Has anyone installed the GigaFoilv4 optical isolator in front of their Bridge II? The claim is that this will remove Ethernet noise and make the ethernet to DAC signal cleaner. Any thoughts?
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Yes, after an AQVOX-SE switch, both on separate Sbooster LPS, all with AQVOX Ethernet cables. 50cm for switch to Nucleus+ and switch to Giga FOIL filter. Giga FOIL Filter to DSD bridge II is 25cm cable. As short as possible is what is recommended. It is amazing SQ. Also, the Giga LPS gets hot if run 24hrs a day for months. Changing to Sbooster supply solved that and added better SQ.
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I got the AQVOX switch and I was surprised by how much of an improvement it made between my Nucleus and the DAC. Where did you get the Giga Foil from? I’m looking for somewhere to buy from (preferably Europe to save on customs charges). I ordered a couple of these ethernet isolators (https://emosystems.de/shop/emosafe-network-isolators/en-70e/) based on another recommendation. Obviously they are about a fifth of the price so probably not on the same level but worth trying for such a cheap (in hifi terms) price.
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Yeah, bought it from the supplier. Live in Az and San Diego is hrs away. There are many approaches to Ethernet galvanic isolation. I liked this because it is self contained in a sealed metal box with 3 ports: in, out, 5V… Each cable was $275 so the cables were more than the unit. The Sbooster was 2/3 the unit. The AQVOX-SE was twice the unit… The Nucleus+ w/ Sbooster was twice the cost of Nucleus. I feel very strong about power and interconnects. However, you have to listen to differences to appreciate the expense. I you hear no difference, take your GF out to an expensive dinner.
Edit: the AQVOX-SE opened my eyes to streaming SQ. However, next streamer will have HQPe and I2S like OF 2.16 (the bomb). The bridge II does not support double and triple DSD. Other than that, I love my Nucleus+. The ROCK OS specially built for I7 platform HW is the SQ bomb. I just don’t want to go USB w/ I2S converted, will wait on getting PF 2.16 to replace Nucleus+.
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That’s why I can’t listen using USB anymore. It seems to transmit a lot more noise compared to ethernet (even though ethernet is not perfect).
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Yeah, not a usb guy… some swear by it… and if done right a good solution
I dont have a GegaFoil…just investigating. But I know how to get one in US.
https://www.djmelectronics.com/gigafoilv4-inline-ethernet-filter.html
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I have the GigaFOIL plugged into a standard Netgear 8 port switch using std BJC made in USA (CAT 6 if I remember right) network cables. I am using inexpensive ifi linear power supplies for the switch, GigaFOIL, and Roon Nucleus+ so not quite as much of an audiophile approach but the GigaFOIL did immediately make the music better by making the background blacker in my system. Less network noise I would say is correct. It was a positive change and I never gave it another thought after putting it in the system.
Richard’s system is a lot higher audiophile tier than mine so for him the higher end AQVOX switch, cables and power supplies also make more of a positive difference should you decide to go that direction.
I bought my GigaFOIL directly from their website.
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@Ken_Eis - Exactly where to get in US, not sure they have overseas support. Vern is right, the Giga FOIL filter works great for the reasons he has sighted. Another thought is going USB to Matrix and then I2S to skip the PSA Bridge II (DSD). Not a USB fan; however, not a big fan of the PSA Bridge II wrt the single DSD, considering PS Audio’s DAC approach is DSD… however, PSA Bridge II works great for what it was designed to do a few years back. If I was to do it again and got the Nucleus+ at the same time as the DSD last year, I might have went the USB to Matrix to DSD I2S (~ same cost as PSA Bridge II) and skipped the drama. As with everything in life, hind sight is 20/20. At this point, not going to invest in USB infrastructure (cables & Matrix) when the only issue w/ PSA Bridge II is no DSD support past single DSD. Hopefully, the PSA Bridge III will solve that and not tie me into a streamer I might not want. At this point, it looks like it will be PF 2.16 w/ Roon, HQPe & I2S to DSD. We’ll see how PSA’s Octave streamer “vapor-ware” lives up to the hype. Time will only tell…
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Hey Richard,
What is the PF device you are referring to?
@Veneet - Pink Faun 2.16, amazing streamer…
Aha! Thanks
@Veneet - ask @brett66 about his PF 2.16. Going I2S into the DSD is the best SQ. However, there are many approaches to get there. I am very happy w/ PSA Bridge II. However, it has limitations. This sport is about trial and error, evolution, and patience… as you know… this forum is great cause you get many, many different approaches to getting a recording through all types of equipment and configurations (methods) to your ears… a lot of it is just picking an approach and testing the results, then sticking or moving on…
You could also consider the SOtM cat6 isolator. After a friend brought his and we did some tests it was an easy decision. I got it from a Germa dealer, https://www.projekt-akustik.de/iSO-CAT6
Ethernet noise is a real problem and isolation devices do make a difference. An inexpensive yet effective solution is to add a fiberoptic ethernet segment just before the Bridge. I set up a TPLINK -> fibercable -> TPLINK -> Bridge. There was a definite small increase in SQ, well worth the somewhere around $100 investment. Next I added a 9v battery to the TPLink before the Bridge and the difference was surprising. Next I will try a battery power supply, a LPS, and naybe a GigaFOILv4.
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