Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System vs SGC Optical Isolation System

@lalitk 

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.

You are right about it being a pain, but realistically the only choice to have even a chance of determining what each of these things are doing.  My problem is having too many things here.  I just received a Denafrips Hermes DDC that I wanted to use to convert USB out of my streamer/server (which is Mojo Audio's DejaVu and not Innuous, btw) to AES/EBU that will then input into my Mojo Audio Mystic X SE DAC (which is not yet shown on my system page).  Unfortunately, there are some setup issues with the Hermes that I am working through with Vinshine currently so I have not yet heard what it can do.

The simplest path into the server may be my CAT8 Ethernet cable directly from the router into my Bonn switch and then the eno system cable/filter from the switch to my streamer/server.  In addition to that stuff, I also have fiber and converters  (currently installed), as well as the Gigafoilv4 (not installed),  and could use either to provide optical isolation.  The reports by @wjob and others in this thread of glare/hardness related to optical isolation using convertors have me wondering whether the pairing of both optical isolation and the Network Acoustics stuff is causing an issue when used together, or whether the issue is the byproduct of SMPS power supplies on convertors, or some other implementation issue as suggested by @jjss49. Also, I don't remember people reporting that condition when using the Gigafoilv4, which is also an optical isolation unit.  I struggle to believe that optical isolation alone would cause glare/hardness plus, I haven't really noticed that in my system.  Therefore, I plan to remove the optical isolation stuff and listen some more to find out whether the absence of an artifact (that I haven't noticed) is noticeable.  Maybe some people just live in areas with a lot of EMI/RFI.

I am also curious about these small isolation filters such as the SOtM iSO-CAT7 and the less expensive EverStar MI-300 discussed in this thread.  What are the similarities/differences between what those passive filters are doing vs. what the Network Acoustics passive filters are doing?   Are they all basically the same sonically, or are there actual sonic differences rather than simply marketing differences?  Is there a benefit that the SOtM and the EverStar filters are capable of operating at higher speeds, while the NA eno and muon filters have a maxed out speed of 100 mbs? 

Too many variables with this stuff typically results in my finding a combination that sounds good at the time and then leaving well enough alone so I can enjoy the music.

@hchilcoat - My streamer is exactly the same Mojo DejaVu that you have described.  None of this stuff has resulted in a monumental improvement or change for me, so far.  I do have preferences but none of it has been a deal-breaker one way or the other.

I run the fiber from my router to my system (45 feet), then a switch, then Network Acoustic’s ENO (earlier model of Muon).

You can use both, it is not an either/or proposition.

The fiber is much, less expensive as posted by @jerryg123 and @oddiofyl. As another example, here are two converters for $42, and a 5V linear power supply for $86, and SC/SC dual fiber cable for $16/10M (dirt cheap). A 10M fiber set-up with LPS for $144.

I am still using fiber/converters into a Bonn switch then eno into my server.  I have tried both fiber and Ethernet between by router and the Bonn switch and really cannot discern a difference as I don't have a noise issue.  However, the hardening issue is interesting so I will try going back to straight Ethernet and listen more.  Easy to do since both the fiber and Ethernet runs remain in-place.

I did move my larger linear power supply near my modem and router and use it to power both, with other smaller linear supplies near the other peripherals. 

I still own my PRO DAC also and have been comparing.  It took a while for the sound of the X to stabilize and maybe for my ears to become accustomed to it.  I still like the PRO but they are sort of two different things.   I have owned the v3, B4B21+, PRO and now the X.  As I told Benjamin, with the other three there was a direct progression in that each was an advancement/improvement on the other within the same sonic footprint.  However, the X is something different because of the amount of detail and the increased dynamics.  The v3, B4B, and PRO are all comfortable down-home cooking while the X is a fusion meal in an upscale big city restaurant.  Both are very good and while they certainly sound related (both have that organic tonal density) the X pushes the envelope on detail and dynamics to a level the others do not.  I am not selling the PRO just yet but I did end up moving the X to the dedicated shelf in my main system while for now the PRO is in a box.

@sns - nice post and my recent efforts lead me to agree wholeheartedly.

I have a bunch of stuff here, like the eno system, Gigafoilv4, fiber and converters, switches, LPSs, and more.  Starting over and moving things around in configurations that don't necessarily make logical sense, was ear-opening.  I was amazed at being able to hear differences in almost every configuration based on three consistent music selections and quick A/B comparisons.  I ended up with a sound that works well for my ears, and got there with less stuff in the chain.   Most surprisingly was the improvement I heard from having the end of the line stuff (switch and eno) positioned very close to the streamer/server input rather than a couple of shelves away.  My take-away is ya just never know, so try everything and listen for the sound you want to hear. 

It seems like a more expensive GigaFOILv4 

@jerryg123

The GigaFOILv4–INLINE is the newest generation of the FOIL™ brand of Ethernet filters. Based on patented Fiber Optic Isolation Link (“FOIL”) technology, the GigaFOILv4–INLINE utilizes fiber optics and specially designed circuitry to prevent 99.99999999% of electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) from passing through the filter. The filter covers a frequency range of below 14kHz to beyond 18GHz and does not require a passband, meaning the only signal passing through the filter is the clean digital Ethernet signal.

FOIL = Fiber Optic Isolation Link

Splitting Hairs

I will get this figured out someday. Right now, simple seems to sound best; starting with modem and router (both powered by HD Plex LPS), then 45 feet of CAT 8 to Bonn switch (powered by LPS) then Network Acoustics muon LAN cable from switch to muon filter, then captive muon LAN cable from muon filter to Mojo server, then muon USB cable from server to Mojo DAC. This sounds better than any other front end configuration so far, even without the optical isolation.