2. digital
  3. 164400-25

Streaming Sound Quality - Want the very best sound quality? Network Acoustics ENO...

Like many of you fellow Agoners I am striving to get the best sound quality out of my digital streaming front end. To that end I have invested in various high end switches, re-clockers, ethernet cables, various USB filters/re-clockers, high end servers and delved into fiber optic conversion configurations. All of these measures did improve sound quality at varying levels. I felt my system sounded as good as a decent CD transport on many streaming recordings in Qobuz. However, I still felt there was something missing. I felt my system was still being held back. You can see my system under virtual systems here.

Well, I stumbled across something that has finally enabled my digital system to be all it can be. I cannot fully express the level of sound quality improvement realized with the addition of the Network Acoustics ENO Ag filter and ENO Ag streaming ethernet cable. It has been 10 days now since I added these to my system and I can now confidently say my streaming and system are all they can be sonically.

Here is the set up that has caused me to sell off and move past many other powered filters, reclockers, fiber optic options, and other streaming tweaks and gadgets. Frankly, the ENO additions are miles ahead of these other options sonically in my system and experience. Miles. This is my personal experience and please understand this perspective.

Netgear NighHawk modem/router power by an LPS > Supra cat 8 ethernet cable > English Electric 8Switch > Network Acoustics ENO Ag streaming cable > ENO Ag ethernet filter > Innuos Zenith III > Mojo Audio Evo dac

The English Electric 8Switch is also wonderful. Will a lower cost, standard switch sound as good in this set-up? Not sure as I have not tried. I am so ecstatic with my sound system that I don’t want to touch it!

There is a certain rightness from top to bottom that’s intoxicating. The tone is so beautiful and natural with no hint of electronic glare or digital artificiality. Music flows with far greater ease and has an uncanny, unforced nature to it. The stage is far deeper with the music flowing from a plane that is layered and completely separate of the speakers. This aural sensation, at this level of nuance, is new to my system and experience. The ENO products made this possible.

Instruments are presented with a new realism that is arresting to my senses. There is a wholistic presentation that spreads out all around me and my space. Just a joy to experience. Yes, the speakers seem to float the music into my space without any attention or localization of the speaker box or physical presence.

No part of frequency spectrum is out of place or forced. I am sure this has to do with the absence of noise. My music is equally articulate and resolved at low or loud volumes. Music stays controlled and enticing no matter how complex or bombastic the recording.

The ENO filter is passive, not powered, so there is no need of any power supply or plug. This is a huge plus.

Hope you streaming audiophiles find this helpful.

Bill
128x128grannyring

Showing 4 responses by rc22

rc22
121 posts
 
@grannyring (Bill), thank you very much for taking the time to detail all the products you've evaluated (owned in most cases) in pursuit of better and better streaming SQ.  It helps so many of us evaluate our options.

Like Mitch2, I've come to know Bill and very much trust his ears.  He modded my Lyngdorf 2170 and 2-way floor standers with simply outstanding results.  He chose the parts (caps, wires, resistors, inductors) but explained to me the rational for each.  Prior to doing the mods, he described the ways in which the SQ would improve and by how much.  Each mod turned out exactly as he described or, if anything--better.  I have Bill's Acoustic BBQ brand power cords, a usb and Duelund speaker wires also.

I've been doing some homework on ENO Ag this week and will be placing an order for the filter and possibly the cable too.  I have a Zenith MK3 and think it sounds incredible, but there seems to be a consensus forming around the notion that steamers sound even nicer when noise is removed from the network (if that is the right way to say it).

Also, thank you very much to @lalitk for his advice.  Messaging him about ENO was part of my 'homework'.  He gave great guidance based on his experience.


rc22
121 posts
 

30 days ago I added the ENO silver filter **by itself** for about a week before adding an EE 8switch and Supra Cat 8 Ethernet cable between the switch and ENO. Note: I have no ethernet wall plates so I was able to use ENO Ag without an ethernet patch-cord. Cat 6 runs from my router/modem directly into my Zenith thru a small hole in the sheetrock of my music room. So I inserted cat 6 into ENO and ENO pigtail into Zentih. The result was disappointing.

The filter did provide a discernible improvement in SQ after a few days of settling in or cooking—if you will. But, the gain was too small, in my view. I will never know if an ethernet cable along with the filter would have provided a larger bump. But I can say that after adding the EE switch and Supra Cat 8 and allowing those to settle in a few days or perhaps even longer, I have been mightily impressed. Speaking with others about their experiences with ENO filters, switches and ethernet cables, it’s clear results vary.

I did remove everything once to do an A/B and it was better with than without.

But, I recommend evaluating it over a month or so. Thru different moods, lots of different music, some days away from your system, etc. As I’ve done so, the benefits of these products in network have become more apparent and they continue to surprise me.  Outstanding results.

rc22
121 posts
 

@dbb

Thanks for asking.  I am not saying that, but I should explain:

I tried ENO alone and then *added* EE switch and Supracat, so all three devices were in-network.

I’ve not yet removed the ENO to evaluate the EE and Supra Cat alone, which is unusual for me.  Here’s why I didn’t bother removing ENO Ag-yet:  1) I bought all three items used so there is no return-clock ticking and the money at stake is much less than cost of new, 2. More resolving speakers will arrive later this month which could (should) be better at revealing differences, so final assessments of network items cannot be made until then.  Too, it’s pretty likely I step up my pre and dac game with new pieces after speakers are broken in, 3. It will be quite a surprise if I find that ENO Ag adds nothing compared with EE and Supra Cat 8 without out ENO Ag when I do get around to removing it from the network.  And 4. as @grannyring said in his OP: “I am so ecstatic with my sound that I don’t want to touch it!”

rc22
121 posts
 
My thoughts while reading the two previous posts....

“Veroguy’s report is gonna be so interesting and useful—regardless of the outcome.  How great is it that folks evaluate stuff I’m interested in and report their findings?”

“Holy Moly, Raceace already did 2/3 of what Veroguy is going to do and is about to spill”

”Wait, there’s a twist.  Now I’ll have two members’ findings in the coming week or so”

Delayed, gratification is on its way.  Kidding aside, I appreciate it and very much look forward to your reports.

Rick
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