2. digital
  3. 164400-25

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
richtruss
163 posts
 
If I may, the OpticalRendu is the only device I know of that has an optical SFP port actually built into it, so that you can plug an optical cable directly into it. I’m sure there are others.A fibre optic interface that uses two media converters going from RJ45 to optical and then back to RJ45 to the streamer is a different thing.
All active devices emit noise, including optical to RJ45 converters. We have users with these media converters that get a big improvement, as eloquently described by Bill, by adding an ENO filter between the media converter and the streamer.
mitch2
3,966 posts
 
Thanks for the clear answer Rich, and for weighing in on this forum.  I am actually using 15M of fibre optic for my main link between my router and my system.  There is one converter at the system, which I power with a large (overkill) LPS and then a very short Ethernet/CAT8 cable from the converter to the streamer/server.  When you say,
All active devices emit noise, including optical to RJ45 converters.
I assume you include switches too?  Therefore, what I believe I hear is the optimal set-up is to have the ENO be the last device prior to the streamer - correct. 

I have gotten to know Bill over the years through these forums so I do have a level of trust in what he hears, which is why this thread interested me.  Where would be a good place to purchase the ENO in the USA?
richtruss
163 posts
 
Very much so, noise and switches. Switches are great, they do partially isolate noise from an input to an output, they are your friend. An ENO filter on the output of the switch to your streamer is the ultimate place.
You can buy from us directly on the website. Free postage. 30 day returns. We’re open to suggestions for a good US distributor.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,467 posts
 
Yes the ENO filter is right before the Innuos server.  The EE 8Switch was added first and I really liked it on its own.  Better than the SOTM switch I sold and better than the EtherRegen.  The ENO after the 8Switch really was the game changer. The two work great together based on my experience. 
rc22
133 posts
 
@grannyring (Bill), thank you very much for taking the time to detail all the products you've evaluated (owned in most cases) in pursuit of better and better streaming SQ.  It helps so many of us evaluate our options.

Like Mitch2, I've come to know Bill and very much trust his ears.  He modded my Lyngdorf 2170 and 2-way floor standers with simply outstanding results.  He chose the parts (caps, wires, resistors, inductors) but explained to me the rational for each.  Prior to doing the mods, he described the ways in which the SQ would improve and by how much.  Each mod turned out exactly as he described or, if anything--better.  I have Bill's Acoustic BBQ brand power cords, a usb and Duelund speaker wires also.

I've been doing some homework on ENO Ag this week and will be placing an order for the filter and possibly the cable too.  I have a Zenith MK3 and think it sounds incredible, but there seems to be a consensus forming around the notion that steamers sound even nicer when noise is removed from the network (if that is the right way to say it).

Also, thank you very much to @lalitk for his advice.  Messaging him about ENO was part of my 'homework'.  He gave great guidance based on his experience.


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