@sns agree this may not get results for all depending on how well your system is already performing. For me it was a definite improvement way above it’s $85 price point. I do have LPS on order to see what they can do. After that, any suggestions on what is the best way to convert to fiber after the streamer at reasonable cost? Did find a similar FMC set (2) converting USB 2.0 to fiber at $300. Not sure how much more it will gain. It is sounding really nice now. Sonore looks nice but pricey...maybe down the road if I upgrade my system. Thanks to all for this enlightening bargain tweak.
Cheapest way to enhance SQ with digital streaming
I could not stop but post my observations on remarkable SQ improvement with just a small change. I have been using digital streaming predominantly and have tried many things (cables, conditioner, room treatment). Everything does matter and they all did improve the quality without doubt and are definite investment. But after going through some reviews of fiber optic for Ethernet and their noise reducing properties compared to copper cables, I thought of giving a try. I connected Ethernet cable from router/Ethernet switch to media converter and fiber optic from this media converter (need SFP module) to second media converter (with another SFP module). Then regular Ethernet cable went from this second media converter to server/streamer. Basically the idea is to add fiber optic cable between the router and streamer, which will reduce the noise. But, wow, the difference was huge and amazing. Not sure how to explain the improvement, but the SQ was more fluid, melodious, fast, clean and separation of instruments were clear. The total cost for this was less than 150 (on Amazon). Apparently, as the fiber optic cable conductors are made of glass, they carry less noise compared to copper and also cost very cheap. Compared to money spent on other component in my system (have spent quite a lot), this is the most cost efficient and gave more improvement in the SQ. I am still amazed by this and very happy with what I heard. I feel negligent not to share with my fellow audiophiles, who are trying to get the best out and improve their system, sometime spending quite a bit for small difference. I guess, since the cost of trying this is so cheap (please don’t make me feel guilty for telling 150$ 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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@tksteingraber Not sure what you mean by after streamer. Streamers generally do usb straight into dac, if you converted usb to fiber you'd have to have fiber input on dac. Generally, fiber is used to convert ethernet to fiber, this goes into server/streamer or separate server or separate streamer.
Now if you're talking server, you can do FMC AFTER server ONLY by using separate streamer (examples my Opticalrendu) which has fiber input, usb output to dac. Without separate streamer FMC can only be done UPSTREAM of server/streamer.
I think people get mixed up by all the different words applied to streaming equipment. Servers are most common of streaming equipment, vast majority have streamer built in, if one is using usb or another port direct into dac, this has built in streamer. Streamers are a separate computer that is placed downstream of server and just prior to dac, steamers also called Roon endpoints, usb renderers. Streamers have their own operating system since they're computer, this allows them to communicate with the Roon Core installed in server, why they're called Roon Endpoint, they also convert ethernet or optical to usb, reason they're called usb renderer.
Three theoretical advantages to separate streamers, one is removing Roon endpoint duties from server, means less processing by computer within server which means less noise produced. Two is ability to do FMC after server, noise produced by server can be completely eliminated. Three, the usb rendering process is generally filtering and/or reclocking of usb creating improved usb rendering vs. what may be untreated usb coming directly out of motherboard on server, result is better feed to dac, cleaner, less jitter. So, one has option of keeping it simple, using general service computer or computer optimized for music, this is called the server. take usb straight to dac. The other way is more complex as I've tried to explain above. |
@sns Thank you for your great explanation. Very easy to follow and makes clear sense of it all. Still learning a lot about streaming music. Appreciate your efforts. My current set up is: Router-FMC-fiber optic-FMC-Macbook pro with AQ jitterbug-asynchronous DAC. Adding the fiber made a big difference and it sounds very good. I was inquiring if fiber could be added between the Mac and DAC. Seems that my next step down the road would be to replace the Mac with a dedicated streamer with fiber input like the opticalrendu. |
@tksteingraber I’d think installing the fiber stuff after the MacBook would be more effective. Second, the Jitterbug is not a DAC — it just reduces jitter and, frankly, it sucks. It ruined the sound coupling it with my Dragonfly Red, and speaking with an industry insider AQ knows it sucks and is reworking it. And yeah, a dedicated streamer annihilates using a noisy computer as a source. Noise kills digital sound, and a general-use computer is extremely noisy. Just my $0.02 FWIW. |
@soix thanks for your input. Yep realize the JB is not a DAC just a jitter filter. I was just listing it was on my MAC. The dash above is the connection change. The JB has worked for me much better than iFI purifier and does make the Mac sound better with blind tests. (Nothing like adding the FMC’s and fiber cable) I can see how the JB wouldn’t help out in other set ups. Agree the next step up will be a dedicated streamer down the road. Right now pretty darn happy with my Mac with Amarra. |
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