Network Purifier review from Audiograde
Thursday, 14th November 2024
We launched our new Network Purifier™ at the Hi-Fi Show Live in September and a couple of journalists got in touch afterwards to request a sample for review.
Andrew Simpson, of online magazine Audiograde, was the first out of the traps...
He starts with an overview of where the Network Purifier fits in to your digital set up, noting that it’s specifically designed to be used with streaming and computer audio systems – and video systems - typically used between an internet router, or network switch, and your wired streamer or endpoint.
It’s simple to use: you just plug your existing ethernet cable into the Network Purifier’s input, e.g. from your router, and then plug the supplied short cable in between the output socket and your component.
Both sockets are fully shielded Category 6 gigabit and the PCB is custom-designed, featuring wide, 4oz pure copper tracks in a two-layer design.
The filtering is handled via a total of eight separate MiniZap™ filters, to condition all eight ethernet conductors. MiniZaps use our highly-regarded, proprietary Zapperator™ technology, specifically applied to line-level signals, which effectively disperse high-frequency RF noise as heat.
Andrew used the filter between his ethernet switch and streamer, starting by listening to “an already clean sounding and polished recording” which natively already sounds impressive, with no sense of anything missing. Nevertheless, adding the Network Purifier brings “more air and space around the opening strings, that hang in the air with greater presence compared to before”.
Next, Andrew moves on to “less highly produced material” and a standard 16-bit/44kHz recording of Lyle Lovett’s She’s Already Made Up Her Mind. He had previously found the track frustrating, due to the way in which the different elements had “a tendency to smear into each other”. “While I love the track’s relaxed nature”, he writes, “I sometimes do crave more instrument separation. And with the Network Purifier this is thankfully what you get”.
On more challenging music “where your senses are being bombarded at more extreme levels” the Network Purifier manages to achieve the paradoxical feat of calming the over-aggressive aspects whilst, at the same time, presenting an overall “edgier” performance.
Andrew sees the Network Purifier as already an important link in the digital audio/video chain but suggests that it will become even more vital in the future, because “as more devices join our connected homes, so does more unwanted RF interference”.
That’s a good point. In the meantime, though, we face significant issues which, from Andrew’s perspective, the Network Purifier already addresses.
“In my system”, he says, “it brought benefits beyond my expectations…
Highly Recommended”.
Media: audiograde.uk
Date: November 2024
Verdict: Recommended
UPDATE:
Andrew was so impressed with the performance of the Network Purifier that he included it in his Best of 2024 list, awarding it 'Best Accessory'!
Media: audiograde.uk
Date: December 2024
Verdict: Best Accessory 2024
Buy Network Purifier
Written By Simon Dalton
Comments
reviewed by Chris Knowles
25 Dec 2024
Comment
What is the small socket on the left of the Network Purifier?Would only one be enough, or would two provide more benefit?
Customer Service Reply Dear Chris
The small socket is a 4mm Banana socket and allows you to integrate the Network Purifier into your grounding ecosystem if you have one. For example, using a Banana to Banana grounding cable you can connect it directly to an RF Router.
While this may not come as any surprise, yes we have found that using multiple Network Purifier's brings clear audible benefits at every Ethernet connection point, although usually one is enough for most simple streaming systems.
The small socket is a 4mm Banana socket and allows you to integrate the Network Purifier into your grounding ecosystem if you have one. For example, using a Banana to Banana grounding cable you can connect it directly to an RF Router.
While this may not come as any surprise, yes we have found that using multiple Network Purifier's brings clear audible benefits at every Ethernet connection point, although usually one is enough for most simple streaming systems.
reviewed by Chris Knowles
18 Dec 2024
Comment
Hi everyone, interested in knowing if I could benefit from one of these. I only have a Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer.I have a router. I have more than a fully loaded Purifier,
Plus Four Absorbers.
Thanks
Customer Service Reply Hi Chris,
The CXN v2 is a very capable streamer regardless of cost and is more than capable of reflecting improvements that the Network Purifier may bring.
Network Purifier is working in the digital signal coming into your streamer whereas the other filters you mention are working on the mains. So, issues you may - or may not - have with noise on that signal will be the deciding factor.
It's worth keeping in mind that when we tested the Network Purifier during development we were doing so on our own systems which, like yours, already featured various forms of mains conditioning, including the items you mention - and the benefits were clear to hear.
I wouldn't recommend you try it unless I thought there was a good chance that you will benefit but do bear in mind our 60-Day home trial period which will allow you to return it for a refund if you are not 100% happy with the level of improvement.
Best regards,
Simon
The CXN v2 is a very capable streamer regardless of cost and is more than capable of reflecting improvements that the Network Purifier may bring.
Network Purifier is working in the digital signal coming into your streamer whereas the other filters you mention are working on the mains. So, issues you may - or may not - have with noise on that signal will be the deciding factor.
It's worth keeping in mind that when we tested the Network Purifier during development we were doing so on our own systems which, like yours, already featured various forms of mains conditioning, including the items you mention - and the benefits were clear to hear.
I wouldn't recommend you try it unless I thought there was a good chance that you will benefit but do bear in mind our 60-Day home trial period which will allow you to return it for a refund if you are not 100% happy with the level of improvement.
Best regards,
Simon
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