2. digital
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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
cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

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.

adasdad's avatar
adasdad
145 posts
 

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. 

soma70
153 posts
 

Good thread, thanks to OP and all.

It inspired me to try upgrading my ethernet cables between a Bonn N8 network switch and a Roon Nucleus.

I opted for Audioquest Cinnamon (about £100 each / solid copper core with silver) and have had very good results.

@cakyol is it possible that you don't know what you don't know? 

 

invalid
1,208 posts
 

AS LONG AS THEY ARE WITHIN 802.11 specs will work PERFECTLY.

 

 

That's the problem a lot of them do not meet specs even though they are advertised as such.

cakyol's avatar
cakyol
940 posts
 

@soma70 i know what i know. Most auidophiles (or phools sometimes) suffer from the "i paid more so i must be hearing better" syndrome, especially about wires , fuses and networking gear.

Listen to what @invalid has commented. That is almost always the issue.

99% of the so called audiophiles, and humans for that matter, once having reached about 40 years of age, will not hear anything above 16khz, let alone all the sound intricacies they claim they hear.

I invite everyone on this forum to be "real" with themselves and everyone else and comment accordingly.

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