AUDIO over IP - REDNET 3 & 16 Review. AES67 Sets A New Standard for Computer Audio

[occamsrazor]

  +1
unless ethernet connections are not fully electrically isolated, which I believe they aren't (at least fully) because of the positive impact of good quality LAN-isolators like the Acousense GISO GB.
 
http://www.artistic-fidelity.de/index.php/en/giso-isolator

 
I read some stuff about them before and it was positive but to be honest I am put off by the lack of any real information, specifications, photos, prices etc on their website.
Also I'm not sure how their system is supposed to be better than Fiber Media Converters.....

 

[Iving]

  Naturally I'm not at all denying anyone's personal experiences, but if the primary SQ benefit of AOIP is removal of all noise from the playing system via the ethernet isolation, then I'm finding it theoretically hard to understand what is believed to be the mechanism for SQ improval when altering the playback machine in terms of adding LPS to the pc/mac etc.

 
I have a feeling that "all noise" upstream of the first ethernet connection may involve aspects and attributes of the broadcasting machine (whether PC or Mac) that mitigate types of "noise" or "signal error" other than "electrical noise" (of the kind that we consider remedied by LPSs/isolation etc). ... and, so, whilst leakage of electrical noise along ethernet may be possible or not possible for all I know, I do think that some or other "timing noise" [aetiological wrt *jitter* error?] may be in play too (to a lesser extent it seems with an unencumbered machine). There has to be some explanation (aside from subjective prejudice!) for the massive SQ enhancement (PRaT is the first thing noticed but the effect is general and unmistakeable) I experienced as a consequence of PC upgrade.

 

[jabbr]

I read some stuff about them before and it was positive but to be honest I am put off by the lack of any real information, specifications, photos, prices etc on their website.
Also I'm not sure how their system is supposed to be better than Fiber Media Converters.....

I have one and in my USB-period I used it between the playback PC and the switch to the rest of the LAN where my NAS is also connected to. My USB SPDIF converter was then connected to the playback PC. The GISO GB was a very significant improvement showing that a lot of disturbance came in over the ethernet cat cabling.

The advantage of the GISO GB is that it is a passive device, just containing a very good transformer, fit for the purpose it is intended for.

The FMC, which I now use with the Rednet, is an active device requiring a PSU and carries the risk of injecting 'new' noise at the converter at the receiving end. I avoid that by using one of the rails of my Paul Hynes linear PSU to power the converter at the Rednet end.


The Acousence website used to have better information when it was still part of their Acousence website. Now they setup this acoustic-fidelity site to deal with all their hardware and their focus has shifted to the USB isolating devices and the GISO is left dangling a bit.
They have two GISO's: the DS model with only 4 cat-wires connected and therefore limited to 100 Mb/s; and the GB model which has all 8 cat-wires connected and allows for 1 Gb/s speeds. Prices where about €250 & €350 if I remember correctly.
One of the positive aspects from this product for me was the fact that Acousence is first and foremost a music production company focussed on high quality, high resolution music and they developed this device for use in their own production environment. It was just a by-product they could sell outside as well.

If you are interested I would just write them an email and see if you can try one first before you buy. They were very easy to deal with and communicating in english is no problem.

 

[rb2013]

 
The HDPlex is a good LPS. You need the UpTone Audio PCB conversion to allow it to run on 12V DC and remove the SMPS inside it.

Acuatlly looked at the HDPLex LPS - way overpriced for what you get.  LT1083 LDO (Meh) with 180uv of noise 30dB of PSRR - they do use an R-Core transformer.  But for  $395 silly priced.
 
You can get the much better MEIYAN 100VA Low Noise LPS for less then half.  Discrete three stage regulation - 14uv noise - very high PSRR 102dB.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131867485038?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true
 
5.5A to 12V
 
Here is a link to my power supply threads:
 
At the bottom of this PART2 I list the common IC LDOs:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/821731/audio-power-supplies-part-2-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options
 
In PART 3 the commonly available LPS's:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/822160/audio-power-supplies-part3-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options

 

[rb2013]

Paul Hynes made SR3 level linears specifically for the Mac Mini, that how I got into contact with him.
Check the (very) old posts on his thread on AudioCircle where he introduces these SR3 for the Mac.

Here is his new website:
http://paulhynesaudio.com
 
Long wait times for delivery - large backorder.

 

[rb2013]

  +1
unless ethernet connections are not fully electrically isolated, which I believe they aren't (at least fully) because of the positive impact of good quality LAN-isolators like the Acousense GISO GB.
 
http://www.artistic-fidelity.de/index.php/en/giso-isolator

Interested to see if anyone has tried one of these with the Rednet.
 
I tried the optical GB SMC fiber - with LPS's on sender and reciever - using a BJC CAT6 UTP cable between the RN3 and TP-LINK MC210CS  - I could not hear any difference.  This SMC  provides complete galvanic isolation.
 
If you are using a shielded STP Ethernet cable then it probably would.

 

[occamsrazor]

 
Acuatlly looked at the HDPLex LPS - way overpriced for what you get.  LT1083 LDO (Meh) with 180uv of noise 30dB of PSRR - they do use an R-Core transformer.  But for  $395 silly priced.
 

 
On the other hand you get 5 different outputs.... which I guess is one of the main attractions.

