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.  
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128x128grannyring

My Muon ethernet system is sooo good. Background is so black now and realistic clarity and harmonic accuracy took a leap forward even greater than I was hoping for. I’m even impressed with the tonality of the ethernet cable and response throughout the entire freq range. I wouldn’t change it. I’m enjoying tracks that I was skipping before I added the Muon system just because there’s newly realized aspects of the music to appreciate now. Except for some future cable upgrades, which would be a large expense which I can’t currently budget for, this Muon system marks the end for me. I want to thank @grannyring and all here who share experience based reports and not just presumptive pontifications. It’s been a boon for my stereo journey.

 

My current chain is simple:

Modem (LPS w Neotech OCC copper DC cable) > ViaBlue EP-7 ethernet cable >

Router (LPS w Neotech OCC copper DC cable) > Muon ethernet cable >

Muon ethernet filter > renderer/streamer

I’m also filtering the broadband coaxial cable with a Furman pst-8. I haven’t run a/b tests on this with the Muon system installed, and I’m not in a hurry to, but I plan to.

 

 

I thought I'd give a quick update to my last comment above since I had forgotten about it. I think most would have expected this result, but inserting the Furman pst-8 broadband coaxial filter upstream from the Muon was a significant downgrade. Letting the Muon system do its thing with a minimal amount of other things in the Ethernet chain is clearly best.

For anyone looking to improve their high end streaming system, if you don't have the Muon system, you're really missing out. They recently sent me an email about a Black Friday deal, and I'm not sure if it's still active, but it's worth a quick look into.

I believe the sale ended on Nov. 28.  The sale was 10% off for the Muon system.  "He who hesitates is lost !. "   That is me.

Me too.  I heard about this and went to the website last week but didn't see anything about it so I took that as a sign I need to be happy with my eno.

I've had the ENO for a couple of months, feeding my Zen Mini Mkiii with Innuos LPS. It was a very nice uplift, to put it mildly. I couldn't stretch to the Muon; maybe further down the line 🤔😁

My ethernet chain is;

TP-Link Archer - Cat6a 15m run to pair of TP-Link Media Converters (2nd powered by ifi ipower 2 plug)

AudioQuest Carbon ethernet cable with Telegartner Rj45's to generic TP-Link switch powered by ifi ipower2 plug

ENO system from the generic TP-Link switch into Zen Mini

Sounds lovely. 👍