For what its worth - This is my current home network setup:
ISP (1000 D / 50 U) -> Asus AC5300 -> Netgear GS108 (iPowerX) -> TPLink M9Deco (iPowerX) -> 5GHZ wifi -> TPLink M9Deco (iPowerX) -> TPLink MC220L (iPowerX) -> SFP input EtherRegen (iPowerX) -> iFi ZenStream (iPowerX)
In order of perceived improvement:
1. TPLink Mesh network - this solved my electrical noise problem and also removed drop outs via wifi to the ZenStream
2. TPLink MC220L - adding fibre improved the noisefloor compared to straight ethernet cable connect direct to the ZenStream
3. Adding the Netgear GS108 and the EtherRegen to the network and using the EtherRegen's B output to the ZenStream. Again, lowered the noisefloor, improved spacial info and clarity, removed a bit of high freq harshness. Also width and depth improved.
I thought I was done here and was happy for a while...until...
4. Added a series of iPowerX SMPS's across the board. Slight improvement across noisefloor, clarity, smoothness, soundstage width and depth, but what i noticed the most was how cohesive the sound was. I incrementally introduced the iPowerX to the EtherRegen first and worked backwards up the chain. Each step compounded and brought some noticeable differences for the better, but somewhat made you want more.
Previously using the SMPS for the M9Decos, GS108, EtherRegen etc, I felt that there was a bit of haze around the soundstage and spot lighting effect with how instruments were positioned and highlighted. There was a bit of high freq harshness and sibilance that were present with female vocals, now almost gone. I had a difficult time understanding this but, did the painful exercise of removing all the iPowerX psu's back in with the provided SMPS. I noticed the stage was flatter, depth reduced, that bit of harsh highs was back and spot lighting effect of instruments to the stage.
** Something I forgot to add - came to me this morning**
- I tried out using the iPower mk1 (9v) versions on the EtherRegen and TPLink FMCs, and they were not as good as the iPowerX equivalents. The sound was thinner, leaner, and the highs were not as refined. My suggestion is dont skimp out, if you can afford LPS's across the board, yeah go for it, think twice about ROI, but for me, the iPowerX is more realistic cost vs benefit wise.
Whats next on the list:
- ISP DOCSIS modem (iPowerX 12v DC)
- ISP DOCSIS modem (eth - fmc - fibre cable - fmc - eth) Asus router
- 19V 5A DC LPS for the Asus router.
What fun this hobby is
