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
debjit_g
280 posts
 

@sns  I think the issue is not with fiber connection as such but the noise a fiber nic creates back into the motherboard. Unless you have filters downstream PCIe, there is a high chance that noise is going through seep through. Unlike a generic fiber nic, the JCAT is purposefully designed to deal with the least noise as possible and its also have external 5v power input (which I use as well). I think this is a major contributing factor, at least in my case. 

Yes, I am taking usb from the JCAT XE USB straight to the DAC. When I used the fiber nic it was connected to a Buffalo switch.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,504 posts
 

Well the EE 8Switch was a definite improvement over a standard $50 switch in my system.  When coupled with a Network Acoustics cable and filter the results are just great in my system.  When the new NA switch comes out I will definitely try it.  
 

I owned the Innuos Phoenix and Ideon $4000 usb filter/reclockers and ended up selling them.  I found my Mojo Evo dac did not benefit from them. Just a great usb cable is what the Evo seems to like the most. My Innuos Zenith really partners well with the ENO filter.  I really think much of this is gear dependent. 

debjit_g
280 posts
 

Anybody know what USB controller is used in Mojo DAC ? It’s it Xmos based or Amanero or something else ?

I think I haven’t found a DAC that doesn’t benefit from a good USB cable.

hchilcoat
154 posts
 

@debjit_g 

Based on what I see showing up in Roon settings, looks like a JL Sounds USB board. 

debjit_g
280 posts
 

@hchilcoat the JL sound board is fabulous. Uses xmos chip. Recently Lampizator started using their board across all their models, low and top tier, as well.

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