This is an update of previous posts on this thread. I hope you are up to it. Please bear with me.
Let me share my journey tweaking my streaming network that I built around a Small Green Computer bundle. Back when I initially set up this configuration I modeled it exactly after Michael Lavorgna’s, now of Twittering Machines. It was stated that wired ethernet contains a multitude of music destroying noises that must be dealt with. Who was I to argue. At the time I didn’t even know what an ethernet switch was (a free- lance musician and private music teacher leading a sheltered existence) :
FO through wall > ONT > ethernet cat 8 > router > cat 8 > $15 switch > cat 8 > i5 Transporter.
Same switch > cat 8 > FMC > Fiber optic > FMC > cat 8 > ultraRendu with LPS > Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable to Benchmark DAC3B.
I had completely solved all power problems in my system to achieve a superior black background. The above still had grunge :
1. I added a LPS with a Y adapter to power both FMC = better
2. I added a LPS to the Transporter = better
3. I replaced the LPS power chords with Pangea Audio AC-14SE MkII = better
4. I wrapped my fiber optical cable in bubble wrap. It seems they are sensitive to vibrations. = better
5. I replaced the 3 post switch cat 8 ethernet cables with Pangea Premier SE = way way way better, but STILL some remaining niggly grunge!
I had not bought into the $700-$2000+ ethernet switch mania. I had bought my $15 plastic covered switch from Home Depot. I did try a more expensive switch and sent it back because I could hear no improvement. I rewired post switch and removed the FMCs. LISTENED. Then I added the FMCs back in. They were definitely improving the sound, by a lot!
6. I ordered a iFi iPower X Ultra Low Noise AC/DC Power Supply for the switch. I took out the FMCs again and installed the new PS. WHAM!! The sound came into complete focus. I reinstalled the FMCs again and now a huge amount of grunge had disappeared.
7. The new Pangea Audio Premier XL MKII USB Cable came on the market, which separates out the 5v current wire from the signal wires. Because my Benchmark DAC was using the 5v current, I replaced my previous Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable (same wire and connecters) and wiped another smear of noise from the window. This is the single biggest improvement of all these suggestions.
8. Shutting the WIFI off in my primary router and using a wireless access point to regain WIFI for the house. It has been less than 24 hours since I did this but the result seems principally in opening up the soundstage : width, depth, and clearer separation.
9. I have lived with this for two weeks and I gradually became aware of a persistent coloration that I eventually came to realize was masking the harmonic structure of the sound. Once I defined the problem there was no ignoring it. The problem had to be solved.
I started digesting the suggestions in this thread for optimizing an optical filter as I watched the $$$ mount. I remembered that Mr. Lavorgna moved on by replacing his optical filter with a GagaFOIL. I found some a thread on this very subject, and some level-headed fellow suggested removing the filter for a listen before proceeding. It was simple to connect an ethernet cable directly from my switch to the Sonore ultraRendu. I pushed play on Qobuz not knowing what to expect. Not only was the coloration banished, but the musicians exploded into the room, the result of expanded dynamic freedom . I was sitting there like a 1 year old that had seen his first Jack-in-the-Box! I stayed up late last evening listening to favorites with profound new revelations at every turn of phrase.
This morning I decided to redo the test I had done previously comparing Dudamel conducting Ives Symphony 2 : Qobuz 24/96 vs CD 16/44.1. The first time I reported that they sounded identical. Now they did not. The Qobuz sounded like a SACD being compared to a CD, which is what it should sound like when comparing different resolutions. The CD sounded like the colored generic-optical stream and the all-wired stream of Qobuz sounded much more open and revealing of detail!
My network is now simplified being all wired ethernet with no optical:
FO through wall > ONT > ethernet cat 8 > router > cat 8 > $15 switch w/iFi PS > Pangea ethernet > i5 Transporter w/LPS
Same switch > Pangea ethernet > ultraRendu with LPS > Pangea Audio Premier SE MKII USB Cable to Benchmark DAC3B.
Now I am going to jump into the weeds and try to draw some conclusions :
a. There are two ways to skin-this-ethernet-cat : All wired or conversion to all optical, both can sound equally good.
b. What was the source of this needing an optical filter to clean wired noise? : primarily WIFI proximity in router combos, the inverse square law at work. Also those dreaded SMPS did their harm. With these two noises sources eliminated wired ethernet sounds completely clean, no longer needing a filter.
c. I am sensing the optical filter could remove some, but not all of this upstream noise suggesting a confirmation of sns’s assertion of signal damage. This could and should be investigated by someone with the right equipment and expertise. What happens to the square wave when subjected to intense RFI in these router combos?
d. Wired network optimization now consists of the tried and true audiophile tweaks of quality cabling and ALL THINGS POWER. Optical network optimization needs the highest quality converters with additional LPS, transceivers and optical cable. BOTH need to use separate Wireless-Access-Point. This can be effective, but is it necessary? It sure is expensive.
e. IMHO, for those newly setting up their network, I highly recommend all Pangea digital cables, the highest model only, available with a 30 day return. Give them a listen against the mega-buck cables and see what you think.
Am I done? This post reveals that I make no changes in my system unless I have clearly defined a problem that needs a solution. I listen to music with my trained and experienced musician’s ears. Problems always surface when I get frustrated trying to parse more meaning out of the performance/sound. My system has been meticulously tweaked. When one first starts tweaking, the sonic changes are minute because there are still so many problems masking clarity. However, as you get to the end, each new tweak is a revelation/game-changer. They are harder to find but Oh-so-rewarding. If I can find anything new I’ll report back.
This was a 3 1/2 year journey. I learned a ton along the way. I hope it is helpful to someone else.
