-17-2017 at 12:03 AM.
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Old 11-17-2017, 05:08 AM
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I have ordered an Aqvox yesterday, I only pulled one ethernet cable to the area of my equipment, with two streamers and TV it is getting a bit of a hassle to change the cable everytime. Delivery time is two weeks maximum, wil report my findings here.

On the Devialetchat.com website there is already a thread on this switch with good results.
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Old 11-17-2017, 09:28 AM
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I'm in the same situation - a single Ethernet cable to my rack and then a switch to handle the devices. If this switch makes a difference it will be worth it.
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Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation

SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC

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Old 11-18-2017, 07:24 AM
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Received the confirmation email that my "audiophile" switch is on the way, if it not degrades anything (what I hear normal ethernet switches can do) I will be happy with it, if it improves streaming Tidal that will be the icing on the cake
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Old 11-18-2017, 07:32 AM
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my apologies for hijacking the thread, but I guess it is interesting for members that are looking into the subject of ethernet cable isolation. (passive or active)
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Old 11-18-2017, 10:10 AM
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Yes, it will be great to see if the Active aqvox switch will make a sonic improvement.

It is also good to point out that unlike USB and coax connections, Ethernet is all transformer coupled and galvanically isolated.

Ethernet can still induce noise into your system. An isolator won't really help because in order to pass the Ethernet signal some noise will pass along with it.

An active switch has the potential to strip off any extraneous noise coming in on the Ethernet cables.
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Main System:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80
Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic
Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation

SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC

MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.

Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3

OnDeck:
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Old 11-18-2017, 12:06 PM
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I'm not really sure it's a true isolation transformer even though that's what they call it -- besides, most provider connections cannot support Gigabit Ethernet isolation. 10/100Base -T sure as noted in 802.3an layering.

SOtM says using their CAT 6 (or 7) cable along with their box consists of passive electronic parts which don't influence the LAN signal but do affect noise. They call it "The 10GBASE-T Ethernet Magnetics is an Ethernet isolation transformer but the only one which supports the 10GBASE-T specs."



Still though quite interesting and there are several similar devices out there all claiming better performance.

Best Sirs,

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.

Last edited by vintage_tube; 11-18-2017 at 12:27 PM.
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