Waversa WLAN Reference Noise Isolator Review

The digital audio playback landscape is evolving quickly, and Waversa Systems from South Korea has some novel approaches to obtaining better LAN and streaming performance. It designs and builds everything in-house, and integrates technology from complementary fields like telecommunications, medical and the military in its unique designs. Its WLAN Noise Isolators divide up into three products in the series, the entry-level WLAN EXT2, the WLAN Reference – which is the subject of this review – and the flagship WLAN Reference Plus.

All three products do the same thing to varying degrees of thoroughness, which is to isolate and remove music-destroying noise coming from the Ethernet LAN connection. Although specific details are vague and obviously patented to protect intellectual property, the company says that rather than simply isolating the electrical signal from digital signal noise, it isolates the noise that is inevitably generated from the source (i.e. the LAN ports and cabling, during playback). Small amounts of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) invariably infiltrate the cable, regardless of the quality of its shielding, and at other stages along the signal path.

The noise isolation is accomplished by a complex passive filter that’s said to be unique to the audio industry. According to the Waversa website, the technology creates tuned electrical and magnetic fields that negate RFI and EMI effects, from interference caused not only by external radiation but also by transmission within cables themselves, as well as some carried within the actual digital packets. As you move up the product line, these become physically larger with superior vibration control and so cost more. Being passive, there is no need for a power supply; it doesn’t wear out, it's non-directional, and it does not break the ground connection. Waversa make isolators for LAN, USB, coaxial, BNC and XLR connections – all operating on the same principles.

The WLAN Reference is a high-quality, compact [150x200x50mm, WxDxH] silver CNC-machined aluminium enclosure that’s beautifully finished and surprisingly heavy at around 3kg. There are two unlabelled RJ45 Ethernet ports, and that’s it – simple and unassuming, with no buttons. One port becomes the input and the other the output, and it’s not important which way you use it. A short 30cm Ethernet cable is included in the box.

I used the Waversa as recommended at the end of the LAN data chain, just before my streamer, using Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 Ethernet cables, and listening to Qobuz hi-res music. At my home, every device from the receiving NBN broadband box, the router, the Cisco switch sending fibre optic to a receiving fibre Cisco switch, uses an external linear power supply. These have had their switch-mode power supplies removed and have had their internals modded with added DC filtration. All these cumbersome and expensive upgrades have greatly increased the musicality and enjoyment of everything that I listen to in a big way. It is already electrically quiet, so by adding a Waversa WLAN Reference into the mix, I wasn’t sure what improvements I would hear.

The Listening

With the Waversa WLAN Reference in my system, I immediately heard more detail and felt a deeper connection with the music – as if a veil had been removed between myself and the performance. It wasn’t subtle, and it was rare to find a passive device that provides this amount of improvement. It effectively removed LAN noise, which in turn improved transparency, enhancing listening pleasure immensely. I didn’t really hear the backgrounds becoming quieter, as they’re already silent, but I heard deeper into the recording. There was more clarity, as if each note had been cleaned and pressed. This added detail and nuance, which was previously obscured.

Listening to No Wrong by Bahamas, bass definition and articulation are improved and tightened, the tonal colour is enhanced, and the leading edges of notes are crisper and better defined, leading to a more impactful presence. Everything sounds more locked in place, with a better sense of timing and rhythm. With enhanced transparency, the female backing vocal is clearer and is further separated from the male vocal and guitars, especially when she sings softly and within the harmonies.

The opening simple piano notes in Ballade auf 2 Beinen by The Eva Klesse Quartet have purer harmonics and sparkle with the Waveversa in use, and the sustain and decay are more lifelike. The plucking of the bass strings comes across with greater energy and texture, more like a live performance than a recording. With Rachel Podger’s violin playing Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in D Major “Groso Mogil” II. Grave. Recitativo, the purity of the higher notes and the texture of the bow and body of the violin are magical with the WLAN Reference. There’s a greater sense of dimensionality and space around the instruments, with images spread out further.

Removing this box from my system has a large effect, with an immediate sense of loss of life, energy and lustre. The soundstage shrinks somewhat and flattens out with less specific localisation. Now it's easy to hear the adverse effects of digital noise, which adds layers of haze and confusion, obscuring detail, blunting dynamics and diminishing spatial information. It also takes the spice out of the music, causing the listener to lose interest quickly.

The Waversa even subtly enhances the quality of my TV picture when streaming Netflix and YouTube videos. The image is noticeably brighter and has better contrast; the detail in some dark scenes is easier to see. Even the colour palette, focus and depth of field improve. No doubt it would be very effective in a large screen projection system. Indeed, in all my testing, I can detect no downsides to using this noise-isolating device. I have heard no recordings that sound worse. Rather, it enhances what’s already there and lets the system perform at a higher level. Just use the best Ethernet cables that you can afford, as your cable choice is audible.

The Verdict

The Waversa WLAN Reference noise isolator is a simple yet effective device that does what it says on the tin, so to speak. By stripping out low-level noise that the listener was previously unaware of, it significantly increases transparency and musicality. I recommend you experience the enhancements for yourself to discover what you’ve been missing out on.

I haven’t heard any other such audiophile switch or network device that works so well, yet all network enhancements are important, so only consider this when you’ve got everything else sorted. Think of the WLAN Reference as the icing on the cake, providing another useful boost in performance. By the way, its WLAN EXT2 little brother does everything the flagship product does, just not quite so well. It’s a worthwhile purchase, although I suspect many users will want to upgrade to the Reference as soon as they can.

For more information visit Waversa Systems