If you feel like tweaking a little, you might insert a filter (ENO, EMO EN70–HD) and use a short bit (i.e. 10-15‘‘) of high quality ethernet cable (I use Meicord) but you seem to sound happy as is.
Help setting up nework for Zenith mk3 arriving next week
Searching existing discussions here and in other forums has helped somewhat but not nearly enough for a computer-phobe like me. In fact, it has almost raised as many questions as it has answered. This discussion should help a great deal.
For those that might be kind enough to offer insights and/or answer my questoins based on their 'adventures in computer audio' hopefully these specifics will help you help me and others searching this topic.
GEAR:
--Comcast issued modem/router. If the model or technical specs matter, I can provide that. Ethernet is running to tv in living room for streaming (no idea if that is relevant).
--one ethernet port currently available on the comcast modem/router
--Ethernet or fiber optic length to music room 100'-150'
--Innuos Zenith mk3
--Lyngdorf 2170 TDAI
--USB cable will connect Zenith to Lyngdorf
--Will stream Tidal or Qobuz and maybe play music stored on the Zenith SSD's.
MY DEALER'S NETWORK SUGGESTION:
It's very appealing for its simplicity: Connect the modem and the Zenith with cat 6a (shielded cat 6) and run it into the music room thru a brush plate. This avoids the add'l connections required when using a wall terminal plate. He did not prescribe a brand of cat 6a or connectors but he suggests good quality for each. That's it. Done! Or...AM I?
I don't know, which is why I started this discussion, my first on AG.
If I implement this approach, I will plan to purchase pre-terminated bluejean brand cat 6a and know the quality of all is rock-solid and it comes with a test report of your actual run. About $1.20/ft. BTW, BJ told me I only needed cat 5 or 5e ( don't recall which). They said shielding is only needed when there are many other data-carrying wires next to each other. There aren't in my case. And the 5 is a lot less $. But, I plan to err on the side of caution and do cat 6a anyway.
QUESTIONS:
1. Have others used a set up like this (described above) and been very pleased?
2. Can others please share ways of improving the SQ with enhancements of varying cost?
3. Anyone like something better than bluejean?
Many report audible improvements from using short ethernet cables such as Supracat 8, Audioquest, etc, for the last meter or so.
4. Are they using those from their wall plate to the streamer?
5. If so, are they adding those at the end of a run of ordinary ethernet like BJ or are they running a more expensive ethernet the entire way from the modem/router (aka, gateway?) to the streamer.? Over 100' in my case.
6.If the audiophile grade 1-1.5m (are they called patchcords?) aren't used from the wall plate to streamer, then wear are they used? BTW, I realize I won't have a wall terminal plate if I follow my dealers suggestion. But I presume there exists a coupler that I could use.
7. Is buying my own modem/router to replace the comcast one beneficial? If so...any suggestions. Maybe Comcast would update my gateway. My current one is 2-3 years old.
8. Has anyone switched from ethernet to fiber optic and realized an improvement in SQ. Any innuos users in particular? I realize optical ethernet requires converters and upgraded power supplies for converters but I wonder if it is worth doing. If so...it seems like the costs are very reasonable.
Thank you,
For those that might be kind enough to offer insights and/or answer my questoins based on their 'adventures in computer audio' hopefully these specifics will help you help me and others searching this topic.
GEAR:
--Comcast issued modem/router. If the model or technical specs matter, I can provide that. Ethernet is running to tv in living room for streaming (no idea if that is relevant).
--one ethernet port currently available on the comcast modem/router
--Ethernet or fiber optic length to music room 100'-150'
--Innuos Zenith mk3
--Lyngdorf 2170 TDAI
--USB cable will connect Zenith to Lyngdorf
--Will stream Tidal or Qobuz and maybe play music stored on the Zenith SSD's.
MY DEALER'S NETWORK SUGGESTION:
It's very appealing for its simplicity: Connect the modem and the Zenith with cat 6a (shielded cat 6) and run it into the music room thru a brush plate. This avoids the add'l connections required when using a wall terminal plate. He did not prescribe a brand of cat 6a or connectors but he suggests good quality for each. That's it. Done! Or...AM I?
