@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.
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 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. |
Hi Everyone... I am interested in this and am in the process of exploring DAC upgrades for the digital streaming source. I have ordered the suggested hardware to see if any improvements can be achieved in my current setup. I was wondering if you can confirm with me if I have understood how to implement correctly.
Thanks in advance |
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