iFi audio LAN iSilencer - Your network. Silenced.

Set your audio free with blissful, noise-free sound​

When used for audio, LAN interfaces are inherently ‘noisy’. iFi’s LAN iSilencer removes electrical noise that distorts the audio signal to unleash the connected equipment’s sonic potential.

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Southport, England – In recent years, more and more music lovers have taken to streaming music as their primary audio source. These streamers are often connected to audio gear via network routers. There are pros and cons to this. Ethernet interfaces can pass hi-res audio data at maximum resolution and, allow bit-perfect conveyance of the original source data – which is ideal, on paper. In practice, LAN is a complex, multi-purpose computer interface – not one that was created specifically for audio. It is usceptible to electrical noise, not least from the router’s power supply, which can adversely affect sound quality.

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iFi makes several devices that enhance audio quality. Two of the most popular are the iSilencer+ and iDefender+. Joining that illustrious family is the new LAN iSilencer, that boasts premium galvanic isolation technology, where electrical circuits are separated to eliminate stray currents.

The LAN iSilencer features Gigabit Ethernet support, with no speed restrictions. It is constructed using a shielded socket and plug with integral ground connections, that blocks external interference, minimises packet loss and ensures stable signal transmission.

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Whilst isolating and removing system noise, the LAN iSIlencer reduces the overall jitter in the system – a form of digital distortion that leads to timing errors and results in cold, harsh sound. It also re-balances the signal via iFi’s REbalance technology, ensuring that the digital signal received by the streamer is identical to the original source.

The LAN iSilencer can be connected to a router, network switch or ethernet wall socket. No power source is needed. The precise effect of the LAN iSilencer on sound quality varies from system to system; typically, one can expect to hear more clarity, greater dynamic extension and sharper leading edges, making the music sound more vivid and open.

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The iFi LAN iSilencer is available from Amazon and other selected retailers from today, priced at £89, (€89, $89).

 

interesting....would love to hear some comparison with optical module that many are trying to reduce or eliminate noise from Ethernet.
@iFi audio When you say reduction in jitter, is there some clock used to reclock the signal? or is it that since there is reduction in noise or electrical interference hence the Jitter will improve kind of thing

 

Not wanting to rain on your parade, but I have to ask: you show the new network isolator plugged into two of your streamers. If the new gadget so useful, why is it not built into the Ethernet receivers for those streamers to start with? A retail price of $89 suggests a much lower parts bill, which would be just a cost blip even on the Zen Stream. Puzzled.

 

I don't see a power input? Is everything passive?

 

This one I just don't believe in. I probably would if I was a buyer of Audioquest network cables. I'm not.

Sorry... IMHO, and all that. Although I'm not actually very humble about it.

At best, it comes under Is there a problem? If yes then seek a solution. If no, do not even think about it.

 

I find it extra weird that in their Neo Stream https://ifi-audio.com/products/neo-stream/ they offer some 'Optical LAN' over an included OptiBox. At least that seems kind of cool. This LAN iSilencer seems like the bullshitty version of the other thing.

 

Totally dodgy statement. And it gets worse from there. Made up by marketing people with zero input from actual networking people. Makes one wonder about the product.

I don't doubt that ifi make some great audio products. I wish they'd stick to that!

Hey! Maybe this thing works! In which case, it is even worse to be selling it with marketing bull excrement.

 

if one wishes to add an additional transformer, why not a switch and reclock it too.
but a optical media converter would surly be a bigger hit

 

Because ethernet. It isn't clocked.

But don't tell the audiophools

 

@Thad E Ginathom if this LAN decrapifier thing gets your goat don’t take a peek at what I just posted in the Snake Oil thread…

 

Well, what it claims to do is not making better-clocked Ethernet, but removing noise that might enter the audio device because it is connected to the router via wires. I at least can imagine that this might make a difference.

I can’t imagine, though, how one would galvanically isolate without an extra power source—might well be possible and I just don’t know how, but it at least sounds strange to me. And what are “integral ground connections” supposed to be? How should such a device reduce packet loss?

I don’t say this must be bullshit, but it does look fishy to me. Is there more information available about how exactly the device works?

 

It’s just a Pulse Ethernet transformer re: ‘galvanic isolation’ if you look at the internals:

https://www.pulseelectronics.com/network-signal-transformers/ethernet-transformers/

 

Ah, nice, thanks! Good to know.

 

Wouldn't any good switch do the same thing? They all use transformers on the ports. And they re-clock, right?

 

Unsure about all switches with the trafos. Maybe? Some Ethernet ports definitely have some inbuilt, I think. They also make these kind of things for medical/industrial/lab settings too (look up “Baaske Ethernet isolator” for an example). The Pulses/similar can get used in other circuits, too - Unison boards on Yggdrasil etc. use two of them to get to the “galvanic isolation” feature.

Anyway, shouldn’t matter if it’s a solution looking for a problem.

 

This is beyond my technical knowledge. But are ethernet ports not electrically isolated anyway? Is that not necessary for basic safety?

But I suspect that the "answer" may be yes, but not to audiophile levels. And I suspect that's bull.

Ethernet ports... isolated....

Ethernet packets are an as-and-when thing. They might not even arrive in the right order, let alone with any "timing." It's fine: it all comes good in the end.

First there were hubs. data arriving at a port was squirted out of all the other ports. Then came switches: data arriving at a switch is only squirted out of the port which is connected to its intended destination.

In practice, on a small network, I don't think it makes much odds. But I don't think switches do anything else with the data?

 

It's the latter. More details shortly!

When we launched ZEN Stream, we didn't even have LAN iSilencer in our plans.

I hear you, LAN iSilencer is a polarizing product

Exactly. It's more about limiting noise incoming from routers than anything else.

 

I bought one from amazon and am returning it. it is different I can not say its better maybe some gains in certain areas and some losses in others.