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Neat "Tweaks" to improve the SQ of your streamed music!!!

After over 40 years of playing around with high end audio gear, I would consider myself a pretty well oiled audiophile (old fart). My current audio system is very highly resolving, if I may say so myself. At this juncture, I stream exclusively, so I concentrate on and strive to obtain the highest quality of sound from my streamed music. I have installed several wonderfully effective tweaks throughout my audio system over the past few years, but two of the greatest and most effective tweaks that I feel so fortunate to have discovered were the iFi LAN iSilencer and the Puron AC Conditioner. I use iFi iSilencers on all three of my ethernet cables, and I also use two of the Puron Conditioners in my listening room. I’ll let you do the research for more details on these incredible devises for yourself. But, all I can tell you is this, once I added the devices to my already highly detailed, transparent and resolving system, everything improved!!! Palpability, realism, organic-ness, see-through transparency, etc., all shined though to an even greater degree. When added to the elements of my system that are critical to the overall SQ of my streamed music, these devices actually elevated the sound quality of my audio system to a higher plateau. What these devices do so well is they effectively filter out, cleaning up and eliminate the grunge and noise from the electrical signal in the listening room, and also the ethernet signal itself, to help create a blacker, quieter background in the music. And, all at, IMHO, an extremely reasonable price. Mind you, I’m in no way associated with either company. I’m just passing on to others my own personal positive experience with these two incredible devices. They're quite amazing!!!  Happy listening.

kennymacc
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 

I just had some fun adding an English Electric streamer and upgraded my ethernet cable to Audioquest Vodka (12 meters).  Its been transformative.  My digital is very close to my analogue.  Excellent upgrade recommended by upscale audio.

wharfy's avatar
wharfy
300 posts
 

This is an informational and fun thread. Thanks to the OP.

Not sure if $1,000 upgrade is a "tweak." But here's go-

My Aurender N200 is connected to my ARC Ref 6SE CD player/DAC. Since the DAC can upsample up to 196, I added a Singxer SU-6 and an AES/EBU cable. This has tremendously improved the streaming sound quality.

questforhifi
104 posts
 

some tweaks I used:

townshend seismic isolation podium (this was the biggest/most impactful tweak)

synergistic tuning modules ( I would like to try the master tuning module but at $425 it seems very expensive for what it is, and i cant find any reviews or user feedback. The gold bullets are excellent though)

Puron conditioner (biggest bang for the buck. Very surprised at the impact it makes for the price)

LPS, Master Clock, and Heatsink for etherregen

The most recent tweak as ifi LAN iSilencer. Very minor, but positive tweak

 

One user however mentioned optical run and it had me thinking. I use a lumin u2 which has an optical network connection. I tried to run fiber from the etherregen directly to the lumin. I wasnt sure I liked so there is no longer any fiber in my chain

The difference is stark. HUGE difference. But... problematic

It sounded so pure. It’s hard to describe. More pure than vinyl or even direct rip from music server. Very clear, separated, lots of sparkle ext.

Unfortunately, and I want to be careful with my words as I dont want to call the sound sterile. It seems to miss some body. I dont want to use the word "thin" but it definitely felt like the bass was missing

In the past I used a lumin x1 with fiber connection and I didnt have this problem. back then I was using copper speaker cables and now I use silver helium filled cables. I wonder if the combination is "too much"

I want to get the positive effects without the negative. I’m wondering if it would make sense (or if there is a good product out there) that can convert my connection to fiber into etherregen and then use rj45 with a standard ethernet straight into my lumin. I wonder If this way I can get the benefits of fiber without the downsides

 

davetheoilguy
111 posts
 

The iFi LAN silencer is merely an Ethernet cable surge protector.

My wife is a cardiologist and uses similar equipment all the time.

They cost about $16 on Amazon.

skads_187
17 posts
 

As far as I've read, the iFi LAN iSilencer only needs to be used on one end correct? No need to have it on both ends of the cable right? thanks

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