Tecnik1

Yes I use the QX5 currently direct to my Accuphase A65 previous pre amps used Accuphase 3800 and Audio Research Ref3, the QX 5 direct to me gives a more transparent sound but won’t go has clear and loud as with the pre amps. With normal listening levels for me between 70and 80 db the direct connection sounds great but with the above mentioned pre amps the sound is better. I prefer a great pre and am looking into the Accuphase 3900.

Having set up my optical network based on this very thread and a couple of others I'd like to share a cheap tweak I implemented. As I was reading through the list of modifications on the Aqvox SE switch and being a tweaker this one caught my attention. - The lining of the metal housing with butyl rubber and thereby silenced also contributed to the sound improvement. A more black background. This tweak does indeed improve the sound as described on my standard Aqvox switch along with a second basic Cisco switch and both sending and receiving FMC,s. I also installed teflon washers between the PCB boards and metal frame with the idea of removing any vibration. Im pleasantly surprised with the SQ improvement of such a tweak that cost me nothing but a few hours of time.

Following this thread over the year or so and implementing many ideas it also made me think of a new idea that I tried and am wondering if anyone else has grounded there TP link FMC,s metal frame closest to the server or dac using one of the case screws. After a few days things seem to be a little clearer.

Has an American expat living in Viet Nam the last 8 years and southeast asia for over 20 years many se asian countries are 220-230v with US style plugs on 220-230v equipment and their is no issues. Perhaps the OP lives in a 240v country and obviously the strips are 240v versions. Most manufacturers offer US style plugs on 220-240v equipment. People should stop thinking the US way is the only way.

+1 Blackmorec and have done almost the identical set up. The DC cables make a noticeable improvement along with the Aqvox switch. I used a Audioquest Diamond USB cable that I had laying around and made it into the dc cable. Everything in the chain makes a difference.

Actually been around over a year now and stopped posting so much because of Plssken, tadpole" you've been a member now for what a month wow.

Chris has to worry about people like you. He should have banned you from CA a long time ago. Agreed.

Sad Day. Rest in Peace Charles.

I don't believe there is much else one can do to improve a router from whats been covered so far other then having a good Electrical Engineer open one up and see what can be improved upon and Im sure their is. Before I retired my Electrical Engineer did all this for me.

Can you send me some still points plissken my system is sounding thin now as well.

I use the Entreq boxes on my system grounding the router, switch, preamp,dac,server,amp to great effect.

Router,s also need to run off a LPS and be grounded for optimal performance , this tip just added to the list of router enhancement tricks.

Well I wouldn't rush out and spend that kind of money on still point but I had some left over feet and bases so I tried it along with some weight ( sand, rice, shot mixture I use) on top of the router since routers don't weight that much and yes it tightened up the soundstage a bit and slightly improved the over SQ and tonal balance. After a while all the little things we do add up to alot. Thanks for the tip and happy listening to all.

Forgot to mention the router is also on a LPS.

Grounding the router made a big difference for me in SQ, like the previous post have stated get rid of the noise further up the chain.