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

@lalitk 

Hello, I have not tried the Pro yet.  I have the original muon system plus their USB cable and decided to sell some stuff before moving on.  Since my system sounds as good as it ever has, I haven’t been too fired up to keep buying stuff.  Instead I am buying/building a new bike.  Thanks for checking back.

@mitch2 

Makes sense, I believe the difference between Muon and Muon Pro may not as profound as ENO vs Muon. Good luck with your bike project. 

have any of you gentlemen tried using fiber conversion between your switch and streamer instead of the muon filter and the  network acoustic streaming cable i do this with a english electric 8s switch to a lumin u2 streamer which has a sfp port input i think you would be pleasantly  surprised on the sound this provides at a fraction of the cost for the network acoustic system.

router to english electric 8s out of 8s to a fmc (fiber module converter) powered by a lps to lumin u2 sfp input  sound is stunning 

if your streamer has no sfp input port you would need 2 fiber media converters to 

do this   thanks   Andy

@kefman1 

yes there are ample threads here recently about using fmc’s to cleanse the network feed - numerous ways to skin said cat!

@kefman1

I bet the sound is stunning but some of us don’t fancy the ‘clutter’ with a pair of fmc’s and a network switch. That’s 3 boxes plus 3 LPS not to mention the extra power cords for LPS.