The Front End Digital Foundation

Way to go ultrafast! That’s some seriously impressive audiophile discipline. Lots of moving parts.

I too have recently tried to address the Utility Room front end with the iso transformer, filtering cables, LPSU and vibration EVP pads for everything ( from Norm Varney of AV Room Service.)

And everything is sounding great. However, I don’t have the mental discipline or desire to AB any of these different moves.

I love everything about Audiophilia except for the AB comparing process.

Theoretically, if it makes sense and as long as everything sounds really good, I’m happy with it.

But I wonder about the AT&T modem itself. Maybe someone needs to do an audio mod of these utility modems?
 
I have to hand it to you Ed. Few people would painstakingly dig into the network, power, cable, tweak conundrum we all face in digital audio. And it comforts me knowing that someone else is doing it. :)
 
In the hunt to wind things down is another change, what’s new, right?

I popped out both Audioquest Vodkas from the modem to the router to the AQVox SE switch, and repurposed with Nordost top of the line Ethernet, Heimdell 2.

I put the top of line AQVox Ethernet replacing Heimdell between the Gigafoil and the Aurender N10.

The existing Audioquest Vodka now connects the home Cat5 via the AQVox SE giving a boost to the house despite using a second switch.

I have one remaining Audioquest Vodka sitting neatly coiled awaiting its new mission to either compare against the AQVox Ethernet, and the Heimdell before it or go on to my bedroom system - I get exhausted doing this s#$t.

Much like I learned power from the wall to distribution, I rethought what I have where and applied this method with Heimdell - this was a solid move forward, what a difference!

I let things play at the onset, and could hear it was off to a good start really adding more sense of naturalness is the best way I can describe it and gave the new configuration 7 hours to settle, I’ll let the Aurender stream overnight, where I usually stop streaming only leaving the player on - the modem and switch work 24/7.

IMO the cables take a bit to settle when repurposing I am thinking to address the new signals being passed.

Lesson learned for me, place your best cable from beginning to end, evaluate for performance.

I am really curious when my new Ghent 15M arrives later this week, and I’m not worried about noise on such a run, first because I am already doing this with a cheap Cat 6 cable and have no audible noise, and second I have created a very solid foundation supporting the ability to stream like nobody’s business!

One thing is I’ll not be using a Netgear to address Apple TV and Oppo, lesson learned again, never use more than you need to. I’ll be using the existing long run going direct into Apple TV versus a switch, and not worry about Oppo.

I will try the Ghent first into Apple TV to see what I get before putting it onto Gigafoil, and if it works well for $270.00, I’ll run a second.

HiFi Streaming:

Modem/Router > RJ45 - AQVox SE Switch > RJ45 to Gigafoil > RJ45 to Aurender Out > AES to DAC

Video Streaming:

Modem/Router > RJ45 - AQVox SE Switch > RJ45 to Apple TV > HDMI to Oppo Digital to to DAC

Almost there, hope this helps and Happy Listening [emoji1733]






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I have a HDplex linear PS on it's way to me. Should have it in a few days. It does 19v and 12v so perfect to address my router and modem. Thanks for all the encouragement Ed.

We need to compare the HDplex and Keces. I will bring it by one day. It will be a couple weeks before my schedule opens up.
 
Kingrex said:
I have a HDplex linear PS on it's way to me. Should have it in a few days. It does 19v and 12v so perfect to address my router and modem. Thanks for all the encouragement Ed.

We need to compare the HDplex and Keces. I will bring it by one day. It will be a couple weeks before my schedule opens up.
Click to expand...

I do have an HDplex powering my NAS and that works well.


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Kingrex said:
I have a HDplex linear PS on it's way to me. Should have it in a few days. It does 19v and 12v so perfect to address my router and modem. Thanks for all the encouragement Ed.

We need to compare the HDplex and Keces. I will bring it by one day. It will be a couple weeks before my schedule opens up.
Click to expand...

Good deal on the HDPlex!

Yes, let’s do a comparison, I look forward to it.


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My WIFI router is the only piece in my digital chain that still uses the factory wall wart. It's 12v 2.5A. I was just looking at the HDPlex, Teddy 12/2A or Teddy 12/4.5A power supply. I'm not sure which of the Teddy is best suited for the 12V 2.5A?

As a side question. Why are so many people from the Seattle area into power supplies? :S
 
Kingrex said:
I have a HDplex linear PS on it's way to me. Should have it in a few days. It does 19v and 12v so perfect to address my router and modem. Thanks for all the encouragement Ed.

We need to compare the HDplex and Keces. I will bring it by one day. It will be a couple weeks before my schedule opens up.
Click to expand...

UltraFast69 said:
Good deal on the HDPlex!

Yes, let’s do a comparison, I look forward to it.


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Click to expand...

I look forward to hearing about this comparison.
 
UltraFast69 said:
Rex, it’s recorded in the song, not the system. It plays about 7 - 8 seconds from the start.


