2. digital
  3. 177790-7401

Ethernet - Analog/Digital Signal Clean Up

Curiosity got the better of me recently and I tried a pretty cheap tweak where I used two Fiber Optic converters between the eero access point and my Lumin U1 Mini streamer. Converted from copper Ethernet to fiber optic then back to copper and then into streamer using my Supra Cat8. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the improvements this change had brought into my system and now I am wondering if I can do better. One other aspect of the current configuration that I don’t like is the clutter - each unit comes with it’s own power supply and add to that a fiber optic cable. I already have a spider web of wires and am not looking to add to that. 

Objective is to have as much noise, RFI and EMI removed before it reaches the streamer. 

Seeking opinions on the following units from those who had tried them in their systems:

  1. English Electric Network Switch 8 (Silent Angel is pretty much the same thing)
  2. Uptone EtherREGEN (currently out of stock)
  3. Network Acoustics Eno (box or streaming system)

 

What is your experience with these units?

Anything else to add to the above list? 

 

Thanks in advance!

128x128audphile1
markprice's avatar
markprice
36 posts
 

Hi, this is my 1st post.

I was very sceptical about all these pre-streamer connections until my friend bought me a cheap £15 Netgear switch. Guess what ... it made a difference. I have since bought the English Electric 8 switch and this made a bigger difference. Then I added  Sablon Audio (£325) Etherlnet cable between EE8 and Streamer. Again a slight improvement. Research tells me that multiple switches can help but expensive cable up to the switch isn't necessary.

So, router via chord cable to net gear via 10m cheap cable to EE8 via Sablon to streamer.

Works for me

woots's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
woots
304 posts
 

Great Post and great shares!!

sns
3,328 posts
 

@audphile1 I'll mention this for umpteenth time, when using usb dac,optimization is absolute key!. Vast majority of servers have rather poor usb rendering, reason for all these usb filters, renderers, other thingies. Right off, I'd say this is your weakest link, even beyond needing lps for the FMC's.

 

Very difficult to get beyond clutter when optimizing streaming networks. The only means to get beyond this is with the very top tier servers with optimized INTERNAL usb, network ports, or whatever output port one prefers, these also have built in top tier lps so no need for external lps. Another means to simplified system is slightly lesser server with top tier streamer/dac, server still must provide top tier network out port to retain simplicity. With all the streamer functions built into dac, one can bypass all the usb or any other preferred port issues. Get rid of all port issues, half the battle of clutter has been taken care of, only ethernet optimization remains.

 

sns
3,328 posts
 

Sorry, wasn't totally clear, I meant streaming dac. Separate streamer and dac is another option, not clutter free, however.

discopants
149 posts
 

I've got an Etherregen it feeds my lyngdorf TDAI3400 amp / streamer and it's fed by SFP from a Cisco2960. makes a significant uptick over just going straight into the AMP from a router.

I also have a Chinese 10mhz clock on the Etherregen and both have shielded power cables, LPS and everything 'floats' on black ravioli pads. All makes a difference.

 

sadly getting certain parts for the Etherregen means it may no longer be produced.

the passive network acoustics ENO filters get a lot of love too.

More to discover