Help optimizing my streaming setup

More is better no? 

I have a Lumin d1 and they state that unit has galvanic isolation. So would I also benefit from an ENO?

I’d like to take a more moderate stance in light of my experience and those that have extensive experience modifying networks. I think achieving high quality sound can be achieved from two different directions: either through a high quality streamer or through extensively modifying and upgrading network components and a lower level streamer.

I am not sure what the cost relationships are, but in terms of approaches, buying a higher quality streamer is more appealing to me. I want high quality audio, not to go back to being an IT guy. But that is me. Lots of folks like to fiddle. My streamer produces world class sound, comparable to my analog leg and does so with a wall wart wifi extender. I tried an EtherRegen and it did not help, and in one case made it worse. I know of several very high end systems that work this way.

People are free to add whatever they want to their network and enjoy the bling.  Just to balance the conversation, however, there are many in the audio world that do not believe tweaking networks as described in this thread have any benefit whatsoever.  As above, please believe as you wish.  But I have never seen a trained network engineer agree with the rationale for these devices.  

Unfortunately, Galvanic isolation does not remove noise in an Ethernet signal and is mainly implemented for reasons of electrical safety. 

fast wifi to my Cambridge Audio 851n ... nothing but streaming music pleasure 

As far as a (potential) single cable upgrade, wondering about this one. Grounded on the router (switch) side. Wondering how this would compare to a galvanic device? 
 

Yes to a ethernet filter like the ENO or SOtM dcbl.

Yes to the EtherRegen using it as a "Moat".  The ER is better with a good LPS and a better clock.  The clock needs a good LPS also.

Managing AC noise with something like an Akiko Corelli and ground noise with something like a CAD GC1 will give you a blacker background.

@ketchup 

I would try the Oyaide Black Mambas on both components and access any improvements. If they Oyaide’s been dormant, allow break-in for atleast 24 hours. 

Thanks, @lalitk.  I appreciate your and everyone else's advice! 

The power cord on the Aurender in an AQ NRG-Y3 and the one on the DAC is a factory-style one, albeit very beefy.  I have a few Oyaide Black Mambas that I can try on any of the components.

@ketchup 

In my experience, the degree of improvements one hear from these noise filtering devices are in direct correlation of your components downstream. Since you asked, I don’t think most Ethernet switches under $1K ‘designed’ for audio yield noticeable improvements if used in conjunction with ENO passive filter. In a setup like yours, ENO should be more than adequate. If I were in your position, I would order ENO Filter and any of the aforementioned devices off Amazon and compare it in your system. And I wouldn’t bother with LPS on your Fios router if you’re using a filter like ENO ahead of N100SC.

If I may inquire. what type of power cords being used with N100 and BP DAC? 

Thanks @erik_squires 
I think I’ll buy on and see what happens.😁

@cleeds - I meant a nearby lightning strike. :)  A copper wire can pick up enough energy from a nearby strike to induce damaging voltages, even if it's not connected to anything on either side.

I was talking about ethernet isolators, I pisted an example earlier in the thread.

erik_squires

I’m concerned about an electromagnetically induced surge damaging any of the six pieces of gear I put it before the switch.

What could cause that?

... It turns out that inside a building isolators are better surge protectors than grounding devices ...

What sort of isolator are you talking about, @erik_squires ?

@curiousjim I have a complicated set up as well. I have about 30’ from my home router and modem to a switch in my entertainment system. From there six devices get network access. For the best audio performance I should put the isolator right before the streamer, but because I’m concerned about an electromagnetically induced surge damaging any of the six pieces of gear I put it before the switch.

It turns out that inside a building isolators are better surge protectors than grounding devices, and the longer a cable run is the more likely it is to have a damaging voltage induced from a nearby lightning strike.

I suppose I don't really understand this topic very well. From what I hear, I don't see why there is enough RF in the house to notice a benefit. What the the metrics on RF which is audible? Any links to research on that?

