Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System vs SGC Optical Isolation System

@sns

I much appreciate your reply and explanation of your network path solutions. I am strongly leaning toward the Newtwork Acoustics (Probably their MUON filtering system) as an effective network noise suppressor. It’s very straightforward and by many accounts, very successful at its job. A less expensive filter alternative is the SotM ISO CAT-7.

Charles

@lalitk 

It will be interesting to hear your feedback once you remove everything in the path and go direct from your modem or router to your Innuos. I know this is A/B is bit of pain but this is the only way to re-evaluate what each of the devices in the signal path doing to enhance your listening.

You are right about it being a pain, but realistically the only choice to have even a chance of determining what each of these things are doing.  My problem is having too many things here.  I just received a Denafrips Hermes DDC that I wanted to use to convert USB out of my streamer/server (which is Mojo Audio's DejaVu and not Innuous, btw) to AES/EBU that will then input into my Mojo Audio Mystic X SE DAC (which is not yet shown on my system page).  Unfortunately, there are some setup issues with the Hermes that I am working through with Vinshine currently so I have not yet heard what it can do.

The simplest path into the server may be my CAT8 Ethernet cable directly from the router into my Bonn switch and then the eno system cable/filter from the switch to my streamer/server.  In addition to that stuff, I also have fiber and converters  (currently installed), as well as the Gigafoilv4 (not installed),  and could use either to provide optical isolation.  The reports by @wjob and others in this thread of glare/hardness related to optical isolation using convertors have me wondering whether the pairing of both optical isolation and the Network Acoustics stuff is causing an issue when used together, or whether the issue is the byproduct of SMPS power supplies on convertors, or some other implementation issue as suggested by @jjss49. Also, I don't remember people reporting that condition when using the Gigafoilv4, which is also an optical isolation unit.  I struggle to believe that optical isolation alone would cause glare/hardness plus, I haven't really noticed that in my system.  Therefore, I plan to remove the optical isolation stuff and listen some more to find out whether the absence of an artifact (that I haven't noticed) is noticeable.  Maybe some people just live in areas with a lot of EMI/RFI.

I am also curious about these small isolation filters such as the SOtM iSO-CAT7 and the less expensive EverStar MI-300 discussed in this thread.  What are the similarities/differences between what those passive filters are doing vs. what the Network Acoustics passive filters are doing?   Are they all basically the same sonically, or are there actual sonic differences rather than simply marketing differences?  Is there a benefit that the SOtM and the EverStar filters are capable of operating at higher speeds, while the NA eno and muon filters have a maxed out speed of 100 mbs? 

Too many variables with this stuff typically results in my finding a combination that sounds good at the time and then leaving well enough alone so I can enjoy the music.

What are the similarities/differences between what those passive filters are doing vs. what the Network Acoustics passive filters are doing? Are they all basically the same sonically, or are there actual sonic differences rather than simply marketing differences?

Yep! Always the question with audio products. Sorting out the facts versus persuasive hype and hyperbole.

Charles

@mitch2

You raised questions worth pondering. If you recall our previous conversations, I always advocated for less is more. Having said that, each system is unique and then there are user preferences. I honestly believe adding or mixing more than one of these noise canceling devices doesn’t always yield to improvements that are monumental or worth pursuing at the added expense of complexities or chaos.

In regards to effectiveness of devices like MI-300 and iSO-CAT7, I think their existence in your system is going to largely dependent on your components downstream. I have tried a reputable net isolator similar to MI-300 in the past and couldn’t justify its existence in my system. I will soon be trying the iSO-CAT7 filter with upcoming trial of fully tricked out SOtM switch. I haven’t felt the need (until very recently) to mess with my network since purchasing M12 switch, 18 months ago. A simple switch that checks all the boxes between my router and Streamer/DAC.

And lastly, a recent communication with Rich at Networks Acoustics confirms, Muon Pro operating at 1Gb/s sounds better than the standard 100Mb/s version.