If you stream music from the internet, I can't recommend this more highly


I had been using a Roon Nucleus to stream Qobuz, with my Chord Qutest directly connected to the Nucleus. I thought I was getting pretty decent sound quality. And then I got a marketing email from Small Green Computer touting some of their optical gear. The basic idea is that normal cables and connections used to stream from the internet pick up noise of one kind or another (radio frequencies and electromagnetic something or other). But fiber optic cables and their connections/interfaces do not. I don’t know anything about anything, but it made theoretical sense to me, it wasn’t a huge amount of money ($1,400), and with a 30 day return policy I figured I could always return it if I didn’t hear any improvement. Well, I didn’t just hear a slight improvement; it was like turning on the lights in a dark room. Much greater clarity and detail, much better micro and macro dynamics, better timbre to acoustic instruments -- overall just more lifelike. Two quick examples: I’ve listened to some of Steely Dan’s top songs 100s of times over the course of my life, and this is the first time I’d ever noticed a particular and very subtle sound characteristic of Fagen’s keyboard in Babylon Sister. It’s hard to describe, but it’s like there’s a slight sound of air being exhaled by it. The other example: the specific timbre of whatever percussive instrument is used at the beginning of Copeland’s "Fanfare for the Common Man" (a recording by the Minnesota Orchestra). There’s more of a metallic sound than a drum skin sound to it that I didn’t know was there before. The metallic sound starts in the center and then projects out and to the sides, like a wave washing over you. Anyway, I’m just thrilled about having stumbled upon the whole "optical" thing and felt obligated to let others know about it. If you stream music over the internet, I highly recommend giving it a try. (The product I got was the opticalRendu, with the linear power supply option, and the Fiber Ethernet Converter Bundle option.)
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https://www.livescience.com/21456-empirical-evidence-a-definition.html

Before any pieces of empirical data are collected, scientists carefully design their research methods to ensure the accuracy, quality and integrity of the data. If there are flaws in the way that empirical data is collected, the research will not be considered valid.

In the age of disinformation, audio marketing has lead the way for many years. I believe in civility and rational discourse, throwing verbal molotov cocktails doesn’t solve anything.

Back to the topic and original question: is the amount of $1,400 spent on a well-designed product a good investment? How much "improvement" can be expected and how is it measured/justified? This can not be answered without additional context. Such as asking the question, "what is the problem that needs to be solved", which requires some technical understanding and basic scientific approach. No way around it.

Audio2design is correct in stating most arguments are based on anecdotal and here-say. Even well respected community members don’t aways get it right (saying this without arrogance). Re-reading the (very favorable) blog about the Sonore Rendu in Computer Audiophile made me realize that the problem is still NOT understood. That was in 2018. But we now we have a dozen of solutions to choose from, some rather expensive ones. 

A 12 Meter "directional" AudioQuest Diamond Ethernet cable goes for $11,000 retail. 

Not bashing here, just stating that I have no respect for companies like Meridian, Chord, AudioQuest, Sonore (the Marketing dept. mostly). Although I own a few of their lesser expensive products....and you can call me hypocritical? Yes, perhaps a little.

In the meantime I enjoy (subjectively) listening to my humble setup, carefully selected and budgeted. Addicted to good audio :-)

Cheers, -frank
audio2design
By empirical you mean anecdotal.
No, by "empirical" I mean "empirical." I understand that you tend to consider empirical data as inherently anecdotal, so it's odd that you now seek a distinction between the two.
It would be best to learn the difference
I'm glad you now acknowledge the difference.
Post removed 

empirical 
  1. based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic ...