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Tag Archive for Positive Feedback

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. 🙂

AirStream Wireless Router review on Positive Feedback by Marshall Nack

 

AirStream - Wireless Router

 

The first review of AirStream Wireless Router is now published by Mr. Marshall Nack who also reviewed EtherStream with ultra highend system before. This time AirStream is reviewed with daily devices bringing audiophile’s spice in daily life.

Last time I couldn’t send EtherStream with Nikola Classic as it was still being developed. This time I was going to send AirStream with Nikola Classic but I decided to send AirStream with Nikola Signature with 2 outputs instead for upcoming project.

It’s really assuring to start this review with Qigong class as I also had a lot on my plate recently. I’m glad to hear that AirStream also resolved his issues with Zoom software during online class on top of audio/video improvements in daily life.

Positive Feedback

As consumers of electronics, we are damn lucky to be the beneficiaries of trickle down. There are a few specialist companies that ensure we eventually get the advances. All you need is patience and meanwhile, the wallet stays healthy. Besides, it is always best to avoid being a Beta tester.

The improvements an audiophile ethernet switch brings to hard-wired music streaming are by now well established. That leaves all those internet apps that you access via Wi-fi, like Netflix, YouTube, or Zoom—what about them, they have the same issues. The root cause in both cases is the consumer-grade router at the head of the chain.

The idea is so obvious in hindsight. Why not port the fixes developed for the EtherStream switch over to a Wi-fi dedicated router? What the EtherStream switch did for the audiophile market, the AirStream does for household apps accessed via Wi-fi. However, the quality of results depends a lot on your local setup and devices. Video streaming with my MacBook Pro showed variable results: some apps were marginally better; others, no difference. With my iPhone, it was consistently better.

What was never in doubt, though, was AirStream’s effect on streaming audio from a high-quality source, like Qobuz. The improvement here was pretty remarkable, nearly equaling that of the EtherStream switch for hardwired connections. I expect the video side will evidence similar improvements for consumers who watch movies on high quality screens.

Thank you for this wonderful daily life experience review with AirStream product. You can read his full review and see how AirStream can improve WiFi audio and video streaming quality in details.

EtherStream Network Switch receives Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice 2020 Award

 

Positive Feedback Writers' Choice Award 2020 for Fidelizer EtherStream Network Switch

 

Last year I launched EtherStream Network Switch due to some unforeseen events as originally personal mod being appreciated by Nimitra clients. It was a really pleasant surprise that modified switch was sold for almost 200 units now.

Last week I received an email notification about EtherStream receiving Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice Award. More than getting the first reward for EtherStream, I’m happy to see audiophiles are taking network improvements seriously in this year.

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—the EtherStream is giving me probably 95 percent (or better) of the clarity and transparency that I was getting through the optical experience. Seriously, it’s virtually a wash! When compared to the NetGear switch that typically resides in my system, the EtherStream delivers a sound that’s not only deathly quiet, but punchier in character, with deeper, more defined bass and a significantly more liquid midrange. Fidelizer has done it again, and the EtherStream is very highly recommended!

This year Covid-19 hits hard on everyone. I hope you guys will remain safe with your family and enjoy the music during quarantine. You can read full article about Positive Feedback Writers’ Choice 2020 Awards and see other cool products too.

And don’t forget to check out the first and the second review of EtherStream Network Switch product. It may sound a bit weird to have two reviews but you can learn more from both perspectives from different systems. 🙂

EtherStream Network Switch review on Positive Feedback by Marshall Nack (Featuring CH Precision C1 with Quboz)

 

EtherStream - Main

 

Although EtherStream Network Switch was reviewed before in Positive-Feedback by Tom Gibbs. However, EtherStream works very well with CH Precision C1 DAC so it gets another review with highend networked audio setup.

This is probably the first review of EtherStream with ultra highend networked audio setup. We have some reviews with great systems but I wouldn’t expect $395 modded switch to be paired up with over $30k DAC in review for sure.

I’m really happy to see fellow highend audiophiles appreciating EtherStream too. Here’s his listening impressions and I’m glad he noticed that EtherStream doesn’t produce the stereotype of bleached, hyper-detailed, fast, and edgy audiophile sound.