 

[Tboooe]

 
Acuatlly looked at the HDPLex LPS - way overpriced for what you get.  LT1083 LDO (Meh) with 180uv of noise 30dB of PSRR - they do use an R-Core transformer.  But for  $395 silly priced.
 
You can get the much better MEIYAN 100VA Low Noise LPS for less then half.  Discrete three stage regulation - 14uv noise - very high PSRR 102dB.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131867485038?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true
 
5.5A to 12V
 
Here is a link to my power supply threads:
 
At the bottom of this PART2 I list the common IC LDOs:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/821731/audio-power-supplies-part-2-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options
 
In PART 3 the commonly available LPS's:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/822160/audio-power-supplies-part3-smps-lps-supercap-battery-diy-route-new-devices-opens-up-new-options

I actually have the HDPlex 300W ATX supply for my server pc. Being able to connect directly to the various internal PC power cables and avoid having to use a DC ATX board was attractive to me.  Looks like it only uses the 1083 for the adjustable and 5v outputs.  Not sure about the other outputs though.  I am now thinking of picking up the Meiyan for my NAA which only accepts 12V input.  $200 with shipping is not bad at all.

 

[grizzlybeast]

Maybe I don't have it:
 
I am getting the clicks and noises again whenever my desk is moved. The sound quality sounds slightly more natural but honestly its not worth the 999 to me. I will give it more time. I bought this unit used from Andrew. The USB is a little more vibrant but less smooth. I need to give it some time before I just kick it to the curb because I move around a lot on my desk. I.e. I hit the desk when the music is playing to go along with the beats some times when I really get going and it is causing noises. I may in the end just end up with a Singxer U-1. 
 
I am wondering if when my AES cable arrives, if that will make a notable difference over Coax but still the little clicks etc are really annoying. When I reported it stopped it was because my desk didn't have any movement and I changed the latency. Now it only makes noises (or the signal hiccups) when I move the desk. 
 
Maybe I don't have the ears to really appreciate the difference
 
Maybe I don't have it set right
 
Maybe I shouldn't assess it until I have the AES cable. 
 
Maybe the Pavane itself is doesn't benefit as much from this and already sounds really good from the USB ( though the lifatec cable sounded a little better as well )
 
Maybe I need to take time to appreciate the differences. 
 
No freaking way am I gonna spend another grand to add a clock... hell no. 
 
I do notice a more effortless feel to the music where it sounds less strained and more naturally flowing but again the difference is not worth 999. . . . YET

 

[astrostar59]

 
Acuatlly looked at the HDPLex LPS - way overpriced for what you get.  LT1083 LDO (Meh) with 180uv of noise 30dB of PSRR - they do use an R-Core transformer.  But for  $395 silly priced.
 
You can get the much better MEIYAN 100VA Low Noise LPS for less then half.  Discrete three stage regulation - 14uv noise - very high PSRR 102dB.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131867485038?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rmvSB=true
 

Where are the noise figure you are quoting? Note the HDPlex has maybe 70USD worth of Elna Caps for smoothing. It is used by many building  Caps and they also do caps units as well.
 
I thought it was good value and has been reliable and quiet. Thgere is many cheap crappy units from China but this is not one of them. The Uptone Audio unit (same R-Core) is 3 times more money. Also the unit you say is better is 100Watt not 150Watt.
 
In addition many of the devices in this area needing DC power are low in consumption. I had my EVo convertor, EVO clock and my Mac Mini all running on the HDPlex. The MEIYAN has ONE OUPUT plug, that's it. So in my view the HDPlex get me 3 LPS supplies in one box, 150 Watt capacity, so is a good buy. Also there is a genuine 3 year no questions asked warranty on the HDPlex with the German importer. Good to know. Some Chinese made stuff packs up inside 6 months I have found....
 
So price isn't everything. Need confirmation from you where you got the noise figures?
 
Paul Hynes PS's are good I am told by those who have them, but not cheap, in fact more money than the HDPlex for the same output.

 

[Iving]

If using Windows and experiencing latencfy issues see c. p.55 of this thread ... a crucial setting is in CP/Device Manager/Network Adapter >>> Interrupt Mod

 

[jabbr]

Here is his new website:
http://paulhynesaudio.com

Long wait times for delivery - large backorder.

That's the website from the company he setup to do the lower spec models in license.
Lead times of 1 - 3 weeks is very, very short indeed compared to Hynes' handmade higher spec models.

 

[Acrobat77]

Guys, the info you're sharing on Paul Hynes is a bit outdated (just like his websites! )

I've had the pleasure of dealing with him when I aquired an SR7EHD-MR4 (ehd= extra heavy duty mr4=multi rail, 4 rails) from him earlier this year. I've shared some information about his products and Paul Hynes Design and Paul Hynes Audio on a different forum I'm active at. When interested see: http://devialetchat.com/showthread.php?tid=46&pid=40182#pid40182 and subsequent posts.

Most important fact to set straight is that Paul Hynes Audio now manufactures all PH designs up to and including the SR7.

 

[patrikh]

Hey, I'm just now installing the rednet but the controller gets always stuck on firmware update. Do you have any idea where to download the correct firmware to be installed manually since I can't seem to find it...

 

[Iving]

  Hey, I'm just now installing the rednet but the controller gets always stuck on firmware update. Do you have any idea where to download the correct firmware to be installed manually since I can't seem to find it...

Install rednetcontrol-1.10.exe and don't use wireless