@painter24 Eno Streaming System in was too much of a good thing in my setup as it mellowed out dynamics, clarity and excitement. The effect was the same when using it with 2 different streamers. I ended up selling it.
Stack Audio-SmoothLAN Network Filter- WOW!
I just received this item that I purchased from Stack Audio after being impressed with the AUVA 100 Speaker footers.
For any of the Audio Streamers out there, my initial comment as to this item: The SmoothLAN Network Filter is WOW!
From first plug in, the soundstage deepened and widened immensely. How the heck this occurs is nothing short of amazing. I have tried many of the major brand ethernet filters, and some of them, maybe, did something. But not enough to keep them. I either sent them back or sold them. I did however keep an iFi Silencer unit.
My digital streaming consists of an EtherRegen sending out the signal via Fiber to my Lumin X1. I have the Stack Audio device going into the EtherRegen from the Modem.
And, since I have my Apple TV coming out of the EtherRegen it will be interesting to see if the Video improves.
Check out the review in EAR.
Stack Audio Smooth-LAN For Clean Streaming | The Ear (the-ear.net)
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Showing 7 responses by audphile1
@brunomarcs just curious what noise you have in your system and why you think it’s due to network. |
@brunomarcs few things to consider… 1. Locate your router or mesh node or extender as far from your components and cables as possible - this eliminates EMI and RFI 2. don’t have your network components plugged into the same circuit with your system - this helps keep power your system components draw as clean as possible 3. use a good Ethernet cable with good connectors - doesn’t need to be super expensive 4. Focus on the quality of your streamer and dac 5. use good quality digital cable; depending on your streamer and DAC. Use USB if your streamer doesn’t have the best possible clock or you don’t reclock your signal with external clock or DDC. Otherwise use spdif (coax, AES/EBU) 6. Try a passive network filter like iFi LAN iSilencer Copper Ethernet is not always bad. Be careful if converting copper to fiber optic, once again keep it all plugged into a different circuit from your system - switch mode power supplies poop back into AC line. Don’t automatically assume you have noise on your network. Streamer or DAC upgrade will improve the sound quality more than any network tweak. Speaking from experience. Some food for thought… |
@sns here’s the review with some photos…it looks to be nicely isolated. Solid case work. @mclinnguy comments and observations remind me of my experience with Network Acoustics Eno. Does it do something? Yes it definitely does. Do I like the change? Not really. The smoothed over leading edges and mellowed out dynamics is the reason I eventually sold the Eno. |
@brunomarcs I tried fiber optic conversion with 3 streamers and it never sounded natural to me. I have the modules in the box sitting around collecting dust. But when I moved the router away from my system, I heard immediate improvement in clarity, soundstage and detail. There smearing due to noise you don’t hear gone. |