Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System vs SGC Optical Isolation System

@sns

No one is suggesting to spend crazy money on a AQ Vodka 50’, 25’ run. Let me reiterate what I said in one of my earlier post to @charles1dad

“My recommendation would be to use LINKUP LAN from your modem to Muon Pro Filter + Muon LAN pigtail into your Streamer”.

The cost here is $115 for a very high quality 50FT LAN cable plus Muon Filter which comes with a captive LAN on streamer end. This solution if it works for @charles1dad, keeps his gorgeous audio room clutter free (no modem or router with LPS in his audio room).

In my case, if I follow your suggestion by moving the Xfinity modem to my audio room (3rd floor) to keep short LAN to my switch (next to my streamer)…the problem with this scenario, it weakens the Wi-Fi signal to my devices on 1st floor. Keeping my modem on 2nd floor is most effective way to serve 30 plus devices that are operating on Wi-Fi signal. As I said numerous times, each of us have unique needs and priorities. We are here to share our experiences for our readers. We can only hope, they learn from our trials and adapt to what may works better in their unique environment. I always try to take the approach of less is more and it has served me very well.

BTW, Ethernet LAN cables are good upto 100 meters….zero latency. And the shielded LAN‘s are immune to EMI/RFI interferences.

“My network path is clean as a whistle and may beat you to it.”
@jerryg123 

I am happy for you. Looking forward to learn more about your next project. 

@lalitk Perhaps I'm not finding exact product you're pointing to, but all I can find on Linkup is ethernet cables. They may call them LAN cables, LAN cables are in actual fact eithernet cables, theirs are shielded which is simply CAT 7 and CAT 8 ethernet cables. Certainly the cables themselves are immune to RFI, issue is connectors is how rfi enters, rfi rides the gound on these cables to next component in chain. Coax eliminates this. Please inform me to actual product in case I'm not looking in correct place.

Now, if this LAN cable is indeed actual cat 7 or 8 ethernet the issue of  getting wifi to rest of house solved by connecting second router to primary router, primary router located in listening room, secondary router located wherever in house connected by cheapo etherenet/LAN cable, this supplies wifi to rest of house.

With setup I'm speaking of, you not only have the short runs of LAN/ethernet cables, but you're also entirely isolating audio network from wifi and rfi contamination.

Again, please inform me if LINkup has some new fangled cable I'm not aware of, if this true could be nice alternative.

@sns ​​​​@lalitk 

I appreciate both of your comments and impressions. Both of you speak from genuine hands on and listening experiences. As has been readily understood, much of this is individual circumstances influenced. So naturally different solutions for varying situations.

I have a 2 story (4600SF) plus  a finish basement (3rd level) where my audio system resides. My modem and separate router are in a 1st floor library. Bill (grannyring) has suggested a high quality modem/router combo unit and this is very appealing for me. Broadcom chip rather than Intel chip (sns 😊).

I am leaning toward this combo unit in my audio room connected via the Muon filter system to the audio streaming component (Yet to be chosen). This for for me would be a very simple yet effective and clean ethernet network circuit. My thought is the Muon is sufficient and would eliminate the need for a switch (Which entails another box/LAN cable/LPS/power cable). I just prefer simple.😊

Charles

One can get fine sound quality with top line streamers and dacs, this even with less than optimal networks. This based on latik and many other's experience, mine as well. We are talking marginal gains with most of these 'in the weeds' network optimizations, these are the sort of things you do when main components in streaming chain taken care of. So what you have is the usual thing when adding several marginal gains together, that being very meaningful improvements at highest levels of resolution/transparency.

And there is in fact and will probably always be multiple paths towards network optimization. I don't doubt for a second the benefits of products like Telegartner switch, Network Acoustics Muon. There is no doubt I'd be using  one or both  if having gone in different direction with my streamer. Eliminating noise on network pays off handsomely, based on reports from respected individuals both are excellent devices and deserving of placement in best audio systems. See, we can agree!