Ok have I missed an update to this thread? I thought it was “Cheapest way to improve sound quality”. Oh wait …🤔 we all have a different definition of what “Cheapest” means. I do appreciate all the expertise and education on higher end digital fiber products though.
Cheapest way to enhance SQ with digital streaming
I could not stop but post my observations on remarkable SQ improvement with just a small change. I have been using digital streaming predominantly and have tried many things (cables, conditioner, room treatment). Everything does matter and they all did improve the quality without doubt and are definite investment. But after going through some reviews of fiber optic for Ethernet and their noise reducing properties compared to copper cables, I thought of giving a try. I connected Ethernet cable from router/Ethernet switch to media converter and fiber optic from this media converter (need SFP module) to second media converter (with another SFP module). Then regular Ethernet cable went from this second media converter to server/streamer. Basically the idea is to add fiber optic cable between the router and streamer, which will reduce the noise. But, wow, the difference was huge and amazing. Not sure how to explain the improvement, but the SQ was more fluid, melodious, fast, clean and separation of instruments were clear. The total cost for this was less than 150 (on Amazon). Apparently, as the fiber optic cable conductors are made of glass, they carry less noise compared to copper and also cost very cheap. Compared to money spent on other component in my system (have spent quite a lot), this is the most cost efficient and gave more improvement in the SQ. I am still amazed by this and very happy with what I heard. I feel negligent not to share with my fellow audiophiles, who are trying to get the best out and improve their system, sometime spending quite a bit for small difference. I guess, since the cost of trying this is so cheap (please don’t make me feel guilty for telling 150$ is cheap), try yourself and see the difference. On a different note, have been reading that use of Ethernet switch also does some “saucery” (I am no technical guy, but do read quite a bit of articles on audio) to reduce this noise to improve SQ and combination of fiber optic and the Ethernet switch takes SQ to different level. Will try some audiophile Ethernet switch sometime (may be uptone ethergen or Sotm snh-10g) to try out as I am very intrigued.
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OK, my report. I bought the two optical gizmos and a relatively short piece of optical cable to connect the two. Running some supra from my mesh node into the first optical gizmo and then a 1.5 meter AQ vodka out of the second and into my aurender A10 yielded to me on my initial 30 minute session no difference.
Replacing the supra with the vodka straight out of the node into the aurender yielded more detail and ease, it was a worthwhile upgrade. But, "cleaning" the digital signal out of my node by "filtering" the signal through the optical devices hasn't made a noticeable difference. I'll keep it in the system for a while and do some A-Bs but this far its just more clutter. |
@car123 Try lps on second fmc, this should be worthwhile improvement. Don't need to spend a lot of money on this, Teradak or something similar fine.Not surprised didn't hear much difference with fmc in front of server. Adding switch and fmc after Aurrender would make more difference. But then this requires adding usb renderer. If one wants to both reduce clutter and optimize sound quality, two ways to go. FMC after server, this requires two computer setup, aka separate server and streamer, both optical enabled. The second is one computer setup, optimized usb out of server. With optimized usb out of server, add on filters shouldn't be needed. This assuming one using usb dac. |
As described, this is a simple and inexpensive solution for connecting an audio server to a home network that offers the benefit of immunity to RFI/EMI (except at the converters). My run is 45 feet long and I am using this fiber into two of these converters. In my system, I have a hard time discerning a difference between the optical solution and 45 feet of CAT8, but every system is different with different levels of quality and design on the inputs/outputs, connectors, power/grounding, and other factors. This may not be as much of an improvement for me since my system does not seem to have noticeable noise to begin with. As some have pointed out, the addition of two converters and two power supplies may have an effect on one's system. I am using LPS to power the converters. I am glad the fiber is working out for your system. What you described is an example of how to accomplish something without spending big "audiophile" money. I recently added the Network Acoustics ENO Ag Ethernet filter and their 1M cable. That filter will not work with the 1000Mbs MC200CM converters so I had to purchase 100 Base converters in order to use the fiber with the ENO. Also, make sure the fiber cable you purchase matches the converters since there are a couple of different types of cable and I believe I had to switch when I purchased the MC100 converters.. I typically do not like small boxes cluttering up my signal chain, but the ENO is seeming to improve the sound from the incoming Ethernet, although for quite a bit more money. I am also using a switch after the second fiber converter and before the ENO, with very short CAT8 cables between.
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