2. digital
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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
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,699 posts
 

@grannyring I want to thank you for creating this thread. Based on your impressions, and other folks whose opinion I trust, I took the plunge and bought the Zenith MK3 along with the Eno AG package. At first, I didn’t think this combo was much better than opticalRendu (now in my study). But after putting over 75 hours on the Zenith, all I can say is that it has far, far exceeded my expectations.

You were spot on with your comments. The level of detail, tonality, dark background, and expansive soundstage I’m getting now is just out of this world. Each instrument has so much space around it, and the way each instrument comes into focus and then gradually fades into the same darkness is uncanny. Zero digital harshness and minimal distortion... I’m able to crank up the volume much higher than usual and still enjoy the music. The music just sounds so right and balanced top to bottom. I listened for 4 hours this afternoon and I don’t think I’ve ever felt more connected to my music. Thanks again for starting this thread.

I also want to thank @lalitk on his suggestion to try Supra Cat 8 ethernet cable. TBH, I wasn’t expecting much, but it has certainly added to the overall quality of sound I’m getting now.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,614 posts
 

@arafiq

Your feedback solidifies that everything matters in a well put together audio system. I’m glad to hear all the recent additions yielding to superior listening experience and that’s what matters at the end of the day!

jerrybj
869 posts
 

I have to use wifi to my streamer. Have a repeater with ethernet out.

Considering getting an Etheregen and Eno Ethernet Filter in the future.

 

My system would then be:

Wifi Repeater, EtheRegen, Eno Ethernet Filter, Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra, Hiface Evo 2 (with Evo Clock), LKS DA-004, Perreaux R200i, ATC SCM19v2.

 

A reasonable solution?

 

antigrunge2
1,461 posts
 

@jerrybj,

 

Two suggestiins: the ENO filter should go in front rather than behind the Etherregen.

Rather than use a repeater use a mesh router or an Apple Airport. Repeaters pick up lots of noise from the power grid.

jerrybj
869 posts
 

I will keep that in mind, but have already got a repeater, so will use that at present.

The repeater feeding my streamer by Meicord Opal will possibly be no worse than the streamer being fed a wifi signal?

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