Assessment pattern equipped by Network Acoustics
Retail Costs (ex VAT):
tempus world value 3,329 UKP (approx. 3.900 euro)
muon Professional Ethernet Filter 1.329 UKP (approx. 1.500 euro)
muon Professional Streaming Cable from 995 UKP for 1.5m (approx. 1.167 euro)
Retail Costs (ex VAT):
tempus world value 3,329 UKP (approx. 3.900 euro)
muon Professional Ethernet Filter 1.329 UKP (approx. 1.500 euro)
muon Professional Streaming Cable from 995 UKP for 1.5m (approx. 1.167 euro)
Community Acoustics
Community Acoustics was began by two music-loving audio engineers on a mission to design merchandise that make streamed music sound pretty much as good because it probably can. With a main deal with digital, the streaming specialist makes digital cables resembling USB, Ethernet, and “common” digital cables. However what makes their portfolio stand out are merchandise such because the eno Ethernet Filter and the muon Professional Ethernet Filter that I reviewed in April final yr, and, after all, the tempus Community Swap, which is the topic of this evaluate.
tempus
The newest addition to the Community Acoustics portfolio is the tempus flagship Ethernet Swap, an ultra-low noise design, supposed to ship a clear and completely timed knowledge sign to music and video streamers, media servers, NAS, and Good TV.
“Completely timed?” Some will shake their heads on the mere notion. Why on earth would that matter for an asynchronous digital sign that’s error-corrected and holds no timing data? As I discussed in one other evaluate, I received’t declare to know all of the the reason why a community change influences the sound, however one vital facet is that it’s not the format or sign itself however fairly the surroundings by which it’s distributed that makes the distinction. However fairly than theorizing in regards to the exact mechanisms, I at all times insert a evaluate element into the system and hearken to the end result. In the long run, all I can say is that I’ve repeatedly discovered clearly audible variations amongst switches, even amongst high-end fashions. And as my listening assessments would quickly affirm, the tempus is one thing very particular!
In growing tempus, Community Acoustics persistently discovered that successfully separating the ability provide from the sign clocking and output is a crucial issue when designing an Ethernet Swap for high-end music and video streaming. They achieved this objective by designing a Swap with large processing and switching capability working at low-stress, ‘tick-over’ speeds, enabling noise-free and correct knowledge move, even in bandwidth-intensive situations. As well as, the tempus incorporates precision clocking able to concurrently delivering completely correct indicators to all of the gadgets in your leisure house community, and incorporates built-in energy filtering.
In growing tempus, Community Acoustics persistently discovered that successfully separating the ability provide from the sign clocking and output is a crucial issue when designing an Ethernet Swap for high-end music and video streaming. They achieved this objective by designing a Swap with large processing and switching capability working at low-stress, ‘tick-over’ speeds, enabling noise-free and correct knowledge move, even in bandwidth-intensive situations. As well as, the tempus incorporates precision clocking able to concurrently delivering completely correct indicators to all of the gadgets in your leisure house community, and incorporates built-in energy filtering.
The tempus can be obtainable in black
The tempus is fitted with a completely shielded enclosure engineered from a single aluminum billet to behave as a ultimate layer of noise rejection. Along with being technologically helpful, this additionally makes for an exquisite, seamless appear and feel.
The Swap is completely matched with its Hybrid Energy Provide Unit, a particular design utilizing a switch-mode provide mixed with multilayered DC noise-filtering built-in into the ability provide and the tempus community change. Amongst audiophiles, switch-mode energy provides might have garnered a nasty status, however when carried out appropriately, these energy provides can outperform the linear variants. Community Acoustics opted for this resolution to supply the clear and dynamic energy switches and streamers want, whereas the particular filtering avoids the potential downsides of such provides.
The Swap is completely matched with its Hybrid Energy Provide Unit, a particular design utilizing a switch-mode provide mixed with multilayered DC noise-filtering built-in into the ability provide and the tempus community change. Amongst audiophiles, switch-mode energy provides might have garnered a nasty status, however when carried out appropriately, these energy provides can outperform the linear variants. Community Acoustics opted for this resolution to supply the clear and dynamic energy switches and streamers want, whereas the particular filtering avoids the potential downsides of such provides.
The ability provide might have a really totally different form than the change, nevertheless it oozes high quality and positively doesn’t look misplaced on its supporting shelf. It’s that it’s a lot lighter than anticipated; in any other case, I’d not have guessed the fabric kind so simply. It’s created from plastic, however the end is 100% seamless and so totally clean that it would as effectively have been industrial stone or ceramic. Till you decide it up, after all. However that, too, is an efficient factor. Why ought to audio elements be heavy if that doesn’t serve a objective?
