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Introducing Lira, the flagship network station as successor of EtherStream2 and Nikola2

 

Lira - Side

 

On Christmas night in year 2024, I had a dinner with my audiophile friend who purchased EtherStream2 network switch and Nikola2 linear power supply to upgrade from previous highend network switch and use with his dCS Vivaldi One streaming CD player.

After dining, he proposed the idea of building a better version of network switch knowing what I’m capable of from listening to Erawan flagship streamer product in his system. I confessed to him that I considered it but it’d create a dilemma with EtherStream2 + Nikola2 combo.

 

Lira - Back

 

He understood my point and clarified the issues he had further. The switch is so small. It’s very hard to keep switch attached with isolation feet after swapping audiophile ethernet cables. Cables from Nikola2 to EtherStream2 + AirStream2 + main router are cluttering audio rack too.

At that moment, I realized that making linear power supply infrastructure and route access to network as a single box product that surpasses both EtherStream2 and Nikola2 is the solution we’re looking for. Customers can send EtherStream2 and Nikola2 to be upgraded as well.

 

Lira - Internal

 

With a clear vision in mind, I finalized Lira as a suitable companion of Erawan flagship streamer. Aside from thick aluminum chassis enclosure and footer to handle resonance and vibration control better, Lira has the improvements over EtherStream2 and Nikola2 as below:

 

Improvements from EtherStream2 network switch
-Bypass power switch and input socket completely improving purity of power distribution
-Optimized output for shortest path possible to supply power from output board to network switch circuit
-Upgrade input capacitor upgraded with high quality polymer hybrid design with much lower impedance
-Upgrade noise reduction capacitors with even lower ESR with improving tuning for lower impedance and current leakage
-Upgrade resistors around grounding and internal circuit components to further reduce noise in circuit

 

Improvements from Nikola2 linear power supply
-Add dedicated chassis ground connector to ground conditioner product
-Change output connector to gold plated XLR with very high voltage rating (same termination as HDPlex)
-Upgrade DC output cable with high quality pure copper wiring
-Upgrade diodes with Schottky design with years of listening tests with different models
-Upgrade internal wiring with high quality solid core pure copper wiring
-Upgrade output transformer with 100VA Toroidy audio grade transformer
-Upgrade stock fuse with improved dynamics and musicality

 

Lira - Front

 

After testing Lira in a few audio shows and with highend to ultra high-end level systems using $30-50k sources from CD and vinyl as reference, I’m confident that Lira will deliver worthwhile improvements that meets ultra high-end standards.

The product price will be $1899 USD with 30-day money back guaranteed and free shipping until 30st November 2025. You can read more about Lira network station product in details before ordering with discount up to $900 USD if you upgrade from EtherStream2 and Nikola2.

Introducing Aura, medical power supply for audiophiles

 

Aura - Medical grade power supply for audiophiles (Front)

 

After launching StreamHub streaming router, we’ve been developing suitable power supply upgrade for StreamHub with the goal to offer completed network improvement solutions under $500 USD. Today, our dream has come true with Aura medical grade power supply.

You probably wonder why Aura is not linear power supply. It’s because good linear power supply designs have these requirements:

 

  1. Reliable transformer – We need transformer that meets our standards and good transformer that won’t break after years doesn’t come cheap
  2. All rounder regulator and design – Some affordable designs may work on limited current or voltage range. Good designs to cover all cost more
  3. Quality multiple diodes – Some products use one diode, and it’s not really linear. Nikola designs use 4 quality diodes to keep current linear
  4. Optimal capacitors – Some capacitors cost several times more, but they also bring sound design improvement as intended

 

To check all these boxes with good build quality makes it very challenging for us to build even more affordable than Nikola Classic. However, we can take advantage of massive volume in switching power supply demand and medical grade quality to improve price/performance to the next level.

From our research and development with various manufacturers, we found the lowest possible ripple with low leakage current and suitable parts quality for audiophiles. We tested a few prototypes and finalized the design from both objective and subjective data.

 

Aura - Medical grade power supply for audiophiles (Back)

 

After testing finished products with audiophile friends and vendors, they were very impressed not just sound quality but also build quality of Aura. With StreamHub and Aura, completed network improvement is now possible under $500 USD with these features:

 

  1. Medical grade power supply – Very clean and transparent upgrade from bundled switching adapter with medical grade standards
  2. Nikola Classic’s level of build quality – From chassis, internal wiring, connectors and soldering quality, Aura can deliver with Nikola’s standards
  3. Mean Well’s reputation – Many audiophiles worldwide trust Mean Well as the most reliable switching power supply
  4. 2 outputs with high current – You can power up to two devices with 5A current which is more than enough for most applications
  5. 18 gauge DC cable – We use good quality 18 gauge DC cable which is the same gauge specs used in Nikola and sound wonderful

 

Aura can deliver performance closer to Nikola Classic at fraction of price that can work well in high-end audio systems. At the moment there’re 12V version and 5V version with 5.5mm x 2.5mm DC cables. For custom inquiry, please contact us for custom order.

The product price will be $219 USD with 30-day money back guaranteed and free shipping until 31st March 2025. You can read more about Aura medical grade power supply product in details before ordering and happy listening.

Nimitra2 Computer Audio Server review on Positive Feedback by Marshall Nack

 

Nimitra2

 

Finally, the first Nimitra2 Computer Audio Server review is published. It was reviewed together with Nikola2 Linear Power Supply and EtherStream Network Switch after reviewing previous products. This review feels like the main dish has finally arrived after serving appetizers.

