ifi Ethernet Optical Isolator

[hardcore]

Hi all, wanted to share my experience with a new product from ifi (Silentpower):

LAN iPURIFIER PRO – SilentPower

It's a single box solution which internally converts ethernet to optical and back, to achieve optical galvanic isolation. Previously you'd have to buy 2 separate FMCs to convert to optical and back, which require separate power supplies. This is an elegant purpose-built solution.

I am using it between my network router and my streamer (in my case, a PC). The difference is very noticeable. Cleaner highs, more detail, and a more natural tone.

The LAN iPurifier Pro comes with a basic 5V power supply which is just okay. It can also be powered by any 5V USB port or supply. I am powering it with a good linear power supply, and that significantly improves the sound.

I previously used their passive ifi LAN iSilencer which worked well enough. This iPurifier Pro is better. It sounds more focused, cleaner, more natural and consistent.

As a side note, I now notice that some of my ethernet cables have a sound signature. I have a few Audioquest Cinnamon ethernet cables which are shielded and grounded at one end, and they sound a bit darker with slightly recessed mids. With the ifi LAN iPurifier Pro, I prefer basic unshielded ethernet cables, which sound more neutral and even. The package comes with 1 short unshielded ethernet cable.

[ray1234]

From my experience, all LAN silencing product will have some effect on the sound. Personally, I am using a cheap chinese FMC, about USD10 for two I think, works very well. I think a lot of LAN silencing product tends to over-silence, resulting in some loss in air in sound, this cheap FMC does not do that, all FMC does is increase the size of the soundstage and also extend the harmonics of music instruments.

When playing with FMC, a few points to note :

1) use dual optical, dual optical sounds better than single
2) use single mode FMC, single mode sounds better than multi
3) optic fibre makes a difference in sound, since they are cheap try as many different brands as you can and choose the best one, and only use glass fibre cables, not plastic ones.
4) network cables change sound signature, try out different cables.... it is not necessarily that most expensive cables sound the best, so try out different network cables, some cheap ones sound good as well, personally I use a chinese brand called Hellolink, very reasonably priced, I don't believe in those USD2000 network cables. However, there is one brand of network connector that always works - Telegartner, always terminate the network cables with Telegartner, I haven't found a network connector that sound better than this one.

Adding an audiophile switch will further improve, it is just never ending for CAS audio....

[BoyScout]

I am, more or less, in a very similar process.
I moved my system from one place to another, and I am around ethernet cables, switches, power suplies, etc.
And one thing i can assure: audio grade switch and ethernet cable matters a lot.
I will study that LAN Purifier or Silencer too. It´s new for me.
Those from FMC (the chinese ones) i coulndn´t find it.

[ray1234]

Those from FMC (the chinese ones) i coulndn´t find it.

Type in Fibre Media Convertor in Aliexpress, you will find plenty.

Another thing you have to bear in mind, this cheap FMC has very poor transformers that are very noisy. Put the transformers of these cheap FMCs in a separate electric network than the power network for your hifi, otherwise the interference from these cheap transformers is going to mess up your hifi.

[hardcore]

From my experience, all LAN silencing product will have some effect on the sound. Personally, I am using a cheap chinese FMC, about USD10 for two I think, works very well. I think a lot of LAN silencing product tends to over-silence, resulting in some loss in air in sound, this cheap FMC does not do that, all FMC does is increase the size of the soundstage and also extend the harmonics of music instruments.

When playing with FMC, a few points to note :

1) use dual optical, dual optical sounds better than single
2) use single mode FMC, single mode sounds better than multi
3) optic fibre makes a difference in sound, since they are cheap try as many different brands as you can and choose the best one, and only use glass fibre cables, not plastic ones.
4) network cables change sound signature, try out different cables.... it is not necessarily that most expensive cables sound the best, so try out different network cables, some cheap ones sound good as well, personally I use a chinese brand called Hellolink, very reasonably priced, I don't believe in those USD2000 network cables. However, there is one brand of network connector that always works - Telegartner, always terminate the network cables with Telegartner, I haven't found a network connector that sound better than this one.

Adding an audiophile switch will further improve, it is just never ending for CAS audio....

Interesting feedback, thanks. I didn't go for separate FMCs because it's just so many separate devices and power supplies.

On the sound signature, comparing the two ifi Products, this is what I find:
- Optical LAN iPurifier Pro: Cleaner, more focused sound, more detailed, but can sound sharper
- Galvanic isolation LAN iSilencer: Warmer and more diffused, mids sound more forward

Using a combination of the two, with the optical right before the streamer, and the galvanic ones between the network devices.

About ethernet cables, with the optical LAN iPurifier Pro, I prefer UTP (unshielded) cables. There are 2 types: stranded and solid core. So far, I can only find stranded 1m ones. I think solid core UTP cables are mostly sold in bulk and used in data centers. I'd be curious to try UTP solid core cables.

The Audioquest ethernet cables are solid core (they are stiffer), but they are also shielded with shield grounded at source end, which affects the neutrality of the sound in my system.