Connections
The tempus has a daily 12v DC barrel connector and will theoretically be used with different energy provides, do you have to want to experiment with this. I’ve no particular energy provides obtainable so I didn’t do that, nevertheless it goes with out saying that the partnering Community Acoustics energy provide is particularly tailor-made to this activity. This energy provide is something however an afterthought!
The tempus affords at least 12 ultra-low noise RJ45 outputs. Six of those are common Gigabit ports, and two are 100 Mb/s RJ45 ports. The handbook states that Community Acoustics suggest connecting all gadgets to the 1Gb ports until a product is particularly designed to function at 100Mb. I used the 1Gb ports for my assessments.
To the far proper are 4 SFP interface slots supposed to be used with future Community Acoustics merchandise. These slots can be utilized with numerous adapter modules, resembling RJ45, Fiber, or a DAC (Direct Connect Copper) cable. With many doable makes use of for these slots, it will likely be fascinating to see what partnering merchandise Community Acoustics might have up their sleeves.
To the far proper are 4 SFP interface slots supposed to be used with future Community Acoustics merchandise. These slots can be utilized with numerous adapter modules, resembling RJ45, Fiber, or a DAC (Direct Connect Copper) cable. With many doable makes use of for these slots, it will likely be fascinating to see what partnering merchandise Community Acoustics might have up their sleeves.
Assessment Context
The tempus change will probably be listened to in the primary system utilizing Roon on numerous Music Servers, together with the Antipodes Oladra G4 and Grimm MU1. The remainder of the system includes the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, CH Precision L1 preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5 energy amp, and Magico S1 MkII audio system.
All digital sources are supported by HRS EXR Racks whereas the CH pre-amplifier and DAC are supported by an Artesania Exoteryc rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. The CH energy amplifier is supported by an Artesania Aire rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms and KSH2 Krion cabinets.
The tempus will probably be reviewed on each racks, with and with out Ansuz Darkz Resonance Management footers.
All digital sources are supported by HRS EXR Racks whereas the CH pre-amplifier and DAC are supported by an Artesania Exoteryc rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. The CH energy amplifier is supported by an Artesania Aire rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms and KSH2 Krion cabinets.
The tempus will probably be reviewed on each racks, with and with out Ansuz Darkz Resonance Management footers.
Listening
After connecting it instead of my price range Cisco change, the tempus made an excellent first impression, despite the fact that I nonetheless used customary Cat.6 cables. Whereas some merchandise (switches, too) can take a while to get accustomed to, the tempus instantly pulled me off the fence and proper into the musical efficiency. In comparison with the usual change, the tempus gives an open, ethereal, and agile sound. It’s super-delicate, contemplative, effortlessly lyrical, and instantly emotionally involving.
To my delight, the tempus is exceedingly impartial but with a really pure contact. It’s the antithesis of technical or stereotypical digital. It vastly enhances the liquidity and provides a gently refined contact however with out affecting the transparency, pacing, or decision. Every music listener pays particular consideration to sure musical elements. For me, Particularly the pacing, articulation, and transparency of a recording are elements I maintain very pricey. Some switches, interfaces, or cables might have an effect on these elements negatively. However not the tempus. This change has a fragile and relaxed nature however doesn’t sound sluggish in any respect. I’d say it’s quick with out being hurried.
In comparison with the price range Cisco, the tempus permits the soundstage to develop additional into the background, lowering the ahead and comparatively laborious nature whereas rising the main focus and exact imaging of center-stage components resembling vocals. With the usual change, vocals seem halfway between the audio system however unfold out extra, bigger than life. The tempus binds it extra collectively and permits the portrayal of a extra 3D picture, as you’d hear in actual life.
The usual change has a sure uncooked directness that may work in its favor if a system wants it, however that is most likely not the way it must be. Nonetheless, it must be famous {that a} high-quality change will normally sound friendlier and extra polished as compared. And certainly, the Tempus is only a tad much less hard-hitting and fewer ahead for it, but additionally much less abrasive and, importantly, infinitely extra delicate.
Earlier than the tempus, I reviewed the Ansuz X-TC3 and D3 switches. I don’t intend to enter a shootout type of comparability and they’re too totally different to pronounce anyone as “higher” or “finest”. However exactly as a result of they’re so totally different, I believe it can assist paint the tempus’ sonic image if I describe them.
