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
jerrybj
861 posts
 

I have limitations in my system due to available space, and having to stream using wifi. 

Thinking of getting one of these next year, to try and close the gap between ethernet and wifi connection. Worthwhile?

 

 

jerrybj
861 posts
 

Would an Acoustic Revive RLI-1 do a similar job to the Eno filter?

sns
3,005 posts
 

I've just been in contact with Rich, spoke with him about issues with audiophile switch I tried. Based on his input and good reviews here will be trying Eno filter in place of switch.

Post removed 
mitch2
3,755 posts
 

Ok, so I bit the bullet and the Network Acoustics ENO Ag ethernet filter and  streaming cable are now in the house.  Thanks to whoever (lalitk?) posted that the ENO filter and cable were available on USAM since I was able to purchase those.  The post from 1/22 seems to have been removed.  I am still skeptical that this will provide an improvement but I will hook it up this weekend and give it a solid try for a while.   The chain will be as follows:

  • Orbi mesh router (main router unit directly connected to Xfinity cable in, and not one of the mesh satellites)
  • short CAT8 cable
  • Netgear switch with ifi PS
  • short CAT8 cable
  • optical converter
  • 45 feet of fiber
  • optical converter with HD Plex LPS
  • short CAT8 cable
  • Silent Angel Bonn N8 - TCXO Ethernet Switch with HD Plex LPS
  • Network Acoustics Ag Ethernet cable 
  • Network Acoustics Ag ENO filter
  • Attached Network Acoustics ENO filter cable to Mojo Audio Deja Vu server
  • USB to Mojo Audio EVO B4B 21 DAC
  • Balanced cables out to preamp/amp etc.
  • Optionally, I can run 45 feet of CAT8 directly between the two switches and not use the optical.  Since I have both the optical cable and CAT8 already wired directly from the area of the router to where my system is located, I will probably try the Ethernet cable in lieu of the optical cable and converters later during my evaluation of the ENO.  Thus far, I have not heard a noticeable difference between using the CAT8 cable between the switches, and the Ethernet cable with the two converters.
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