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
sns
3,435 posts
 

These results not surprising, unique results with unique setups. I bet you'd do better with the Acoustic Network ethernet cables, this based on other's reviews of them.  I've also experienced the benefits of better ethernet cables, having gone from generic through Supra, Wireworld and various Audioquest, finally settled on AQ Vodka as best in my setup. While ethernet cables may not have provided greatest benefit, they are still worthwhile investment.

 

I'll still maintain the most beneficial network improvements come post server, which means two computer setup, aka separate server feeding usb renderer/roon endpoint/streamer.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,614 posts
 

“I’ll still maintain the most beneficial network improvements come post server, which means two computer setup, aka separate server feeding usb renderer/roon endpoint/streamer.”

I respectfully disagree. There are other streamlined options to isolate the noise without ‘cluttering’ your space. Choosing a good server or streamer that specifically designed for audio is fundamental to the approach of clutter free streaming experience. Once you get that out of the way, then you can focus on DAC and noise filtering devices.

rc22
133 posts
 

@dbb

Thanks for asking.  I am not saying that, but I should explain:

I tried ENO alone and then *added* EE switch and Supracat, so all three devices were in-network.

I’ve not yet removed the ENO to evaluate the EE and Supra Cat alone, which is unusual for me.  Here’s why I didn’t bother removing ENO Ag-yet:  1) I bought all three items used so there is no return-clock ticking and the money at stake is much less than cost of new, 2. More resolving speakers will arrive later this month which could (should) be better at revealing differences, so final assessments of network items cannot be made until then.  Too, it’s pretty likely I step up my pre and dac game with new pieces after speakers are broken in, 3. It will be quite a surprise if I find that ENO Ag adds nothing compared with EE and Supra Cat 8 without out ENO Ag when I do get around to removing it from the network.  And 4. as @grannyring said in his OP: “I am so ecstatic with my sound that I don’t want to touch it!”

oczed
40 posts
 

It should be noted that Network Acoustics themselves strongly recommend using a network switch between your internet source and your ENO filter.  I've tried both variations in my home systems (using an ENO filter with and without the network switch) and noticed a much bigger difference with the switch installed.  To be clear, however, the switch + ENO filter was materially better than just using the switch alone.

sns
3,435 posts
 

@lalitk You couldn't get much more clutter free than server with optical out to streamer/usb renderer with optical in to dac.

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