Forums - Print Page

Forums
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl
AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1720299424

Message started by Hearafter on 07/06/24 at 21:57:04

Title: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Hearafter on 07/06/24 at 21:57:04

I thought I would share a recent tweak I picked up on from an Audiogon thread. I had another “Oh My” moment similar to the Snubway results. It’s the Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter. Ships from England with a return guarantee. I have tried several ethernet filters IFi, pink faun, AQ with no improvement. This one made a noticeable improvement I did not expect.
My set up: Mesh router-ethernet cable-FMC-optical cable- FMC- ethernet- SmoothLAN-smoothLan ethernet cable- Bricasti streamer

https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/stack-audio-smooth-lan-open-streaming/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0_jzoouYEdlaZKiV1IosB1XLIpPYqmcIPZdVl9tZhy1woM_qqYpyhqZkY_aem_AfoNmd6yqps5J0fLXlM_DNP-UYXiJnpS6nc5p7By6suFZwGjNajTnpcMJawcE0Lwar6gDVPadtp_A3Mp_JsfXB1j

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Dominick on 07/10/24 at 14:01:46

Just read the description in the link. Very cool. This is one area I have yet to explore but have been interested for quite some time. My entire house has networking cable in every room in addition to running POE security cameras. SFP connects my switch to my NVR. I have a a 5 port POE hub that feeds my laptop, Raspberry Pi, TV , and other devices. I’m sure this would be a great place to install one.

Thanks for the info….when I’m ready to jump in….I’ll give this one a consideration.

Dom

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Kamran on 07/16/24 at 18:56:44

So as of late, I am a big fan of Stack Audio Equipment footers (AUVA EQ) and I’ve had expanded these footers to my DAC, Streamer, and Switch.

The SmoothLAN was on my radar, but I was pining for the 10x more expensive Muon Pro filter. Not sure if I want to spend that kind of dough on a Network filter after acquiring the PNET and the Teddy Pardo for my upstream Netgear Switch, so I just decided to pull the trigger on the SmoothLan. There seems to be a lot of demand for it as the dispatch time is 2-3 days from order date, so that’s a good sign.

It should be here next week.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by miajackson1117 on 08/05/24 at 10:09:20

great!
quite interesting article

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by miajackson1117 on 08/05/24 at 10:10:39

I am here looking forward to your next post. Thanks

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Kamran on 08/07/24 at 02:13:40

I totally forgot about this thread. I did mention my positive experience with it in my Sarah thread and a private convo with a forum member.

I’ve had it for two weeks with limited listening sessions, but to me, the SmoothLan erased a hard edge to the notes that I didn’t know I had without over smoothing anything. There is also a veil lifting experience with even more clearer, in the room vocals, and increased resolution due to a blacker background.

That said, I’d still give the nod to Stack Audio’s AUVA EQ footers. Those were a game changer over the shitty isoacoustics I’ve had for 2 years.

Big fan of the brand.

Kamran

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Dominick on 08/07/24 at 15:55:16

Kamran….we must be on the same wavelength. I was reading this thread yesterday and was looking for an update from you. I actually was going to call/text you yesterday, but the day got away from me. Glad to hear that you had a positive experience with the SmoothLan.

My 24 port network switch feeds a line to a 5 port POE switch that handles my Raspberry Pi, a laptop housing my Roon core, and a security camera. There’s no doubt in my mind that the signal feeding my system is not optimal. Sounds like the SmoothLan is just the ticket.

Dom

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Kamran on 08/07/24 at 21:57:41

Dom,

The only caveat I would mention in your case is that the smoothlan is capable of handling data speeds up to 100Mbps, which is fine for Hi-Fi.

Therefore, putting it in front of any gear that relies on higher speeds is going to have a negative impact. This is why, my filter is between my Phoenix Net switch (also capped at 100 Mbps) and streamer.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Dominick on 08/07/24 at 22:37:55

Kamran,

Ah…got it. Very good to know. My Unifi switch is a Level 3 fully managed switch, so I would just need to go into the UI and change that port to the 100 Mpbs. I kinda hate limiting the throughput though…especially since it could negatively impact the security camera that captures my living room….unless I change that camera out to a WiFi camera. I run an SFP connection from my Unifi firewall to my Switch…so it looks like it may take some fiddling to hone in the place to add the device.

