Network Acoustics Muon ethernet filtering system - Improving streaming sound quality

@ghasley 

I am glad to hear you’re ‘Godsmacked’ by the improvements from Rubicon/Muon. Would you mind outlining components in your digital streaming? I think it would be beneficial for readers to fully comprehend such high level of commitment.
Thank you!

@ghasley

I wasn’t trying to downplay the legitimacy of NA gear when I reiterated Hans B initial impressions of minor improvements with MU1. I was taken aback by his comment about superior noise rejection capabilities of MU1 Ethernet board :-)

I was one of the early adaptor of ENO filter system and their USB III cable so I know from experience that NA makes great products. In any case, I am looking forward to your impressions about MU1 in your system.

@mitch2 

Makes sense, I believe the difference between Muon and Muon Pro may not as profound as ENO vs Muon. Good luck with your bike project. 

@grannyring

Thank you for posting your impressions about Muon filter. I am patiently waiting to try Muon Filter and Rubicon Ethernet Switch in my system. There is a brand new review on Muon published earlier today,

https://www.the-ear.net/review-hardware/network-acoustics-muon-streaming-system-streaming-filter-ethernet-cable

@grannyring

Looking forward to your impressions on Rubicon. I mentioned to @richtruss a while back, for a fair comparison with my existing Telegartner M12 Switch Gold; I would only entertain the audition of Rubicon and Muon Filter together not separately 😊

@grannyring

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback. I’m not at all surprised by your impressions as I know exactly how good…nah, scratch that, how awesome streaming can sound given the proper ‘noise’ treatment to the digital bits or packets before reaching your server/streamer or streaming/DAC. I have said it time and again, keep it simple and sane and you will be rewarded with amazing streaming experience that can easily rivals or bests the CD and Vinyl playback. And more importantly, it is the sum of whole not just one component in your system. Everything matters. 

I’m elated for you!!!! Hopefully someday I get to hear your system.

One question, did you test Rubicon switch with stock wall wart or LPS? I have not received my Muon / Rubicon streaming system yet. Rich knows I want to hear them in my system together, so he will send them my way whenever possible.

@grannyring,

The iFI Elite power supply is pretty darn good. Are you planning to use Nagomi with LPS feeding the Rubicon? I’m very curious to learn how much Nagomi is contributing towards what you’re hearing vs a PC in $500 range? You know where I’m going with this…I’m currently using Zavfino Majestic MK1 to power up my JCAT OPTIMO DUO LPS. Have you compared any other PC with LPS before settling with Nagomi?

“the Nogami sounded better”
@grannyring 

Darn it 😊 I have requested Colin to sent over Nagomi for a head to head comparison with Zavfino Majestic MK1. As always, I appreciate your candid feedback. 

@pokey77

Like you, I’ve been very happy with my system. My digital streaming / network has been stable going on 8 months (last addition was LPS for M12 switch). I hear you on the improvements part…never a dull moment here. I have been tinkering with mineral based ‘grounding’ and the improvements are nothing but stellar (more boxes on the way…lol).

Back to NA switch and filter, I am anxious to try Rubicon due to its unique and few ‘first of its kind’ design attributes. May be @grannyring can give us a peak inside his Rubicon switch 😉

@pokey77 

I have added the ground boxes in my virtual system. Let’s take it offline if you’re interested in learning more about them. They are definitely worth exploring as their impact in your system is far from subtle. 

@ghasley

Thanks for taking the time to post your system. That’s quite a system you got there…and I can certainly imagine the ‘upgrade’ from Uptone ER. I believe Grimm’s MU1 is going to be a game changer for you, I heard nothing but high praises. I own a similar device with Roon Core and End Point integration and it has ended my pursuit for best streaming player under $50K (including SOTA DAC).

As a side note, Hans Beekhuyzen reported that the effect of both ENO and Muon filters was minor when used with MU1. Apparently MU1 Internet I3 board is immune or insensitive to Ethernet pollution. In his test, he used a generic TP Link switch between his router and Muon filter. I remain curious to hear your feedback on how MU1 responds to with and without Rubicon/Muon combo in your system.

Enjoy the ride!

