Nucleus, is there a better alternative?

@au_lait If I had fiber ethernet service I'd at least try all fiber, only downside is not as much equipment to choose from vs. ethernet. The entire streaming chain affects files/rips on NAS or internal storage,  just as it does with dsp.

Lps on nucleus, FMC with lps, better ethernet cable could all be worthwhile. Since you're only using Nucleus as server, no rendering, not as critical to streaming as it would be otherwise. Antipodes K41 would be my choice for upgraded server only.

K41 would give you option of server straight into Lumin, no switch needed as Antipodes has two network ports. If you need switch no advantage here, I'd stick with Nucleus, add the lps, very nice server.

Certainly the Nucleus can be beaten, many custom builds will have faster processors, superior RAM than off the shelf items. NUC's can be pretty off the shelf or more diy. Actually, my preferred choice for bang for buck is diy custom build. In very near future will be auditioning Taiko Extreme clone build, major attention to detail with every single part and total design.

Optical better than ethernet, no mass consensus, much variety of opinion. Unless you have optical internet provider, ethernet somewhere in chain, wish I had choice so could compare full chain of both. After fair bit of experimentation, prefer ethernet prior to server, optical after.

Those are DC power connections to ALL FMC, provided by switch mode power supply (wall wart) or LPS, linear power supply take AC, convert to DC.

Important point many don't think about, optical only eliminates the noise at point it enters FMC, DOESN'T eliminate noise emanating from WITHIN any equipment, cable PRIOR to FMC. This means you don't gain something from using optical vs ethernet, losses due to this noise the same. Theoretical advantage is you're not adding the possibility of more noise via optical cable vs ethernet cable, whether optical or ethernet devices  used are noisier is highly dependent on particular devices used. . Generic FMC are noisy devices, even with full galvanic isolation, losses are losses,  whether you hear this noise or not depends on system resolution. Ethernet devices subject to same noise limitations.

Sonore OpticalModule is an attempt to address this FMC noise issue, I have one on order, waiting on redesign due to chip supply issues.

@au_lait NAS vs internal storage, same deal with wide variety of opinions. Internal storage creates more noise within server, should really have separate power supply, maximum isolation for optimal results. NAS has it's own noise issues and requires more ethernet cabling, also more complexity to set up and operate. My present setup with NAS powered by lps sounds great.

Sonore OpticalRendu and OpticalModule no longer available, They are having to be redesigned due to chip shortages, I have OpticalModule on order for perhaps two month, who knows how much longer wait.

@emergingsoul  FMC does BLOCK noise at point where optical cable comes out of first FMC. it does not ELIMINATE noise created at any point prior to that. The entire streaming chain still subject to signal loss due to noise, same as with ethernet. Theoretical advantage of optical wholly based on proposition it totally blocks noise vs. ethernet which may continue to pass along noise produced upstream. Ethernet filters reportedly effective in blocking this noise. I will soon be comparing Acoustic Network Muon to FMC prior to server.

You are correct, that's why they have audiophile switches, supposed to limit noise. I did try audiophile switch, preferred router with no switch, router powered with lps. Guess I'm lucky with no need of switch in my setup, why add another component if not needed, addition by subtraction.

Having said that, I assume audiophile switches superior to regular switch, this based on positive reviews of many.

Andrew, thought I saw OpticalRendu out of stock a few weeks ago. Anyway good to know they're in stock and OpticalModule now in production, looking forward to hearing OM (already have OR) in my system.