Positive Feedback

After hitting PLAY, it only took seconds before my eyes opened wide. The piano was crisp and sparkling, with good edge definition and texture. WOW! Just like that, the culprit was nailed—and this was only my first sip! For confirmation, I swapped back to the TP-Link switch and, sure enough, the excessively soft presentation was there again. The TP-Link did not produce what we call a soundstage. It only had width and height, no depth, it was 2-D flat like a paint gun splatter. The images were swimming together as notes emanated from an ill-defined place, indistinct, hollow sounding, and lacking a tonal center. This is what happens when the music doesn’t have a good foundation. Without support, the soundstage gets spongy.

A firm foundation underpinning the stage is very important. When you build a house, the foundation is laid first and everything that sits on it, depends on it. If it’s unstable, the whole structure becomes insecure and wobbly. Same with instruments on a soundstage. The EtherStream firmed up the structure and presented a 3-D stage layered side to side and front to back, populated with decently sized images.

Well, this was quite a flip from the last time I streamed with Ethernet. My brain struggled to process what just happened. Unawares, I had slipped into the mindset of the audio objectivists, the deniers of differences. I put together these streaming front-ends on the cheap without giving them much thought, thinking parts is parts. It never crossed my mind to give the switch a second thought. Damn! It’s the same old lesson I have to relearn (let alone the undesirable association with the deniers). Remember: rule number one in the High-End is everything counts. When you’ve been doing this long enough, time and again, it’s the things from out in left field, the stuff you think can’t possibly matter, that blindside you.

The foundation of the soundstage was not the only thing that changed. After burn-in (yes, a new EtherStream needs about 200 hours for optimal performance), the music had a decidedly acoustic bent with nice flow and satisfactory timbre. Tonal balance was evenly disbursed from the decent low-end up to a natural treble, plus there was some flesh on the bones. The EtherStream is positioned to appeal to the audiophile market, but it didn’t produce the stereotype of bleached, hyper-detailed, fast, and edgy audiophile sound.

One other thing: according to the Fidelizer website, a primary design goal for the EtherStream product was to address many consumers’ poor opinion of streaming vs. music files on local storage. Based on my own explicit comparison, the EtherStream gives you the same playback quality from Qobuz as music files on local storage. There was no audible difference.

He also asked me for linear power supply upgrade too but the suitable product was yet ready at that time. I’ll launch new products to use with EtherStream soon and I highly recommend to read his full review and see how EtherStream can perform in highend networked audio setup.

EtherStream Network Switch review on Positive Feedback by Tom Gibbs

 

EtherStream - Main

 

The first review for EtherStream Network Switch is finally published. It was reviewed by Tom Gibbs who review Fidelizer 6 software years back. At the time most people were skeptical towards software optimizations and I’m thankful he gave Fidelizer a chance in his system.

After EtherStream product design is finalized, I sent units to early reviewers to reviewed Fidelizer software before. I didn’t expect to have a lot of orders from local dealers so I could send one at the time and Tom Gibbs is the first reviewer who received EtherStream.

EtherStream was thoroughly tested in his systems over there with various scenarios including video streaming which is also very effective. This is his conclusion after months of reviewing product with network related applications.

Positive Feedback

My hat is off to Keetakawee Punpeng for all of his brilliant efforts in the service of improving the streaming quality of Ethernet and digital sources—well done! Years ago, when I first encountered Fidelizer—and based on the prevailing attitudes on the internet audio forums—you’d have to be certifiably mad to even think about chancing its use in your system. When in actuality, he was one of the few really forward looking individuals out there willing to push the envelope and take the chances necessary to improve the quality of digital music playback. That brilliance continues with the EtherStream; the improvements wrought by this unobtrusive device across the entire spectrum of internet-connected devices is staggeringly good. Very highly recommended!

I’m happy to see video applications being mentioned in audio review too. EtherStream is very effective in media streaming applications also so I highly recommend to read his full review and check product information to see how it can be effective in your systems.