Thank you!
Cheapest way to enhance SQ with digital streaming
I could not stop but post my observations on remarkable SQ improvement with just a small change. I have been using digital streaming predominantly and have tried many things (cables, conditioner, room treatment). Everything does matter and they all did improve the quality without doubt and are definite investment. But after going through some reviews of fiber optic for Ethernet and their noise reducing properties compared to copper cables, I thought of giving a try. I connected Ethernet cable from router/Ethernet switch to media converter and fiber optic from this media converter (need SFP module) to second media converter (with another SFP module). Then regular Ethernet cable went from this second media converter to server/streamer. Basically the idea is to add fiber optic cable between the router and streamer, which will reduce the noise. But, wow, the difference was huge and amazing. Not sure how to explain the improvement, but the SQ was more fluid, melodious, fast, clean and separation of instruments were clear. The total cost for this was less than 150 (on Amazon). Apparently, as the fiber optic cable conductors are made of glass, they carry less noise compared to copper and also cost very cheap. Compared to money spent on other component in my system (have spent quite a lot), this is the most cost efficient and gave more improvement in the SQ. I am still amazed by this and very happy with what I heard. I feel negligent not to share with my fellow audiophiles, who are trying to get the best out and improve their system, sometime spending quite a bit for small difference. I guess, since the cost of trying this is so cheap (please don’t make me feel guilty for telling 150$ is cheap), try yourself and see the difference. On a different note, have been reading that use of Ethernet switch also does some “saucery” (I am no technical guy, but do read quite a bit of articles on audio) to reduce this noise to improve SQ and combination of fiber optic and the Ethernet switch takes SQ to different level. Will try some audiophile Ethernet switch sometime (may be uptone ethergen or Sotm snh-10g) to try out as I am very intrigued.
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Bumping this thread to say thank you @romney80
Just picked up exactly what you described, fantastic improvement is right! Best $80 I’ve spent! 2 of these between my switch and Sonore UltraRendu: Gigabit Ethernet Multi-Mode LC Fiber Media Converter With this cable:
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@fmzip i am glad you tried and worked. Digital “noise” is more than we imagine. We don’t know unless we hear “minimizing the noise”. Since my last post, I have done a bit more in the digital chain. Router > sotm with cat 7 > ethergen with fiber optic > English electric 8s > ENO acoustics > streamer. Not every step is superior but synergistic and now more organic (less “digital”). |
I'm moving on from generic fmc and Sotm sms200 neo to the Sonore Opticalrendu, replaces one FMC and it's lps and sotm. Next will be optical out server such as Small Green Computer Sonictransporter I9 or diy solution with optical out, this gets rid of second fmc and it's lps, and upgrades present server. At this point all optical post server. At some point I'll get router with optical capability, lps on this, no switch. My goal is all optical post modem.
Full optical is way to go! |
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