This is a comment on the English Electric EE1; English Electric is a brand owned by Chord Company. The English Electric EE1 is a network noise isolator designed to sit between your Ethernet at the wall and your audio (or audiovisual) streaming solution. The idea is it screens out electromagnetic noise in-line while using electronics in the EE1, apparently allowing digital signals to pass unhindered. It uses the same concept as the Chord Company GroundARAY, which converts unwanted electrical noise to heat. Galvanic isolation, says EE, eliminates low-frequency noise and the EE1 reduces high-frequency noise.
The Press was shown the EE1 in a demo at Bristol this year (with a well-received lunch), though the English Electric EE1 has been available for over a year.
Streaming Performance
…quite evidently, there is a positive uplift in my sound from the Naim Uniti Star….
I’m using the ADOT optical solution for my data noise reduction in my main review listening room so I thought it would be a useful exercise instead to insert the self-powered EE1 between a nasty Ethernet BT extender and a Naim Uniti Star in our living room. I would not be surprised if this is a common setup in our noisy houses.
I’m bound to report, quite evidently, that there is a positive uplift in my sound from the Naim Uniti Star and a pair of truly excellent ELAC Carina loudspeakers. My EE1 came with a Chord Company C Stream Cable which is screened thus preserving the hard work done by the English Electric EE1.
Many streaming and data solutions have some degree of noise reduction built-in, for example, the Auralic Aries G2.2 transport has dual galvanic isolation built in to reduce EMI and eliminate jitter, however, there is something here.
Thoughts
This is a pretty easy upgrade that is surely well worth a try if it is in your budget.
This is a pretty easy upgrade that is surely well worth a try if it is in your budget. But do be clear about what you have in your setup before you commit. I recall from the Chord demo at Bristol that this solution is also useful for video-streaming as well. My Sky is Wi-Fi based so I have not been able to try this upgrade.
More information from English Electric…
About English Electric
Synonymous with world-renowned British engineering, the reborn English Electric brings a new range of exceptional value hi-fi equipment for the discerning music lover.
Building upon a noble heritage of aviation and locomotive design, myriad large-scale electro-mechanical equipment and power generation, this classic British brand is once again continuing its path of design innovation, this time in the audio sector, with an exciting range of high-performance electronics and accessories.
The reborn English Electric (a Chord Company brand) is backed by a large engineering team that has been designing, building and engineering high-quality audio devices in Great Britain since 1986.
The English Electric Company further information
From north British (Preston) industrial roots in 1897, The English Electric Company, as it became known in 1918, grew into a multi-faceted manufacturer of electrical equipment and machinery, specialising in motors, transformers, railway locomotives and traction equipment, expanding many years later into consumer electronics, nuclear reactors, computers and aviation.
The re-ignition of a historic brand with such a rich and diverse heritage is not to be tackled lightly; the ‘EE’ marque evokes what many consider to be a bygone era of world-leading great British engineering and many of its products (such as the Vampire and Lightning jet aircraft and Deltic railway locomotives) attract an enthusiastic and emotionally engaged following, transcending their primary function.
As a fellow great British manufacturer, Chord Company is respected globally for its award-winning A/V cables and is perfectly placed to apply its successful blend of innovative proprietary technologies, design expertise and exemplary customer service to the rejuvenation of this classic British name, whilst preserving its noble lineage.