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Help me understand better solutions for ethernet

I've been reading quite a bit lately here and elsewhere about ethernet cables picking up noise and how to mitigate that. The three main options I've come across seem to be:

1. An audio-grade switch box like Uptone's etherREGEN that uses their "moat" technology to clean/block noise.
Pros: fairly straightforward
Cons: extra gear in the chain

2. Converting the ethernet to optical to block the noise such as the direction Small Green Computer takes.
Pros: optical blocks the hash carried by ethernet
Cons: There's only one streamer/dac that I know of (Lumin X1) that allows for Optical in so again even more gear in the chain to convert to optical then convert back to feed ethernet to the steamer/dac.

3. Wifi - just go wireless and remove the ethernet cable completely (well mostly). 
Pros: Certainly the cheapest, easiest and tidy route
Cons:???

Very curious to hear from others your ACTUAL experiences (not your theories based off god know what...) 
mcslipp
mike_in_nc
1,173 posts
 
My ACTUAL experience is that it’s not a problem. I run Ethernet from a TP-Link managed switch through wall cavities to my streamer. I put an EMO Ethernet filter in the line -- no audible difference. (I kept it for its surge protection.) I’ve also compared WiFi to Ethernet (on the Auralic Aries G1) and found no audible difference.

I’ve moved my speakers 6 inches -- difference! Added acoustic treatment -- difference! But Ethernet tweaking, IMAE, has not proved of any value.
tuberist
951 posts
 
Run a quality shielded Ethernet cable
jond's avatar
jond
5,985 posts
 
mcslipp I would think living in a rural area on top of a mountain that you likely face fewer extraneous noise issues than a lot of us.  I noticed, in a noise rich urban environment, a very slight improvement moving to a better shielded, though non-audiophile, Cat8 ethernet cable. I find a wired connection to also sound slightly better though it's a subtle difference. I've been curious about those swtiches also but have yet to try one.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,640 posts
 
Based on my experience,

1. Ethernet switch does not completely eliminate noise. All Ethernet switches generate / add noise to the signal, it’s just a matter of to what degree,

2. Conversion to optical defeat the purpose if you’re adding a conversion box...plus optical strips away dynamics (think of dry and thin audio),

3. WiFi vs Wired...audio quality great depends on surrounding electronics, interferences and the streamer itself. Again, wired sounds better in almost every instance. WiFi adds convenience and good for casual listening environment.

The system like yours (which is excellent) deserves a wired Ethernet connectivity. I also own Aurender (N10) and recently added a ENO Filter between my router and N10. The uptick in SQ was far from subtle. You don’t realize the noise level until you insert a device like ENO. It’s a passive device so no shelf space needed and no external power supply mess.

https://www.networkacoustics.com/product/eno-streaming-system-995-incl-vat/

Also check out this thread on fiber optic connectivity with Lumin, 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/fiber-cable-instead-of-ethernet-cable
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