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Click to expand...

That "clicking noise" that you refer to is actually made by the bass player when playing the instrument. It is not a really a 'technical' or recording error.
 
nicoff said:
That "clicking noise" that you refer to is actually made by the bass player when playing the instrument. It is not a really a 'technical' or recording error.
Click to expand...

I don’t hear this being the bass player, as it is already starting, it sounds more like something is being selected/switched on in the studio, or going into standby.
 
Well I compared the Audioquest Vodka against the AQVox's top of the line, “Edge" Ethernet cable.

Both are great RJ45s, but I have now replaced the Edge with the Audioquest Vodka between the GigaFoil v4 and Aurender N10 and, I am BLOWN AWAY. The Vodka dropped the noise floor; zero loss in sound quality and gaining several points on the score board. Honestly, I was torn to pull the Nordost Heimdall out the configuration, and repurpose to modems and routers, but it was a solid move, and I think this is helping get more from Vodka than I recall from past use.

I am hoping my 15M Ghent Ethernet cable comes tomorrow, it showed clearing customs in Los Angeles last night. This will span the distance between switch and optical replacing a utility grade Cat 6 and then tell us if Gigafoil has any benefit in sound quality with a better cable going into it.

I can tell you based on my experience, use the best cable coming out of the Gigafoil V4 makes a considerable difference.

Happy Listening!
 
Update 4.057.

Since it was recommended to use a lesser quality cable into Gigafoil and a high quality out of Gigafoil, I played along but consciously I could not leave well enough alone.

I ordered and received my new 15M Ghent made Ethernet cable to replace the generic Cat6 between the AQVox SE switch and the Gigafoil -

Took me a bit to run this long of a cable, and made my son help feed cable as we routed this right at 50’ to my music room.

The Ethernet Cable is budget friendly, very well made, as all of the DC cables I received from Ghent - I highly recommend him and he does do Fiber as well. Here’s the specs

(Belden 1303E CatSnake Ethernet Cable with JSSG360 Dual-shielding protection, especially designed for Audio quality
Purely handmade craftwork, genuine material and solid substance

Cable: Belden 1303E CAT6A CatSnake Cable, support 10GBase-T, 1000Base-T, 100 Base-T...
Connector: Metz Connect CAT6A fully shielded plug (made in Germany), support 10GBase-T)

The cable will take some time to settle in, but after connecting I could hear more openness with a natural sense of timbre and resolution at the onset, things appear to be a bit louder, this cable will break in nicely.

So right now I am not doubting the incoming cable to Gigafoil does matter - I’ll confirm this over the weekend and report.

In a different battle of the Streaming War things were sounding excellent before the Ghent 15M Ethernet arrived as I did replace the Audioquest Vodka with an Audioquest Diamond from the Gigafoil to the Aurender. I highly recommended these two lines from Audioquest, with Diamond just giving you more of Vodka but for many may not be worth the cost, and that’s ok, Vodka is no slouch.

I’m toying with repurposing the Vodkas back in place of the Heimdells at the Modem and Router, as Vodka is wrapped in solid silver and may fit better with Diamond and I’m also thinking about pulling the AQVox SE and replacing this with the SOtM switch with the Silver wired upgrade package and a SOtM 500 Linear Power Supply, and maybe sell a Keces P8, and a couple of Nordost Heimdell 2 Ethernet cables then I’m sticking a fork in it, and enjoy the music for Summer.






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Hello Everyone!

Following up on my reporting; here’s what I did in my last stages of configuration.

Prior:

P8 > Arris Modem - 12v > Heimdell 2 > Eeros Router > Heimdell 2 > AQ Vox SE - SMPS > Belden 1303 Catsnake Cat 6/Ghent 15M > Gigafoil > AQ Diamond > Aurender N10

Current:

P8 > Arris Modem 12v > AQ Diamond > Eeros Router > AQ Vodka > AQ Vox SE > Belden 1303 Catsnake Cat 6/Ghent 15M > Gigafoil > AQ Vodka > Aurender N10

Here’s what I’ve learned on how my system responded to the changes;

- Placing the AQ Diamond from the modem to the router and using AQ Vodka from the router to the AQVox SE switch brought a greater sense of overall sound. Darkness was enhanced, a very natural timbre embodied the instruments, benefitting high, mid and low range. Adding Vodka from Gigafoil to the Aurender N10 sealed the deal!

- A better grade cable between the switch and Gigafoil brought the effects mentioned above improved in a similar manner just at a step below, and for clarity it was not subtle.

- Connecting three other rooms direct from the home network to the AQVox SE to the switch with the cable setup increased picture clarity and benefited the sound at a crazy level.

- The AQ Diamond and Vodka loom out performed my Nordost Heimdell 2’s, I’m not repurposing them elsewhere, they will be posted for sale. Note: Nordost are excellent, but I’m going SOtM and between AQ and the SOtM options having optional silver cable in the build and their DC cables will be I believe will be a better match.

