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  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!

audphile1
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,653 posts
 

@mitch2

There are so many ways to optimize the Ethernet before signal reaches your streamer/server. I believe in keeping fewer devices in the signal chain as each ‘break’ in signal chain introduces new set of problems related to noise and change in overall tonality not to mention complexities from multiple devices. It’s all about striking a fine balance. Alternatively, if all else fails or make negligible audible difference then it’s time to leave it alone or upgrade your streamer/server. Atleast that’s been my experience with my DAC/Streamer and Ethernet switch upgrades. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
5,443 posts
 

@mitch2 cool. Yes definitely try. I found Eno on its own, without switch before it, to be better than with switch/Eno combo. In my system, to my ears.
Agree with @lalitk based on the testing I’ve done, less is more. 

sns
3,684 posts
 

I have some interesting experiments coming up. Have Netgear CM500 modem on way, DOCSIS 3.0 vs. crap Intel chip modems, also external power supply so I can lps it.

Mikrotik CCR-1036-8G-2S+ enterprise scale router, will replace Netgear router/wifi, has built in dual lps, and two fiber modules, also pass 1gb internet speed.

 

Based on some knowledgable people at whatsbestforum these should provide nice performance boost.

 

 

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mitch2
4,223 posts
 

I tried several different configurations tonight between the Gigafoilv4 and the Network Acoustics eno, and I perceived the following differences.

  1. Having both the Gigafoilv4 and NA eno fed by Ethernet cable in front of my streamer/server sounded very good. This was my baseline.
  2. Removing the Gigafoilv4 and sending the signal through the eno alone caused me to perceive a bit more tonal density. I can understand how this sound could be desirable.
  3. Reinstalling the Gigafoilv4 and removing the eno resulted in the perception of a touch more brightness without harshness, but a different sound than the eno alone.
  4. Surprisingly, removing both the Gigafoilv4 and the eno, and connecting the Ethernet cable directly into my streamer/server may have resulted in my favorite configuration.

The differences were so subtle as to be borderline perceptible but exercising poetic license related to my aural perceptions I would say #1 sounded pretty good, #2 a touch dark, #3 a touch bright, and #4 perhaps the best balanced. I would like to listen more to #1,2,and 4 but I cannot help wondering if any of this stuff makes a big enough difference to bring value. At least in my system, the direct connection sounded so good that I could easily make a case for buying none of the add-ons.

One other thing I would like to try is to use one of my 5V, 3.5A linear power supplies on the power leg of my TWL “Split Power & Data” USB Cable so the USB power would no longer be coming from the server. I would be interested to hear from anyone else who is powering their USB input using an external linear power supply, and the perceived effect on the sound of your system.

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