I was pleased to hear that Mr. Marshall Nack decided to review Nimitra2 server after reviewing EtherStream. It’s an honor for Nimitra2 to be the first streamer being reviewed by seasoned audio reviewer in highend audio system.

Positive Feedback

Believe me, I didn’t hear anything like this when the Mac was in-stream. I was always aware of deficits in tone, timbre, texture, and dynamics. To put things in perspective, if we were to use my much more expensive CH Precision transport as the reference, I’d say the Mac with Fidelizer ancillaries reproduced about 60% of what’s to be had, forcing me to assign it to the low-end class of gear. The Fidelizer Optimized Solution with Nimitra2 server filled out the big picture to raise the percentage to around 85%, and streaming vaulted into issue-free mid-fi. Now I could sit back and be comfortably entertained as Cyrus Chestnut tinkled the ivories.

It’s very hard to pick excerpt from this review when there’re so many good good aspects about Nimitra2 product. Please read his full review and see how he feels about Nimitra2 as a genuine highend audiophile and happy listening. 🙂

Nikola2 Linear Power Supply review on Audio Bacon by Jay Luong

 

Nikola2 - Linear Power Supply

 

The first review of Nikola2 Linear Power Supply by Mr. Jay Luong was published in Audio Bacon for a long while. I’ve been very busy and kept forgetting to publish this review but it’s finally up now with very positive results.

I’m glad to see that Mr. Jay appreciates how Nikola2 can bring real sound performance that he can hear from real life instruments. It’s Nikola2 design philosophy to deliver world class tone and timbre as mentioned in his review.

Also, I’m very honored to know that he regards Nikola2 to be the power supply equivalent of my reference USB cable and decided to keep Nikola2 as he mentioned in his review. That’s the best moment for every manufacturer.

Positive Feedback

As far as power supplies still being sold, the Fidelizer Nikola2 power supply has the best tonality and timbre in the entire lineup. It has a fantastic amount of tonal variance, soul, and essence. It’s incredibly tactile, balanced in fullness, and articulates with just enough precision. Because of that, you’re able to hear subtle timbral and cues and resonances that are usually masked by other power supplies. This is consonant with what I hear in real life.

Thank you again for this wonderful review of Nikola2 product. You can read his full review and see how Nikola2 performs compared to other linear power supplies to understand how linear power supply can improve sound quality better.

Introducing Nimitra2 / Nikola2 as second generation of computer audio server and linear power supply

 

Nimitra2

 

Today is the big day for Fidelizer. After years of preparations and refining products for second generation, Nimitra2 and Nikola2 are finally ready for production which are projects I’ve been working for 2 years already.

There’s so much going on behind the scene since last year. As I also have clients ordering custom $5-7k server project since the first Nimitra. I always thought it’d be great if we can build  a product having performance that resembles custom highend server for half price.

With Classic series, it helped me realizing my dream to make highend audio performance affordable at $995. There’s also very good cost effective Nikola Classic at $395. This will keep Nimitra affordable and I can focus on taking second generation to next level.

I planned to launch them last year but could not make it to production stage due to covid situation which affect many companies worldwide causing long delay. I’ve been selling Nikola Signature with Nikola2 circuit board for over a year now, waiting for Nimitra2’s completion.

Now that I can finalize Nimitra2 design and production line, it’s time to embark a new journey. Nimitra2 will pair up nicely with modern DACs in market with custom made chassis, optimized as a streamer to deliver performance based on CD transport with Esoteric’s drive.

 

Nimitra2’s Features (As upgrade from Signature):

-Custom aluminum chassis design for better resonance/vibration control and heat dissipation
-Motherboard and chassis has vibration absorber/isolator material reducing vibration to motherboard
-MOSFET in motherboard’s power supply circuit is upgraded with high quality one from Japan
-All clock modules in motherboard are now upgraded improving sound quality on USB/Ethernet/HDMI
-Capacitors in motherboard are tuned with better resolution and details extraction

With all new improvements focusing on improving purity of signal and reduce interference, I can hear music flowing with richer ambient and micro detail and feel closer to music with newfound improvements on Nimitra2.

MSRP price of Nimitra2 is $2495 USD. For original Nimitra and Nimitra Signature owner, you can send your original unit to upgrade to Nimitra2 at $1,100 for Nimitra and $600 for Nimitra Signature. This upgrade should be a great value for existing customers to enjoy music better.

 

Nikola2’s Features (As upgrade from Signature):

-Input capacitor is changed to dual capacitor circuit design improving power handling
-Diode is upgraded with higher output current to handle devices like Roon Nucleus+ better
-Capacitors are tuned for better transparency and micro detail without sacrificing musicality

With new changes and improvements on Nikola2, it helps music flowing with Nimitra more coherently with timbre and PRaT done right to make music both enjoyable and believable. This can apply to any device Nikola2 powers also.

MSRP of Nikola2 is $749 USD. Nikola2 has a new circuit design so upgrading with top up price is not possible. Also, most changes are about handling some cases better so Nikola Signature will deliver similar performance with some sound signature changes.

 

Fidelizer will provide free shipping during introductory period for all Nimitra / Nikola purchases in December 2021. I hope this will be a fine Christmas present to audiophiles worldwide and happy listening. 🙂