Here is an update on the EdisCreation Silent OCXO Switch, standard version of it, as I finally put it in my audio system, after I left it running in a different place in the house for almost over 24 hours:
First, let’s be real, it’s a switch. We are not talking here about replacing “my” Walmart receiver with a top quality amp. So my expectations are very realistic here, I have been in this hobby for almost twenty years now, and I have tried many things. And yet, I am thrilled to report my expectations were exceeded by a very wide margin. For a switch. If I say “I was pleasantly surprised”, it would be an understatement. In an attempt to quantify: “before” and “after” the Edison’s Switch, I was expecting a difference of between 0% to +2%. Centered towards / close to 0% in expectations to be honest. First couple of hours of listening (actually more like the first seconds sound came out with it in place), a solid +4-5%! I would have even put higher percentage, but I am really trying hard not to sound REALLY silly or heavily struck by placebo Yeah, I know putting percentages here is a bit silly, but hey! Why not?
I was very happy with my previous switch, the EtherRegen, from launch first batch November 2019, but this is better. To my ears. I am sorry. It is also more expensive, at upper $800s, once you factor in shipping and current exchange rate USD vs. Hong Kong $. Truth be told, the EtherRegen was the first and only “audiophile” switch I tried very early, and made me believe they CAN make a difference. So here is that.
I don’t know why it sounds good, don’t ask me technical questions or ask me to provide measurements as proof . Just my own subjective impressions. Maybe it’s the superior built-in optimized OCXO clock, or the built in linear power supply, or the case, or the ground lifting pots (which by the way are a great idea!), or the connectors, or.... who knows. I just know I like what it does for me.
Just a couple of observations on sound I can easily discern: better tonal quality. Instruments sound more accurate, more natural. Some people call this timbre. In other words, sound is more natural to my ears, or to what I perceive to be “natural”. Better dynamics, as in improved difference between quiet and loud passages. The sound is now more clearly defined, sharper outlined phantom images, which I think it gives me an enhanced ability to hear the brief moments of silence between the passages. Overall, quieter, more naturally pleasing “cozy”, “fuller” sound, having lost nothing in details, or “speed” and impact.
I did ground the Edison Silent OCXO switch to my Shunyata Everest CGS ports, and why not, I have the Everest already, spare ground cables, and the Edison switch has the ground terminal. So nothing I had to pay extra for to ground it. I isolated the ground on the outlet pot connected to main room switch, and left the ground pot connected on the outlet feeding my streaming DAC (Esoteric N-01XD).
Still too early, although I feel confident it can only get better, not worse. To the point of thinking of getting a second one (I should really try to fight these ideas in my head , unhealthy). If I do get a second one, I will use it to replace main house switch in this room, which will feed my HT equipment stuff (video streamers, TVs, DVR), as well as feed the second Edison switch dedicated to my stereo for cascading. Still just a thought, it has eight outlets as an added “bonus” for convenience and multiple usage, which comes handy in this scenario. I am totally aware it might not be the same improvement in size I get now for the one audio-dedicated switch.
Bottom line: I feel this is money very well spent FOR ME. Absolutely zero regrets or buyer’s remorse. Thanks to
@CKKeung for starting this thread and
@Stereophonic as well (another thread), and for bringing this to my attention. It’s sometimes the smaller companies, hidden under the radar, that make innovative products at relatively affordable prices.