PhilSLG

I’ve got the Fidelium speaker cables, which I auditioned then “had to have”. I’ve now placed an order for two pairs of the Fidelium XLRs, to go from my PS Audio Directstream Mk2 DAC and BHK Pre, then onto the BHK300 monoblocks (all PS Audio). I can also say that using the Swiss Digital Fuse Boxes for my PS Audio P20 regenerator and the two BHK300s was transformative.

I bought a Mano Ultra II. Sounds superb and better than my previous Roon Nuc+ > USB > Matrix (Farad Super3 LPS) > PS Audio Directstream setup and Bridge II > PS Audio Directstream. I use an EtherREGEN and AQ Dragon 48 HDMI. It’s apparently a significant upgrade from the first generation, which is glowingly reviewed independently here:

I think I've had the same experience - I previously posted that I thought my etherREGEN had died, then attributed it to the audiophile Ethernet cable, as a no-name cable got it working again. I have subsequently tested the audiophile ethernet cable with my computer and got it surfing the net, so I replaced it with the etherREGEN and it worked. Next day it didn't, but re-starting the etherREGEN got it working again. Not sure what the go is, but it is working at the moment.

Thank you for your opinion and insights. The Bridge II was great when I removed the USB from my Nucleus, but I’m very interested in the options you have recommended, especially the Mano. Did you go for the SR Purple fuse?

Thank you, Alex @Superdad Apologies for my mis-diagnosis and thank you for your guidance. I repeated the comparison and was amazed at the difference pulling the USB cable made. I do have the Bridge II and this is the best I have heard it. Damn! Live and learn… Regards, Phil (I thought I’d sent a reply just before but it mustn’t have saved)

I just did a comparison: 1. EtherREGEN B port to PS Audio Directstream Bridge, versus: 2. EtherREGEN B port to Roon Nucleus+ > SonicArt reference USB > Matrix X-SPDIF2 (Farad Super3 LPS) > AQ Dragon 48 HDMI > PS Audio Directstream DAC (I2S input) There was absolutely no comparison in my set-up. Not even close. Set up #2 just destroyed the Bridge option. Cheers all!

Interesting! I might experiment with that set up. Thanks 😊

Thanks for your reply, @R1200CL. Makes sense. If I used the Bridge on my PS Audio DAC, then I might connect the B side to the DAC, but I like the Matrix very much and just bought the AQ Dragon 48 HDMI. I am certainly tempted to see if the ISO-REGEN adds to the SQ.

Hi @MasterWarzombie My Roon Nucleus+ is my streamer - why do you have both? Thanks, Phil

@R1200CL Thank you for your recommendations. I'm intrigued with the ISO-REGEN now, including the USPCB. Hmmm, very tempting! I'll bear the DC cables in mind if I buy one. Cheers, Phil

Hi Alex, Thank you so much for the prompt and detailed explanation - I really appreciate it, and it has proved to be very enlightening. I only informed Adrian at Afterdark this morning, so the other unit you are receiving is not mine. I have not used an external clock with my etherREGEN. Out of interest, is there any sonic benefit in updating to the latest Firmware you mentioned? I tried a regular ethernet cable from B side to computer and could indeed surf the internet. I then used the same 'no-name' ethernet cable from B side to the Roon Nucleus+ and it worked. I swapped back the audiophile ethernet cable from Afterdark and Roon dropped out again after a brief "flash" of Roon showing up (then dropping out). Swapping the direction of the Afterdark ethernet cable didn't help (didn't think it would but tried). @Adrian ( AfterDark )- I just saw your kind offer of returning the device, but from the testing I just did, it seems that the Afterdark Ethernet cable has become the issue. I find that very odd, given that it has worked since I got it in Sept 2020, so not sure why a cable can go from working to not working when it just sits in a cabinet. At this stage, I will hang on to the etherREGEN, but the ethernet cable looks to have failed somehow. At least I'm listening again - too much background noise at the moment to comment on sound quality, and the etherREGEN has been stone cold for days, so will need to settle in again. Kind regards, Philip

I'm having an issue with my etherREGEN failing, which is disappointing as it makes a wonderful contribution when it is working. I bought it in Sept 2020 (Afterdark), packaged with the Afterdark LPS and upgraded Cat cable. Failed within a month - although I resurrected it by reloading the Firmware via Uptone instructions. Kept working til Jan 2021, then failed again. This time, I sent it back to Afterdark, who reported failed Port A, so the motherboard was replaced and I received it back in Feb 2021. Less than a year later, it's not working again. I keep it on its side as it runs so hot. It's in a custom-made open-backed cabinet and sits near the rear opening for good ventilation. Obviously, with a new motherboard, it's essentially a new device since Jan 2021. My setup: Power: (dedicated power circuit) - PS Audio P20 - Afterdark LPS - etherREGEN. (all audio components run off the P20) Signal: Generic UPS - Internet router - generic ethernet cable - port A: etherREGEN : port B - audiophile ethernet cable - Roon Nucleus+ - SonicArt reference USB - Matrix X-SPDIF2 - AQ Dragon 48 HDMI - PS Audio DAC. Is it just bad luck? Does the heat affect it? I see that Afterdark now have a heatsink option. I'm waiting to hear back from Adrian at Afterdark as to next steps. Unfortunately, I'm back to plugging my ethernet directly to the Roon Nucleus+ which doesn't sound as good. Many thanks, Phil

Hi @sot13 Given that the etherREGEN is designed to galvanically isolate and clean up the ethernet "noise", why do you still need the TP Link MC100CM / optical segment? Doesn't it render that redundant? It would be interesting to hear your feedback on Option 2 vs "Option 3". Has any else compared that set-up? Cheers, Phil

Hi @Superdad Thanks so much for the quick response. Adrian said that he's going to send the device to you! Thing is, other than in October, it's been working fine until now. Also, the other devices (eg Direcstream Bridge II, Apple TV, Oppo) connected to the etherREGEN disappeared at the same time, so it's not a Roon Nuc+ issue. That whole LAN line disappeared. Strange. In any case, I appreciate the invitation to write directly, and your support. I REALLY miss having the etherREGEN in my streaming. In a pretty decent system, it made that critical level of difference. Now I'm focusing on streaming from the files in my SSD than the broader palette of TIDAL. Kind regards, Phil

Hi @R1200CL I don't have an external clock, and the etherREGEN was set to internal. In any case, AfterDark has asked me to return it to them, so it's already on its way to Hong Kong! Cheers, Phil