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Ethernet cable for music streaming

I know there have been threads on this topic, including my own from last year, but I'd like to pursue this issue further, perhaps from a slightly different angle. Here's my conundrum: I'm not getting the sound quality from my Innuos PulseMini streamer that I think it's capable of and I've never been able to put my finger on what the weak link in my system is. I'm streaming Qobuz through the Innuos SenseApp on my Samsung tablet. While some parts of the frequency range sound really good (bass, mid-bass, lower mids, e.g.), when we get to the range where vocals live and above, the sound loses fidelity and definition. Things sound fuzzy and muddled, especially if the music is complex or dense. Loud orchestral passages can be really unpleasant to listen to.

The streamer is connected via USB to a Sonnet Morpheus DAC, and is fed via ethernet cable from my AT&T router. It's about a 35 ft. run of CAT5 that goes under the house and up through the floor of my listening (living) room. It doesn't run near any other electric lines. There's an ethernet switch that divides the signal between the TV, the Roku box, and the streamer. I do have the option of running a dedicated line from the router to the streamer, but I need some advice on whether this will improve things any. I tried plugging the existing ethernet cable into the streamer directly, bypassing the switch, but this yielded no improvement. 

Would it help to use CAT6 or CAT6a cable for this run? And should it be shielded or unshielded? I've read some posts that indicate shielded cables introduce their own distortions into the signal, so I'm really not sure which way to go here. 

I'd be grateful for advice from the many of you who are more expert on this subject than I am. Thanks.

cooper52
dogearedaudio
120 posts
 

You might consider switching to fiber ethernet.  You need a pair of converters and whatever length of optical cable you need.  You could convert the longer run, or you could do a local conversion just from the switcher to the streamer.  It does add a bit of clutter but it can smooth out the sound quite a bit.  It's not very expensive, maybe $150 to implement.

cooper52 OP
183 posts
 

So, before jumping in and buying an LPS for this Pulse Mini, I’d like to rely, once more, on the expertise of those of you who have offered such helpful advice. The specs for the Taiwanese switching power supply that came with the streamer are: DC output 12V, 5.0A. The 12V output is easy to match with the iFi and Small Green Computer LPS’s, but what about the amperage? SGC is a bit elliptical about this on their website, though they do seem to indicate that their 12V LPS would deliver 8A max (if I'm reading it right), which would be plenty for the streamer. iFi, however, rates theirs at 12V, 4A and I’m not sure if this would be a problem. Similarly, does the output voltage have to match exactly, or would a higher voltage output still work? Sorry, I’m not very knowledgeable about this stuff, so I’d be very grateful for your help. Many thanks!

small-green-computer
19 posts
 

The Small Green Computer 12V / 100W Linear Power Supply delivers 8 Amps (Amps = Watts/Volts)

jerrybj
862 posts
 

@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.

cooper52 OP
183 posts
 

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.

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