Ethernet cable for music streaming

@cooper52

Innuos website recommends 12v 5A. The Pulse Mini accepts a wide range of LPS voltages though. I’m not sure the amperage required if the LPS has a voltage other than 12v. Innuos would probably be keen to advise you on this.

If you get a 12v LPS with a higher amperage, it will not damage your streamer. The streamer will take what it needs, so to speak.

When you do purchase your power supply, I’m a fuse believer. Something like a HiFi Tuning Supreme would work well. Also a decent DC cable, if not already supplied. Ghent Audio has some reasonably priced cables.

I was curious what network switch you have? If it’s just a standard computer switch, it’s possible it is draining life out of your system.

You could perhaps try DXE Iso Plus at each end of your long run of ethernet cable. Again reasonably priced, but effective.

Some people like the iFi power supplies, but I’ve read lots saying there is little to no improvement in their system.

Thanks, jerrybj, for this helpful info. I've ordered the Small Green Computer 12v LPS, and we'll see how that goes when it arrives. Meanwhile, I discovered that my previous network switch was probably a bottleneck in the stream, as it was a bit old and topped out at 100 Mbps. I bought a new Negear one that boasts 1 Gps, and it has (I think) helped a bit. Next, I'm going to replace the old CAT5 cable that runs from the router to the switch with CAT6a. I can actually run that as a dedicated line straight to the streamer, and a separate one to the Netgear switch that connects to the TV and the Roku box which seem to work just fine as it is. All of this accomplished, it SHOULD improve things with the streamer, but I'll post the results when it's all done and we see what we've got.

Update:

Well, this all took a while to accomplish, but I upgraded the power supply to the one from Small Green Computer, and it did make some difference. However, there was still some way to go before all the issues were solved. 3 days ago I changed the old CAT5 that ran from the router to the network switch with a 45 ft. run of Blue Jeans Cable CAT6a now going directly to the streamer. (The Netgear network switch is now consigned specifically to the TV and Roku box via a separate run of Blue Jeans Cable CAT6.) This has resulted in a significant improvement over the streamer’s previous performance, (Innuos PulseMini, just to remind you) though I STILL think there’s room for improvement. Perhaps I’ll look into replacing the fuse in the LPS as suggested by jerrybj.

All that said, I have reached a point where I’m actually enjoying listening to the streamer but I have a nagging suspicion that further improvement may only be accomplished by upgrading to a much more expensive one which, for now, just isn’t in the budget.

Were you able to narrow the issue to networking?  I'd suggest eliminating the rest of your chain before driving yourself crazy.  If you have a laptop, you can buy a USB-C Ethernet adapter to help run diagnostics.  You can also look up your internet modem, find the login and check logs then work downtream.  I recently had to do this and discovered the issue was with my exterior connection coming into the house, which was causing enough noise to causing odd slowdowns and random internet issues.

Also, be careful of running ethernet next to power.  It's fairly susceptible to EMI interference.

Here's a guideline:  Cable Guidelines for Data Integrity

Op,

I have not re-read the thread…. But getting better sound at this point would most easily be done by getting a better streamer. The better the streamer the better the sound… it makes up for and problems with the network. I recommend an Aurrender… the best you can afford. My rule of thumb is that carefully chosen $ Streamer = $ DAC = $Preamp = $ amp. In my system the streamer is about 20% more than the DAC and preamp and is simply stunning.