UpTone EtherREGEN Audiophile Switch

Here is updated information on the EtherREGEN programme: https://uptoneaudio.com/products/etherregen

Audiophile network switch with Femto clocks and SFP optical network socket

Enhances the sound of many audio systems. Connect to the last network device in your system

The architecture of the EtherREGEN is completely different from any other Ethernet switch

• Active, high-speed, low-jitter differential isolators
• 10GHz-capable ultra-low jitter differential flip-flops on both sides of the moat
• Femto clocking (Crystek CCHD-575)
• Incorporates 12 of the lowest noise, lowest impedance integrated regulators available (LT3042 & LT3045)
• Special Ethernet ports with 12-cores per jack magnetics

There is provision for connection of an external 75 ohm, BNC 10MHz clock. (Most users will not require this)

There are many reviews of etherREGEN. An in-depth, review of EtherREGEN appeared in The Absolute Sound, December 2020: The Absolute Sound EtherREGEN review by Stephen Scharf.

https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/reviews/uptone-audio-etherregen-review-and-comparison-r887/
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/57519-uptone-audio-etherregen-listening-impressions/#comments

or for detailed information please see Uptone EtherREGEN product page: https://uptoneaudio.com/products/etherregen

EtherREGEN_user_guide.pdf
https://uptoneaudio.com/products/etherregen

The high-quality, ground-shunt, switched power supply supplied with the EtherREGEN will be sufficient for most users. If you wish to use an alternative it should be rated 7V/1.4A, 9V/1.0A, or 12V/0.8A, DC jack: center +ve, 5.5mm x 2.1mm. Please check 3rd party supplies meet specifications and are of correct polarity. Mains cable is NOT included. You may need a ‘kettle’ mains power cable. See types here

For absolutely best results use UpTone JS-2 PSU (with 2.5mm cables): https://vortexbox.co.uk/shop?store-page=UpTone-JS-2-linear-power-supply-p446297390

EtherREGEN Size: W110mm x D112mm x H30mm. Note that it is normal for etherREGEN to run hot.

How do I use this? – Connect ‘A-side’ to your router. Connect ‘B-Side’ to the last network device in your chain. In some situations ‘reverse connection’ may be better. Other configurations are possible. User Guide supplied

Review(s) posted

Enables a warmer, smoother more natural musical performance. Delicious! – Bluesfan
STOP! THIEF! Someone s just stolen our floor! Noise floor, that is. I have just inserted the etherRegen in between a Cisco 2960 switch and the Prestige server and opticalRendu. The eR has already been warming up on its standard power supply for a few days. It has taken all of three notes of the first track to be convinced. Music flows more effortlessly, Imelda May s voice sounds that bit closer to the microphone for a more intimate performance. Everything sounds a bit smoother, more effortlessly natural and flowing. The overall presentation is also a bit warmer, in a good way, without having artificially boosted bass. This thing s a keeper and it hasn t even run in yet.

Definite improvements – Colin Goble
My system didn’t include a switch, so I was sceptical about adding one without a physical need for it. Suffice to say that the improvements I’m now hearing surprised me, and further build on changes made previously (Homeplug removal, upgrades to interconnects and speaker cables, and mains purification). Aspects improved include clarity, purity, timbre, sibilance control,… Definitely a more relaxing and natural presentation, and to my ears a potentially worthwhile investment for anyone interested in “analogification” of digital.

Uptone etherREGEN – Ian davies
Hi,just to say the addition of the uptone etherREGEN has provided a significant improvement to the sound of my audio optimised pc. Really enjoying streamed BBC radio 3 and qobuz. Now all I need to do is sit back and enjoy the the music. Many thanks to audiostore for great service.

A game changer… – Andrew
The ER simply just makes better music. Very pleased with this unit and no longer in such a hurry to upgrade my DAC!

Uptone Etherregen wonders – MkSS
I use: PS Audio power regenerator P15 PS Audio Directstream DAC + Bridge 2 Musical Fidelity Primo class A valve preamp Musical Fidelity AMS 50 class A solid-state power amp KEF Reference 207.2 full range speakers Cables; Shunyata, Musical Fidelity and PS Audio Source: Mac Mini running Audirvana with CAT6 into Etherregen and out with shielded CAT 6 into Bridge 2. I use AIFF uncompressed files and a simple router without internet connection. After burn in of about 2-3 weeks the results are spectacular. The highest resolution ever achieved giving incredibly lifelike presentation with no listening fatigue – transformational in every way. I listen mainly to classical and jazz music.