I’m starting to have my weekends off…so I’m going to give you a shout to work on coordinating a day that you could come over for a listening session. If your SmoothLan is not permanently mounted, maybe you could bring it with you so we could try it out to see how it impacts my system.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Kamran on 08/08/24 at 02:25:57

Yup—more than happy to bring it over.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Dominick on 08/08/24 at 02:42:42

Cool. That would be great to see how it impacts my system.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by HockessinKid on 08/08/24 at 18:35:39

Kamran

Thanks for the additional information on the SmoothLAN Ethernet filter 100Mbps limitation. While my CXN V2 upsamples I am wondering whether placing the filter between my laptop and CXN V2 will adversely effect my sound quality.

I sent an email to Josh as Stack Audio uses a Cambridge Audio EVO 150 in the listening system. He's on annual leave right now, so I'm going to hold off on ordering so I can sort this potential issue out.

HK

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Kamran on 08/08/24 at 19:58:56

Sure Roger—Josh is awesome and he will sort you out.

As long as only the streamer is seeing 100MBps, it should be fine as that is more than enough for Hi-Res streaming. The problem arises when the filter is placed upstream of another device, which relies on faster speeds.

For example, I was thinking of potentially (emphasis on potentially) adding a second one before my first switch and then I immedieltely realized that was a bad idea since that switch feeds my Apple TV, TV, and Denon Receiver and Philips Hue lights. That would negatively impact video streaming. However, I could insert the second one (after) in to the Netgear ethernet slot that connects exclusively to my Hifi.

So the path would be Netgear—SmoothLAN—-Phoenix Net—SmoothLan—Streamer.

All the other slots would remain unaffected, capable of up to 1 Gbps.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Hearafter on 08/08/24 at 20:48:38

My experience having the Smoothlan on both my main 2 channel system and my Home Theatre/ 2nd audio system. Is they certainly improve the SQ and they sound best feeding right in front of the streamer. Mine lost SQ when installed in front of my EtherRegan switch. Much better after it. I would think the Smoothlan would be ideal between a laptop and streamer.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by HockessinKid on 08/08/24 at 21:15:09

Thanks for the info Kamran and Hereafter. Makes sense. I'm planning to put it in front of my Cambridge Audio CXN V2 streamer/DAC.

HK

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by ChrisC on 08/08/24 at 22:38:59

HK, as I have the same streamer I will be very interested to hear your feedback on SQ. Trust you are well!

ChrisC

[smiley=tunes51.gif]

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by HockessinKid on 08/13/24 at 12:57:49

Just ordered a Stack Audio SmoothLAN network filter and set of the AUVA EQ isolators. Should have them in the system in a week or so. Isolators will be going under my modified Cambridge Audio CXN V2 to compare/contrast with my Daedalus isolation devices.

HK

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Lon on 08/18/24 at 10:25:18

I got in a set of the AUVA footers and put them under my SEWE300B ("Millie") :) in place of the VooDoo Cable IsoPods I use.

A just over subtle difference. . a bit richer, a bit more "room" awareness. I like it. (My gut tells me the IsoPods may be a bit more "accurate," but accuracy is not my be all and end all.) I was able to use the IsoPod set I freed up in my audio/visual system where I had to add an additional component (I think an electrical surge that was tornado related may have taken out my Oppo UDP-205 right before we managed to get home in torrential rain, and I had to replace it with two components in order to get sound from DVR and Apple TV in the system: an NAD M51 and a rather nice Sony Blu-ray player--the NAD M51 has really surprised me at being a serious component and at a quarter of its original list a real bargain).

I don't feel that I need another set of these AUVA here, but if I get more audio dollars I may buy one to try under my P15 regenerator.

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by HockessinKid on 08/19/24 at 16:51:14

Stack Audio AUVA isolators and SmoothLAN Ethernet filter have arrived and are installed. Footers under the Cambridge Audio CXN V2 and filter between my laptop & CXN V2.

Josh informed me about 100 hours are required for the Ethernet filter to fully settle in. I'll report back when things are seasoned properly.

HK

Title: Re: Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter
Post by Hearafter on 08/20/24 at 19:15:04

I have noticed the SmoothLan improves with hours of use (70+ seems) per Josh’s comments. Clearer, better dynamics and detail. I just added the Auva EQ 1’s under my Torii Jr and they do improve the SQ as well. Not a dramatic improvement over my inexpensive springs but still an improvement. Very happy to have them. Inexpensive springs, when compressed properly, really perform quite well. They are one of (if not) the “best bang for your buck” tweaks in my experience.