Network Acoustics Products?

You may want to take a different approach you may get a superior sound by upgrading your server to a 432evo Aeon we compared an Aeon one step down from our flagship Master to a Innous Statement with upgraded power supply 25k both playing the same tracks and we found the Aeon to sound just as good in no way was the Statement superior at3 times the cost.of the $7800 Aeon

We were an Innous dealer until we discovered the 432evo which offered a fully modular and upgradable platform our Aeon can be upgraded to our flagshipMaster

You can’t upgrade a zen to a zenith nor to a Statement vs our servers which allow for for easy upgrades from model to model.

Dave and troy

Audio intellect Nj

US Importers 432evo music servwrs

Well if you hear all these artifact after the firmware update, adding any of the Ethernet gadgets you listed is not going to address your issues. What else changed in the system? Can you back out the update and reinstate the previous version? One simple and 100% free thing to try is to reboot everything. Start with router, then access points if any. Reboot your dac then reboot your streamer when the network is back up and running.

It’s a fair and good question. I’ve found everything makes a difference, it’s just a matter of degrees. 

I invested in the NA Eno (with cable) and initially tried it alone but didn’t hear much of a difference. Then I put in an improved switch (English Electric 8) and things got a bit smoother. Was it the filter, the switch or the combination? I’m guessing the latter. I ended up keeping it though considered returning it. From others experience, the muon is a noticeable step up.

I also auditioned the Nordost QNET switch and power supply. It was better than the EE switch (as it ought to be for 5x the cost) but I decided it wasn’t enough better to justify the extra cost. And, I objected to the notion that I needed to run yet another inefficient power supply giving off a fair amount of heat - for a network switch.

At the time, I was using a mesh system w/ one of the nodes nearby so I could connect my streamer to it.  Most mesh systems come with noisy (EMF) wall warts. Without going into the details of my network idiosyncrasies (other than I can’t recommend Linksys, and can recommend Netgear Orbi), I am now connecting my streamer via WiFi and no longer have the Network Acousts Eno or English Electric switch in system. (I should probably sell them cheap but am lazy - let me know if any readers are interested). 

Not all streamers work well on WiFi. Some work very well - mine does. I’ve not compared WiFi vs Ethernet in my system but my network is now stable and I don’t have a wall wart near my sensitive gear.

While it appears I’ve danced around your question - it was more to illuminate:

1) If you now have a wall wart near your digital anything - try to get some distance.

2) what’s the rest of your cable hygiene like? Any parallel runs of power cords? If so, try to adjust them so they cross at 90 degrees. All cables (power, interconnects, digital, speaker) are antennas to some degree. They broadcast and receive. Better cables do this less. How we dress cables in system makes a difference.

3) How are you connecting your streamer? The software update might be revealing things that could be addressed by the qualify (or lack thereof) of your USB, s/pdif or AES/EBU cable. 

4) Did the software update change any settings?

5) Given the above, you might very well benefit from the networks acoustics and an upgraded switch. Those who have actually tried them generally say they help. It’s just not night and day (in my experience).

Let us know how it goes.

I don’t think "digital glare and harshness" exists. I’d look elsewhere in my system. DAC?  Speakers, which tweeters?  

My guess is you became awaware of this harshness listening carefully for hanges in your system after the upgrade and now you can't unhear it.  

You can proabably uninstall the update and my guess is it will still be there.

Jerry

I’m with @carlsbad2 on this one. 
I’ll add that I owned Network Acoustics Eno Streaming System. It mellows the sound ever so slightly but it has nothing to do with digital artifacts such as harshness, glare, etc. That’s your components, speakers and or room. Don’t waste money on bandaids. Address the root cause. 

i agree with the comment expressed that the na passive filters tend to smooth/dull the sound of the streamed content subtly

i prefer the etherregen (and outboard clock) to handle the incoming ethernet feed personally, it is what i settled on after trying the eno and muon... it is more boxes and power supplies and so on, but to my ear the sound is purer

I did a lot of optimizations (tweaking for some) in my digital stack. Placing a Network Acoustics Muon Pro Ethernet filter and cable (Streaming Pro) has yielded a much more organic and less shouty (harsh) sound.

DAC’s do not like it when high frequency noise is injected via USB / Ethernet or the power grid (use a very good power cable).

