Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System vs SGC Optical Isolation System

@hchilcoat 

As per Rich, The Pro version is not on their website yet but being officially released later this month. 

@jerryg123 

Well, I doubt many would wanna try Waversa products or deal with Kevalin Audio. 

“Kevalin Audio website has a 30 (thirty) day home trial period, with the option to return for refund less a 20% restocking fee.”

I know, I am out! 

@jerryg123 

Keep them coming! 

For me less is more, ENO is amazing for what it does compare to all the clutter and complexities that accompanies Fiber Optic Kit. Is one better than the other, it comes down your components, personal preferences and budget. As @audphile1 pointed out, try it in your system. 

“I don’t have a noise issue”
@mitch2

It will be interesting to hear your feedback once you remove everything in the path and go direct from your modem or router to your Innuos. I know this is A/B is bit of pain but this is the only way to re-evaluate what each of the devices in the signal path doing to enhance your listening.

@charles1dad

Check out following discussion by @grannyring. I recommend their Pro Version which are rated for 1Gb/s speed vs standard version limited to 100Mb/s connection speed.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/network-acoustics-muon-ethernet-filtering-system-improving-streaming

@mitch2

You raised questions worth pondering. If you recall our previous conversations, I always advocated for less is more. Having said that, each system is unique and then there are user preferences. I honestly believe adding or mixing more than one of these noise canceling devices doesn’t always yield to improvements that are monumental or worth pursuing at the added expense of complexities or chaos.

In regards to effectiveness of devices like MI-300 and iSO-CAT7, I think their existence in your system is going to largely dependent on your components downstream. I have tried a reputable net isolator similar to MI-300 in the past and couldn’t justify its existence in my system. I will soon be trying the iSO-CAT7 filter with upcoming trial of fully tricked out SOtM switch. I haven’t felt the need (until very recently) to mess with my network since purchasing M12 switch, 18 months ago. A simple switch that checks all the boxes between my router and Streamer/DAC.

And lastly, a recent communication with Rich at Networks Acoustics confirms, Muon Pro operating at 1Gb/s sounds better than the standard 100Mb/s version.

@charles1dad

Sorry for late reply. As per Rich at Network Acoustics, Muon Pro is designed for the professional ’studio’ market and streamers that require Gigabit Ethernet. The Muon Pro works at 1Gb/s so no issues with devices that demand Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. Back to your query, if your streamer doesn’t require Gigabit Ethernet, you’re unlikely to hear any differences between Muon Pro and standard version. Speaking from my experience, I would go for Pro version thus allowing future compatibility with any devices that may require Gigabit Ethernet.

Also when you are shopping LAN Cable, please ensure they support 1Gbit/100Mbit/10Mbit connection speed (minimum CAT 6A specification).

@sns

Thanks for your post. This is ‘network optimization ONE-oh-ONE’ for anyone looking to extract most out of their digital streaming.

“My network path is clean as a whistle and may beat you to it.”
@jerryg123 

I am happy for you. Looking forward to learn more about your next project. 

@charles1dad

I know you’re in midst of setting up your streaming setup. Thought I chime in with my recent experiment with the Ethernet network. I’ve been using mesh network in my audio room for few years now, mainly due to my modem being more centrally located in my 3 story home. I always wanted to go direct wired connection between my streamer and modem for obvious reasons as wire being more secure, faster consistent speeds and Wi-FI routers prone to injecting both RFI/EMI interferences in your immediate environment. I recently removed my mesh network between my streamer and Xfinity modem that supports upto 1GB/s speeds and the results were not subtle, actually quite stellar. Frankly, I wasn’t expecting this level of improvement, given my Xfinity network speed. Well, removing mesh network pods was like opening the floodgates. The immediate jump in realism, level of details and separation with instruments and voices…WOW!

I know running a long wire from modem may not be ideal for many but MAN, if you could do it, you’re in a for a royal treat. Thank to @pokey77 for recommending LINKUP LAN, this cable is stupendously good for the money. I believe LINKUP is better than Supra CAT 8, not only in build quality but also in sound. Much more organic, natural and none of the edginess (brightness) you hear slightly with Supra CAT 8. I bought a 50FT run plus Ethernet Coupler to connect my modem and M12 Switch.

My recommendation would be to use LINKUP LAN from your modem to Muon Pro Filter + Muon LAN pigtail into your Streamer.

@rareace

I was using a pair of Apple Extreme that doesn’t have DC input to facilitate outboard LPS. Based on what I’m hearing, I’m never going back to any Wi-Fi routers installation in my dedicated room. This is easily one of the best $115 tweaks in my streaming setup. Whoever says digital streaming cannot rival CD or Vinyl playback, well they haven’t really explored all the possibilities.

@jerryg123

Not yet. I thought prioritizing the network path first is more important than bringing another switch. Turns out, I was spot on. Looking back, I wish I’d done this sooner :-)

@sns

Turns out, atleast in my setup; a separate router or mesh network is absolutely unnecessary. My Xfinity modem/router (50FT) away from my audio room clocks in >700Mb/s speed over Wi-Fi.

@sns

No one is suggesting to spend crazy money on a AQ Vodka 50’, 25’ run. Let me reiterate what I said in one of my earlier post to @charles1dad

“My recommendation would be to use LINKUP LAN from your modem to Muon Pro Filter + Muon LAN pigtail into your Streamer”.

The cost here is $115 for a very high quality 50FT LAN cable plus Muon Filter which comes with a captive LAN on streamer end. This solution if it works for @charles1dad, keeps his gorgeous audio room clutter free (no modem or router with LPS in his audio room).

In my case, if I follow your suggestion by moving the Xfinity modem to my audio room (3rd floor) to keep short LAN to my switch (next to my streamer)…the problem with this scenario, it weakens the Wi-Fi signal to my devices on 1st floor. Keeping my modem on 2nd floor is most effective way to serve 30 plus devices that are operating on Wi-Fi signal. As I said numerous times, each of us have unique needs and priorities. We are here to share our experiences for our readers. We can only hope, they learn from our trials and adapt to what may works better in their unique environment. I always try to take the approach of less is more and it has served me very well.

BTW, Ethernet LAN cables are good upto 100 meters….zero latency. And the shielded LAN‘s are immune to EMI/RFI interferences.

“Certainly the cables themselves are immune to RFI, issue is connectors is how rfi enters, rfi rides the gound on these cables to next component in chain.”
@sns 

If I understand your comment, a 50FT or a short run LAN/Ethernet cables are both susceptible to RFI through its connectors. So in your setup, how does a modem or router fed by a Coax cable with a short LAN cable eliminates the possibility of RFI riding through the connectors of that short LAN cable? What I am missing?  For clarity, I do not have any router/modem type of device in my audio room. 

You may know this, the M12 type connectors on my Telegartner M12 Gold switch and LAN cables offers industry best noise reduction.

Here is a link to LINKUP Ethernet cable you asked for, 

@charles1dad

I believe Muon Pro is now using Telegartner MFP8 Cat.8.1 connectors which are very good but probably not good as M12 X-coded connector. The M12 X-coded connectors are designed exclusively for M12 ethernet switch.

Folks, here is another option to optically isolate your Ethernet (RJ45) based setups. I’ve asked my dealer @gestalt to secure Optical Bridge as soon as it becomes available in North America. The OPT Bridge, powered by my JCAT OPTIMO 3 DUO LPS will be placed ahead of my Telegartner M12 switch.

“simple seems to sound best”

@mitch2  👍