EtherREGEN – Sanjiv
I received my switch and it s been in my DCS system for a week now. First a big thank you for a smooth and easy transaction. The unit arrived on the day it was promised and it was a great pleasure speaking with Martin, he is very knowledgeable and patient. The switch itself is a great product, write off the bat I heard a huge drop in the noise floor and resultant increase in the soundstage. The stage went up to the ceilings and walls on either side of the speakers, the speakers virtually disappeared. I hear a tighter bass , improved separation and more detailed resolution. I am loving this upgrade and the switch is here to stay. Thank you once again Martin

EtherRegen with the SonoreUPnP Bridge (on UltraRendu with UltraCap LPS) – Simon Pepper
I can recommend using the Uptone EtherRegen with the SonoreUPnP Bridge as part of a Roon environment. There are quite some changes during Burn-in of the EtherRegen switch, but now I am 4-weeks with the EtherRegen (& 2-weeks since the firmware upgrade, as I was part of thr 1st production batch) and I have so much more detail on every track played. The detail was there before, as the same recordings/files, but now it is just there – whether it is that the noise floor has dropped so making the fine details more audible or is the signal timing more accurate allowing the micro-detail to come into better focus. It is equivalent to a source upgrade, a better cartridge, change in DAC technology etc. Whatever it is and why, it is excellent. NAS and ROCK server are upstairs connected to a GS108 as data backplane for main and backup NAS units, with port priority given to the playback stream between main NAS, NUC running ROCK and downstream connection. The Wireless AP, and a switch (GS105) for IoT devices are on different ports on the firewall router, with Virgin Media s Router being in Modem-only mode. The EtherRegen is downstairs with the isolated B port to Naim NDS with Chord Sarum Tuned streaming cable. The A ports of the EtherRegen have the upstream connection (AQ Vodka), a UltraRendu running the SonoreUPnP Bridge (Chord Anthem), a RPi2 running Asset R6.4 UPnP server (AQ Vodka) and an AppleTV (AQ Cinnamon). All switches, including EtherRegen, powered by LPS. NAS and ROCK server also on LPS. I have tried to ensure network optimization for the playback stream, from NAS to Network player, so the EtherRegen is the final piece of this approach with the moat from the A ports to the B Port isolating the stream to the NDS.

Yesterday the ER arrived! – Uwe
Yesterday I got my EtherRegen (thanks Martin!) and instantaneously put it in my chain, i.e. attached 2 Mac minis to ER s A-side using 2 Blue Belden Cat 6a cables (1 Mm has an HDD hooked on with music stored on it, from the second Mm the music software is started). The B-side is connected with my La Rosita Pi Streamer. From the very start (with the ER still being cold from the transport) more details could be heard mainly by emphasizing higher frequencies. This was ok but not too pleasant: Instruments lacked body, so the music sounded sort of “thin”. B u t after 14 hours of burning-in things have extremely changed for the better. In short: – The higher frequencies are no longer over-represented. – Instruments begin to develop their body. – Different instruments can be separated from each other much more easily. – The soundstage is easier to “grasp” (left-right, front-back). – Dynamics are improving. Last but not least: Piano music, the presentation of which to me has always been a bit difficult, now is beginning to sound a lot more natural or live. To sum up: It has been a very good idea to give the ER a try. Even after such a short time of burning-in everything sounds so promising, that I am really curious what will happen in the days/weeks ahead (I know there are some users speaking about burn-in times of 200-300 hours). Best wishes, Uwe

Uptone ER – AV
Usually I never write any kind of review, but since Audiostore (Martin) provided me with such outstandingly good feedback and quick reply on my questions, I felt this one I really had to mention. About the ER, it’s performing so extraordinary well, The first notes that played thru my system with ER in place just blow me off my chair. I did expect improvement, this was however way beyond my expectations. Clarity, soundstage, depth, extended. More calmness came over the system. I just do local file playback from Nas, so no streaming services tried by me so far.

Very nice extra, but first: get your priorities right! – Jos van Geffen
A nice piece of equipment, but if your DAC is already five years old, or so, you better replace it first. For instance by the Chord Qutest DAC; selling on this site too and will give you even more gain. And then, later, add the EtherREGEN as a finishing touch. Service from Audiostore is Perfect!

EtherREGEN – AL
I’m very impressed with the impact the UpTone Ether REGEN that I received today has made on my system, straight out of the box, and it’s only been plugged in for 4hrs, so not even burned in yet! I’m using it in a highly resolving digital streaming system: Antipodes K50 Server/Player feeding an Exogal Comet Dac via digital AES, so any sonic improvement it has is immediately transparent. It’s immediately obvious that it has removed a digital ‘edge’ to streaming acoustic instrumental recordings that I’ve found very difficult to eradicate. Until now. I’m excited to hear how it will sound once it’s fully burned in. Needless to say, It’s not leaving my system. Highly recommended.