I cannot recommend the Streaming Pro high enough…

But, a very low noise music server is the source, that should be noise free to begin with.

i prefer the etherregen (and outboard clock) to handle the incoming ethernet feed personally, it is what i settled on after trying the eno and muon... it is more boxes and power supplies and so on, but to my ear the sound is purer

Placing a Network Acoustics Muon Pro Ethernet filter and cable (Streaming Pro) has yielded a much more organic and less shouty (harsh) sound.....I cannot recommend the Streaming Pro high enough…

2 equally valid yet contrasting options, which suggests one must try on their own to find out if it works in ones system. I like the first answer though, that helps me to put the Muon lower on the "things to try list" that resides in my head. 

Like others have mentioned though, I don't think a software update should change your presentation that radically; the first thing I would do is research other forums to see if others with the ZENith mk3 have experienced the same? 

@bluethinker is this still your system?

• Innuos Zenith streamer with NRG “the five” cable
• Merason DAC1 with a LessLoss power cable
• Linear Tube Audio preamp with a cardas clear reflection cable
• Conrad Johnson Classic 120 with a Cardas Clear Beyond XL cable
• Speakers - switch between Dynaudio Heritage Specials and QLN Prestige 3

Is the digital glare evident with both sets of speakers?

If you had rebooted all your network and streaming components and it didn’t help, I would start with replacing the aftermarket power cords on streamer and DAC. Put the stock cables back on, allow it an hour to settle then listen. If the the digital glare is gone or reduced, introduce the aftermarket power cords one by one. See if that’s the problem.

What ICs and speaker cables are you using?

Hi Everyone - 

Firstly, want to thank everyone for your replies. This is such a funny hobby… incredibly gratifying, but I’m afraid it taps into a certain sense of obsessiveness which isn’t my default approach to life. 
 

As I’ve changed my system over the last few years, I’m not sure if I needed a psychologist or audio professionals help. It can sort of drive one a bit bananas! 

I will say this, I made a minor tweak (adjusting audio to 100% on the Innuos device and driving volume exclusively with the LTA preamp volume control. I also swapped out “the Five” power cable and replaced it with a spare Cardas Clear power cable from my office system. 
 

Is it the power of suggestion? Things settling? I don’t know. That said, things are sounding really good again. I have realized my room acoustics are playing a role in things. The space is a fairly big room with hardwood floors and a high ceiling. I tried putting some rugs down in front of the speakers and immediately realized some of the energy I was hearing was probably coming from hard surface reflections. 
 

In sum, the 2.6 Innuos update is a big upgrade - definitely more resolving and transparent. 

I like to respond to everyone who has posted fully, but just out the door to walk the dog with my wife… I will respond tomorrow to everyone’s individual questions and suggestions! 

For the moment, will quickly respond to a few… 

@audphile1 - Yes. That is my current system. I have not yet tried the QLN speakers since the firmware update. They are more relaxed than the Dynaudios, so it will be interesting to see how they differ. I may also just reset all the electronics per your advice but things are sounding good now. 
 

It’s crazy, but I swear replacing “the Five” power cable with the Cardas Clear made an audible difference. I think I’ll try switching out the LessLoss cable on the Dac next. 
 

@mgrif104 - I’d be curious about your asking price for the Network Acoustics and English Electric switch you have sitting around. Please feel free to send me a private message if you are interested in selling. 

Not crazy at all you heard a difference replacing the power cord on the innuous. Have fun and don’t obsess 😂

I have owned the NA eno system (filter + network cable) and currently own the NA muon system and also their USB cable.  The stuff is well-made and comes sensibly packaged in a sturdy box.  You get the impression of quality.

I might have heard a bit of softening using the eno, but nothing significant or that I considered detrimental to SQ.  I do not hear much of anything with the muon in the chain.  I could have lived with the eno.  These products are isolators using transformers to do the job.  Like a lot of this digital stuff, the growth and product development have left purchasers owning a slightly obsolete product shortly after purchase.  Such is the current state of the digital world.  Currently my isolation comes from judicious use of optical connections with LPSs and I hear no problems or artifacts resulting from those.  Some like the NA products because they do not require a power supply.  The benefit to you will depend on whether additional isolation reduces noise in your system.

Regarding switches, I use Bonn N8 switches (two) with LPSs and IMO the switch thing relative to the NA muon or eno is apples to oranges.  I see no reason you have to use a switch with the muon or eno to achieve the effect of the muon or eno.  If you want a switch for another reason, that is a different story.

Regarding the NA USB cable, it is well made and provides a nicely detailed, clear, and smooth presentation.  Not warm but also not strident in any way.  My best USB cable of those I own.

It’s funny audiotroy has the right product for each problem. I thought audio dealers were not allowed to sell f on the forums.

If your only tool is a hammer...