For Ethernet cable I’m using Supra Cat8 which was a really nice upgrade from a generic cat 5.
My Lumin streamer and Benchmark DAC3 HGC are connected using Audience AU24se+ USB cable (upgraded by Audience to StudioOne). I agree I can do better than Supra Cat8 but the USB cable I’m using is very good.
The power supply induced noise with the fiber optic converters makes sense and is a candidate to be eliminated. However even despite that noise the converters brought a nice improvement.
That’s why I think the Network Acoustics Eno passive filter makes sense and that’s what I’m going to try. Possibly with a decent network switch between it and the EERO.
Trying to get the streaming as close to physical media as possible is a challenge but there’s no way around it, it has to be done to get the most out of streaming that much is clear now.
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@jerrybj let us know if clock upgrade is an audible improvement
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All…
Tons of good info guys thanks!
@tuberist make sure you use your best Ethernet cable into the streamer. I have already done the comparison you’re about to do.
If possible plug the converters into power conditioner. Difference is not night and day but significant enough at least in my system to keep this set up. I tested this with several songs and consistently heard more natural tone, better imaging and soundstage than what I get with eero direct into Lumin. Depends on your streamer, system, room, etc. YMMV.
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@larry5729 Let’s not derail this conversation please as I feel it is beneficial for a lot of members of this community who stream and have systems/rooms/ears to not need a blind test to hear the difference. Also, power conditioners are not being discussed here.
@scottfraser from EE standpoint a lot of things in high end audio will not make sense to you. In this particular example I’m not qualified to provide any scientific answers or explanation, I’d be just speculating and thinking out loud.
I would encourage you do your research and do your own testing in your system to hear if there was any improvement and whether or not it’s worth the investment.
For me in my system the addition of fibre optic converters gave me a glimpse into what’s possible with the difference (positive) made to the overall sonic presentation.
I’d like to stay on topic guys, if we can please. I’m seeking opinions from people who had incorporated changes in their systems to overcome some of these challenges with streaming.
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I’m on the Uptone Audio email list for the new EtherREGEN whenever it comes out (no date, parts supply shortages).
I will be giving Eno a try hopefully in the next few weeks (placed an order). I also ordered a Network switch with upgraded power supply per Rob’s (Network Acoustics) recommendation to put between EERO and Eno. I’ll see if the fibre optic converters are still needed when all this is in place and broken in.
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@sns
@lalitk
makes sense with the streaming DAC. Not excluding the possibility that I will give it try at some point. I’m just hearing for the first time now what my system is capable of and apparently I haven’t reached the ceiling yet.
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Thanks @jmfinney I was wondering about Muon as well. Let us know if you get around to trying the Muon on its own.
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@pcrhkr Hahaha…got a good laugh thanks man!
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The Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System is here! Running it in. I also have installed the D-Link DGS-105 powered by iFi 5v Silent Power SMPS.
I ran few tests already configured as follows:
1. eero->switch->Lumin U1 Mini
2. eero->switch->-Eno-> Lumin
3. eero->Eno->Lumin
4. eero->Lumin
I can hear the difference between the above set ups but I’ll reserve my thoughts for now until I have around 150-200hrs on the Eno Streaming System to eliminate break in as a factor. For those who care, I’ll post the updates when I feel the Eno had settled.
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I’ve concluded the listening tests with various config/combos below:
- EERO -> Supra Cat 8 -> Lumin U1 Mini
- EERO -> monoprice Cat8 -> D Link Network Switch -> Supra Cat 8 -> Lumin
- EERO -> Supra Cat8 -> D Link Network Switch -> Network Acoustics (NA) Eno -> Lumin
- EERO -> NA Eno -> Lumin
- EERO -> monoprice Cat8 -> FMC -> Fibre patch -> FMC -> Supra Cat 8 -> Lumin
- EERO -> monoprice Cat8 -> Switch -> Supra Cat8 -> FMC -> Fibre patch -> FMC -> NA Eno -> Lumin
The results I’m going to share here were what I heard in my system, my room, components, etc. I do not and will not dispute if your listening, perception of what’s right etc. may be different or whether or not you can hear these changes in your system.
So here it is…
- Set up 1: Not bad overall as a starting point and by no means terrible. Even after I heard what was possible this is by far not the worst one can do.
- Set up 2: Definite improvement over the base set up. Better, more solid imaging, lowered noise floor, wider and deeper soundstage.
- Set up 3: I thought was the worst sounding combination with switch + NA Eno. The cumulative effect of switch and Eno was unnatural presentation, reduced dynamics, dry sound, slightly artificial sounding instruments, monotone and lacking emotions. I gave it a whirl for couple of hours, enough to confirm what I was hearing with multiple test tracks.
- Set up 4: Best combination turned out to be a simple one. Reduced noise floor, very solid imaging and soundstage, dynamics improved, deeper more impactful and textured bass. Fleshed out vocals that sound more natural with more natural sibilance. Think of all the improvements I mentioned with set up 2 but taken one notch higher.
- Set up 5 and 6: The FMC in the chain reduced noise, improved imaging and soundstage but with the FMC I could hear thinner mid and lower bass (although clean and tuneful the bass was just slightly lacking), less slam. However, as I said, because of the improvements achieved here I think this a better configuration than the EERO direct into Lumin. The NA Eno between FMC and Lumin did not help with the thinned out midbass and bass.
I’d like to add that the differences I heard were subtle but important when we’re talking about set up that improved the overall sonics. Again just sharing my thoughts and hope this is a useful read for someone researching and exploring the potential of streaming.
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@mitch2 did you try without silence angel and gigafoil, just go from router to N.A. Eno. What’s the positive change you hear with these 2 units before the Eno?
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@mitch2 cool. Yes definitely try. I found Eno on its own, without switch before it, to be better than with switch/Eno combo. In my system, to my ears.
Agree with @lalitk based on the testing I’ve done, less is more.
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@mitch2 not surprised at all by your findings. As the quality of your components goes up the need to have all these filtering and regenerating devices goes away. More is not always better. Like I said earlier, in my system the NA Eno streaming system alone was all I needed. That was with Lumin U1 Mini and Benchmark DAC 3 HGC.
I’ve since upgraded to Bricasti M3 with Network player (no longer need dedicated streamer) and haven’t yet retested / re-evaluated the sound without the NA Eno. Planning on doing that soon.
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@mitch2 cool. I’ve done few experiments in the last week or so in my system.
I picked up a used Purist CAT7 ethernet cable (good deal couldn’t resist). So I ended up listening for a few days with the Purist cable to get acclimated to it. I then replaced the Purist with the Network Acoustics Eno cable (without filter). Then added the Eno filter. The replaced the Eno cable with the Purist CAT7 into the Eno filter.
Each combination had its own sonic character. I do prefer the sound with Eno filter in place. The most interesting is the Purist/Eno combo as it yields most detailed sound without being harsh. With the full Eno streaming system the sound is just a touch smoother but not as detailed. I can hear these differences without a doubt.
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