Streaming Sound Quality - Want the very best sound quality? Network Acoustics ENO...

I seriously question the additional conversion for runs under 6-8m. A well shielded cat8 ethernet cable is the better solution in that case, even before discussing the quality of PSUs needed for the convertera. The Etherregen in combination with a well clocked switch is a cleaner and better solution.

This didn't hold true in my system using my ears at least...

Replacing ~10 ft of ethernet from a noisy equipment closet to my audio rack with fiber made a BIG difference.   I heard a darker background and more clarity/detail, with no added harshness.   I terminated the fiber with each of the following: EtherREGEN, OpticalRendu, and $100 StarTech converter (+ after market power supply) and the results were all about the same minus differences between USB and SPDIF (my preference) which I assume to be related to my DAC.  All of these were much better than straight Ethernet to the M5 from my perspective.

Yes, my 10 ft run was not cat8 or of high quality, but the difference in sound quality vs copper was so significant I don't think buying a better 10 ft copper cable would have made up all of the differences.

Baseline:

• switch with sfp port -> 10 feet cheap ethernet cable -> EtherREGEN -> short cat8 -> Bricasti M5 -> SPDIF -> DAC

Fiber 1-SPDIF:

• switch -> 10 feet of fiber -> EtherREGEN -> short cat8 -> Bricasti M5 -> SPDIF -> DAC

Fiber 1-USB:

• switch -> 10 feet of fiber -> EtherREGEN -> short cat8 -> Bricasti M5 -> USB -> DAC

Fiber 2-USB:

• switch -> 10 feet of fiber -> OpticalRendu -> USB -> DAC

Fiber 3-SPDIF:

• switch -> 10 feet of fiber -> $100 Fiber Converter -> short cat8 -> Bricasti M5 -> SPDIF -> DAC

I'm currently running the latter as I didn't detect a drop after replacing the more expensive converters.   I've been tempted to buy another EtherREGEN to drop back in to see if I would now hear a difference vs the much cheaper converter...

@audiom3 Prior to inserting Opticalrendu I had diasy chained SOTM SMS200Neo to Uptone usb regen, I had gone back and forth any number of times leaving Uptone out or replacing, always preferred the daisy chain. I then inserted Opticalrendu forgetting that I still had Uptone in chain. Listened in daisy chain configuration for couple sessions when suddenly realizing still had Uptone (by the way powered by lps) connecting to dac. Pulled it out and shazam, so far better, even lower noise floor, and most importantly newfound sense of ease and relaxation. My digital now may match or nearly match my vinyl setup in this area, along with much higher resolving powers (need more updates on vinyl side). The Uptone was obviously putting a slight veil and masking the ease of OR. I've now removed from my chain one switch, two ethernet cables and two lps, so less complex with far better sq.

@ddafoe My ethernet solution cable was all Audioquest Vodka, my optical solutions, even with generic fmc and one ethernet conversion bested ethernet solution

I was also recently made aware of a another formerly unknown to me optical solution with the following, https://ediscreation.com/product/fiber-box/ This may be solution for me upstream of server.

For the ethernet fans here, I'm not stating with absolute certainty optical superior to ethernet, but so far my optical setups have been superior, others seem to concur with this view. I certainly hear far more deeply into recordings, and I've not heard any sound signature or flavor added with optical. Thus far my optical explorations have gone further than ethernet, the Eno may still be in my future if I wish to compare ethernet under more favorable conditions.

@sns , The Ediscreation FIBER BOX II is an optical isolation solution not unlike using fiber and two FMCs, but somewhat less clunky as it is contained in a single box.  I suspect it would work well right in front of the ENO.  They also make the SILENT SWITCH OCXO, a switch using an OCXO clock with internal LPS.   Couldn't find a review but here are some nice pictures.

There is no clocking in ethernet transmission. IT IS ASYNCHRONOUS. Do not spend your money on frivolous stuff like switches and cables. Most basic cables, AS LONG AS THEY ARE WITHIN 802.11 specs will work PERFECTLY.

Spend your money on the DAC instead. That is the most important component in a digital system.

I’m a huge fan of @richtruss and Rob Osborne’s ENO Streaming System, which I incorporated into my listening chain this past fall. Both Rich and Rob were extremely helpful with answering all of my questions and concerns about their products and how I could best use them. Placing the ENO Streaming System between my D-Link network switch and my Roon Nucleus music server was an absolute revelation. Everything sounded much smoother and more analog through my headphones. What I’m hoping is for Network Acoustics to come out with their own network switch so they could offer a true synergistic setup from a listeners router to their music server. Rich and Rob make a great product that I wish more audiophiles would try in their own music streaming systems.