AQVox SE Audio Switch and the GigaFoil V4 Review

UltraFast69

UltraFast69

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[FONT=&quot]Hello A/S’s:[/FONT]
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I finally got around determining how the AQVox SE audio switch and the Gigafoil V4 compliment one another in my system.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]For my review, I incorporated Nordost Heimdell II Ethernet cabling (Nordost top of the line for ethernet) between devices, a Keces P3 Linear power supply with Nordost Red Dawn Power Cable, a generic ethernet cable running approximately 50’ from the router in the server room, a piece of granite for the Gigafoil to rest on along with Stillpoints Ultra Mini’s I had available. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Systematically I configured the switch and gigafoil to hear what the results are. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Note: The AQVox SE has been in for a while, and I wrote about this somewhere on the forum - the AQVox SE made a difference over a non-audioized switch and was well worth the price of admission. Note: AQVox SE says only to use their power supply, and no after market, including their own, I believe this to be true as I tried the Keces and I lost some sound quality, but not major but enough to pull it, despite this being hard to believe. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Back in time, I added the Nordost Heimdell 2 Ethernet cables and clearly heard audible differences over the Audioquest Vodka, and the AQ Vodka is no slouch, and was profound over generic cables. I would not doubt Diamond is in a higher league than Vodka, and not sure against Nordost. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Each switch and gigafoil configuration resulted in only plus designators as all graded levels where considered an “A“. Each configuration only created subtle differences with a combination of smoothness, resolvency, timbre and blackness. For an audio junkie cumulative benefits are the game. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]I tried the Stillpoints Minis under the Gigafoil and they took away from the mid and low levels, and have experienced this same problem on other pieces in my system. I do use the Stillpoint Ultra 6 under the Aurender N10 and Ultra SS under the switch, and both of the power distributors with success.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Keeping it simple, I only used one reference track; Sam Cooke, Lost and Lookin’, The Man who invented Soul.

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  • There is only Voice, Base and Cymbal on this track, and if you have not listened to it, check it out. I time and record certain parts of the song on paper and listen back and forth.
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[FONT=&quot]Here are the combinations I used:[/FONT]
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  • Original setup was the AQVox SE switch with generic ethernet for signal, and out to the N10 with Heimdell - this was considered magic, then and it is still today **** Grade A
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  • I went back to this configuration after testing Gigafoil, and still graded as a Solid A
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  • Placed Gigafoil powered by Keces BEFORE the AQVox switch with incoming generic cable in and out with the Heimdell 2 to switch, then Heimdell 2 from switch to the N10 **** Grade A, no gain or loss
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  • Direct from router using generic cable to Gigafoil powered by Keces with Heimdell 2 out to N10, I would choose this configuration, but have other demands for ports with Apple TV and Oppo **** grade A +, subtle gain
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  • Generic cable into AQVox SE with Heimdell 2 into Gigafoil powered by Keces, out with Heimdell 2 into N10, this is the one I settled on - grade A+, subtle gain
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  • Note: The Gigafoil and Keces have been settling in well north of 200 cumulative hours. The Keces did make a difference with the GigaFoil.
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[FONT=&quot]Summary:

I experienced the differences on the low end of subtle since I already had the AQVox SE switch. If you have $900.00 with nothing to do, then it may make sense to add a Gigafoil and Power supply.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]In my setup, I already had a gut feeling this was to be the case, and it can be easily argued to do something else with the money, but I am a self proclaimed audio junkie, like many of you and could not help myself. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]In the end, having either an audio grade switch or a Gigafoil with an aftermarket power supply is IMO all you really need.

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  • Note: power and cabling do firm up the listening quality, so do take that into consideration.
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[FONT=&quot]Hopefully this information helps somewhat, but remember, everyones system and room environments are different: what was subtle for me may be the same, less or more for you. YMMV as they say. [/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Happy Listening![/FONT]
 
thanks for the review!!

makes sense that you liked the two configurations with the Gigafoil just before the N10... indicates the Gigafoil is adept at its optical-isolation task. also, the observed difference over the original setup being on the "low end of subtle" is high praise for the AQVox SE switch.
 