I don't know, which is why I started this discussion, my first on AG.
If I implement this approach, I will plan to purchase pre-terminated bluejean brand cat 6a and know the quality of all is rock-solid and it comes with a test report of your actual run. About $1.20/ft. BTW, BJ told me I only needed cat 5 or 5e ( don't recall which). They said shielding is only needed when there are many other data-carrying wires next to each other. There aren't in my case. And the 5 is a lot less $. But, I plan to err on the side of caution and do cat 6a anyway.
QUESTIONS:
1. Have others used a set up like this (described above) and been very pleased?
2. Can others please share ways of improving the SQ with enhancements of varying cost?
3. Anyone like something better than bluejean?
Many report audible improvements from using short ethernet cables such as Supracat 8, Audioquest, etc, for the last meter or so.
4. Are they using those from their wall plate to the streamer?
5. If so, are they adding those at the end of a run of ordinary ethernet like BJ or are they running a more expensive ethernet the entire way from the modem/router (aka, gateway?) to the streamer.? Over 100' in my case.
6.If the audiophile grade 1-1.5m (are they called patchcords?) aren't used from the wall plate to streamer, then wear are they used? BTW, I realize I won't have a wall terminal plate if I follow my dealers suggestion. But I presume there exists a coupler that I could use.
7. Is buying my own modem/router to replace the comcast one beneficial? If so...any suggestions. Maybe Comcast would update my gateway. My current one is 2-3 years old.
8. Has anyone switched from ethernet to fiber optic and realized an improvement in SQ. Any innuos users in particular? I realize optical ethernet requires converters and upgraded power supplies for converters but I wonder if it is worth doing. If so...it seems like the costs are very reasonable.
Thank you,
Showing 7 responses by antigrunge2
An easy solution to avoid running 150 ft of cables is to use an Apple Airport in bridge mode connected via a short ethernet cable to the streamer and replicating your wifi unless you live in a place with lots of wifi networks. If you decide to run a long cable, inserting a quality ethernet switch at the end and then connecting to the streamer with a high quality ethernet cable that is as short as possible will significantly improve streaming quality. Finally, using a high quality USB cable (Shunyata, Intona, Acoustic Revive, Furutech, Oyaide) and possibly an Isolator (Intona, Uptone Regen, Ifi) for galvanlc isolation to the DAC will substantially improve SQ. |
@rc22, the Apple Airport actually takes wifi input and in bridge mode makes it look to the Zenith as though it were connected to the router via ethernet. It works well when there are few other networks around, otherwise you might not have enough wifi bandwidth for good soundquality and reliability. Airplay is an Apple protocol for streaming from your handheld and doesn‘t come into this. In any case, it is challenged for sound quality at this level. The Uptone Regen goes into the USB connection, the ethernet connection being addressed by the Etherregen. They address different issues. I was just meaning to highlight the importance of a good USB link between the Zenith and your DAC. |
http://networkacoustics.com is ENO pls also look up my tread for improving streamer input on ’gon in the digital forum The EMO filter galvanically isolates your ethernet connection: lower noise floor, better soundstage depth and height, better dynamics and resolution If you look at the Phoenix you probably use USB. Look at the Intona Isolator, same function as EMO but for USB, use Intona USB cables ( I have tried lots of different ones and Intona is best) and if your DAC has a 10m BNC clock input getyourself an ocxo clock (Antelope, Cybershaft, etc.) The Phoenix combines these functions but won’t reclock your DAC. Enjoy the music |
I run a 12in Intona Reference between the Intona Isolator and the DAC, it made a substantial difference to a pure silver cable I used before. The Isolator made an equally big difference, though. I agree with working the ethernet side of things but would suggest you first try a filter before going all the way to the Etherregen. Things depend on your location and level of likely EMI/RFI interference. Again, use a short cable from whatever you insert to the server. |