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Improving streaming SQ

I have an Aurender A10 and stream Tidal and Qobuz.  I'm looking for an easy and cost effective way to to improve streaming sound quality as it seems to fall a little short of my ripped CD's.  Artistic Fidelity makes an ethernet galvanic isolator (GISO GB) that plugs in between the CAT 6 cable and the Aurender.  I'm wondering if any one has tried this or a similar product and what your experience was.  I don't think this product is available in the USA, but I can get one shipped from Germany for 299 euros.  As always, any and all comments are appreciated!
shoff
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,434 posts
 
If you can manage, try the SoTM cable. I am using this cable with my N10...amazing sounding cable with a on board filter, very effective in lowering the noise floor. 

https://sotm-usa.com/products/sotm-dcbl-cat7-lan-cable
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Here is the best recipe for your configuration, assuming you are using USB from the Aurender:

1) AQVOX switch added to your router

2) 0.5m Wireworld Platinum Ethernet cable

3) EMO EN-70e isolator

4) 2.0m Wireworld Platinum Ethernet cable

Your Aurender N10

5) 1.5m Wireworld Platinum USB cable

6) SOtM USB regenerator:

https://sotm-usa.com/collections/sotm-ultra/products/copy-of-tx-usbultra-regenerator-1

7) 1.5m Wireworld Platinum USB cable

Your DAC

The improvement with all of these will blow your mind.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

shoff OP
133 posts
 
Audioengr,

My Aurender is A10, not the N10.  The A10 is the one box Streamer/DAC combo.  What do you recommend in this case?
erik_squires
16,042 posts
 
As someone else just pointed out, make sure you disable Tidal's volume normalization.
erik_squires
16,042 posts
 
Ethernet is by design galvanically isolated. This is because of the distance and potential for major differences in voltage potential with different devices using different circuits.

So, I'd call BS on any Ethernet isolator.

However, power supply noise is a big deal. Make sure any other digital devices, especially those with wall warts, are not on the same power filter circuits. This applies to routers, switches, cable TV boxes, etc.

Best,
E
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