A Very Useful New Discovery--EON Digital Filter from Network Acoustics


I've been on a year long quest to upgrade my stereo system, hopefully for the last time. As a senior "Luddite", I have been a late adopter of steaming capability. But now I'm converted. And just in time it apparently. In August 2020, DG released a new recording of all four Charles Ives Symphonies with the LA Phil and Dudemel conducting....with no CD format available!
Currently I'm listening to music through an Auralic G1 steamer/ Benchmark dac 3 DAC B into a newly built Audible Illusions Modulus 3B preamp and a Parasound A23+ power amp. CD's are played on an Audiolab 6000 transport into the Benchmark via Toslink. Speakers are Vanderstein Treo CT's. Oh there's still vinyl. I upgraded my trusty Well-Tempered TT with a Hana ML cartridge into a Sutherland Insight phono amp. Power supplies are a Furman PTS-8 with a Greenwave for devices switched on/off and an Audioquest 1200 for the devices left on, like the amp and the pre-amp. Everything is sounding really good (mostly acoustic jazz, Americana and Classical....lotsa acoustic piano).
I read on the 'Gon about a device from the U.K. called, EON from Network Acoustics. It is an EMI/RFI filtering device. We live on the Westside of LA. There's plenty of stray noise around. The one thing that worried me was the thirty foot run of contractor grade ethernet cable I was running from the office to the Auralic G1. I generally run mid-price cables, (Audioquest Carbon USB, Rocket 88 bi-wire speaker cables with DBS, Signal silver cables to the Sutherland, etc). Researching the EON, it seemed like this unit could be an asset, or at least save the money of 30 feet of Audioquest Cinnamon cable. And it was reasonably priced (under $500.00)!
I traded e-mails with Rich. He thought I would really like it but made two modest suggestions. He suggested that I add a D-Link DSG 1008G network switch (under $30.00)  and add a short link of good cable to the EON. (I ended up using the Audioquest Cinnamon ethernet). And he also suggested I pick up a IFI 5V power supply. ($50.00)
So.....what happened?
Suddenly the bass information, seemingly missing, was deep and powerful. I can actually feel the low bass strings on Christian McBride's acoustic bass pressing on my chest. And the percussive drive of Brian Blades drumming is being felt, not just implied. (Joshua Redman, Round Again, Nonesuch). The overall focus of everything is sharper. Like when you are tuning a guitar and the last little turn gets the top E string exactly right..... not just close. Brad Mehldau on, April 2020, sounds exactly like he is playing in my living room on a well cared for Steinway. Wow! Just Wow!!!!
I foolishly, but honestly, told my wife that I don't know to make this system sound any better.  I'm all done. Back to listening to music!
Important P.S The D-Link requires a male USB 2.0 Mini-B 5pin connector. Even though the IFI comes with many connector options, this isn't one of them. Nancy had one from an old I -Pad, keyboard connector.
mwgreene

Showing 11 responses by lalitk

@mwgreene,

Thanks for starting this thread. The ENO been on my radar for a while, I was just waiting for holiday rush to be over before I order the Cu version.
PS: Just ignore the mindless chatter from djones51 :-)
djones51,

Please do, then you can conduct a triple blind test in your very own home 😂
Update: I’ve order my ENO Ag System earlier today after exchanging emails with Rich. I have to give props to Rich for answering my concerns and queries patiently, he was thorough in reviewing my current streaming system and suggested ways to improve / isolate noise.

I will post my findings once ENO in my system for at least 40 hours.
@nonoise,

I am beginning to believe that djones51 maybe suffering from Aphantasia. Let’s just excuse the man and ignore his usual rants :-)
@milpai,

You bet, I expect to have the ENO by end of next week. Stay tuned! 
@rareace,

Thanks for the kind words. Tannoy’s makes wonderful sounding speakers. What is your digital setup?
@rareace,

I am on my 2nd day of listening and that’s my impression too about ENO Ag. These are of course preliminary impressions as this thing is still breaking in....

@milpai,
First thing I’ve noticed how the sound is more life-like with ENO in the mix. I am hearing noticeable reduction in mesh noise, more texture around vocals and instruments. The sense of realism is spooky good, bass is slightly more textured and a bigger soundstage.
@rareace,

Great digital setup, I’m familiar with Border Patrol, Line Magnetic and Harbeth’s...I bet the sound is deliciously sublime. 
@richtruss,

Thank you for sharing the review, Dave Clark is spot on with his review of ENO Ag! 

“We know our music. We know our system. We know when something that is new to the system is working to make our music the way we want it to sound. Like the ENO Ag.”
@yoby 

Yes. I reported my impressions earlier in the thread (scroll up). It’s a keeper. I plan to try their digital (coax) as well.