2. digital
  3. 188537-435

Ways to make your digital streaming sound better

Having tried a lot of different methods including fiber optic , sonically Conventional 

Quality ethernet cable sounds more realistic , first at your modem router combo -get rid of the $5 wall wart it is nothing but added noise . Little green computer sells a decent 8 amp 12 v type for $300, that was much better , better still was the                 Linear Tube Audio LPS , on your router it states the voltage and most are around 4 amp. These LPS  go to 8 amp for $700 on Audiogon .  Then you need a respectable Ethernet switch,the best one I have found has a LPS built in as well as a OCxo clock -LHY -SW8 , you need 2 Ethernet cables ,your best one goes to your Streamer ,that’s where it makes the biggest improvement . 
with the latest Eversolo DMP -A8; really made a nice improvement just by doing these few things  many Audiophiles overlook .your streamer will thank you as well as your ears . Excellent streamer dac -preamp for under $2k .Many Excellent reviews . a mini review to follow 

128x128audioman58
audioman58's avatar
audioman58 OP
3,878 posts
 

I used the best  modules which were $250 a pair 

as well as certified fiber optic it was very quiet but didnot sound natural vs my 2-$1k+ each Ethernet cables and quality Ethernet hub $600 and LPS for the router,no junk wall wart. .I don’t buy any audio from Amazon .

I owned a Audio store for a decade ,and over 45 years as a Audiophiles I know what realism sounds like. If fiber optic was That good most Audiophiles would be using it .that is a Fact !

ghdprentice
6,439 posts
 

Whether fiber helps or doesn’t entirely depends on the implementation. If it is purpose built for audio it can sound better. If the conversion is with cheap converters incorporated just to have it… like the ones on TVs, then they will not sound good. This is why optical has up until recently been completely dismissed by the audio comunity. There are a few good implementations now. 

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,004 posts
 

Use an optical cable made by the Chord company, on of all things, a Sony mini disc player/recorder. Played a mini disc of west side Story (original sound track), as well as a miles Davis kind of blue mini disc....I’m blown away at how good it sounds. This optical cable runs from the Sony mini disc deck to a musical fidelity v90 dac.

 

jaymark's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jaymark
490 posts
 

A Waversa LAN filter was a very nice upgrade to my streaming.  Brought it clearly closer to cd...

kennymacc
258 posts
 

All I do is stream and my rig sounds absolutely incredible!!! What put the SQ of my streaming system over the top: #1= High quality ethernet cables #2= High quality streamer #3= (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT) Filer and condition your electricity and ethernet signal to clean out the noise/grunge/jitter. I added the following tweaks with astonishing results.

(a) I put an iFi LAN iSilencer on all three of my ethernet cables.

(b) I use two Puron AC conditioners in two of the electrical outlets in my listening room.

(c) I use a high quality Audio Switch.

The above tweaks immensely elevated the sound quality of my system to heights I  never previously heard before. I just can't tell you how extremely please I am with the effects that the above tweaks have had on my system. Hope this helps. Happy listening.

 

 

More to discover