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
sns
3,003 posts
 

@debjit_g That seems like logical explanation, I suspect the modified Sonore Opticalmodule within Small Green Computer SonicTransporter Optical I9 would provide better isolation from motherboard. Unfortunately, this doesn't provide for optimal usb out. I want the choice of both optimized fiber and usb with my next server, diy may be only solution for me.  I'd have difficult choice between Pink Faun and JCAT.

 

Also, I presume having to go back through Buffalo switch with fiber vs. direct to dac with usb would have bearing on your preference.

 

sns
3,003 posts
 

@debjit_g  Forgot to mention, I have second ethernet port on my server, so I can do FMC without having to go through an added switch in network.

debjit_g
247 posts
 

I suspect the modified Sonore Opticalmodule within Small Green Computer SonicTransporter Optical I9 would provide better isolation from motherboard.

it’s the same isolation that you would get if you had the opticalmodule outside and connected via copper to the motherboard. To run fiber end-to-end, one needs to design the motherboard from scratch and don’t think anyone is upto the task (well, Sotm did but they don’t have fiber)

of all these yrs that I have been experimenting, introducing fiber not necessarily translates to better sound - it’s just sounds different. In most cases (in some of my friends setup and mine) I have seen a softening effect to a point where it mars out the details slightly.

you can’t go wrong with either the PF or the JCAT. Both are equally good. It’s just a matter to taste which one you like.

grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,438 posts
 

@debjit_g , this is the board used in Mojo,

 

http://www.jlsounds.com/i2soverusb.html

sns
3,003 posts
 

Yes, future experiments will absolutely compare optimized optical and usb comparisons, also, one computer vs two computer setups. I'd also like to try return to Audirvana, compare with Roon and Roon/ HQPlayer. When I first changed over from previous iteration of Audirvana (prior to Studio) to Roon was quite sure I preferred Audirvana. Also thining to try Euphony Stylus endpoint vs Roon endpoint.

More to discover