“I would prefer to purify at the earliest possible point”.
@ghasley

I couldn’t agree with you anymore. A high quality switch + filter in digital streaming are no longer considered accessories, IME they are essential components in a high resolution system. As you said, if your system is revealing enough, the improvements from the addition of high quality switch and filter are transformational. I experienced the same transformation when I stepped up from ENO to Telegartner M12 Switch Gold with JCAT Optimo 3 Duo LPS.

Speaking of how much MORE, I have been strategically introducing mineral base grounding devices from Entreq and Acoustic Revive in my system. They’ve managed to unlock another layer of resolution and transparency.

Prior to introducing grounding and Telegartner switch, my system sounded pretty darn good but this is a whole new level with greater dose of ease, tonal density and richer mid-range. IMHO, these qualitative differences small or large in the context of your system simply enrich our musical bliss and soul!

If you like jazz, cue up WHO CARES? by Scott Hamilton / Andrea Pozza. Enjoy!

@metaldetektor 

Thanks for posting your impressions about MU1 superior noise rejection capabilities to any external transmission noise on Ethernet line. What is your current DAC? 

@kray

Thanks for posting your impressions. You just confirmed what other ENO users been saying all along…lol! I also appreciated what ENO did in my system without cluttering my space.

@kennyc 

Thanks for posting the update on Rubicon. It’s unfortunate but let’s look at the bright side, there is something superior in the works! 

@ghasley 

What does your Muon Pro streaming setup consist of? Is it just the Pro filter or filter + switch + Muon LAN cables? 

@grannyring 

Appreciate your feedback, looks like your open the floodgates with Muon Pro streaming kit. I always felt as good as ENO is, it is still holding back your server or streamer to reach its max potential especially if its network connectivity is designed for Gigabit Ethernet. My streaming took a giant leap when I upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet. 

@thyname

I can’t say I’m surprised with Muon Pro transformation in your high resolution system. With all the high praises, I am also tempted to test Muon Pro against my Telegartner M12 Gold switch. One thing I just learned (after reading your comment), NA has reversed the flow of signal with Muon Pro. ENO with captive cord end always plugged into streamer but with Muon Pro, you now have an option to use Muon Pro LAN or your choice of LAN cable. I actually prefer this and really applaud @richtruss forward thinking. This gives end users complete flexibility to further tailor the sound.

Tempus, interesting choice of name for a Ethernet switch is their upcoming switch that replacing older switch which was discontinued due to supply issues.

“I personally do not believe going from 100 MBPS to Gigabit makes much difference for audio at all.”

@thyname

My experience tells me otherwise. Did you ever try to stream a DXD/DSD files over your network with 100Mbps speed?

@mitch2

If your streamer is not spec’d for Gigabit speed then I doubt you could benefit from Muon Pro version. I gave up on ENO because my new DAC/streamer required Gigabit Ethernet. I’ve had few conversations with Rich couple of years ago about the need for passive filter with Gigabit support. Gigabit supports faster speeds and much larger files (DXD, DSD) hence the possible reason for Gigabit Ethernet adoption by many high end streamers. My streaming experience is definitely enhanced and been glitch-free ever since I have switched to Gigabit Ethernet. For most folks, Gigabit Ethernet may not make sense since we are only streaming upto 24bit/192kHz files. Prior to switching to Gigabit ethernet, I had frequent buffering and hiccups issues while streaming DSD/DXD files over ethernet. And for clarification, I do not use USB or AES/SPDIF cables to connect my streamer to the DAC. My Aurender streams DSD/DXD files over ethernet to my Merging DAC.

@gladmo 

I have not, may be in very near future.

@gladmo 

Looking forward to your impressions. From what I’ve read, AS makes good sounding cables. 

@mitch2

Fiber conversion in my system just never connected me to music, the way copper base Ethernet LAN does. There is just more emotional engagement with copper LAN vs Fiber that sounds dry and lean not to mention the added baggage (LPS) and clutter.

@mitch2 

How are you finding Muon Pro over baseline ENO in your system? 

@kefman1

I bet the sound is stunning but some of us don’t fancy the ‘clutter’ with a pair of fmc’s and a network switch. That’s 3 boxes plus 3 LPS not to mention the extra power cords for LPS.

“probably would not have gone this route if not for the Lumin u2 having fiber ”@kefman1 

That’s totally understandable. I would have pursued fiber as well if my streamer came with fiber input. One could eliminate the fmc conversion box by implementing a switch like SOtM sNH-10G.