- I noticed cables need a bit of settling when moving burned in chords around in your system, time depends on each application but in a much shorter window.

Future upgrade paths:

- Dedicated Circuit in mechanical room for modem and switch.

- SOtM switch with clock and modified cabling and SOtM LPS

- AQ Diamond cables between router and switch and Gigafoil to N10






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Great work.

I've been addressing the front end as well with a dedicated line in the utility room and a Topaz iso transformer before the Att supplied Arris Modem/Router.

Speaking of Modems, I'm curious if anyone has looked into modifying stock modems into more audio friendly components? All the attention seems to be on the Switch.

I'm also curious to hear about the Ghent/Belden lan cable. I have a 75' cable buried in conduit from the modem to my studio that I could replace if economical. I may check to see if Ghent makes an outdoor version.

And, if you or anyone needs a longer AQ Diamond, I have an 8m that I can sell at a great price.
 
Willco said:
Great work.

I've been addressing the front end as well with a dedicated line in the utility room and a Topaz iso transformer before the Att supplied Arris Modem/Router.

Speaking of Modems, I'm curious if anyone has looked into modifying stock modems into more audio friendly components? All the attention seems to be on the Switch.

I'm also curious to hear about the Ghent/Belden lan cable. I have a 75' cable buried in conduit from the modem to my studio that I could replace if economical. I may check to see if Ghent makes an outdoor version.

And, if you or anyone needs a longer AQ Diamond, I have an 8m that I can sell at a great price.
Click to expand...

Hi

Cool on the dedicated

Not familiar with anyone doing aftermarket modems

For what I’m using the Ghent for, it proved itself and it will stay serving its purpose.

I would see if somehow you can keep the AQ Diamond, unless your dead fast set to sell it.




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I definitely plan to keep using the AQ diamond, I just don’t need an 8m length anymore.

Doesn’t it seem odd that apparently no one is working on a modification to the modem/router? I’m guessing they are a major noise generator.
 
Willco said:
I definitely plan to keep using the AQ diamond, I just don’t need an 8m length anymore.

Doesn’t it seem odd that apparently no one is working on a modification to the modem/router? I’m guessing they are a major noise generator.
Click to expand...

Understood on Diamond

Yes, it seems odd and maybe someone is or will. It would benefit both Audio and Video, and maybe the Video guys will take the lead?

In the interim, keeping the Mainz power to the distribution the best as possible for the linear power supply that powers the modem with decent cables has been my offense in gaining forward momentum.


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Grounding is Performance!

I moved my AQVox SE switch out of music room into my mechanical room when I redid my front end, and when I did that, I lost the benefit of the passive grounding connection from the Nordost QKore 6, or so I thought.

All was not lost, the AQVox SE has a grounding terminal on the power side of the switch. Lucky for me, right behind the switch is the connection box for cable coming into the home, and this includes a grounding cable and connection coming from the outside.

I went to Home Depot and purchased 2’ of 6 gauge solid Copper for $1.40. The plan was to create two loops and screw it in to both the switch and the grounding post in the connection box.

On the drive home I thought to myself there was no way the screw had enough thread to wrap around 6 gauge, and I was right. Then it hit me, copper is soft, so hammer down each end flat, drill two holes and mount - it worked, and boy did it!

Prior, KingRex ran a grounding line from the sub panel to great effect, but there was a slight hum on the Aurender N10 that you had to get close to hear, it’s now gone. The tweeter and mid’s on the Wilson Alexias emitted a faint electrical noise where again you had to get up close to it to hear, it’s now gone. My system is quiet from stem to stern.

What’s odd is even music stored on the Aurender hard drive even sounds significantly better.

I’m hearing black, meaning no noise. Instruments and vocals sound open, smooth and simply amazing and more parts embedded are coming out and clearly pronounced. I always use a handful of songs to critique what I am listening for.

The takeaway:

- Addressing grounding from outside the dedicated circuit is equally as important, meaning network gear.
- As good as the AQVox SE switch is, noise still gets to the switch whether it’s in the line, caused upstream by the modem and router or the switch itself.
- If you have a grounding screw on your switch seriously consider using it!
- I have lost nothing in sound quality, everything now is sounding better than when the switch was connected to QKore 6, I mean night and day.

If I was better at fabricating or perhaps more patient I could have made the flattened terminations more professional. The one in the cabinet in particular but it will never see the light of day, so FK it, I’m done!

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I put my new/used HD Plex power supply on my Router and Modem. I already have a Linear Solution switch with a linear PS. I have all Blue Jeans Ethernet cables. Ed is right. Big change. Big !!!! Much more bass. More clarity as heard by more natural instrument tones. It benefitted everything. Not just the streamed or stored in my NAS. The music stored in my Mojo Audio server usb connected to my Mojo Audio dac also sounds significantly better. I guess it goes to show, injected noise from any source brings the whole of the system down. I'm glad Ed got me excited to go this route.
 
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