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
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.


jakesnak
176 posts
 
I also incorporated the ENO Ag into my system. Rich was extremely helpful in explaining some of the aspects involved. I went about it a little different. My router is 50' from my EMM NS1 streamer. CAT 8. I placed a switch at the router and another switch before the ENO Ag. Do two switches isolate more? I don't know. I do know with the ENO the noise floor is now lower, more articulation, darker background, and overall better musical presentation. @lalitk turned me on to this, and I am grateful. 
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,418 posts
 
I had put this product on my watch list after @lalitk 's recommendation. Now @grannyring also recommends it. Two long time A'goners can't go wrong. Makes it more exciting.
I currently use a laptop to stream my audio file from a NAS and stream from Tidal - via a ethernet connection. Will the ENO make a difference, or should I not bother till I get a streamer?
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,600 posts
 
@milpai,

I do recall our conversation about you stepping up to a dedicated streamer. I recommended ENO in that scenario or if you’re using a wired Ethernet connection (router to laptop). ENO’s potential is best realized when it goes between a dedicated streamer and your router or a switch.

A quick review of your virtual system tells me you’re using a USB cable between your laptop and Oppo DAC/player. I recommend using a device like Intona USB isolator would provide a uptick in SQ.

https://intona.eu/en/products/7054

Let me know if I missed or overlooked anything.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,418 posts
 
Thank You for the details @lalitk.
So I have the laptop connected to the ethernet and then it sends the digits to the DAC via USB cable.So to use the Intona, we have to connect laptop the the intona and then the Intona to the DAC? The existing cable I have has USB Type-A on one end while the other is USB-B. Does this work with the Intona or does that need to be replaced as well?
More to discover