How are you finding Muon Pro over baseline ENO in your system?
Network Acoustics Muon ethernet filtering system - Improving streaming sound quality
Network Acoustics recently rolled out a new top tier ethernet filtering system named Muon. It betters their already highly effective ENO offering which I purchased some 18 months ago. I posted about the ENO filtering system back then and you can read it at the link located at the bottom of this member review.
Everything I said about the ENO filtering system also applies to the new Muon system. However, the Muon system offers even better sound quality by removing a greater amount of electronic and RFI/EMI noise. The Muon filter is a passive device so their is no need for a power supply or power cord. That’s great!
Like many of my fellow Agoners, I have come to depend on Qobuz and Tidal streaming for my music playback. I have not used any physical media in over 5 years, but also realize today’s servers/streamers can all benefit from digital noise blocking systems such as the Muon. From high end audio switches to high quality ethernet cables I have learned they can all improve the sound quality of our streaming front ends. I have tried going the fiber optic route and used other products such as the EtherRegen and while they do improve sound quality I find the MUON system more musically engaging and compelling. Here is my current digital front end:
(Netgear NighHawk modem/router powered by an LPS > Network Acoustics ENO ethernet cable> English Electric 8Switch powered by an LPS > Network Acoustics MUON ethernet cable > MUON ethernet filter > Innuos Zenith III > Tchernov Ultimate USB cable -Mojo Audio Evo dac)
The MUON system is made up of the MUON filter and Muon ethernet cable. You can buy these separately, but you’ll receive a nice discount by buying both as a system package. Here is a link to the Network Acoustics Website:
https://www.networkacoustics.com
I purchased the MUON system and have been enjoying it for several months now. I feel it betters the ENO range in several important sonic ways. The noise floor is further reduced revealing more inner detail of instrument and voice. This increased inner detail reveals subtleties previously lost. In the end my music sounds more real and less reproduced. For me, improving realism is everything!
With streaming it seems more difficult to obtain a nice 3D presentation as compared to a high end CD spinner. Sometimes streaming can sound relatively flat compared to CD playback. I found the Muon filter system delivered a more immersive experience due in large part to improving the 3D performance.
For me the Muon filter is well worth the asking price as it made my listening sessions even more enjoyable. The rest of my system includes a Circle Labs A200 integrated amp, Fyne F704 speakers with upgraded crossovers and internal wire, and both Hijiri & Tchernov cabling.
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Hello, I have not tried the Pro yet. I have the original muon system plus their USB cable and decided to sell some stuff before moving on. Since my system sounds as good as it ever has, I haven’t been too fired up to keep buying stuff. Instead I am buying/building a new bike. Thanks for checking back. |
have any of you gentlemen tried using fiber conversion between your switch and streamer instead of the muon filter and the network acoustic streaming cable i do this with a english electric 8s switch to a lumin u2 streamer which has a sfp port input i think you would be pleasantly surprised on the sound this provides at a fraction of the cost for the network acoustic system. router to english electric 8s out of 8s to a fmc (fiber module converter) powered by a lps to lumin u2 sfp input sound is stunning if your streamer has no sfp input port you would need 2 fiber media converters to do this thanks Andy |
Lalitk that is very understandable i use one Lps with a nice power cord I do understand clutter is a eye sore I have it all looking non cluttered probably would not have gone this route if not for the Lumin u2 having fiber input it’s one of those things I can’t unhear like I mentioned I use 1 fmc powered by the same lps that powers the English electric switch I do believe the network acoustic system would look more tidy |
“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. |
There is a new switch btw from Network Acoustics: https://www.networkacoustics.com/shop/tempus-ethernet-switch/ Sounds so promising (and along with my MUON Pro excitement) that I decided to order one :) |
comparing back to the ether-regen I have added a heatsink to mine which actually led to minor improvements. However, after adding a LPS and dedicated external clock the improvement has been much larger vs stock. Not sure anyone can make this comparison of whether its worth it to look into another solution |
@markush - I’d welcome your thoughts on the Tempus. Did you end up getting it? How would you describe its impact on your system? |
@bluethinker Yes I got it and it transformed my whole digital setup to a new level. Very glad that I decided to go for that solution. Previously I have been using various other switches like EtherRegen / Farad Super3 or Phoenixnet etc. There is also a detailed review available from HiFi-advice https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/review/cables-reviews/reviews-digital-cable/network-acoustics-tempus/ which I agree on absolutely. |