Question for Ultra Fast. I already own the GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter with an upgraded power supply. It resides immediately upstream of my Select II DAC. Did the AQVox SE Audio Switch make any difference when the GigaFoilv4 Filter was the last thing before the DAC and the AQVox SE Switch was upstream of the Filter?

Thanks,
Ken
 
Hi Ken

I believe what your asking relates to my current combination, see below, if not, let me know, and you can also PM me as well.


  • Generic cable into AQVox SE with Heimdell 2 into Gigafoil powered by Keces, out with Heimdell 2 into N10, this is the one I settled on - grade A+, subtle gain
And perhaps I was not clear above. IMO, you only really need one or the other; the gains as stated above are very subtle, guessing 5-8%. I started down the path of needing 4/5 ports so the switch made sense, and cannot say enough really about either or, both are Grade “A" contenders.

I think it is a push in cost, and that is a "think statement" between the Gigafoil plus a power supply and an AQVox SE network switch. Your stuck on Ethernet cables either way, and these add more than subtle gain depending on quality grade/level.

Nice setup by the way!
 
Thanks Rex, now if you were here it wold made things easier, but I understand let someone else do the work :celebrate008_2:
 
UltraFast69 said:
Thanks. It will be interesting to see what your take is on it.

Also, I noticed the formatting made a lot more space when I copied it over, can you help lose some of the spacing unless you don’t think so


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Thanks a ton for this review... I think you saved me $900 (for now)... I have had the Aqvox SE for about 6 months and have found it to be fantastic. While I'm sure there will be another next great thing at some point, it is very helpful to know that the Gigafoil is probably more of a lateral move than anything else. Obviously the benefit with the Aqvox is that you have a lot more ports than the single out with the Gigafoil, but it all depends on what you want/need in your system.

I too have found it very curious that the seemingly cheap power supply for the Aqvox is the suggested route by the company. I have assumed that somehow they "tuned" the unit to that power supply.

I have seen plenty of talk about UpTone audio developing a similar ethernet device for some time now. No release news yet.

Regardless, I think all who have heard the Aqvox and/or Gigafoil would demand keeping one in their system. They do make a really big difference. For all the money folks spend on this hobby, these devices are an absolute no brainer for ethernet.

Now... maybe it's time to do a proper comparison with one of these units against a fiber connection on my Lumin X1 - Ha!

Thanks again for the review.
 
I found that the Gigafoil made a bigger difference in my system than the AQvox SE alone. If you have the AQVOX SE the gigafoil is a must have item, as it gets rid of any last bit of noise on the line. The Sablon Audio ethernet cable also is a great way to go between foil and dac.
 
Rubbish Jeffy. You hit the nail on the head when you said "in my system". You seem to need it for what ever reason. To say its a must have for every other person who has the AQVox switch??????? Why would you say that ?

How can you extrapolate that what happens in your very specific set up is going to be recreated in every other set up across the country and across the globe???
 
Why would the AQVox SE Audio Switch make any improvement in sound quality when a downstream DJM GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter eliminates virtually all noise on the line? The answer could be that it reduces jitter. Therefore, having both isn’t necessarily redundant.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Why would the AQVox SE Audio Switch make any improvement in sound quality when a downstream DJM GigaFoilv4 Ethernet Filter eliminates virtually all noise on the line? The answer could be that it reduces jitter. Therefore, having both isn’t necessarily redundant.

Ken
Click to expand...

Both are powerful, especially under the scenario I described, however, aside from the additional ports needed in my system, the quality of sound in my experience was a plus rating on an A grade, still a gain but subtle and if the budgets not a factor, it’s a game of accumulation.

Note: the AQVox SE performs with ultra-low-noise voltage regulation, filters to control signal and EMI and a clock to address jitter allowing a cleaner signal to the Gigafoil and subsequently to the DAC while the Gigafoil controls noise incorporating fiber optics into the build as a filter.

What’s interesting is MSB tells us less is more, which makes sense to me and adding an additional box plus cables doesn’t follow this thought but it does provide a gain, albeit subtle as it may be.


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At a minimum, a big plus for the gigafoil is it isn't causing any harm. The same is not always said for other similar devices such as usb regeneration.
 
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