Also, I'm not sure how one of the products above, which has isolation transformers, would help, as I've heard that all ethernet connections are transformer isolated -- it's part of the design.

In other words, I don't really get why these things are needed, from a technical standpoint.

@riccitone quite a few of us here have gone this @juanmanuelfangioii had posted it at one time, I screen shote it and bought the setup. Very nice. 

@erik_squires 

I’m using a Netgear Powerline 2000, so I have a cat8 cable from the router to one of the boxes and have two cat 8 cable from the other box to my Hegel and my streamer. Would the EverStar work in this setup? Would I need more than one?

Thanks

NETGEAR Powerline adapter Kit, 2000 Mbps Wall-plug, 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports with Passthrough + Extra Outlet (PLP2000-100PAS) https://a.co/d/7kqJ386

A member on audiophile style recommended this. He explained only using one (just before the streamer) worked better than two (one at each end of the cable run). Very cheap, and he said it works well. I have yet to try it. @jerryg123 that converter looks like a good way to go!

I use the etherregen switch and am very happy with it.   there are quite a few of the used out there (new production is halted for an upgrade).  

Fiber optic cable just before the streamer. Use a tx and rcvr box then a good Ethernet to the streamer. This will effectively take all the noise out of the Ethernet connection from the router. An amazingly cheap upgrade that is very incredibly effective and noticeable!

The uptone Ether regen is excellent also just plug Ethernet cable in to it then on other side your best Ethernet cable and it’s clean of all digital noise 

many great reviews.

My modem is 15m from my system.

I found a network switch made a difference. Bought a Cisco 8 ports unmanaged switch and had Fidelity Audio (UK) install one of their clocks.

Put my modem and switch on a linear power supply.

And bought reasonable ethernet cables. Triode Wire Labs Freedom from wall to switch, and another from the switch to the streamer, with a couple of LAN Isolators.

UpTone Audio etherregen goes between hardwire ethernet from router before the streamer.  $640 Audible Improvement. 

If you have Cat 8 Ethernet cable connecting your router and streamer, don’t use any galvanic isolators like EverStar MI-300, cause using it will depreciate protective porpoise of Cat 8 or Cat 7 cable Shilling. Any shielded cable connecting the ground plane between devices and braking up the shilling by galvanic isolator can cause noise.

Works very well for me, easily worth a grand or so IMO.

Contact small green computer ,the Sonore products are excellent I just bough5 the Ethernet to fiber optic deluxe modules , you buy them ,decent linear power supplies 

and from the router, much  cleaner for noise cannot travel over-fiber optic .

I would have been in the camp of being sceptical about switches -  especially the idea of putting a switch into a setup that doesn't have multiple devices. However, having assessed the effect of inserting a quality switch in two separate installations, I have changed my mind.

That said, looking at the two installations, the positive effect of an audiophile switch was greater where the setup involved more convoluted wiring and another switch upstream of the music server.

But even in the more purist setup involving a CAT 6 connection direct from the router, the switch still made a worthwhile improvement.

@erik_squires : very interesting find! And very affordable (audiophile language speaking obviously).

If your router uses copper to get from outside to inside get an isolator like this one to increase surge protection. Also consider one at the streamer.

I find this solution a little better than using optical converters in the middle because they don’t add more wall-warts that can add more noise.

I'm in the camp that an audiophile grade switch can provide sonic benefits. 

Your router is not an audiophile grade device.  

I inserted an English 8 Switch into my setup a year and a half ago.  It yielded immediate sonic benefits.  A decent switch will re-clock the signal and help de-jitter and de-crapifie the signal. 

Fiber-optic cable with converter boxes works well for me

A switch is for multiple wired appliances. I see no need in your case.

You could try an ENO in between. It improves slightly possibly less with an Aurender. Maybe others have tried this configuration.

I can’t speak for others here but I was offered a discount on one for a trial and good comments. Indeed it was an improvement on 5 different streamers after a switch. Still not cheap.

Happy HolDaze.

It’s birthday week around here.