iFi LAN iSilencer – Ethernet Signal Noise Filter for Hi-Res Audio Systems – Removes Electrical Noise with Galvanic Isolation – Plug-and-Play RJ45 Isolator

I have an Apple TV hooked up to my Sony tv. The video quality was already very good but I’m a tweaker so I added the iFi LAN ISIlENCER . I could see an instant upgrade in video quality much richer colors and clarity. I’m very surprised by this. I have since ordered another one for my music system, I’ll keep you posted on that. For the money this is going to be hard to beat. Very happy Update: I have since added one to my stereo system, Yamaha A8A . Again I can notice a difference before and after. The sound before was very good, no complaints! But now there is more detail and space in the music. The background just disappeared, love it!! This has been one of the least expensive and most notable upgrades I have ever made. I was a skeptic, now I’m a believer and big fan!!

First, let me tell you about the system this is being used on. The power for my system runs through a hospital grade outlet into Furman PST-8 Digital Power Station power conditioner/surge protector, and from there into a Cullen Cable Gold Series power cord. The wired signal is carried via a Cat 8 Ethernet Cable. Both are fed into a NAD C700 Integrated Amp with built in BluOS Streaming. The Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables are used to feed sound into Monitor Audio Silver RS-6 tower speakers. Prior to the installation of the iFi LAN iSilencer I was experiencing solid and great Mid-Fi sound, streaming Hi-Res Qobuz with neutral, clear detail. I must state that I was skeptical of the iFi LAN iSilencer actually making any difference and was fully expecting to return it after I tried it. To my surprise after installing it into the LAN port of the C700 and plugging the ethernet cable into the end of it, the sound became smoother and warmer while still being very detailed, with better stereo separation of voices and instruments, and better sound staging. Was it a night and day difference? No, but it was an obvious difference and well worth the under hundred dollar cost. With nothing to lose to try it, it’s a no brainer!

Reason I didn't give this a full 5 stars was because the impacts are subtle, but this could be because my streamer/player and entire system is finely tuned with each component having EMI/DC Filters, Linear Power Supplies and Super Capacitors. On a regular system this iSilencer could have a larger impact, but I can only rate for my own system with my own experience. When a system is finely tuned, chances are that when you add something to it then something else will fall out of balance. Not so in this case! Immediately after installing the iSilencer I did not notice the width of the soundstage collapse or feel the sound had a 'filtered' nature to it. What it did was have more depth to the bass and cleaned up the bass more than anything else. This in turn gives a more detailed but natural impression of the soundstage and gives a slightly more holographic effect. It wasn't night and day but it was an improvement. In this hobby where improvements at this level are hard to come by and rather expensive, for less than $100 this was a worthwhile tweak. Can I live without it? Yes, but now that it is in my system would I want to take it out to save $100? No way! It is priced well for what it does and gives a 5% to 10% improvement in my system. Cleaning up the lower frequencies also gives more richness and naturalness to male vocals. Good tweak, but like all iFi products, you have to experiment to find out where in the system they make the most impact. Not the same impact as their iPurifier3 for USB, but something like a 'cherry on top' of a finely tuned system without going all out on a Network Acoustics Muon Pro filter.

Now, my reason for ordering this was not completely for streaming music, but also for streaming video. Now, I've invested in the Orbi 960 mesh system which we all know is very expensive. I'm also am paying for Max Internet speeds of 1200, but no matter what router I have, there always seems to be some kind of interference which would drive me crazy, such as delays in the music or movies. I would run a speed test and I was always at the right speed via the testing , but some kind of interference always made my google speakers turn off, or the music would just stop, or even delays when surfing the web, or not getting the max video quality all of the time for movies. So I researched and spoke with a friend who said you may have a lot of interference due to where you live and to try one of these. So I've decided to go with this one, I figured since I've already invested in that mesh system, what could I lose by trying this. I plugged this into the Orbi, and then plugged my Nighthawk Modem into it, rebooted everything, first did a speed test, was shocked because the speed went from 1200 to 1400. I then went upstairs and tested the New Amazon Cube with 6 GHZ and that delay was gone and the picture was amazing. I then tested the music, I have YouTube music, I connected my Google max speakers, played music and the music was clearer and bass was indeed tighter, and I was able to now play at a loud volume without the highs hurting my ears. So, does this thing really work? Yes it does. I'm an Audiophile and Videophile as well, so trust me when I say this indeed made a difference for what I needed it for. My daughter also said that her download speed for her PS5 was much faster and consistent.

I didn't have much concern about buying this as I've been finding iFi products to work. This is no exception. In A/B listening, I can easily hear a distinct difference. It likely reduces the noise floor as where I hear the differences is in micro-dynamics, instrument clarity and vocal dynamics. The vocal dynamics are especially beneficial as they carry a lot of the emotion of the performance. After putting in the iFi device, when a singer lowered the volume for a particular phrase, rather than sounding weaker or like they're mumbling, it is clear, with intensity and solid vocal weight; just at a lower volume. This is a very nice improvement for such a reasonable price. The price is far less than 1% of my system value, but it's far, far more than 1% more enjoyable. You cannot lose by giving this a try.

I can't notice any difference over my Orbi Mesh network. That said, the cost of this item is relatively cheap, and the off chance that it does anything beneficial is worth it I guess.

I tried this device in two locations. First I placed it between my modem and my router, made a definite improvement. Then placed right into the ethernet port of the X-Box I use to stream movies and music. It was another step up, plugging into the router gave about 70% of the benefit. The difference in music was notes seem fuller in music, horns sound more like horns and less honky, piano sounds more like its in the room and less tinkly. The notes seem to be more well placed in the soundstage. Watching movies in Atmos was transformative. The object based format became precise and less general. Sounds came precisely from whatever was going on in the movie and less general. One explosion made the ceiling seem to be collapsing from above me rather than just a room filling boom. This device should be mandatory if you are using a network to stream content. Update: I added a second unit between my modem and my router in addition to one between my router and my streamer and it was a BIG step up from having just one unit. I recommend using as many units as needed in your entire ethernet chain to get the big WOW- knock your sox off effect.

I am totally impressed with the iFi ethernet filter. We stream the typical video channels & also audio. We can see the video improvement - mainly better colors & zero latency. The audio improvements can be easily heard too. I have 2 of these installed right into the ethernet switch. The first is in port #1 & the second is in the port that feeds the ethernet cable for our TV. If you are into streaming audio or video, give these filters a try. FWIW - we have gigabit internet through Spectrum & a simple home network. Hard to believe, but your internet signal might be dirty & benefit from galvanic isolation. Mine certainly did. Even though I use 2 of these iFi filters, you only need to start w/1.