Streaming Sound Quality - Want the very best sound quality? Network Acoustics ENO...


Like many of you fellow Agoners I am striving to get the best sound quality out of my digital streaming front end. To that end I have invested in various high end switches, re-clockers, ethernet cables, various USB filters/re-clockers, high end servers and delved into fiber optic conversion configurations. All of these measures did improve sound quality at varying levels. I felt my system sounded as good as a decent CD transport on many streaming recordings in Qobuz. However, I still felt there was something missing. I felt my system was still being held back. You can see my system under virtual systems here.

Well, I stumbled across something that has finally enabled my digital system to be all it can be. I cannot fully express the level of sound quality improvement realized with the addition of the Network Acoustics ENO Ag filter and ENO Ag streaming ethernet cable. It has been 10 days now since I added these to my system and I can now confidently say my streaming and system are all they can be sonically.

Here is the set up that has caused me to sell off and move past many other powered filters, reclockers, fiber optic options, and other streaming tweaks and gadgets. Frankly, the ENO additions are miles ahead of these other options sonically in my system and experience. Miles. This is my personal experience and please understand this perspective.

Netgear NighHawk modem/router power by an LPS > Supra cat 8 ethernet cable > English Electric 8Switch > Network Acoustics ENO Ag streaming cable > ENO Ag ethernet filter > Innuos Zenith III > Mojo Audio Evo dac

The English Electric 8Switch is also wonderful. Will a lower cost, standard switch sound as good in this set-up? Not sure as I have not tried. I am so ecstatic with my sound system that I don’t want to touch it!

There is a certain rightness from top to bottom that’s intoxicating. The tone is so beautiful and natural with no hint of electronic glare or digital artificiality. Music flows with far greater ease and has an uncanny, unforced nature to it. The stage is far deeper with the music flowing from a plane that is layered and completely separate of the speakers. This aural sensation, at this level of nuance, is new to my system and experience. The ENO products made this possible.

Instruments are presented with a new realism that is arresting to my senses. There is a wholistic presentation that spreads out all around me and my space. Just a joy to experience. Yes, the speakers seem to float the music into my space without any attention or localization of the speaker box or physical presence.

No part of frequency spectrum is out of place or forced. I am sure this has to do with the absence of noise. My music is equally articulate and resolved at low or loud volumes. Music stays controlled and enticing no matter how complex or bombastic the recording.

The ENO filter is passive, not powered, so there is no need of any power supply or plug. This is a huge plus.

Hope you streaming audiophiles find this helpful.

Bill
128x128grannyring

Sorry I missed your question @markush

I have the new Muon ethernet filter and cable and just love them. I upgraded from their ENO line which I also enjoyed as outlined in my original post as the OP of this thread.

So how does if differ from the ENO range? Quite simply the Muon reduces the noise even further and reveals more of the music’s inner detail and beauty. My system became more resolving and musical at the same time. This is a hard combo to pull off in my experience.

I have found break in is about 100 hours or so. They start off sounding a tad too smooth. They then become very open, resolving and lively. At around 100 hours they retain their great resolution, realism and liveliness but fill in with more body and fullness. My system is more engaging than with the ENO. More details such as plucked strings, decay, and venue space become part of the experience. Improved realism and life over the ENO. It makes me want to turn up the volume and enjoy the effortless presentation. Just a wonderful upgrade.

Hope this helps!

I have the million $$$ Antipodes K50. Is there a better way to get great SQ  out of digital playback?

 

running Weiss 501 dac.

@glory That is one nice serverr! Always impressed by Antipodes technology, they understand how to optimize various outputs on their servers, not many do. Also have slightly different take on power supplies.

try the AES from the K50 to the Weiss. Some folks like it better than the USB.