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
grannyring
sns
3,771 posts
 

There are three issues at hand. Quality of usb out of server/streamer, combining processes within one box and separating server from streamer, aka two computer solution.

 

Many servers don't optimize usb out, take usb directly out from motherboard, this is subject to all the noise created from the many processes on motherboard. Now, some servers optimize usb out such as the Mojo with JCAT card or some may use Pink Faun, that takes care of that issue. As a matter of fact, I was contemplating the Mojo server as possible candidate for eventual replacement of my present server until Benjamin notified me he will no longer be manufacturing.

 

Next issue is single computer or server/streamer solution. In this case many more processes taking place within singular component, more noise means less resolution. Dividing up the processes between two components, separate server and streamer means less noise generated within each component. While that may be of some benefit, the greater benefit as I see it is the ability to optimize your network post server. With separate server one can do FMC or Eno post server where it does most good. Prior to server isn't treating noise generated within server and or server/streamer all in one unit.

 

With Opticalrendu one gets FMC, quality streamer and usb renderer all in one package. Noise eliminated with FMC, many choices of what to stream and usb optimization. One Femto clock is for network side, other Femto clock for usb, proprietary circuit board optimized for low noise.

 

As previously mentioned I've also modified my server for direct ethernet out which means no more detour back through another ethernet cable and switch. More direct path means less chance for noise to enter chain.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,727 posts
 

@mitch2

Once you get ENO setup in your existing chain (as outlined in your first post), I would like you to experiment by simplifying the chain i.e. 45foot CAT8 from Orbi mesh router to Silent Angel Bonn N8 switch ➡️ ENO ➡️ Mojo server.
You may find, by eliminating 45Foot fibre optic cable run plus two Optical converters and Netgear switch, you actually prefer the SQ of your streaming setup. 

grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,614 posts
 

Nice post, I agree with your idea.  

mitch2
4,259 posts
 

Hi all,

The ENO Ag and cable are connected and music is playing.  I have already tried it both ways (i.e., Ethernet cable vs. fiber cable) as recommended by @lalitk except that I am still running a very short Ethernet cable directly from the router to a Netgear switch prior to the 45-foot run to the area where my server and system are located.  I do like the simplicity of not having the two additional converters and their power supplies in the chain but did not initially hear noticeable differences between the long run of Ethernet vs. the long run of fiber.

The ENO clearly operates at 100 mbs as the lights on my Bonn N8 show amber instead of green as they do without the ENO in the chain.  Also, in order to use the fiber, I needed to change out my converters from MC200CM (1000 mbs) to MC100CM (100 mbs) in order for the ENO to successfully handshake with my server.

Regarding the ENO itself, I have not yet discerned what I would consider a noticeably significant difference in the sound of my system with or without the ENO in the chain.  I will have fun listening this weekend and will report back.

hchilcoat
159 posts
 

@mitch2 I am following in your footsteps. Just recently added a Mojo Audio Deja Vu as well as a Mystigue EVO PRO to my system, as well as the Circle Labs P300/M200 Preamp/Amp combo. The Deja Vu is a refurbished unit with the JCAT XE USB and XE Net cards both with OCXO clocks . My router is far away and for a while I was using a wireless extender cpnnected to the music server to that with an ethernet cable. That worked ok I knew it wasn’t ideal. I recently moved to a new listening room that is on the other side of the house but not too hard to run a cable through my basement and through an existing hole in a listening room closet. Just got 100 foot run of terminated Cat 8 cable and rigged that up to get rid of the wireless set up and plugged directly to the Deja Vu from the Verizon router (I’ll shorten it when I get a more permanent hook up through in my wall). .

Very happy with the improvement in sound via ethernet cable via wireless. I will consider trying an ENO or perhaps the Muon to see if there is further improvement. Benjamin at Mojo didn’t think I needed any network switches with the JCAT XE Net card in place. but did suggest that I consider the ENO.

 

 

 

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