“Best streaming experience tuned with Esoteric K1X Grandioso as reference.”
It’s been 3 years since releasing Nimitra as the first true affordable highend server that is good enough to match with highend audio performance from CD and vinyl. My close friends who sell highend CD transport also approve of Nimitra except for one thing, streaming.
For audiophiles who’re familiar with flagship CD/vinyl playback systems, they hear stellar performance from CD transport using Esoteric drive or high quality cartridge on daily music session. They could not appreciate music from streaming services as they’re used to with other sources.
Years passed and Fidelizer finally found a solution to overcome the difference between streaming media and local storage by applying modification to recover what once lost in network. We decided publish this solution as a network switch product called “EtherStream”.
Identifying problems between local and network storage
Before we explain how EtherStream can improve multimedia experience through network, it’d be better to talk about the main problems we found in network and how network switch can improve the situation first.
Router and Wireless is the gateway of network interference
From my observation based on experience, even using network alone without any connection can reveal audible interference in highly resolving system and using wireless has more audible interference than wired. Wireless module will pick up EMI/RFI in the air too.
By using network switch, you can get the best of both worlds by not getting EMI/RFI from wireless receiver and you can minimize interference from other devices in network with isolation transformer applied in good network switch design.
Data integrity deteriorates over time through internet network
Streaming media content from online services will run through many underlying layers of protocols before reaching your home. This causes data integrity of streaming media deteriorating over time making audiophiles appreciating local storage streaming better.
However, packet fragmentation between devices in home network has less data integrity issues comparing to global scale. Since network switch comes with big buffer to handle high throughput, network packets through network switch can stream with more integrity.
These two are main reasons why some streaming services can’t deliver performance as good as local playback. Since it’s not possible to upgrade components on online streaming so network switch can help a lot as a gateway to improve data integrity from internet.
Fixing shortcomings in network
Although network switch can improve network performance and resolve some issues, purchasing industrial network switch won’t lift up streaming quality to get close local storage level easily. We tried researching, developing some prototypes for clients along with other custom goodies.
While researching on Cisco CBS110-8T-D model which is unmanaged and non-PoE switch design we chose for best transparency, we discovered a method to improve Tidal streaming quality with tight and deep bass, fluid dynamics, and rich micro details delivering high-end performance as we hoped for.
After this discovery, we decided to do overhaul upgrade on this model. From years of research and development, we make the most effective network switch upgrade with the following modification:
-Input capacitor upgraded with high capacitance and low impedance tuned for optimal performance
-Safety resistors upgraded with high power from Vishay Dale on DC input stage, power regulation stage, and isolation transformer stage
-Re-energize power supply with special tantalum capacitors to reducing noise and interference in processor chip effectively
-Crystal clock upgraded with high precision clock and EMI/RFI reduction and vibration control sheet
-Output transformer upgraded with high quality EMI/RFI reduction and vibration control sheet
-Components are soldered with high quality solder providing solid bass and dynamics
After finalizing the upgrade, we tested the product with a few highend systems and quickly sold a few batches among local Hi-Fi stores. Now we can finally enjoy music streaming services delivering true highend audio performance as we hoped for.
Awards
Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice Award 2020 for Fidelizer EtherStream Network Switch
Elimination of noise from your playback really helps you sit up and listen closely to the music! With optical streaming, I really thought I was about as close as I could possibly get to the musical truth, but with the EtherStream—the overall sound quality is shockingly close. In fact, so much so, that all of my recent thoughts with regards to going all optical have now completely changed.
Setup and applications
It’s very easy and simple to setup EtherStream network switch. Here’re two main applications to setup EtherStream in your system.
Application 1: Setup EtherStream between main router/switch and multimedia devices
This will provide the most effective improvement to your multimedia devices. EtherStream will decrease network interference from local network and improve data integrity making connected multimedia devices sounding closer to ideal performance.
Application 2: Setup EtherStream between modem router and main WiFi router
This will improve data integrity from internet for full coverage improvements in your home network. As network packets are improved before sending to WiFi router, wireless devices can gain benefits from EtherStream too. It’s highly recommended for system with wireless devices.
You can also apply both applications for both wired/wireless improvements too. EtherStream can be suitable for the following applications below:
Audiophile – Whether you use streaming services or network as a remote, EtherStream can reduce interference and improve streaming quality
Videophile – If you watch videos and movies from streaming services or NAS, EtherStream will improve quality closer to playback from local storage
Pro Audio – For live streaming, live recording, or performing live performance, EtherStream will improve quality and reliability of network infrastructure
After project was finalized, we spent 3 whole months testing EtherStream in various scenarios. Even commonly used Smart TV can gain big improvements with streaming quality in Netflix and YouTube video with Chromecast. You don’t need luxury systems to find big improvements.
Specifications
Standards: IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T Ethernet, IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet, IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.3x Flow Control, 802.1p priority, Energy Efficient Ethernet, 802.3af, Power over Ethernet
Ports: 8 RJ-45 connectors for 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX/1000BASE-T ports
Physical dimensions (W x D x H): 16.00 x 10.40 x 3.00 cm
Weight: 0.94 lb. (0.43 kg)
Switching capacity: 16 Gbps
Forwarding capacity: 11.9 mpps
Jumbo frame: 9216 bytes
Quality of service (QoS): 802.1p priority based, 4 hardware queues, priority queuing and weighted round-robin (WRR)
Compliance/certifications: UL (UL 60950), CSA (CSA 22.2), CE mark, FCC Part 15 (CFR 47) Class A, FCC Class B*
Operating temperature: 32° to 104°F (0° to 40°C)
Storage temperature: -4° to 158°F (-20° to 70°C)
Operating humidity: 10% to 90%, relative, noncondensing
Storage humidity: 5% to 90%, relative, noncondensing
System memory: 128-MB RAM / 128-MB Flash
DC input jack: 5.5mm x 2.1mm, center-positive
Adapter: DC 12V, 1.0A
What customers say about EtherStream
To show how our customers are satisfied with EtherStream network switch product, we’d like to share customers’ experience with EtherStream. Feel free to read testimonials before before purchasing EtherStream with 30-day money back guarantee.
Ordering EtherStream
Only US $449
The MSRP price for EtherStream is US $449 with 30-day money back guarantee and one year product’s warranty. You can order EtherStream with the following options below for most suitable uses with your products.
Purchasing EtherStream with Nikola linear power supply will save shipping free of products in bundles. Order should arrive in 2-4 weeks after date of purchase with FedEx Express for reliable delivery in 2-7 days worldwide to make sure product will arrive safely and fast.
Distributors
You can order EtherStream and receive local support from the following online shops below.
