Pimping your router
@pokey77, I am not familiar with your setup. Are you currently running a 20FT fiberoptic cable from etherRegen to your streamer? My Apple router is only 4FT away from my streamer and ENO Filter can only accept RJ45 LAN cable. The improvements I’ve heard with ENO were so pronounced over my JCAT Net Isolator that I didn’t bother to pursue any further comparisons. Plus i like passive nature of ENO, no wall wart or LPS needed with ENO. |
@musicfan2349, You can certainly turn off the node during vinyl playback or alternatively place the ERS on top or around mesh. I am using a small cut-out on top of my Apple router. https://www.stillpoints.us/index.php/product/ers |
Interesting conversations.....I have tried Fiberoptic years ago and to my ears, fiber did not sounded fuller and dynamic compare to LAN cable (RJ45). I also prefer a simpler and clutter free approach, the fewer devices (conversions) in the chain yields to better signal integrity and minimize external interferences. My streaming setup, Apple router ➡️ Network Acoustics LAN Ag ➡️ ENO Ag Filter ➡️ Streamer. The Apple router is treated with Stillpoints ERS (EMI/RFI Suppression) cloth. I may try Acoustic Revive RLT-1 to see if there is any further improvement in lowering the noise. For now, I am very satisfied with ENO Filter. |
“Makes you wonder why those same 1’s and 0’s all intact and verified will sound better via extraneous methods and mediums..” @mikem It’s not so much about those 1’s and 0’s. In simple terms, it’s the reduction or elimination of ‘noise’ before the signal arrives in your DAC for analog conversion. As you know by lowering noise we get better resolution and dynamics. Your system is too good to be using a MacBook as a source to stream music. Try a decent dedicated streamer or server along with some of the suggestions outlined here and you are very likely to appreciate the bump in SQ. Here is my digital streaming setup, Apple router ➡️ Network Acoustics LAN Ag ➡️ ENO Ag Filter ➡️ Streamer ➡️ Network Acoustics USB III ➡️ DAC. Everything matters and you already know that :-) Good luck and enjoy music! |
@mikem In a perfect world, your DAC should come installed with ENO type filter. Or your Internet provider should pre-install a noise filter in the junction box. Better yet, let’s ask your electric company to provide ultra-clean power to your house. I can go on but I think you get the gist of what I’m trying to convey, right? |
@mikem How are you going to add a balanced circuit or a simple filter as you say to your existing signal chain? Perhaps you missed my point of isolating noise? Your laptop for instance is passing 1’s and 0’s along with the ‘noise’ via USB to your DAC. You should be asking yourself, how can I isolate this noise? If you don’t believe or think consumer grade laptops are inherently noisy then this discussion is pretty much a moot point. Your laptop may sound fine to you and that’s quite okay. Can the sound be improved, sure if you care enough and open to exploring the possibilities. How about a simple test by inserting a USB purifier and see if you hear any audible difference in SQ. https://www.amazon.com/iPurifier3-Audio-Signal-Filter-White/dp/B07DLMZP5Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CO2XRJP3Q... The ENO filter in my scenario is filtering the noise from ethernet router and passing the 1’0 and 0’s to my streamer. It has made a profound audible difference in my signal chain and to my ears. |
@mikem, You’re welcome. I understand you prefer to remain skeptic at this time than trying a solution and trusting your own ears. If you change your position, try this simple test with the USB purifier and report back your findings. https://www.amazon.com/iPurifier3-Audio-Signal-Filter-White/dp/B07DLMZP5Y/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CO2XRJP3Q... |
Did you order the Smooth LAN Filter yet? The specs are quite scant…I sent an inquiry asking its compatibility with 1Gb/s network streamers. Some filters like Muon only uses 4 cores (100 Mb/s) vs 8 cores cable architecture design thus making them incompatible with streamers that requires Gigabit Ethernet. |
And I just got their reply, they replied promptly. So please check your device before you place an order. “Hope that you are well and thank you for your enquiry into the SmoothLAN. Unfortunately, the cap is 100mbps so it would not be compatible with your 1GB/s network device. I have noticed that this information is not on the website so I will now add it in, thank you for reaching out and apologies that we could not provide the solution for your network.” |
