Yes. I had a huge improvement in sound from the Ansuz switch. There was a noticeable improvement in clarity, soundstage, and bass on my system. But it did even better over time.
Best audiophile switch
- Thread starter Frankie67
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Yes. I had a huge improvement in sound from the Ansuz switch. There was a noticeable improvement in clarity, soundstage, and bass on my system. But it did even better over time.
I’m not entirely sure about this. If the switches lower noise, which is my experience, then they should work in everyone’s system. The only difference is the amount of resolution in each system which will vary and with more you hear more of the difference.
Don't agree they are doing more than just lowering noise. Some switches I've tried made the system cleaner and leaner and others have gone the other way.
for sure the Reiki did more than lower noise; although maybe lower noise is a component of other gains. it also improved the 'life' and 'jump factor' where the music is now lighter on it's feet and more propulsive. more musical flow and less processed sounding. slightly more separation and layering. all quite small things but add up to a more engaging experience.
it certainly does not strangle, filter or tamp down the noise, it frees up the music.
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Propulsive is a good word. The Raku cable is easily characterized by that word. There is that other thread about PRAT. This is exactly what the Reiki/Raku give to a system.
I am using it. W Stock IEC Inlet (Not Linear PSU Modded yet)
The ethernet cables are important
The newer or older model?
Mine's older. I think focused purely for ethernet.
Newer has SFP input and clock-sync to the fibre box.
FYI my current ethernet cable are (in this direction) SoTM DCBL-CAT7U >> Sablon 2020 ethernet
The older model. I don't have fibre connected.
My cables are a new Aussie brand, Shi-Tone. They're amazing.
I may be able to borrow an Reiki switch from Alan at hifibuys and try it in my system.
good move. now 6 weeks in i continue to hear the 'extra' realism from the Reiki switch. the cherry on top seem like.
I'm currently listening to a Synergistic Research demo switch. Although this one is thoroughly broken in, it took two days to open up. Previously, I thought the Synergistic stuff was fairly far on the voodoo side of the continuum. But, if I use an active switch, I prefer a compact, one-piece unit that is complete as is. As I said to a friend who is an audiophile: My mind is skeptical but my ears remain open.
For this experiment, the switch sits close to the router, which resides in a different room from hifi. Therefore, the patch cable from the switch feeds the in-wall ethernet, which eventually feeds a passive filter and the MU2 streamer/DAC (this is the only wired connection to the router). I know that most manufacturers suggest getting the switch as close to the streamer as possible, but this setup is easy to implement and get a feel for the gear.
After two days, the main effect was an increased sense of depth. The sound does not move closer to the listener, an effect I do not prefer, instead one hears more of the size of venue, as if the soundstage extends further to the rear of the speakers. Better yet, it seems airier (but not lacking in impact in any way). Similar to using a diffuser but perhaps 10x that effect. The overall effortless flow of the music also increases. I believe both of these are not sound effects, but result from a lower noise floor that allows the true qualities of the MU2 to be heard.
Next, I inserted the small UEF ethernet filter into an unused RJ45 port of the switch. Very disappointing. Suddenly, the switch's beneficial qualities were diminished. After an hour, I almost removed the filter at that point. Give me back the good stuff! But, assuming that the designer had his reasons for this option, I just let the music play in the background for a few more hours.
After a few hours, I wanted to listen to one song from Pat Metheny's MoonDial, but before I had realized it I had listened to the whole album. The timbre of his specially designed baritone guitar with its highly specialized nylon strings was effortlessly revealed. As was his intricate playing. What came to mind was not "this sounds real" but "this is so beautiful."
In short, so far, so good. Will keep listening. Down the road I will substitute the SR-included power cord with a Kubala-Sosna PC since I have one available.
For this experiment, the switch sits close to the router, which resides in a different room from hifi. Therefore, the patch cable from the switch feeds the in-wall ethernet, which eventually feeds a passive filter and the MU2 streamer/DAC (this is the only wired connection to the router). I know that most manufacturers suggest getting the switch as close to the streamer as possible, but this setup is easy to implement and get a feel for the gear.
After two days, the main effect was an increased sense of depth. The sound does not move closer to the listener, an effect I do not prefer, instead one hears more of the size of venue, as if the soundstage extends further to the rear of the speakers. Better yet, it seems airier (but not lacking in impact in any way). Similar to using a diffuser but perhaps 10x that effect. The overall effortless flow of the music also increases. I believe both of these are not sound effects, but result from a lower noise floor that allows the true qualities of the MU2 to be heard.
Next, I inserted the small UEF ethernet filter into an unused RJ45 port of the switch. Very disappointing. Suddenly, the switch's beneficial qualities were diminished. After an hour, I almost removed the filter at that point. Give me back the good stuff! But, assuming that the designer had his reasons for this option, I just let the music play in the background for a few more hours.
After a few hours, I wanted to listen to one song from Pat Metheny's MoonDial, but before I had realized it I had listened to the whole album. The timbre of his specially designed baritone guitar with its highly specialized nylon strings was effortlessly revealed. As was his intricate playing. What came to mind was not "this sounds real" but "this is so beautiful."
In short, so far, so good. Will keep listening. Down the road I will substitute the SR-included power cord with a Kubala-Sosna PC since I have one available.
Hi Todd!
If you are able to recall, would you please compare for us your sonic impressions of the Ansuz versus the Reiki?
Was there any sense in which one was "warmer" more "full-bodied" or more "organic" than the other?
Which model of Ansuz Ethernet switch did you audition?
Has anyone experimented with placing a fancy audiophile ethernet switch in-line in front of or behind an EtherRegen?
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
You would want it in front of the EtherRegen per Uptone. Ron I have not.
I have used the EtherRegen downstream from an LHY SW-10. I currently convert to optical in an opticalModule Deluxe, handing off to an ER, both using Teddy Pardo supplies.
I have a buddy with a pricier system than mine who was using the EtherRegen at the network end, with the SW-10 at the audio end. I convinced him to reverse them, which he did and prefers. We both preferred the oMD to the SW-10 for the optical conversion.
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