Between Ansuz and Community Acoustics, we’ve two fairly distinctive shows. In my Ansuz evaluate, I discussed discovering the switches surprisingly impartial, given earlier expertise with very wealthy or heat and slow-sounding switches. However the tempus offsets the stability by offering an much more impartial and clear perspective. When it comes to frequency spectrum, I really feel the Ansuz switches (particularly the X-TC3) are extra voluptuous within the bass, tonally extra saturated, and darker within the treble, whereas the tempus is the alternative: light-footed, tonally barely lean and exceedingly open and ethereal.
Moreover the tonal variations, one other distinction is in soundstaging. Whereas each manufacturers improve the soundstage, they do it otherwise. With the Ansuz switches, the sonic aura warps throughout you, together with every little thing in, which is vastly entertaining, however it could even be perceived as bordering on supernatural. With the tempus, the stage turns into a lot deeper and airier, however not a lot wider, offering a efficiency that’s much less sensational however arguably extra “regular” and could also be perceived as extra pure. The tempus very fastidiously threads the high quality line between including fluidity, refinement, and air, and never editorializing an excessive amount of.
I hasten so as to add that the tempus may be very removed from a sober-sounding product. Extra like the alternative! It’s extra ethereal than grounded or earthy. However in the end, the 2 manufacturers have totally different shows, which can cater to totally different audiences.
To my delight, the tempus is exceedingly impartial but with a really pure contact. It’s the antithesis of technical or stereotypical digital. It vastly enhances the liquidity and provides a gently refined contact however with out affecting the transparency, pacing, or decision. Every music listener pays particular consideration to sure musical elements. For me, Particularly the pacing, articulation, and transparency of a recording are elements I maintain very pricey. Some switches, interfaces, or cables might have an effect on these elements negatively. However not the tempus. This change has a fragile and relaxed nature however doesn’t sound sluggish in any respect. I’d say it’s quick with out being hurried.
In comparison with the price range Cisco, the tempus permits the soundstage to develop additional into the background, lowering the ahead and comparatively laborious nature whereas rising the main focus and exact imaging of center-stage components resembling vocals. With the usual change, vocals seem halfway between the audio system however unfold out extra, bigger than life. The tempus binds it extra collectively and permits the portrayal of a extra 3D picture, as you’d hear in actual life.
The usual change has a sure uncooked directness that may work in its favor if a system wants it, however that is most likely not the way it must be. Nonetheless, it must be famous {that a} high-quality change will normally sound friendlier and extra polished as compared. And certainly, the Tempus is only a tad much less hard-hitting and fewer ahead for it, but additionally much less abrasive and, importantly, infinitely extra delicate.
Earlier than the tempus, I reviewed the Ansuz X-TC3 and D3 switches. I don’t intend to enter a shootout type of comparability and they’re too totally different to pronounce anyone as “higher” or “finest”. However exactly as a result of they’re so totally different, I believe it can assist paint the tempus’ sonic image if I describe them.
Between Ansuz and Community Acoustics, we’ve two fairly distinctive shows. In my Ansuz evaluate, I discussed discovering the switches surprisingly impartial, given earlier expertise with very wealthy or heat and slow-sounding switches. However the tempus offsets the stability by offering an much more impartial and clear perspective. When it comes to frequency spectrum, I really feel the Ansuz switches (particularly the X-TC3) are extra voluptuous within the bass, tonally extra saturated, and darker within the treble, whereas the tempus is the alternative: light-footed, tonally barely lean and exceedingly open and ethereal.
Moreover the tonal variations, one other distinction is in soundstaging. Whereas each manufacturers improve the soundstage, they do it otherwise. With the Ansuz switches, the sonic aura warps throughout you, together with every little thing in, which is vastly entertaining, however it could even be perceived as bordering on supernatural. With the tempus, the stage turns into a lot deeper and airier, however not a lot wider, offering a efficiency that’s much less sensational however arguably extra “regular” and could also be perceived as extra pure. The tempus very fastidiously threads the high quality line between including fluidity, refinement, and air, and never editorializing an excessive amount of.
I hasten so as to add that the tempus may be very removed from a sober-sounding product. Extra like the alternative! It’s extra ethereal than grounded or earthy. However in the end, the 2 manufacturers have totally different shows, which can cater to totally different audiences.
Subsequent: including muon Professional Streaming cable
Associated Posts