Streaming Sound Quality - Want the very best sound quality? Network Acoustics ENO...


Like many of you fellow Agoners I am striving to get the best sound quality out of my digital streaming front end. To that end I have invested in various high end switches, re-clockers, ethernet cables, various USB filters/re-clockers, high end servers and delved into fiber optic conversion configurations. All of these measures did improve sound quality at varying levels. I felt my system sounded as good as a decent CD transport on many streaming recordings in Qobuz. However, I still felt there was something missing. I felt my system was still being held back. You can see my system under virtual systems here.

Well, I stumbled across something that has finally enabled my digital system to be all it can be. I cannot fully express the level of sound quality improvement realized with the addition of the Network Acoustics ENO Ag filter and ENO Ag streaming ethernet cable. It has been 10 days now since I added these to my system and I can now confidently say my streaming and system are all they can be sonically.

Here is the set up that has caused me to sell off and move past many other powered filters, reclockers, fiber optic options, and other streaming tweaks and gadgets. Frankly, the ENO additions are miles ahead of these other options sonically in my system and experience. Miles. This is my personal experience and please understand this perspective.

Netgear NighHawk modem/router power by an LPS > Supra cat 8 ethernet cable > English Electric 8Switch > Network Acoustics ENO Ag streaming cable > ENO Ag ethernet filter > Innuos Zenith III > Mojo Audio Evo dac

The English Electric 8Switch is also wonderful. Will a lower cost, standard switch sound as good in this set-up? Not sure as I have not tried. I am so ecstatic with my sound system that I don’t want to touch it!

There is a certain rightness from top to bottom that’s intoxicating. The tone is so beautiful and natural with no hint of electronic glare or digital artificiality. Music flows with far greater ease and has an uncanny, unforced nature to it. The stage is far deeper with the music flowing from a plane that is layered and completely separate of the speakers. This aural sensation, at this level of nuance, is new to my system and experience. The ENO products made this possible.

Instruments are presented with a new realism that is arresting to my senses. There is a wholistic presentation that spreads out all around me and my space. Just a joy to experience. Yes, the speakers seem to float the music into my space without any attention or localization of the speaker box or physical presence.

No part of frequency spectrum is out of place or forced. I am sure this has to do with the absence of noise. My music is equally articulate and resolved at low or loud volumes. Music stays controlled and enticing no matter how complex or bombastic the recording.

The ENO filter is passive, not powered, so there is no need of any power supply or plug. This is a huge plus.

Hope you streaming audiophiles find this helpful.

Bill
128x128grannyring

@hchilcoat 

Muon Pro has been designed to work with streamer that requires 1Gb/s Ethernet connection speed. Your JCAT Net XE is seeing ENO as bottleneck hence the connection/speed issues. There are few here who experienced the same issue as you and switching to Muon Pro not only got rid of the problem but also further enhanced the performance. 

@lalitk Thank you. I look forward to the two-fer of having more convenience and improved sound!

@hchilcoat

I have the same Deja Vu server with the same JCAT NET CARD XE.

I own both the eno and the muon (non PRO model) and both of those filters work fine with my server, coming out of a Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch. However, my internet service is only 200 mbs. Is your 1Gb/s Ethernet cable coming out of a switch that does not accommodate 100 mbs? I did have the same issue as you when I was running fiber through 1,000 mbs convertors and per Rich Truss at Network Acoustics, I had to purchase convertors that maxed out at 100 mbs. I did that and it then worked fine. I now run Ethernet directly from my router into the Bonn N8 switch and then into the muon. Based on the amber color of the light on the switch, it is only operating at 100 mbs into the muon, but it works and sounds just fine.  I wish they would just stop coming out with new stuff for us to purchase.

Revel Salon 2 speakers?  Wise choice!  The Revel Salon 2 speakers are just absolutely incredible speakers!!! 

It is amazing how the Salon 2 still having so many fans despite "old tech" they must be one heck of a speaker. I myself never heard em, but I do know tge Muon Pro and Tempus is fire, pronounced fiyah as it's extra hot.